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.
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.
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.
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.
Cut out the letter and peel off the paper.
There 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.
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. 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.
Machine stitch around the letter. If you prefer to hand applique a blanket stitch looks cute!
I 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!
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.
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.
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Love the shape of your applique letters. Would love to use for a quilt for my grandson. I would greatly appreciate upper and lower case letters 3 inches high for ALEX
THANKS
Thank you for making your letters available. You are making my late night sewing project easier and better!
May I please have them all?? I am making quilts for grandchildren and would like to personalize them. Thank you!!!
Hello I wondered if you would be able to provide the templates for all the alphabet in upper and lower case?
Thank you,
Jacquie
Love them thnak you for sharing. Question what type of sewing machine do I need? TIA
I need a Capital O N E to use on my great grandsons shirt for his birthdaythank you
I would like the letters Violet to put a name on a quilt. If you have a capital V that would be great, if not the lower case is fine. Thank you, and your project is really cute! Great idea!
Great idea!
Thank you so much for sharing the patterns for the letters. They are perfect for the playmat i’m currently quilting.
Love Gill. x
These letters are great, thanks for sharing!!
You are such a Sweetheart!
Love the Letters… absolutely what I was looking for.
Thanks a bunch for sharing you talent!
<3DiAnna
Thank you so much for the opportunity of using your stencil letter. I am making baby bunting for my grandbaby who is due in two weeks. I love your site and again thank you for your gift of sharing! Love June x
I would like capital and small case letters. Do you have both?
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.
Hi I love you letters a lot I personalise bunting they are a great shape to make the different sizes ,so I hop you don’t mind if I ask 4 the whole lot of them ,that would help me a whole lot
Thankyou Margaret x
Thank you for sharing your tutorial and letters! I am so excited to use your alphabet templates on my daughters’ presents for Christmas.
Thank you so much for sharing !!!!!!