It's been a while since I've posted any monograms for hand embroidery! In fact, I had almost (almost!) forgotten about this alphabet! I don't want to leave it half-way hanging and undone, so here's the next letter in the "Fan Flower" alphabet: the letter I.

If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this series of monograms, please check out the Letter A, where I've mentioned a few ideas for stitches. Also, if you have any ideas or input for stitching these letters, feel free to leave a comment!

Here's the small I:



And here's the large I:



And, if you'd like to save a PDF version of the small and large I, here it is:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers H (PDF)

Feel free to visit the Index of Monogram Designs here on Needle 'n Thread, if you're looking for more monograms, including the rest of this alphabet.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, March 19, 2010
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Here's the H in the latest series of free embroidery monogram patterns called "fan flowers."

If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this series of monograms, please check out the Letter A, where I've mentioned a few ideas for stitches. Also, if you have any ideas or input for stitching these letters, feel free to leave a comment!

Here's the small H:



And here's the large H:



And, if you'd like to save a PDF version of the small and large H, here it is:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers H (PDF)

Feel free to visit the Index of Monogram Designs here on Needle 'n Thread, if you're looking for more monograms, including the rest of this alphabet.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, December 13, 2009
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Here's the G in the latest series of free embroidery monogram patterns called "fan flowers."

If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this series of monograms, please check out the Letter A, where I've mentioned a few ideas for stitches. Also, if you have any ideas or input for stitching these letters, feel free to leave a comment!

Here's the small G:



And here's the large G:



And, if you'd like to save a PDF version of the small and large G, here it is:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers G (PDF)

Feel free to visit the Index of Monogram Designs here on Needle 'n Thread, if you're looking for more monograms, including the rest of this alphabet.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, December 06, 2009
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Here's the F in the latest series of free embroidery monogram patterns called "fan flowers."

If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this series of monograms, please check out the Letter A, where I've mentioned a few ideas for stitches. Also, if you have any ideas or input for stitching these letters, feel free to leave a comment!

Here's the small F:



And here's the large F:



And, if you'd like to save a PDF version of the small and large F, here it is:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers F (PDF)

Feel free to visit the Index of Monogram Designs here on Needle 'n Thread, if you're looking for more monograms, including the rest of this alphabet.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, December 04, 2009
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If you've been reading along here on Needle 'n Thread for a while, you have probably figured out that I have a thing for monograms. The first really impressive hand embroidered monogram to ever catch my eye was an E, and it was stitched on the lightest, most beautiful linen handkerchief I had, at that point in my life, ever seen. The stitching was elaborate, with tiny bundles of perfectly stitched flowers, delicate eyelets, and sprays of leaves festooning the edges. Oh, I wanted it! Oh, boy, did I.

I was visiting NYC at the time, and this was my first venture into some really pricey antique shops. That little 9" square of linen someone a hundred or more years ago had poured a lot of heart into was selling for $100, and, needless to say, I couldn't buy it! No matter how I tried to justify it, spending $100 on a slip of fabric was way beyond my means. And then, of course, there was the whole question of the E. E was not quite Me!

But I'll never forget that monogram; I think it was the first time I actually appreciated the art of embroidered monograms. Now, every time I see an E monogram, I think back to that hankie in an over-crowded antique shop in NYC, and I wonder if anyone ever did buy the thing?

Well, enough of that! Here's the E in the latest series of free hand embroidery monograms patterns here on Needle 'n Thread.

If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this series of monograms, please check out the Letter A, where I've mentioned a few ideas for stitches. Also, if you have any ideas or input for stitching these letters, feel free to leave a comment!

Here's the small E:



And here's the large E:



And, if you'd like to save a PDF version of the small and large E, here it is:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers E (PDF)

Feel free to visit the Index of Monogram Designs here on Needle 'n Thread, if you're looking for more monograms, including the rest of this alphabet.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, November 29, 2009
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Here's the D in the latest series of free hand embroidery monograms patterns - a set I'm calling "fan flowers."

If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this series of monograms, please check out the Letter A, where I've mentioned a few ideas for stitches. Also, if you have any ideas or input for stitching these letters, feel free to leave a comment!

Here's the small D:



And here's the large D:



And, if you'd like to save a PDF version of the small and large D, here it is:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers D (PDF)

Feel free to visit the Index of Monogram Designs here on Needle 'n Thread, if you're looking for more monograms, including the rest of this alphabet.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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This past weekend, I actually managed to get some stitching in! While I didn't progress a whole lot on the needlebook I'm working on, I did manage some trial-and-error (mostly error!) with satin stitching, which I thought I'd share with you. This is one of those "teaching moments" that translates into "don't make the same mistakes I make!"

