Stitching on linen

[Aelys]

One of my co-workers in Italy (one of two, we're a very small team) is getting married in December and I would like to stitch something to send him. Since we work with videogames and he loves anything fantasy, this pattern seems perfect: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1946., but I don't know how to modify it due to the fabric I'm going to use.

Since framing it and sending a big package all the way to Italy would be way too expensive for me, I've decided to stitch the pattern on a nice all-white Ikea linen cushion case. That way I can fold it super tiny and they can get the standard filling at their local Ikea (oh, the wonders of globalization ). The cushion is a 50x50 cm (20x20") square and I guess it's what could be called evenweave, if I'm not totally mistaken. Each stitch could probably be done on a 2x2 strand square (or 3x3, or 4x4), but how do you modify the size of the pattern accordingly?

By the way, this is what the text should say (the quote is from Tolkien):
Let them a journey new begin...
Marta & Matteo
December 8, 2011

I think it would look great, if I can solve the pattern problem first. If anyone could help, that would be awesome! Also, I've never stitched on linen before and I would LOVE advice from those of you who have been brave enough to attempt it. Thanks in advance!

[Eliste]

If you don't know the count of the fabric, you're going to have to count it if you can. Or you can just decide on how many you want to go over, start in the center and work out and hope to god it all fits.

It's usually measured in inches, so if you check how many stitches are in an inch, you *should* have the count of the fabric. I say should, cause sometimes things that sent produced with stitching in mind have wonky counts. Then it's about playing with the calculator and the whole size of the thing to figure out how many you have to go over to get it to work right.

Personally, I've always just picked a spot and worked from there. Most times missing a bit around the edge isn't going to ruin the overall effect.

[kuja.girl]

I've decided to stitch the pattern on a nice all-white Ikea linen cushion case. That way I can fold it super tiny and they can get the standard filling at their local Ikea.

You are fitting a rectangle pattern to a square. BUT one thing going for you is that the pattern you chose can be altered pretty easily. You could take out the quote(or just change the font to something smaller), reduce the number of gems around the border or do a different border altogether.

I would start with something in the middle (like the heart) and work my way out from there, altering it as you get a better idea of the dimensions.
But as Eliste said, you do need to figure out the count of your fabric, even if it's just a rough estimate.

I for one, don't stitch on pre-made/pre-sewn things because I ALWAYS end up sewing part of the back or side the the front on accident. You also need to make sure that the fabric is "square" and wasn't sewn on an angel, otherwise your pattern will be slanted. I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just warning you that it's going to be a little tricky.