I've spent just over a month cross stitching this stocking. When it was time to join front and back, I was aghast that my work was wider than their pattern. So I did the smart thing. I sewed just "outside" my stitches. On the reverse side there are clearly visible white lines where Bucilla was directing me to sew over my work. Never Gonna Happen!! I still have a few hours before I'm finished and I still think it's beautiful. But I'd suggest that you cut out the stocking back faaaaaaaaaaaar beyond the dashed line and then sew them together.