Hello,

Mystic Stitch Designs will always default to 14 or 18ct. White/Antique White. The booklet itself states that the fabric for this design is 14ct. Antique White but the stitcher can choose whatever color they choose. They may have just used a different color for the model based on picture purposes but it's completely up to you as far as the fabric. Our 14ct. Antique White is just a suggestion. As for the sizing, based on the stitch count of 500 x 173 and doing the math for a 14ct. fabric it comes out to 35.7w x 12.35h so the sized piece that is listed is just enough to complete the design. The fabric calculator will usually have a larger piece listed because it gives you extra inches on each side for framing. I believe that is stated on the fabric calculator at the bottom? It should tell you how many extra inches are being given for framing purposes. Hope this helps! Thank you.

~Kristi @ ECS

kshil - Did you decide to stitch this pattern? Did you go with the chocolate raspberry fabric? I've had this pattern in my Wish List for some time, and was just now going through it to see what "speaks" to me and this pattern really popped out! So, I'd love to hear what you'd decided! If I do stitch this pattern, I'll definitely use a fabric color that will allow me to NOT stitch all those background stitches!!! (just like what you were thinking, I believe, with your question re. using chocolate raspberry fabric!) So, a blue, green, or brown - likely medium-dark blue or medium blue-green... At any rate, it's a fun pattern! Also, I'll need to add in 2-3" on each side for the framing/finishing - which the fabric calculator doesn't do. I may do this in a larger count fabric, like 16ct or 18ct, so it comes out a bit smaller than if using the recommended 14ct. Thanks, and Happy Stitching!

MY OPINION -- I think that the chocolate raspberry fabric would b great -- although I personally wouldn't like stitching on dark fabric. Difference in fabric size -- ECS does not cut custom pieces so you have to purchase the closest size. DO NOT SKIMP! You will need wiggle room for finishing and the possibility that you might get off center while stitching.

I found information that 14-count aida
‘chocolate-raspberry’ color is APPROXIMATELY DMC floss color 3721. If you pull the other floss colors you would be using and compare it to the 3721, it would give you a better idea how the colors come together. From seeing this particular fabric color on the my I-Pad, I really like it!
It would save you stitching time.
I have some patterns in my stash I’ve considered using either a black or very dark background fabric on, but the Chart has some floss colors that use fairly good size areas of white and ecru, so I will possibly change the number of floss strands to use on these charts so I don’t get ‘see-through’ of the fabric.

Thanks, NANCYE G and Bermuda - good suggestions! I haven't stitched on dark fabric yet, although I've gotten a couple of white water erasable pens for doing so. I've tested them on black aida, and they really don't make white marks on black (!), although they really are erasable (removable) with water. You have to let the "ink" dry, and after it's dried on the fabric, those lines or spots you've "colored" with the white pen are really just less black... ;) So, I'm going to get this pattern, but instead of a dark fabric, I'm going to try a medium-ish color - probably in the blue range. Thanks for your help!!! Happy Stitching!