Monogramming with Embroidery
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Monogramming with
Embroidery |
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Monograms add a personal and unique look to
embroidery projects. They're found on so many
things -- shirts, robes, tote bags, pillows, and
towels! Embroidery Library has more than 100
alphabets in a wide variety of styles and sizes.
In this tutorial we'll show you several ways to
use letters, as well as traditional rules for a
classic look.
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Browse through the alphabets at
Embroidery Library and select your favorites
to get started. The designs used in this
tutorial include:
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X4002, Dauphin Alphabet Design Pack
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X13297, Vintage Flower Fade Alphabet Design Pack
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J4732, Monogram Wreath - Lavender
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X9194, Fancy Flourish Alphabet Design Pack
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X4022, Goudy Sans Alphabet Design
Pack
Monograms
can consist of one, two, three, or more
letters. If you're using more than one
letter in your project, you can either
embroider the letters one at a time, or
merge them together in embroidery editing
software to make one new design.
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When using two or more
letters for the monogram, using paper
templates are excellent tool for planning
where to stitch.
Print the templates
with embroidery software. Cut around the
designs and arrange the templates on the
fabric and position them where you like.
Mark the center point and axis lines of
each template. |
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Remove the template and load the first
letter file.
Move the hoop so the
needle is directly over the center point on
the fabric and embroider the design.
Then, load the second letter file, move
the hoop over the center point, and
embroider the design. Repeat this for each
letter. |
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Or, you can use
embroidery editing software to merge the
letter design together.
This is
helpful way to create a file when
embroidering a three-letter monogram, or
when using letters to write a name or a
word.
This tutorial uses Embird
Embroidery Software. To make a 3-letter
monogram, we placed the letters K, J, and C
in a folder on the computer (after
downloading the designs).
Then, we
opened the letter K. |
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Next, we opened a second design, the letter
C, and merged it on screen with the K.
Then, we repeated the steps to add the
J. |
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Move the designs around until
they are positioned where you want them.
You can use the grid on the screen for a
guide to get the letters nice and even.
Save the arranged letters as a new
design. |
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Load the design to the machine, and
embroider the design.
The exact
steps will vary depending on which
embroidery software you use. |
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Three letter
monograms are traditionally shown in two
ways.
When
using the letters of the same size, the
order is first initial, middle initial, and
last. |
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When using
letters of varying sizes, the order is first
initial, last initial, then middle initial. |
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| If you are monogramming on a... |
Place the
monogram.... |
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| Bath Towel |
The
bottom of the design can be about 4 inches above the
hem of an unbanded towel.
The bottom of the design can be about 2 inches above the band on a banded towel.
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| Hand Towel |
The
bottom of the design can be about 2 inches above the
hem of an unbanded towel.
The bottom of the design can be about
1.5 inches above the band on a banded towel.
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| Washcloth |
The
bottom of the design can be about 1.5 inches above the
hem of an unbanded washcloth.
The bottom of the design can be about
1 inch above the band on a banded washcloth.
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| Bathrobe |
The top
of the design can be 4 to 6 inches down from left
shoulder seam.
The center of the monogram can be centered between the outer
edge of the lapel and side seam.
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| Shirt cuffs |
Top center of wrist,
1" up from the outer edge of the cuff.
The monogram should face out
(the bottom of the letters pointing toward the outer edge of the
cuff).
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| Shirts
(golf, polo, pique, sweatshirt, t-shirt) |
This
will vary depending on the size of the shirt. For larger sizes
(sizes XXL and higher) position the design so that the top is 7
to 9 inches down from the shoulder seam.
For other shirts (size XL and lower), position the design so
that the top of the design is 4 - 6 inches down from the
shoulder seam.
For shirts that have a placket, center the design between the
placket and the side seam.
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If you are monogramming for... |
A traditional
look is.... |
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A married couple
that is sharing a last name |
A three-letter
monogram has the last name initial in the center; the groom's
first name initial is on the left, and the bride's is on the
right.
It is also acceptable (thought not as common) to have the bride's initial on the left,
and the groom's on the right. |
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Someone who has no
middle initial |
Use a two-letter
monogram, where the letters are the same size. |
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Someone who has a
last name with an apostrophe (like O'Malley, O'Keefe). |
Use the O. (Lisa
Marie O'Keefe's monogram is LOM).
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Someone who has four
names, such as Benjamin Timothy Carlson Caraway.
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A monogram with
letters of all the same size looks best: BTCC
You can also stack the letters to make a square:
BT
CC |
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A newly-married
couple who are hyphenating both last names to form a new last
name. (Douglas Peter Jamieson marries Gail Marie Nelson) |
Use a large J and N
in the center, smaller D and G on the sides: DJNG |
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