M is for… Many Things! Mostly, Monograms!

Continuing with my A-B-C dive into the archives here on Needle ‘n Thread, we’re tackling the letter M today.

I had a hard time deciding on this one. Should I do the Marian Medallion? This was a very thorough step-by-step project, which included all kinds of techniques – and a smaller project (this Tudor-style goldwork and silk rose). There’s a lot to learn from that project!

But I decided instead to focus on Monograms, because I’ve touched on them so many times over the years. There’s a good collection of them here on the website, as well as very serviceable tips on how to stitch monograms in all kinds of ways.

If you haven’t explored it yet, you might check out this index of embroidered monograms with tips & techniques on how to achieve the different styles of monograms presented there.

There are a lot of good links in there to techniques, and, at the end of the article, you’ll find further links for more tips.

Monogram Designs

Here on the Hand Embroidery Patterns Index, if you scroll down the page, you’ll find a section with a good collection of monogram alphabets that you can use for your own projects. Those were added slowly to the website over quite a bit of time, but there are links to each letter in each style alphabet. You can save the letter image, print it, re-size it, and so forth.

You’ll also find a downloadable PDF with 16 full monogram alphabets available here in the shop. This is a great resource if you love embroidering monograms for gifts, on household goods, for bridal showers and weddings, for ornaments, Christmas stockings, and more!

Perhaps one of my favorite monogram alphabets and embroidery projects is this floral voided alphabet. These voided monograms are such fun projects, and they offer a lot of scope for a variety of stitches, colors, textures, thread types – great for exploration and experimentation! You can find the downloadable PDF for this voided monogram alphabet here. It includes the designs in two formats for all the letters of the alphabet, plus a step-by-step guide on stitching the monograms, plus a stitch dictionary for the stitches used on the samples.

The Appeal of Monograms

Monograms have a perennial appeal. When you view them as embroidery projects, they are small, manageable projects that can be accomplished relatively quickly and satisfactorily. They can be as advanced or as simple as you want them to be.

The personal aspect of a monogram makes any monogrammed item uniquely yours (or the recipient’s). Monogram goods make excellent gifts, but they are also perfect projects to stitch just for you, too.

More Ahead!

Next up in this series, we’ll dig into the archives with the letter N. I have you doubt you can guess what that one will be! We’ll discuss all kinds of tips and helpful information about everyone’s favorite tool!

Folk Embroidery Cross Stitch Kits Available!

I mentioned last week that I’d have these Avlea Folk Embroidery Cross Stitch kits available in the shop again this week, and they are here!

There are several project kits to choose from now, besides Arcadian Peony, which I’ve been working on at home while taking care of dad. I’m almost finished with it.

I’ll be starting Clara’s Garden soon, and hope to have it finished well before Easter. I love the colors in it!

Happy Monday!