Where do you find giant pieces of Aida cloth?

[LucyInTheSky]

I've been looking at some of the larger Mario patterns and really want to make some. Where do you find the giant Aida cloth? I know Joanns/Michaels has some, but I feel like it's not big enough for the super big worlds and such.

Also, I know how to use the KG Cross Stitch program and such, but what I don't get is how to figure out how big my finished project will be in terms of the Aida fabric. I did a big one and had to count on the actual fabric to reassure myself it's big enough! I don't remember specifically why I was so worried, but something about how big the fabric said it was compared to the KG units... maybe cm/inches issue?

Thanks!

[LucyInTheSky]

Oh, also, how do you know how much thread to buy? Since KG tells you there's 2000 stitches, to pick a number, for color A. How do you know if you need 1 skein (?), 2, 100, or what. Thanks

[StitchPlease]

This is the program I use to find out exactly what size fabric to use. Just go into KG Chart and find out the stitch count, that's the easiest way.
http://home.comcast.net/~kathydyer/fabric_size.html

As for figuring out how many stitches per skein, this is the chart I use.

14 count fabric using 3 strands of floss - 1200 stitches per skein

14 count fabric using 2 strands of floss - 2000 stitches per skein

16 count fabric using 2 strands of floss - 2500 stitches per skein

18 count fabric using 2 strands of floss - 3000 stitches per skein

It depends on your stitching style, but it helps me.

Hope this answers some questions!

[Eliste]

It's quite difficult to predict how much floss you need. It depends a lot on how you end your stitches, if the stitches are going to be scattered and require you to jump all over or if they're regular and together. You will use a lot more thread if you just do 1-2 stitches and then have to stop as you'll have to start and stop. I usually just buy as I go along.

[LucyInTheSky]

This is the program I use to find out exactly what size fabric to use. Just go into KG Chart and find out the stitch count, that's the easiest way.
http://home.comcast.net/~kathydyer/fabric_size.html

As for figuring out how many stitches per skein, this is the chart I use.

14 count fabric using 3 strands of floss - 1200 stitches per skein

14 count fabric using 2 strands of floss - 2000 stitches per skein

16 count fabric using 2 strands of floss - 2500 stitches per skein

18 count fabric using 2 strands of floss - 3000 stitches per skein

It depends on your stitching style, but it helps me.

Hope this answers some questions!

Thank you so much for the link and for the stitch information. I know it will vary some, but having a general ballpark makes me happy . Thank you!

[Menolly07]

For project size, you can go off the count of stitches you use. You know, from KG, how wide/long your project will be in stitches. The fabric is described in its count size. A 14 count fabric has 14 stitches per inch. 22 count has 22 stitches per inch. Etc etc etc. With me?

Online there are many sources for ALL sorts of evenweave type fabrics, in multiple colours, counts and sold by the yard. NordicNeedle.com has many fabrics in yard increments and even larger as well.

[gamerwolff]

I love Nordic Needle! awesome site! 123stitch is a great one too!

[tnitnetny]

Joanns sells Aida cloth by the bolt. Go there and ask a sales person where they keep it. You can get as much as you want in a single piece.

[myahsmom]

i have also found some pretty good deals on big pieces of fabric on ebay as well.....but you gotta dig, some are not such good deals as they appear

also, with Joann, you can usually find a coupon for 40% off a regular priced item...really helps when you are buying spendy supplies!