Earlier in the year, I reviewed Susan O’Connor’s delectable book on hand embroidering monograms.
It’s called Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters (that’s a link to the review, if you want to see the details), and it’s a must-have if you love hand embroidered monograms.
But there’s this problem, you see…
At that time, the book was listed on Search Press’s website, slotted for re-release later this year. So, of course, I mentioned that in my review, because it’s exciting news! Don’t you want this book to be re-printed? I do!
*Sigh*
Shortly after that review, the book disappeared from the Search Press website.
If you look for Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters on any major book-selling websites, you’ll notice a depressing little message: Currently Unavailable. We don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock.
It’s not listed on any of the common used book websites, either. At the beginning of this year, used copies were selling for over $150 each. But now… it’s gone. Lacis carries the French version, but that’s about the only version I can find available anywhere.
But I Have Some!
I happened to purchase a few copies of the book before it approached the brink of extinction, with the intention of giving them away here on Needle ‘n Thread.
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. I’ve thought it, too! I could probably sell ’em and make a small fortune, if people really want them badly enough to pay $150 a copy!
But isn’t it more fun to have a give-away? Reading your comments ranks up there in entertainment value, anyway, don’t you think? I do! I like give-aways – they’re fun!
Give-Away Guidelines
If you’d like a chance to win your own copy of Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters, just follow these guidelines:
1. Leave a comment below, on this article only, on the Needle ‘n Thread website. Responses via email are not eligible. If you’re not sure where to comment, just follow this link and it will take you straight to the comment box.
2. Please leave a recognizable name either in the comment box or in the name line on the comment form. If your name happens to be Mary, please qualify it somehow (last initial, nickname, place you reside), so there’s no confusion when the winner is announced.
3. In your comment, please answer the following:
Do you love embroidered monograms? Why or why not? What appeals to you about them? Or what doesn’t appeal to you about them? Or have you never really thought about it?
If you don’t love embroidered monograms, it won’t affect your ability to win the book! The techniques used in embroidering monograms can be applied across many other types of embroidery, so this book is perfectly suitable even for the Monogram Non-Enthusiast.
4. Leave your comment by Tuesday, October 28th, 5:00 am Central Time (Kansas, USA), and I’ll announce the winner that day!
The give-away is open to anyone, anywhere, so go to it! Leave your comment below for a chance to win a brand new, never-been-used copy of Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters.
Good luck!
I do love embroidered monograms… but then I love embroidered lettering of all kinds! The work of marico/maricar for example, swoon! It probably stems from my long-held soft spot for great typography, lettering and calligraphy.
Good luck to everyone, and thanks to you Mary for the giveaway! 😀
How can you NOT love monograms?? There are whole pinterest boards devoted to them and I have a large number of pins!! This giveaway is truly a special gift. Thanks!
Yes, I love monograms! They are very classic, and many of them are so beautifully detailed and well planned. I am working on actually embroidering them, but my technique needs some help. Thanks for doing this exciting give-away!
Wow! What a great give away! Thanks Mary. I do love hand embroidered monograms, as much for the “looking” as the “doing”. I have a collection of old hankies (any ideas for repurposing?) and the monograms are a favourite aspect. All that work for a hankie! The juxtaposition of utility and fineness is quite interesting, I think. The book looks lovely.
Dale,
I repurpose old hankies and table scarves into quilts. Hankies make beautiful crazy quilt squares and you can make the project as big or as small or as elaborate as your heart desires. If nothing else, it gets these items out of the closet and out where people can see them, even if not routinely used.
Happy Stitching,
Debbie
I love hand-embroidered monograms! They are just so personalized to give and receive! I have a very important wedding on the calendar and plan on doing some special projects for the bride and groom. I collect designs and ideas. What a treasure it would be to win!
Since my first grand daughter was born two months ago, this is the perfect opportunity for me learn how to embroidery beautiful monograms! I’m planning to embroider a lampshade for her room, and of course I’ll be making many adorable dresses for her that should be adorned with her initial – an “N” for her pretty name – Noëlle. Thank you for this opportunity to win the book!
