Well, this is a surprise. I hope it isn’t too unpleasant, though. I really wasn’t planning on starting the week with more monograms patterns, but the article I was preparing just for you fell apart this morning while I was proofing.
I spent most of the weekend researching a topic that came up in an email conversation, reading up on it, finding resources and information about it. It’s one of those enthralling, obscure embroidery topics, and I was thoroughly enjoying putting together an article about it.
But when it came time to hit that publish button this morning, I just couldn’t hit the button. It needs More Work. More Research. More Information. It’s a neat subject – something related to whitework – and I’ll share it with you when I can round out the information a little bit.
And so, I found myself sitting here at the computer, later than usual on a Monday morning, scratching my head… Monograms to the rescue!
I mentioned previously – when writing about the G, H, and I in this alphabet – that the I and the J are often used interchangeably in old monogram alphabets. I prefer a slight distinction between the two. The original alphabet had the I, which you can see here, but no distinct J.
By extending the upper portion of the “I” it was easy enough to manipulate the letter into a more distinct J, which I like better.
When it comes to these older alphabets, I always feel sorry for people whose names begin with J or W. They were so neglected.
Stitch Suggestions for Monograms
We discussed some very general embroidery approaches in the article presenting the A, B, and C for this alphabet.
Then we’ve talked a bit about approaching them as a complete beginner, with the stitch suggestions offered with the D, E, and F.
With the G, H, and I, we talked about a completely different approach (shadow work), suitable for determined beginners and intermediate embroiderers.
Today, I’m going to suggest something pretty basic that beginners and beyond can accomplish easily: Use stem stitch to fill the whole letter, working with just one strand of floss in the needle at a time.
If you want, shade it, by working light to dark across the letter, or by working the edges dark and the center lighter, which would give a kind of dimensional look to the letter.
Two things to be aware of when working stem stitch as a filling on a narrow, curvy shape:
1. Your stitch tension. If you pull your stitches too tightly, the density of the stitching and the curviness of the design are more likely to bring things to a pucker.
To avoid that, work with your fabric drum taut in a hoop, and take each stitch so that it just sits nicely on top of the fabric, without pulling little holes into the fabric at the beginning and end of the stitch.
2. Stitch length – as you talk the curvier parts of the curves (wherever the curves get tighter), decrease your stitch length to take the curves smoothly.
You can find some stitching tips on working stem stitch as a filling on this kind of design, by reading this article on stem stitch vines in the Secret Garden embroidery project. The concept would be pretty much the same!
I like the L on this one. It’s so Laverne & Shirley…
Hope you enjoy these new letters!
Monogram Embroidery Pattern Printables
Here are the PDFs for today’s monograms. The letters will print at 1.5″, 3″ and 4″ high if you choose no scaling (or a similar setting) on your printer. You can enlarge and reduce them by using the scaling feature on your printer or by using a photocopier.
Monogram for Hand Embroidery – Delicate Spray J (PDF)
Monogram for Hand Embroidery – Delicate Spray K (PDF)
Monogram for Hand Embroidery – Delicate Spray L (PDF)
You can find this monogram alphabet for hand embroidery and several other monogram alphabets under Monograms for Hand Embroidery on the Patterns page here on Needle ‘n Thread.
