Embroidered Monograms

Initials and monograms are funny things – they seem to go in and out of style, but are never really out of style. Monograms have been used for many years as signatures for many things, but gained the most popularity and use in the early 20th century.

In the 1920′s and 1930′s the monogram was the height of fashion and the classiest gentlemen and ladies had monograms on their most fashionable pieces but monograms actually go back as far as ancient Egypt. Monogrammed linens remain widely popular today and they pay tribute to the original purpose of personalization, which was the simple purpose of identifying laundry. Linens were marked with indelible ink at the corners, using a seal or stamp. Only the wealthiest families enjoyed embroidered monograms, usually in the form of a coat of arms, crowns or other heraldic symbols. It wasn’t until the 1800s that the middle classes adopted the custom of embroidering linens with family initials.

A traditional monogram is made from two or more overlapping letters to form a symbol or design. The most recognizable would be the first, middle, and last initials of a person’s name. Single letter monograms, or two-letter monograms are also very popular.

The classic monograms most people will recognize are monogrammed towels but monogramming lends a classic, personal touch to everything from towels to a monogram on a shirt pocket or cuff and almost everything in between.

The most commonly asked questions about monograms have to do with the number of letters to be used, and their order and arrangement.

Single letter monograms: These can be quite large without being visually overwhelming. Usually, the initial from the last name or surname is used, although there have been periods, notably in the 1930s and 1950s, when it was fashionable to use a single first name initial.

Two letter monograms: Usually a person’s first, then last initial, defines this look. Since there’s typically no confusion about the letter order, both can be the same size, or, to add interest, the first initial can be smaller than the last.

Three letter monograms: This arrangement is the most common, featuring first, middle and last. Note: Keep in mind that some people do not have three names/initials. The order of these three letters varies by usage and letter size, which can be confusing. Therefore, it’s most common to place them as follows: first, last, then middle, making the center initial (last name) noticeably larger than the other two, helping to identify the surname.

If you’re working with small letters the convention would be first initial, middle initial, last initial. Each is the same size, and should therefore be arranged in the order you would write the name.

The trouble with the standard monogram practices, is that they’re just that, conventions, or common practices, that were established at some point in history because they worked well for a majority of those using it.

Monogramming has become much more complicated in recent years with the widespread fashion of hyphenated last names. It’s easy to imagine the marriage of two individuals with hyphenated last names creating a complicated combination of six or eight letter monograms, unless some simplification occurs. As yet, there are no “rules” established, so it is a matter of digitizing the monogram to suit the wants and needs of the person for whom the monogram is intended or your own personal preferences.

Placement of Letters for Monograms

Note: All placements refer to the center point of the design unless otherwise noted. These are suggested placements only and are not “written in stone”.

Golf-shirts – 7 inches – 9 inches inches down from the left shoulder seam, and 4 inches – 6 inches over from the center.

Ladies sweaters – 3 1/2 inches to 4 1/2 inches down from the collar and centered on the front.

T-shirts/Sweatshirts – 3 inches to 3 1/2 inches down from the bottom of the crew neck edge.

Shirt Cuffs -Placement on the top of the wrist, and from 1 inch – 1 3/8 inches toward the buttonhole from the center of the cuff. Cuff monograms are typically small, and are placed so that the bottom of the design is 1/4′ to 1/2 inches above the cuff edge.

Coat Linings – On the right side at approximately waist level on the lining.

Towels – Place the monogram on the opposite side of the label on the opposite end. (Measurements are from the bottom of the monogram.)

Face Cloths – 1 1/2 inches above the hem or 1 inche above border.

Hand towels – 2 inches above hem or 1 1/2 inches above border.

Bath towels – 4 inches above hem or 2 inches above border

Bath sheets -4 inches above hem or 3 inches above border.

Pillow Cases -The monogram should be centered at the midpoint of the width of the open end, and also centered midway between the edge of the pillowcase and the hem edge.

Sheets -The bottom of the monogram should be centered at the midpoint of the sheet width, and should be approximately 2 inches above the wide hemline at the top of the sheet.