Tips & Techniques

Card 13 Monogram

This card allows you to create a monogram with or without a frame and with or without decorative embellishments.

The shapes in this Design set are actually set up so you can use appliqué fabric behind the letters. Spray starch and iron 4”X4” squares of fabric to use for the appliqué fabric to give it some body.

Each MENU will include some side and corner decorative designs to use with the letters.

You must use the “mirror” buttons to reverse the design for the opposite sides.

MENU 1 will be the left side letters for the monograms. If you use the Octagon shape in Menu 1, the fancy little leafy designs in each menu will stitch slightly over the satin stitched frame.

MENU 2 will be the middle letters for the monograms and will include a 6 shaped frame as well as some corner and side decorative stitches. This frame is actually the same size as the Octagon shape in Menu 1 but it comes to a point on each side rather than straight sides. So, none of the decorative stitches will look good on the sides of this shape.

MENU 3 is the right side letters for the monogram. It will include a 7 sided shape that is pointed at the top center and shaped like the Octagon bottom but it is narrower than the Octagon shape. The side decorative stitches will look good with this frame.

Because this shape is narrower, the left and right side letters will overlap the satin stitching of the frame. You have to decide if you want the lettering to be done first and then the frame.

Appliqué

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer and choose the frame you want to be around the lettering. Lay the square of appliqué fabric in the center of the hoop, put the presser foot down and touch “start” and the machine will stitch several rows of running stitches around the frame and then stop.

Remove the hoop and cut the top and bottom threads and use some tiny scissors to cut away the excess fabric very close to the stitches.

Attach the hoop back on the machine and touch “start” and it will continue to do the satin stitched frame.

Then choose Menu 1 for the first letter and let it stitch out. Then touch menu 2 for the second letter and then touch Menu 3 for the third letter. All the letters should land exactly where they are supposed to be.

Using your program to combine designs

If you want to use your customizing program to combine the designs, then make sure you bring up the frame first, then the first letter, 2nd, and 3rd and then any deco stitches after that.

Each letter will have a center crosshair, so it's important that you drag each crosshair to the center of the design area each time so they will be placed accurately.

In the picture, the crosshair is to the left. So, place your cursor on that crosshair and left click and HOLD and drag that crosshair to the center of the design area. Then choose the next letter and do the same thing.

Then click on "combine" and the "center design" icon and then save.