These monogram letters will take your projects up a notch by using them to create beautiful applique. Free printable letters make applique easy!

If you can’t find a pre-made tote I have a step by step tote bag tutorial.  Making a tote is a super easy sewing project.

monogram letters

What is Applique?

Applique is pieces of decorative fabric are attached to another piece of fabric with decorative stitching.

Monogram Applique Letter Supplies

  • Lightweight Heat n’ Bond Lite’ -this is a fusible web (found at fabric stores like JoAnn’s)
  • something to applique, a tote is used in this project -I  purchased the totes a awhile ago (okay years ago and found them in the “great craft room clean-up”. Find similar totes at large craft stores or make one.  This machine applique technique can be used to embellish t-shirts, onesies for babies, aprons, etc.
  • fabric
  • iron
  • sewing machine
  • thread
  • scissors
  • pencil or pen
  • printer and paper to print the templates
  • printable letters templates

How To Applique Step by Step

It just a few easy steps you can embellish a variety of projects. You won’t believe how easy it is to machine applique! I use interfacing to make monogramming simple.  HeatnBond lite is a two-sided iron-on interfacing that has a paper backing on one side.

tote-1

tote-2

 

Make it Easy With Printable Letter Templates {FREE Download}

You can use any shape but I used these printable alphabet letter templates.  Each link below has the upper and lowercase alphabet letters.

Click the link for an instant download PDF, and print the free alphabet stencil templates. They are perfect to cut out for a template. It makes tracing letters a breeze.

These cut-out printable letters have both uppercase and lowercase letters on each page. They are about 3-4 inches in size. The letters are simple using the best font for applique letters. 

Letter A

Letter B

Letter C

Letter D

Letter E

Letter F

Letter G

Letter H

Letter I

Letter J

Letter K

Letter L

Letter M

Letter N

Letter O

Letter P

Letter Q

Letter R

Letter S

Letter T

Letter U

Letter V

Letter W

Letter X

Letter Y

Letter Z

Types of machine applique

Here are three different types of applique that you can use to monogram your projects with these letters.

Straight Stitch Applique

For this project, I am using a technique called straight-stitch applique. It is the simplest method and easily dressed up any project.  Once washed the edges of the fray can fray giving texture and interest. No worries if you don’t like that I show you what product to use to prevent fraying below. Another example of the straight stitch without interfacing is on this birthday hat.

Zig Zag Applique

These monogram letters could also be zig-zag appliques.  This technique keeps the edge of the fabric from fraying. The stitch length on the sewing machine can be adjusted to sew a wide zigzag or close together to make a satin stitch.

Reverse Applique

I think reverse applique gives a wow. I think it is especially great for felt projects. You can see how I used reverse applique for this birthday crown.

How to machine applique letters

Trace your letter onto the paper (smooth) side of the HeatnBond Lite.  The letter must be reversed. Following the HeatnBond instructions, iron it to the wrong side of the fabric that you want to applique to the tote.

machine applique

Cut out the letter and peel off the paper.

tote-4There is now adhesive on the back (wrong) side of the letter turning the fabric into a fusible applique letter. Flip the fabric letter over and it is ready to be attached to the background fabric.

tote-5Again following package instructions, iron your letter to the tote bag.  Keep the letter towards the top so you are able to easily sew with the sewing machine. You can hand or machine stitch the alphabet letters. You’ll see, sewing letters on fabric is easy and really makes your project stand out.

how to applique

Machine stitch around the letter.  If you prefer to hand applique a blanket stitch looks cute!

appliqueI used Fray Check around the raw edges to keep the fabric from fraying.  You might decide to let the edges fray—–it looks good too!

tote-8

Finished! It is so quick and you have a really useful gift. These monogram letters could be used to monogram towels, shirts, blankets. The possibilities are endless.

monogramed tote bag with applique

I made one of these monogrammed totes for a little birthday gift and it was quick and easy.  You can even include a coordinating crayon roll.

I hope you will give it a try.  Let me know if you have any questions.

I would love to keep you fully stocked with creative ideas, yummy recipes, fun crafts, and loads of free printables. Subscribe to Skip to my Lou to get new ideas delivered to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram for all my latest updates.


About Cindy Hopper

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Comments

  1. WOW! I am a beginner so simple instructions are necessary, you gave me just that. i appliqued for the first time and surely not the last.
    Thanks for helping.

  2. thank you so much! I love those I have been trying to figure out how to do it and you explained it so clear! your blog is great and very helpful for people who love to sew!

  3. Thank you so much for the letters and the instuctions. My 13 year old daughter and her friends are having a t shirt party at my house. You have just made my life wonderful !! Thanks a ton

  4. Thank you for the letters! I’ve been searching for something easy and simple without having to make an investment. Thank you for your generosity in posting this for free!

  5. Thanks SOOOOO much for the easy letters for an applique quilt I’m making for my very 1st grandchild……Elia/Ellie. You have no idea how grateful I am for your generosity.

  6. Thanks so much for the easy directions! Very easy to follow, unlike some other websites that seem to have a lot of extraneous info. Love your site.

  7. Thanks for the easy letters for applique! I have 2 twin boys quilts to make in a day! They were born 2 months early and I’d like them to use them over their NICU isolette covers to identify the brothers, Collin and Evan.

  8. Thanks for the simple and EASY project. Love your choice of letters too. Do you have numbers also?

  9. These are great! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas with us. . . Can you please post a ‘Z’, my little girl would love one of these bags with her name.

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