Calculating the amount of embroidery thread needed

How much embroidery thread do I need?

I am regularly asked how much embroidery floss someone needs for an embroidery project. The required amount of thread is indicated on many patterns, but on just as many patterns it is not indicated at all.

Unfortunately, this is not very easy to calculate and depends on many factors:

• Size of embroidery: The larger the pattern, the more floss you will need.
• Number of cross stitches: The number of cross stitches in your pattern also determines the amount of floss you need.
• Density of the pattern: If cross stitches are further apart, use more thread for crossing to the next piece.
• Type of fabric: Depending on the density and texture of the fabric you use, the amount of floss may vary.
• To the embroiderer: not everyone embroiders economically.

I have done some research on the internet and will try to answer this question.

On the website of Lindy stitches I found a useful diagram that gives a reasonable indication. I have translated this for you and converted it to meters.
 

* NB! This is only an indication. Everyone's way of embroidering gives a different result in the amount of thread used.

In this table we assume 6-ply splitable floss. A skein of DMC floss  contains 8 meters, so on 32 count fabric you can embroider approximately 2200 cross stitches.

The most common overdyed floss such as Classic Colorworks, Gentle Art and Weeks Dye Works contain 4.5 meters (5 yards) and are good for more than 1200 crosses and a skein of Cottage Garden even provides 10 meters of floss so you can make 2750 cross stitches with it.
 

Calculator for embroidery floss

There are various calculation tools with which you can calculate the amount of thread used. I'll give you a link. You could use these to calculate the amount of floss needed:

https://www.thread-bare.com/tools/cross-stitch-skein-estimator 

Thread Bare's calculator is based on this table:https://www.mismatch.co.uk/cross.htm#floss_amt 

As mentioned, it is based on all estimates, so it remains a bit of guesswork.

Unfortunately it is impossible to calculate exact quantities, but I hope this information gives you an indication of how much floss you need for your embroidery project.

Always buy some extra embroidery floss

It's always a good idea to buy a little more floss than what you calculated, to make sure you have enough for the entire project and to avoid color discrepancies later from different dye baths.

If you do encounter a color difference, try using or mixing the different dye baths together so that it is less noticeable.