Letter size by fabric count
Letters are measured in stitches, so the same alphabet comes out taller on a lower count.
| Alphabet | Stitches | 11-count | 14-count | 16-count | 18-count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5 | 0.45 in (1.2 cm) | 0.36 in (0.9 cm) | 0.31 in (0.8 cm) | 0.28 in (0.7 cm) |
| Block | 7 | 0.64 in (1.6 cm) | 0.5 in (1.3 cm) | 0.44 in (1.1 cm) | 0.39 in (1 cm) |
| Bold | 9 | 0.82 in (2.1 cm) | 0.64 in (1.6 cm) | 0.56 in (1.4 cm) | 0.5 in (1.3 cm) |
Will the name fit the band?
Measure the Aida band of the towel from edge to edge and type it in. Most letters of a 7-high alphabet are about 5 stitches wide plus one for the gap, so an eight-letter name runs to roughly 48 stitches: 3.4 in (8.7 cm) on 14-count. The tool centers the text, leaves the same margin on both sides and warns you when the name is too wide.
Ideas
- Guest towels and hand towels with a woven Aida band.
- Baby blankets and bibs with the baby's name and birth date.
- Bookmarks, small samplers and framed initials.
- Kitchen towels with a word or the family name.
Stitching letters neatly
- Start from the middle: fold the band in half to find its center and begin with the center stitch of the chart.
- Keep every top stitch going the same way, so the letters look even.
- Use two strands on 14-count, three on 11-count bands, for full coverage.
- Don't carry floss across the back between letters; on light towels it shows through. Finish off and start again.
Every alphabet has upper and lower case, digits for dates, and the accents, ñ and ç used in Spanish and Portuguese names.
Questions
Which alphabets can I use?
Three, drawn on the grid for this tool: block, 7 stitches high; bold, 9 high; and small, 5 high. Each has upper and lower case, digits and accented letters.
How do I center a name on a towel?
Type the band width and the tool centers the text and shows the margin on each side. On the fabric, fold the band in half to find the middle and start from the chart's center.
How big will the letters be?
Divide the letter height in stitches by the count. A 7-stitch letter on 14-count is half an inch, about 1.3 cm.
Can I write two lines?
Yes, one or two lines, each centered. A second line helps when a full name is too wide for the band.
Which floss color should I pick?
Any DMC color in the palette; the legend gives the number to buy. One skein covers most names.
Can I print the chart?
Yes, as a free PDF with the chart, the legend and the finished size, or as a Pattern Keeper PDF to follow on a tablet.