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.
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.
HOW CUTE!!! I had no idea how to do that till now! Thank you!
oh my goodness, i think this is the best tutorial for applique i have seen! very straight forward and basic, THANK YOU!!! i would love to see F and R. many blessings
Very easy to do, I must try this for my daughter’s jean purse I’m making for her birthday! Thanks for the idea!
Cute, cute! A and E would be great 🙂 Also, how did you sew all the way around w/o being able to turn the bag completely around at the bottom? Does that make sense? I guess I just need to try it….I’ve wanted to embellish my girls’ jeans before, but just couldn’t figure out how on earth I’d work with a skinny jean leg on the sewing machine when it was so narrow. The bag doesn’t have an opening on the bottom so I’m not sure how I’d manage to sew all the way around so neatly, if at all…can you tell I’m a fairly novice sewer? Thanks!
Thank you your things are wonderful, can we have a P?
Looks absolutely darling! Also looks simple enough for me to try…I’m nervous about anything sewing related. Maybe I’ll try!
Thank you so much! I did my first applique right before Christmas and had the most difficult time finding a letter that I liked that wasn’t too difficult to stitch around. Thanks for providing these! I will most definitely use them in the future.
Ah, I think I can do this!!
Thanks for sharing.
Loving it! I am so enjoying your site! We’re moving back to a town that has Hobby Lobby, oh how I have missed that store!
WalMart does still carry the bags and actually has a lot more choices than they used to. Hobby Lobby will also put their bags 1/2 off quite often. Would work on aprons too.
LOVE< LOVE, LOVE this! I’m bookmarking this page for when I get time!! How about K and M?
Wonderful! Could you post a D, J, & K please.
I like your font and anytime you can cut your work (enen be a few minutes) it’s a blessing.
I love the material you use for the monogram!
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!
Hey there
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.
E, J and K please!!!