I mentioned earlier when I showed you this needlebook embroidery kit that the fabric is not necessarily ideal for surface embroidery. Still, it works. But it can be frustrating at times!



First, I finished the top bar of the T, but I'm not too keen on that squiggle right in the middle. From a distance, it's not noticeable enough to pick the stitching out!



I also managed filling the bulk of the monogram.



Again, I'm using split stitch on the edge (which you can see clearly on the left edge of the letter there) and then filling with long split stitches and straight stitches. You can also see in the photo above the open weave of the fabric - great for counted work, but more difficult for surface embroidery, especially stitches like satin stitch.



The upwards loop on the T is also outlined and filled, ready for satin stitching.



I began satin stitching on the body of the T (the back spine, more or less) in the direction you see in the photo above. I thought this slant would make the little off-shoot curls easier to handle.



I didn't like the stitching. See how the edges jog in where the arrows are pointing? Was this a problem with the fabric, or with my stitching? Well, it'd be nice to have an excuse - to be able to say it's the fabric! - but this wasn't necessarily the case! Still, I'm finding it hard to see the lines clearly for stitching on this fabric, and the colors don't help much either. The grey is difficult to see on top of the natural linen, so judging the very edge was a bit frustrating.



I picked the stitching out (careful not to cut any of the padding or outlining underneath!), and re-stitched. I was much more satisfied with the edge - it's much cleaner...



... but good golly, Miss Molly! That thing, in the circle up there, looks bizarre, to say the least!



So I picked all the stitching out again! (Well, sometimes, you just have to!) Where the arrow is pointing, you can see how the actual threads of the fabric have to be split, in order for the satin stitching to look good.



Ah. Now things are looking better!

I decided to go with very little slant in the satin stitching, right in the middle of the back of the T. As I work downwards and upwards on the curve, I know I'll have to slant my stitches a bit, but right in the middle, I found that horizontal stitches worked pretty well.

I'm much more satisfied with this bit of satin stitching! Whew.

Like I said... I didn't progress a whole lot. But hey! Every bit counts!

Hope you have a great Monday!

Labels: embroidery kits, Embroidery Projects, embroidery tips and tricks, Hand embroidery stitches, monograms, needlework pictures, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, November 23, 2009
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Well, after my post the other day about my "mad" purchase of a rather pricey needlebook kit, I felt pretty good after reading all your comments! Nothing like getting a group of people together with the same interests in order to justify the occasional splurge, I say! Thanks for the shot in the arm! I'm pretty excited about the little needlebook, now that the project is underway. Don't expect to be amazed - I've only made a tiny bit of progress - but I thought I'd share it with you and make a few comments about the experience so far.

Before beginning any embroidery kit, it's helpful - I'd almost say "essential" - to read through the directions before jumping in. So that's the first thing I did. It wouldn't do to start stitching along, only to run into a problem that could have been avoided by reading ahead.

The next step is generally set-up work. It took me a couple days to get the set-up done, due to numerous interruptions and a general lack of embroidery time.



Remember that the kit is designed for counted techniques, so it makes sense to grid things off so that the placement is correct. You may also remember my determination to go Surface Embroidery on this kit... and I am sticking with that plan! Still, the lines are necessary to mark off the edge, and to mark off the various areas for adornment on the needlebook. These are just basting lines, and they will be pulled out while I stitch.



This is the monogram I'm stitching. It's from an old Sajou pamphlet (I think?). I had scanned it into my computer and cleaned it up a while ago, with plans. So I shrunk it to fit the needlebook, and altered the flowers (which were daisies) to round circles, which will be bullion roses.

It's kind of hard to see. I traced the monogram on using a .005 (super-duper fine) micron pen and a very light touch. I used a light box to make the tracing possible, and even then, on this fabric (which is slightly darker than a flax or natural colored linen), it was still difficult to trace. Still, it's on there, and that's all that matters.



When the fabric's held at a slant, it's easier to see the marking.



I intend to do the decorative bands that run down the sides of the needlebook covers in hand, without a hoop, but since I'm stitching the monogram in satin stitch, I definitely wanted to use a hoop. I find I get better results with satin stitch when the fabric is taut.



And here's the first bout of stitching. I was surprised at the color. I decided to keep the color scheme for the original design, but I didn't realize just how grey this is. It's really grey!

It's a difficult color to stitch on this color of fabric, when working tiny split stitches around the outline of the monogram. I had a difficult time seeing where I was going!



The color at first did not seem too attractive, and I was worried that I would not be very happy with it. But I decided to stick with it, anyway, and I found it grew on me. It really does match the reproduction fabric that lines the needlebook perfectly, so it's a good choice of color.

This is the padding for the satin stitched monogram. I worked a small, single-thread split stitch around the area, and then filled in with longer stitches.



