Materials Calculator
Estimate the floss, skeins, and fabric a project needs.
Some features on this page require the Full Version.
The materials calculator showing skein estimates and matching fabric pieces for a loaded pattern
Overview
The materials calculator estimates how much thread and fabric a project needs. It works out skein counts, the fabric cut size, and a per-color shopping list, and it can read your fabric inventory to tell you whether you already own a suitable piece. Open it from Materials Calculator in the navigation bar.
Calculation Modes
Three tabs across the top choose how the calculator works:
- By Pattern - Load one of your saved patterns and the calculator reads its stitch count and colors directly.
- By Stitch Count - Enter a stitch width and height yourself, useful for a pattern you have not saved into Needlework Studio.
- By Fabric Size - Work backwards from a finished size to see what stitch grid it yields on a given fabric count.
Calculator Settings
A row of settings shapes the estimate:
- Fabric count - The number of stitches per inch of the aida or evenweave you plan to use. A higher count makes a smaller finished piece.
- Strands - How many strands of floss you stitch with per cross.
- Stitching efficiency - Inefficient, Average, or Efficient. This accounts for how much thread is used per stitch, including the back of the work.
- Skein length - The usable length of one skein of floss, in yards.
- Margin - The unstitched border to leave around the design when cutting fabric.
Results
The calculator shows a summary of the project: the number of colors and total stitches, how many colors you already have enough thread for, how many you still need to buy, and the total skeins to buy. It also gives the finished fabric size and the recommended cut size, which includes the margin you set.
Per-Color Breakdown
Below the summary, every color in the pattern is listed with its stitch count, the skeins it needs, how many you own, and how many to buy. Tabs filter the list to All Colors, just the Shopping List of colors you are short on, or the colors you Have Enough of. A Mark unowned as Need button flags every short color in your thread inventory in a single click, so it carries straight into your shopping list.
Matching Fabric Pieces
In By Pattern mode, the calculator checks your fabric inventory and lists any pieces whose count and dimensions fit the project, considering both orientations. Pieces you have flagged as Need to buy are shown too, with a badge, so you remember a suitable cut is already on your shopping list.
Saved Settings
Calculator settings can be saved per pattern. Once saved, loading that pattern again restores its fabric count, strands, efficiency, skein length, and margin, so you do not have to re-enter them every time.
Exporting
The per-color list can be opened as a print-friendly page or downloaded as a CSV file. Both are handy as a shopping list to take to a craft store or to share digitally.