Tuesday Tips - Getting Centered

(Okay, so it’s not Tuesday, but it’s been so long I figured I better post anyway!)

In order to start any stitching project, it is proper to start in the middle of your fabric and work out. There is a very good reason for this: if you start in a corner and didn’t measure properly, you might not end up with enough fabric to finish the piece!

Fabric Size

Your fabric should be large enough for your pattern, based on the number of stitches in both length and width, plus about 3 inches around all edges for finishing. To get the proper measurements, you can ask the nice salesperson at the craft store to help or follow these steps (this does require some math):

1.  Determine the total stitches from the pattern. This is usually listed as the pattern dimensions.
2. Divide the number of stitches in the pattern by the count of your fabric to get your total finished piece size. The fabric count is the number of stitches per inch; for example, Aida 14 has 14 stitches per inch.
3. Add 6 inches (3 inches per side) to each dimension.
4. Buy fabric with at least these dimensions.

So if you have a piece that is 112 x 140 stitches (8” x 10”), you will need a piece of Aida 14 count fabric that is 14” x 16.”

Preparing the fabric

You may notice that some fabrics tend to fray at the edges. While this may not be a big deal in the beginning, over time these straggling bits of thread do become annoying. To prevent fraying, either wrap the edges in some masking tape or zig-zag stitch along the edge with your sewing machine.

Finding the Center

Now to the heart of the story: finding the center of your fabric.

To do this, simply fold your fabric in quarters, lengthwise and widthwise. At the folded point, this is your center. Poke a needle into this point so you don’t loose it after you put the fabric in your hoop. This is where your first stitch will be placed.

See this quickie slideshow for some illustrations.

Make sure you find the center stitch of your pattern: it is marked with arrows on the edges of the chart.

For more advanced projects, or if you are undertaking a project that is larger than one you’ve done before, it may be helpful to mark the center with a few basting stitches. Take a piece of thread that is a different color and create very long stitches that cross the center point of your fabric. Make sure they are loose enough so that you can pull them out later, but tight enough that they are useful. It’s a fine line. :-)