Starting in the middle of the area to set my stitch direction, I stitched to the top part of this area in satin stitch, over the padding and the outline.

Now, this isn't as easy as it could be, and that's because this fabric, which is well-suited to counted work, is not so well-suited to surface embroidery. There's too much space between the weave, and it requires splitting the weave quite often, in order to get the stitches to lie comfortably next to each other.



This is the finished section, satin stitched. I've managed to pad the top section and I've started outlining the middle area of the letter, but this is as far as I've gotten.

I think I'll be pleased with the result, but we'll have to see. The whole monogram - due to the outlining and padding under the satin stitches - is going to be a bit thicker than I first imagined, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. We'll see how it works out!

I'll definitely keep you posted!

And once again, thanks heaps for your input on the kit purchase. I knew you'd make me feel better about it!

Labels: embroidery kits, Embroidery Projects, Hand embroidery stitches, monograms, needlework pictures, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, November 19, 2009
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Here's another monogram for hand embroidery, the C in the latest series of free hand embroidery patterns here on Needle 'n Thread...

If you're looking for stitching suggestions for this series of monograms, please check out the Letter A, where I've mentioned a few ideas for stitches. Also, if you have any ideas or input for stitching these letters, feel free to leave a comment!

Here's the small C:



And here's the large C:



And, if you'd like to save a PDF version of the small and large C, here 'tis:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flowers C (PDF)

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Here's the B monogram for hand embroidery, in my newest series of monograms...

You can find stitching suggestions for this particular monogram on the first post in the series, featuring the A. Make sure you read the comments - some readers have made suggestions that are worthwhile!

You can save and print the images, and if you need to enlarge or reduce them, this can be done on a photocopier or in an editing program on your computer.

Here's the small B:



Here's the large B:



For more monograms in this alphabet and others, please visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, November 14, 2009
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Here's a new series of monograms for hand embroidery. I'll be posting the sporadically, as time allows for cleaning them up. This is a pretty monogram, and a little bit formal. I like the fan flowers, personally!

You can hand embroidery monograms in countless ways. With this particular collection, I think the small cross bars are well-suited to satin stitch, though they could be outlined and filled with seed stitch. The letter itself would look nice outlined in any type of stitch suitable for lines and curves (like stem stitch, split stitch, chain stitch, outline stitch, backstitch, whipped backstitch, etc.), and they don't have to be filled at all. But if you like contrasts, and if you satin stitch the small cross bars, then the letters might look nice with seed stitch filling.

The fan flowers themselves? Well, it depends on the look you want. If you're going for something formal, I'd satin stitch them. If, however, you want something a wee bit less time consuming, daisy stitch would work. If you use daisy stitch, I'd not necessarily draw out the entire petal on the fabric when transferring the design - I'd just but a dot where the petal ends and begins. Daisy stitch will change the look of the petals - they won't look as pointy and palm-like.

I'm providing a small version and a large version, in .gif format here. You can also download the PDF and print it. The monograms should come out to 3.5" tall and 6.5" tall in the PDF. You can also enlarge or shrink the design as you wish.



Here's the larger version:



And finally, here's the PDF:

Monogram for Hand Embroidery: Fan Flower Alphabet - A

For different monogram alphabets, please don't hesitate to visit my Index of Monograms for Hand Embroidery.

If you have any ideas for interpreting this monogram alphabet in stitches, please do leave a comment below with your suggestions! How would YOU stitch this monogram, and what would you put it on? Your comments will certainly help inspire other readers looking for stitching ideas! Thanks!

Enjoy!

Labels: free embroidery patterns, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, November 12, 2009
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This past weekend, I received a lovely gift in the mail - a beautiful book, in French, called Abécédaires de Tradition, published by Sajou, in conjunction with marie claire idées, which is a popular needlework (and other stuff) magazine in France. I know I've been on a French book and magazine kick lately - Mains et Merveilles and the the perforated paper and embroidery book - but I can't help it! I think you deserve to see these great resources, too, and this one is particularly nice if you like monograms, and it's available in the US. So take a look...

Though written in French, Abécédaires de Tradition is not a book that requires you to know the language, in case you can't read French. Why not? Because it is primarily a design book, plus a little bit more.



Traditional Alphabets abound in this book of traditional alphabets. It is a "stiff" paperback book, printed on high quality paper, with beautiful color photos within.



Maison Sajou, a French needlework establishment, has been well-known for over a hundred years for their quality needlework products. When I think "Sajou," what normally comes to mind are their alphabets.



The book is packed with decorative monograms which are first presented to the reader via colored plates.



Many beautiful monogram styles are featured...



... and they are all accompanied by photos of embroidered pieces featuring the monograms.



