Monogram Tutorial

So my Fave Crafts link is gone! {aahhh!} SO sorry about that!!! I should have posted the original tutorial on my blog anyway - but I figgered "why do it twice?" So here we are - back to this same 'ol monogram frame - with instructions this time. I'm doing this from memory - so bear with me here.

This is probably the easiest project ever - a child could do it start-to-finish. So here's what I did:

1.) Find a cute font on your computer, type your monogram letter and increase the font size as big as you need it. I'd suggest staying away from curly, intricate lettering - stick with solid, simple ones. Print that out on cardstock, cut it out.

2.) Using the WRONG side of the letter (flip it over mirror-image-like) and the WRONG side of your felt, trace your letter. This way your markings won't show and your monogram will be facing the right way, too. Cut out your monogram.

3.) Iron a piece of fabric big enough for your frame. Using a tiny bit of fabric glue or tacky glue, secure your monogram onto the fabric by putting a little, teeny tiny strip of glue down the center of your letter. You don' t want glue anywhere else because you won't be able to stitch through it, silly. Gently press your letter onto the fabric and let it sit for a minute.

4.) Using 2 strings from some DMC floss or 2 or 3 strings of sewing thread, thread a sharp needle (not the blunt ones). I use the amazing Heather Bailey technique HERE, but do whatever works for you.

5.) Time to stitch! If you have a letter with a circular shape in the middle like "e", or "R" - start on the lower left-hand, inside line of the curve. So you'll stitch the inside edge of your curved section and then move on to the outside edge of the lettering without having to stop. Make sense? Now stitch your letter all the way around.

6.) If you're going to embellish your monogram, cut out shapes - mine was a little birdie - and stitch them on, as well, careful not to create too many layers if you're framing behind glass. If you're not framing behind glass, then pile it on, baby.

7.) Time to frame. Using your frame's glass as a template, cut out a piece of thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) and secure your fabric to the cardboard using spray adhesive or tape on the back. Secure your frame and you're done!

SO easy - now go out there and make a bunch. OH! I almost forgot - you can also make a banner with this technique, too - just sew right sides together with a coordinating fabric, leaving the top open, turn right-side-out, press, top stitch, and string the lettering together using a long string of bias tape.