Fabric
I'm new to this hobby and need help making sure I get the right fabric count. I'm not sure which one I should go with. Also, I just brought the pattern but it doesn't tell me what color floss I should be getting, how do I know I'll have the right ones?
Posted by: havenfowler95 on 01/08/19
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You will need to decide which count fabric you want. Contact Customer service and they can help you order fabric and threads. Good Luck.
by: surt8511 on 01/08/19
I love this pattern. This is just my opinion and I know you didn't ask for it but I am just going off of experiences I have had with new stitchers. If I were you I would start with a smaller pattern that doesn't have that many color changes it as 58 colors can be a lot. I would also guess the pattern itself has multiple pages and that can be daunting as well. I have been stitching for over 20 years and just bought myself my first large pattern with over 30 color changes and it has 16 pages to the pattern and I was overwhelmed, this is just my humble opinion.
In answer to your question ask Kristi to post the supplies needed to make this and then you will have your answer to what color floss and possibly the fabric count needed to complete this. Good luck!
by: Nettie on 01/08/19
The description says any count any color fabric. Believe ECS automatically defaults to white 14. Seem to remember Kristi saying that. But I agree with Nettie about considering something simpler (not saying you can’t do this) would just hate for you to be overwhelmed and never stitch again. Or perhaps something simpler to pick up and do while you work on this.
by: 113kevans on 01/08/19
I love the challenge of it!! I've done every pattern I've gotten my hands on the last three months. I really appreciate the heads up, I'm looking forward to it getting here to get started! I'm sure its not going to be easy lol This will be for my grandmother's birthday and she loves cardinals so I couldn't turn this pattern down.
by: havenfowler95 on 01/08/19
I would agree with the other ladies, if this is your first attempt at cross-stitching, I would start off with something smaller with a lot less color changes. Fifty-eight colors is a lot for a beginner to have to contend with. This looks like a cover-all pattern to me (everything including the snow is stitched) so since the fabric won't show when the design is complete, I would simply use white. The easiest count for beginners is 14 count. This could also be done in 16 count or 18 count, which would make it a bit smaller. The choice is yours. There will be a key included with the pattern which shows you what colors you will need and a symbol assigned to each color will show you where on the pattern each color is used. Good luck!

(Oops, I see by your comment, havenfowler, posted a few minutes before mine, that you have been stitching for a few months. Oh well...)
by: susiebelle7 on 01/08/19
It is going to be a big project but it is just one stitch at a time. I agree with the other stitchers that you might want to have one or two smaller projects that you could do if you decide to take a break. It is a beautiful pattern. You might aim for your grandmother's birthday but be open to changing that target date just in case you need to take a break or two. Good luck and have fun. If you ever need tips or moral support, you have come to the right place!! I am just a stitcher on this site. Pam
by: pamelastine11 on 01/08/19
Haven, take the stitch count and divide by the count of fabric to get the finished stitched size. This is 176 x 246, so if you went with 18ct fabric your stitched piece will be 9.78 x13.67. If you're planning on framing it, most on here will recommend 3" fabric boarder on all sides, so add 6" to length and width of fabric needed. You will need 15.78 x 19.67 size fabric for 18ct. With 14 or 16 ct the finished size will be larger and higher ct of 22 or 25 will be smaller finished size. Post to Kristi for the floss colors needed for this and she will get back with you. When I first started I also went with more difficult patterns. Keep us posted on how it's coming along when you get going. :)Liz
by: lhogan57 on 01/08/19
I'm not sure what fabric count I should get to make it look the best. So far I've only done smaller patterns that I got from Walmart or Target and I believe those were 6ct. I was thinking 14 or anything higher would make it look the prettiest right? I will post a picture once I'm done with it! My grandmothers birthday is in March so I don't have much time.
by: havenfowler95 on 01/08/19
This is a lot of stitching to get done by March! Of course it depends on how much time you can give to stitching daily, but this would take several months or a year for me. 16 or 18 ct with 2 strands of floss fills in the fabric nicely.
by: lhogan57 on 01/08/19
You can always work this for her as a gift for next Christmas, once you get started and find it's taking longer than planned. Whatever you do, enjoy it!
by: lhogan57 on 01/08/19