I've never gridded fabric so unfortunately I have no advice for you in that area. However if you are an experienced stitcher you should have no issue translating your skills to evenweave fabrics. It gives you a really beautiful finish. But if you want to be extra careful, you could always work up this pattern on aida - 28 count over two would work up to the same worked on 14 count aida.

If this is stitched on linen or Lugana - it will be a little trickier to grid, but you can still do it. One key to gridding is going to be whether it is stitched over one intersection of thread, or over two intersections. If the directions say 1 over 1, it means to use one strand of floss and stitch over one intersection. So you can grid the way you normally do (I assume 10 threads per area).

If the directions say to stitch 1 over 2, it means to use one strand of floss but to stitch over two intersecting threads -- so you would have to grid with 20 threads per area. If this is confusing to you go to the Scarlet Quince website and they have some instructional videos you can watch.

Since you are stitching your floss into the intersections of the thread, you still need to use a blunt tapestry needle.

I agree with the other two stitchers in what they are saying about looking into the tutorials at "scarletquince.com". I do not grid my fabric either but I do almost all my projects on EVENWEAVE fabric such as 25- count Lugana or 28-count Jobelan or Lugana. The reason these evenweaves over linen? First, because many linens ( not all! I don't want the linen lovers rising up in arms and running me out of town on a rail!) have un-even fabric strands horizontally and/or vertically; and some linens have "nubs" in the fabric. While I continue to use linen on my small projects, I prefer evenweave fabrics on my middle and large sized projects because I like the even diameter of the fabric strands horizontally and vertically, helps increase the consistent size and shape of my X's, AND (roll-drum please), I love the finer, smoother background appearance of the evenweave fabric, especially when I don't use matting and the fabric shows a lot more of itself when framed.
28-count 'over two' is what this pattern calls for and with all your cross stitch experience, your transition to stitch "over two" on an evenweave fabric compared to stitching 'over one' on Aida cloth would not be a huge jump.
The only thing is in regards to gridding on an evenweave. I'll leave that explaining to those stitchers out there who have done gridding on evenweave fabrics.

I see no reason why you can't stitch this on aida. The fabric suggested, is just that, a suggestion. It's what the model is stitched on but that doesn't mean you can't stitch it on aida instead.
If you're just wanting to try something new and out of your comfort zone, I'd try it on something simple to see how you like it first. Then move on to a more important piece.

I Bought it!!! HELP
I finally have a chance to work on this new pattern and I am confused. The pattern says:
Rainbow Gallery
DMC
and then gives the floss numbers.
However none of the numbers correspond to DMC floss. All of the floss has a prefix of S, F, G, PA.
I need a simple explanation on how to proceed. I did find 1 store in STL that may carry Rainbow Gallery. I am hoping they can help and will try and stop by there tomorrow after work. In the meantime, can you all help me?
I need a simple explanation on how to proceed.
Is there a conversion chart somewhere that will give me DMC equivalents?

Who is the kit/pattern manufacturer/designer?

xstiticher552, I have gridded linen/even weave fabric many times. Same concept as when you do Aida other than if you are going over 2 on the linen, you will want to grid every 20 lines which equates to 10 stitches. On the Rainbow Gallery Threads, you may want to go to their website www.rainbowgallery.com for additional help. You will see that they carry a large number of threads, each with its own name. Based on the Alpha Characters you indicated preceded the thread number, I believe you would be working with Splendor (S) which is a 12 play silk floss, Flair (F), which is a nylon thread, Grandeur (G) which is a silk pearl cotton, and Patina (PA) which is a rayon thread. These threads would all have more sheen to them then standard cotton floss. Rainbow Gallery does have a conversion chart from DMC to Splendor on their web site. Not sure if they offer conversions for any of the other threads. Hope this helps! Nancy

Yikes! Sounds like lovely and very special project!

Wow!! The person I stitched this for would have to be VERY special as this is a lovely and challenging project but very satisfying when completed.

I was able to get some of the thread at a local store. Oh my goodness, They think a lot of their thread ($).
And the specialty shop only had a few that I needed. Love the personal care I received. This may turn into a Christmas gift... Timing is everything or lack there of.