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Make It Personal By Creating a Monogram: Part 1, Etiquette and Style

Stack of white towels with monogram of letter S surrounded by a wreath.

by Cathy Ellsaesser, posted on

What is proper monogram etiquette exactly? Which initial goes first? How do different size letters effect the order of the initials? What font should you use?   Where should a monogram be placed on the article? How should you modify the style of the monogram to suit the occasion? With this blog, I hope to answer some of those questions for you and get you started personalizing your own items and adding that extra something to the next gift you  give.

In this blog I will discuss placement, style, size, fonts and embellishments. Then, I’ll follow up with Part 2, Monogramming Software and Machines and take a look at some of the machines available at your local Rocky Mountain Sewing and Vacuum store that will help you create the perfect, proper monogram.

Letter Placement

Single Letter Monograms

Monogram with capital letter S in blue serif font.
Last name = Smith or first name of child or teenager = Sam

Traditionally, single letter monograms represent the surname (i.e., last name). That goes for both men and unmarried women. However, children usually identify with their first name much sooner than their last name, so an informal gift for a child or a teenager may use the initial of his/her first name or nickname.

Two Letter Monograms

Monogram with capital C and Capital E in blue script font with C to the left of the E. Both letters are the same size.
Cheryl Ellis

The two letter monogram usually combines the first and last initials of one person.  Once again, exceptions can be made. Some married couples enjoy using an informal monogram that combines the first initials of bride and groom (no last initial).

 

 Three Letter Monograms

The three letter monogram is probably the most classic of traditional monograms.  Here are some basic guidelines for the most common examples.

Single Person

Three letter monogram with letter S in the center and letter M to the left of the S and letter A to the right of the S. The M and A are slightly smaller than the S.
Michael Adam Smith

For a single person, the etiquette of a monogram is the same regardless of gender or age. However, the order usually depends upon the format of the monogram itself. First, for a format that uses a larger size for the last name initial,  position the last initial in the center.

Three letter monogram with letters M, A and S in a straight line with all lettters the same size.
Michael Adam Smith

Alternatively, when the monogram format uses the same size letters for all initials, position the the last initial at the end.

Married Couple

When a couple weds, there are several options for appropriate monograms. The most obvious choice is a joint monogram including the initials of both the bride and the groom.

Three letter monogram for a bride and groom with last name in middle represented by letter S. First name, Michael or Michelle, depending on whether the groom or bride is placed first, is represented by a capital M to the left of the S, and the bride or groom's name, Amy or Adam is represented by the letter A to the right of the S. Both the M and the A are smaller than the S
Michael and Amy Smith or Michelle and Adam Smith

The question of whose initial should go first in a joint monogram is hotly-contested by a cadre of etiquette authorities. Traditionally, the groom’s first initial is first, followed by the joint last initial, then the bride’s first initial. Due to the connotations of “ownership” implied by the traditional method, the philosophy of “ladies first,” is gaining popularity. However, you can always take the stand that the bride is always “right” and continue to place her initial to the right of the groom’s.

Married Woman

A married woman’s monogram depends not only on the adoption of her husband’s last name but the fate of her middle initial. Traditionally, many women chose to use their maiden name in place of their middle name after marriage. Other women may elect to keep their middle name intact. Check with the recipient of the monogram to determine whether to use their middle or maiden name.

Beware!

Unfortunately, certain combinations of initials are not well-suited to some monogram layouts.  For example, you should probably create a three letter monogram for George Oliver Douglas with the last name in the middle (GDO), rather than a three letter monogram with first, middle, last in a row : GOD.

Types of monogram designs

Straight Monogram

Here one, two or three initials of a person’s name are written in upper or lowercase in a straight line.  If using a three letter monogram, make the center letter slightly bigger.

Block Monogram

Block monogram with letters M and A placed one on top of the other to the left of the letter S
Mary Ann Smith

This monogram has first initial and middle initial stacked on top of each other on the left side of the last name initial which is big – it can be made in lowercase or uppercase letters .

Curved Monogram or Shaped Monogram

Monogram of letters CLB in a diamond shape.
Cynthia Bea London

The initials are curved in a shape – oval, circle or diamond and are often framed by that shape. The last name is in the middle.

 

Interlocked Monogram

The letters are designed so that parts of them intertwine.

Three letter monogram with letter A in a fancy font with letters S and E intertwined. S and E are the same size, but smaller than the A.
Sarah Elizabeth Andrews

Placement and Size

To test out the correct placement of monogram,  print out the monogram, cut it out and position it on the item. This helps ensure that the placement is to your preference. Another thing that is important when choosing the placement, is the ease of embroidering. Make sure you can stabilize and hoop the area to be monogrammed.

Monograms are usually placed on the left front of shirts and jackets. You can also place a monogram on shirt cuffs, collars and the left forearm. Some jackets have them on the lining.

Placement Table

Garment placements shown here are for medium and large adult clothing, and you may need to be adjust them slightly due to garment size.  Obviously, you need to make adjustments in both size and placement for youth and infant sizes. When possible, try the item on the wearer to help determine placement. Some view monogrammed clothing as pretentious. Thus, it is usually best to be subtle, especially when monogramming men’s shirts.

