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Simple Applique Monograms with FREE printable letters
Take your projects up a notch by embellishing them with applique. Pieces of decorative fabric are attached to another piece of fabric with decorative stitching. 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 purchased the totes awhile ago (okay years ago and found them in the “great craft room clean-up”). Find similar totes at large craft stores. Use this machine applique technique to embellish t-shirts, onesies for babies, aprons etc. No worries if you can’t find a premade tote bag. I have a step by step tote bag tutorial. Making a tote is a super easy sewing project.
Applique Supplies
- Lightweight Heat n’ Bond Lite’
- something to applique, a tote is used in this project
- fabric
- iron
- sewing machine
- thread
- scissors
- pencil or pen
- printer and paper to print the templates
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! I use interfacing to make monogramming simple. HeatnBond lite is an two-sided iron-on interfacing that has a paper backing on one side.
Printable Alphabet Letters
You can use any shape but I used these printable letters. Each link below has the upper and lowercase letter. Click, download and print the free printable alphabet stencils templates. They are perfect to cut out for a template. It makes tracing letters a breeze.
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
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.
Cut out the letter and peel off the paper.
There is now adhesive on the back (wrong) side of the letter. Flip the letter over and it is ready to go.
Again 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.
Machine stitch around the letter. You can also hand stitch around the letter. A blanket stitch looks cute!
I used fray check around the edges to keep the fabric from fraying. You might decide to let the edges fray—–it looks good too!
Finished! It is so quick and you have a really useful gift. These letter appliques could be used to monogram towels, shirts, blankets. The possibilities are endless.
I hope you will give it a try. Let me know if you have any questions.
Your letters look great!
Thank you!
your detailed instructions - You're great !!!
Thanks!
Thanks Sharon
Each letter has upper and lower case on the sheet.
Each sheet has upper and lowercase letters.
Click on the link for the individual letter and it will have both upper and lowercase.
Thank you
You could reduce them to the size you need on a copy machine. That way you get exactly what you want. Each link for the letters has both upper and lowercase.
THANKS
Thank you,
Jacquie
Great idea!
Love Gill. x
Love the Letters... absolutely what I was looking for.
Thanks a bunch for sharing you talent!
<3DiAnna
I am trying to do a name banner for my Grand baby. Her Name is
AvaLee Josephine. If you do not have the lower case letters, I would like all of the upper case letter to use for other projects. What size are these, I would like about a 2 1/2 to 3 inch letters.
Thanks.
Thankyou Margaret x
Thanks
E T H A N. I need them to be about 4inches tall if possible. Love your site. Thanks.
b e l i v m r y c h s t m a n o
If it's easier for you to send the entire alphabet, I'd be happy to have them.
TIA
I would like to applique my youngest GrandSon's name of the Shopping Cart Cover that I made him. Is there a way to adjust the size of the lettering?
Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Pat Smith P.S. I would like the whole alphabet
Thank you!
tHANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THIS nice WORDS.... VERY KIND OF YOU.
I need to know if I can use my siluette cameo for cut them.
Thank you
Bego
T
I'm very interested in downloading the letters but its not letting me please help. I don't mind numbers too.
our new puppy Sadie. Thank you so much!
and I am taking a look ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a mail?
I am using them for my first attempt at making wedding bunting for my daughters upcoming wedding.
but your sites reeally nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later.
Many thanks
Thank you so much for the use of the letters. They are perfect! I wonder if you have a set of the numbers that you also could share???
Thanks sincerely
Yvonne
Lesley
The letters are Alfie Jack.
Kind regards
Thank you.
Kind regards
Laura
Helen Simmons
Thank you!
Frankwell Little Boro'
2007
Thank you
I have used some of the letters already --- love them!
I want to do a blanket for our daughter now, who is expecting a grand daughter in August in Sydney, Australia. It will be similar to the one I sent to The UK, but I have a name now, so can applique her name on it.
Would like the letters for Olivia and Caroline.
Many thanks
Max, Caroline, Cate and Jake.
Thank you soooo much!!!!
Thank you so much,
Pam Stowers
Thanks
Thanks so much
Dixie
Thanks
Thanks,
Pam F.
hellopf@yahoo.com
Doing a town celebration quilt. This made it so much easier!
Thanks for helping.
http://threegirlsandheathersguy.blogspot.com/2009/04/library-tote.html
I also like Tracey's idea about the zig zag stitch, this could add a really cute touch.
Thanks for sharing.
I like your font and anytime you can cut your work (enen be a few minutes) it's a blessing.
This is a cute project that I am sure my youngest daughter would love as well.
It just may have to be a mommy and daughter weekend coming up.
Thanks for sharing!
I love your cute project ideas, I would see myself spending some money at JoAnn's Fabric store after visiting your blog. I'd love to have the letters S and J please.
http://rainytuesdaymornings.blogspot.com/2008/09/very-hungry-caterpillar-bag.html
and here:
http://rainytuesdaymornings.blogspot.com/2008/09/quiet-bag-for-church.html
BTW - I just LOVE your blog and have made SEVERAL ideas from your site!
www.bowsbagsandthingsboutique.blospot.com
www.princesitascloset.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing the idea!
I've been going through a phase of personalizing things with embroidery, applique, and other methods (including some totes you can see on my blog!) so this one hits close to home. Thanks for sharing!
Also, your readers will have a plethora of fonts if they just open up their Word program, type a letter, pick a font, enlarge the letter and print it out!