[CHAT] My cross stitch project is wider than my Aida cloth after test stitching. How can I fix it?

Hi everyone, I need some advice on a cross-stitch sizing problem.

I’m working on a pattern that is 157 × 280 stitches. I stitched a 10×10 test patch and it measures 4 cm, because I’m doing a larger stitch (about 3×3 holes per cross) instead of the normal 1×1.

So the finished piece will be about:

• Width: ~63 cm
• Height: ~112 cm

But my Aida cloth is only 50 × 170 cm.

I already started the project and left 6 cm margin on the top and left, so restarting with smaller stitches isn’t really an option.

What would be the best solution?

Options I’m considering:

• Splitting the design into two vertical panels
• Adding extra Aida fabric to the sides
• Some kind of border adjustment

Has anyone handled something like this before? What would you recommend so the final piece still looks nice?

Thanks!