ITEM  SIZE PLACEMENT GENERAL REFERENCE
Shirt cuffs 0.5” to .75” Top center of wrist. The bottom of the letters should fall at the bottom of the cuff

 

Start 1” from the center of the cuff toward the buttonhole and 1/4” to 1/2” above cuff edge
Ties 0.5” to .75” Centered on bottom tip unless worn with a vest

 

1 1/2” to 2” up from the bottom tip; 9” to 11” up from the bottom tip when worn with a vest
Shirts with design on left side. 3.5″ x 3.5″ Centered between front placket and sleeve seam below left shoulder

 

7 1/2” to 9” down from the left shoulder seam and 4” to 6” over from the center front for men; 4” to 6” down from the left shoulder seam and 3” to 5” over from the center front for women
Jacket front 3.5″ x 3.5″ Centered between front placket and sleeve seam below left shoulder

 

3 1/2” to 4” over from the center and 6” to 8” down from the shoulder seam

Click on this link to view a table that details sizes and placements for bed, bath and table linens.

Fonts

A font is the type of lettering you use (typeface).  Most embroidery machines have several built in fonts and embroidery programs also have “stock” fonts available to incorporate into your designs. Depending on the editing software you use, you may be able to create embroidery lettering with fonts that are installed on your computer (i.e. true type fonts).   So, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of font styles available for creating monograms. Block fonts are more modern and masculine while script fonts are more feminine and elegant.

A Few Things to Consider

  • Do you like florals, geometrics, or abstract design? Do you prefer the style of traditional design, contemporary, modern or 1940’s retro design?
  • Where are you using your monogram items? On bed linens, bath linens, guest towels, table linens or for your trousseau? What is the style of your china and silver pattern?
  • Consider how the letters will appear. Some letters may look just like you want them to, while some letters might be difficult to read with certain fonts.  In this example, the Old English font used here, may not be the best choice for William, as the W is hard to make out.

    Monogram of letters WLB in an Old English font with L in the middle and larger than the W or B.
    William Bradley Long
  • While a highly decorative script font may look just fine on its own, it could be extremely difficult to read when used in traditional three-letter monograms.

 

Monogram of letters MSA in a script font
Martha Sue Ash
  •  A casual or “funky” font would not be appropriate for monogramming formal table linens. Likewise a formal script may not be the best choice for monogramming a toddler’s shirt. So make sure the font fits the occasion.
  • When giving a gift, consider the style and preferences of the recipient.

Embellishments

Monogram of letters CLB with L in middle and larger than the C and B. To each side of the monogram are small whiskers.
Clara Beth Little
Monogram of block letters MAS with a wreath below and surrounding the initials.
Matthew Allen Stamps

You ca n add more interest to a monogram by framing or embellishing with “whiskers”. You can also make the design more subtle by sewing the monogram in a thread color close to the color of the article you are monogramming (tone on tone).

A monogram adds personal and traditional details to many sewing projects, including home décor, totes and bags, and articles of clothing. Monograms make nice things nicer. Most anyone can appreciate that little “extra something” a well-chosen personalization gives.

In Part 2, Monogramming Software and Machines, I’ll show you some of the wonderful machines available at Rocky Mountain Sewing and Vacuum that make monogramming a snap. I’ll also provide some links to monogram designs from some of our suppliers.

Comments

Cathy Ellsaesser

Kathleen, great questions. I did a little research and it’s basically your choice. I think the most common application is to use the V. But some say that since the Van is really just a modifier to the Holden that Holden is the true last name. I think that in today’s world, though, you’re more likely to see the V used in the monogram.
Thanks for reading our blog and Happy Sewing.

Kathleen Maugeri

when a last name is Van Holden do you use the V or the H?

Cathy Ellsaesser

I have a program called Monogram Wizard+ and the whiskers were included as some of the designs with the program.
Thanks for reading our blog and happy sewing.

BONNIE

Can you tell me where I can find the embellishment that you used here? You referred to it as “Whiskers”.
I would like to use it on a monogram.

Cathy Ellsaesser

I’m not sure there is a suggested size, but that seems a little big to me, leaving only .75″ around it. I think I would maybe go down to 7″, so you have about an inch all the way around.

Judy Longtemps

I’m going to put monogram in a 9 1/2“ block on a quilt. What is the suggested size? I’m thinking of at least 8”??

Cathy Ellsaesser

Kathleen,

Great question! For fabrics with a “pile” like terry cloth, velvet, minky, etc. I use a water soluble stabilizer floated on the top of the towel before I start monogramming. You don’t have to hoop the topping, just lay a piece that is slightly larger than the design over the top of the towel. The remainder of the topping can be torn away after you’ve sewn the design. Any residual topping that is left behind or is hard to remove, can be dissolved away with water.

There are several brands of water soluble stabilizer out there. I use Floriani Water Soluble Topping. This product provides a smooth stitching surface for your machine. When the machine has to maneuver around loops and grooves in the fabric, it will affect your stitch quality. This product is completely water soluble and provides fantastic stability on the surface of your fabric by keeping your stitches elevated.

For best results, once opened, keep Floriani Water Soluble Topping sealed in an airtight ziplock type bag or Tupperware type container.

Here’s a little video from Floriani about Water Soluble Topping.
https://youtu.be/Qcz7tf2Rm7I

OESD also has two water soluble toppings. One is called OESD StitchH20 Water Soluble Embroidery Topping. This is a new product and will not stick to your embroidery foot. It has a textured finish for ease of handling. The excess tears away easily, and remnants can be removed by dabbing with water.

There is also OESD’s AquaFilm Topping Water Soluble Stabilizer. It is a lightweight, water soluble film stabilizer. AquaFilm Topping Water Soluble Stabilizer removes completely with lukewarm water.

Both the Floriani and OESD products are available at your local Rocky Mountain Sewing Machine and Vacuum store. If they don’t have it in stock, they can order it for you.

Hope this helps!

Cathy

Kathleen Majlinger

Hello RMSV. Can you let us know the adjustments in stabilizer or machine settings to make sure the monogram does not get buried in the loft of the towel.