How Much Aida Fabric Do I Need for Cross Stitch?
Last reviewed September 15, 2026 · How these figures are calculated
Short answer
Fabric = (stitches ÷ count) + (border × 2)
A 140 × 100 stitch pattern on 14-count Aida is 10 × 7.1 inches. With a 2-inch border, cut 14 × 11.5 inches.
Calculate fabric size step by step
- Find the stitch count. Patterns print the design size in stitches, such as 140w × 100h. Kits sometimes give only the finished size; that already assumes the fabric in the kit.
- Divide by the count. 140 ÷ 14 = 10 inches wide; 100 ÷ 14 = 7.1 inches high. For centimeters, divide by stitches per cm instead (5.5 for 14-count).
- Add the border twice. A 2-inch border adds 4 inches to each measurement: 14 × 11.1 inches.
- Round up. Go to the next half inch or whole centimeter: 14 × 11.5 inches.
How the fabric count changes the size
The same 200 × 150 stitch pattern on each Aida count, with a 2-inch border:
How much border you need
- Hoop work: A hoop needs about 1.5 inches of fabric beyond the ring to grip. A 2-inch border is enough when the hoop is about the size of the design.
- Framing: Lacing or pinning over board wraps the fabric behind it. Leave 3 inches so there is enough to hold and pull straight.
- Scroll frames and Q-snaps: The fabric edges attach to rails or clamps. 3 to 4 inches keeps the stitching clear of the frame.
- Cards, ornaments and bookmarks: These are trimmed after stitching, so 1 inch is enough.
The hoop size calculator shows how much fabric each hoop needs.
Buying Aida by the yard or meter
Plan cuts on paper before buying a length for several projects. A 1.5 × 1 m piece gives 150 squares of 10 × 10 cm if you cut with no waste; allow a little extra for straightening the cut edge. One yard is 36 inches, so two 14 × 18 inch pieces fit along it side by side on a wide enough roll.
Common mistakes
Reading stitches as inches
A 200-stitch pattern is not 200 inches. On 14-count it is 14.3 inches before the border.
Adding the border once
The border goes on both sides, so add it twice to the width and twice to the height.
Using the thread count of evenweave
28-count evenweave over two threads gives 14 stitches per inch. Divide by 14, not 28.
Counting fractional stitches as extra
Quarter and three-quarter stitches sit inside a square that is already in the stitch count.
Calculate your fabric size
Enter the stitch count and fabric count to get the size to cut in inches or cm, with a grid preview.
Open the fabric calculator →