There's a wonderful animal alphabet. Granted, the names of several of the animals don't match the English translation. "C," for example, is illustrated with ducks ("canards" in French). But many of the letters do match up - Z: zebra; Y: yak; P: peacock; R: rhino, etc. Personally, for me this isn't a bother - I like the idea of a foreign language alphabet. You can look at it as a teaching moment for kids.



Oh, yes, pictures of monograms are nice - but this is the best part of the book.



The whole last half of the book is made up of iron-on transfer sheets for all the alphabets within....



... along with some nice borders to dress up your monograms.

The book contains 10 full alphabets in various sizes and in varying degrees of formality and informality. Each alphabet is attractive, and can be used on anything from household linens, quilts, and so forth, to handbags and clothing. You can even stitch up full alphabets to hang as samplers. From beautiful to downright fun, there's something in the book for everyone.

Here's a thought: Are you planning to make Christmas presents this year? How about personalizing some gifts with a monogram? That's what I'm planning to do! And these monograms will be just the thing.

You can find Abécédaires de Tradition in the US through The French Needle, which specializes in all kinds of European-style stitching kits, books, threads, and accessories. (I love this shop - this is where I got the Bayeux tapestry kit). Lisa carries some beautiful surface embroidery kits that would be great fun to work. I love the large monogram (majuscule) kits. When I saw those, I suddenly longed for a name beginning with "W" or "Y"!

Anyway, at the time of publishing today's article, the book is not listed on The French Needle website yet, but it will be posted there some time today. Click on 'boutique' in the left column of the site, and you'll see an extensive list of everything available. Go to the books category to find this particular book.

If you like the idea of hand embroidering some monograms on various and sundry articles, then, do check out this book! The beautiful monograms within it are worth the price alone, but coupled with the convenience of iron-on transfers, how can you miss?

Later in the week, I'll be showing you a thread that works well for all kinds of surface embroidery, including monograms, so keep an eye out!

Until tomorrow.... au revoir!

Labels: book review, embroidery resources, iron-on embroidery transfers, monograms, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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While at Threadneedle Street in Issaquah, Washinton, I picked up a new book on hand embroidered monograms that is more than just a book on hand embroidered monograms - it is a fascinating glance into the House of Malbranche, a French institution dedicated, since the mid-1800's, to the creation of beautiful household linens.

Letters and Monograms from the House of Malbranche by Yvonne Van de Velde-Malbranche and Christine Rosenthal is a hard-bound book that contains practical information for the embroiderer - instructions on creating beautiful monograms for household linens - as well as a unique look into an interesting part of textile history: the established "institutions" or "houses" that produced luxury embroidered goods for the rich and the royal.



The text of the book is presented in three languages: French, Italian, and English. The book begins with a history of the House of Malbranche, detailing how the insitute would fulfill orders for custom linens - from the consulting stage, to the designing, to the distribution to embroiderers, to collections and payments.



It then progresses to practical information about the embellishment of fine household linens, including embroidering to appliquéing linens for the home.



The monograms featured range from elaborate in form - scrolly, intricate letters entwined around each other - to simple, clear individual letters.



Technical information on completing the monograms is arranged alongside the photo samples included.



Along with patterns, detailed explanations of stitch direction (especially for satin stitching) are included. This type of information is of great help to the beginner who desires to achieve perfect satin stitching around the curves of graceful letters.



Appliqué and pin stitching are featured on a "modern" looking monogram - quite art nouveau-ish - worked in white on natural linen. Not only do I love the combination of white-on-natural, but I love the clean look of this monogram set!



Diagrams covering different technical aspects of the art of embroidered monograms pepper the book, helping to illustrate the instructions in the text.



One of the most helpful topics in the technical instructions is the stitch direction for satin stitching, as mentioned above. Here, you can see that stitch direction on rounded tips of letters is being discussed and drawn out.



Throughout the book, there are many beautiful alphabets suitable for a variety of interpretations.

If you're interested in whitework, in monogramming, or in the history of textiles, I think you would enjoy this book! The English translation is a little choppy here and there, but the wealth of information and beauty within the pages makes up for this.

I found the book at Threadneedle Street in Washington, but I do not know if they still have it available, as it isn't presently on their website. They can probably order it for you, if you're interested in it. Note, though, that the price tag was pretty hefty - around $50.

You can also find the book through Mad Sampler Books, available for special order at $48. I couldn't find it in too many other places online, so if you happen to know a resource, do please feel free to let us know!

I think, overall, this is my favorite purchase from my recent road trip. I picked up a lot of fun things, but this was a nice find of a not-so-common book, on a topic I like, in a beautiful format, with an interesting story to read. I really like it!

Labels: book review, embroidery resources, historical needlework, monograms

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, July 09, 2009
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