Yes, I love embroidered monograms. White on white is beautiful, but in my imagination the colors and styles are unlimited! If I ever finish those hummingbirds, monograms will be next!
Thanks Mary! What a wonderful giveaway. I love embroidered monograms. I love the white monograms on white or grey fabric. I want to make something with monograms for my Son and my Daughter who are both planning to be married next year.
I’ve always loved looking at beautiful monograms, especially those that are white on white. I have several old handkerchiefs that I just love to touch and admire. I think it would be fun to embroider a monogram on very fine linen. I’m visualizing giving an embroidered handkerchief to a favorite bride to be.
I have always loved the idea of embroidered monograms. When I was a kid, I tried embroidering my grandfather’s initials on a set of handkerchiefs. In sewing thread. He actually kept them, and I got them back after he passed away. One of these days I’m going to make a set of nice ones with my own initials, and hopefully with some better thread!
To personalize a gift with a classic embroidered monogram would be an achievement, instead of procrastinating – this book would give me the incentive to make a start.
Although I have never done a monogram, I love them. I love to look at the intricate designs and I would like to try one some time in the future.
I would love to own a copy of this book. I know it would help me to perfect my Monograms. This is so exciting. Thank you so much Mary for this kind offer to win this beautiful book. Jan
I feel everyone’s pain who is wanting this book, like you I trawled the second hand bookshops websites eta in vain for over a year, then last week I put the title into Amazon.co.uk without much hope but you have to keep trying, and there it was, 1 copy from an on-line bookseller as new for £20! did I snap it up? you bet, now everything in my house is in danger of being monogrammed, it is one of the truly great embroidery books, I just cannot understand why it isn’t still in print, they would sell masses, good luck everyone with the giveaway
Hi Mary.
I do love hand embroidered monograms. To me they are timeless and elegant. Not to mention just truly so “southern”! I recently embroidered a monogram from your free patterns for my granddaughter’s first birthday dress. It was made from a vintage pillow case and I added her monogram in a beautiful pink. It was fun and turned out so lovely! So….pick me!
Thank you for all you do,
Renee Wheeler
I use monograms and/or names when I do needlepoint projects like Christmas stockings. I am always in search of the perfect lettering style to match the piece.
I would love to have this book to use as a guide to improve the appearance of my projects.
Happy Stitching!
Joan Stewart
Oh Mary, what a wonderful give-away! Ever since you mentioned this book I have had my eye out for it! I am fairly new to embroidery and monograms are something I definitely want to try. I think I am drawn to them because of their versatility — they can range from having a timeless elegance to being fun and whimsical. This book would be a wonderful reference book to add to my embroidery books. Thank you so much for the opportunity to try to win it!
Oh I am so bummed that this is not going to be reprinted! I’ve been waiting and waiting. I love monograms. I’ve done one – from a book in French. And I’ve been waiting to do more once I got Susan’s book. I guess I can’t wait any longer…..sigh.
Oh My Goodness. This book is simply wonderful. This would be my best Christmas gift forever! I love Monograms. I love embroidery and think Monograms are the very best. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway.
I love monograms…on everything! Tiny little monograms on collars and cuffs; large, elaborate monograms on cushions, and everything in-between!
What a lovely give-away, Mary, and so very generous of you!
I love monograms although I have never embroidered any – yet. I think they are very pretty but also they attract me because I think they would be challenging to stitch well. I would love to learn the technique and have been looking for a copy of this book for a long time, please include me in your draw.
I love embroidered monograms because of the texture of the raised letters on fabric. Not only do I like the feel of monograms, I love how they personalize projects and they remind me of my maternal grandmother and aunts who would monogram pillowcases for all of the brides in our family.
When I was a girl, my mother became ill, and I was sent to live with my Native American great grandmother. She helped me heal from the loss with art; embroidery,paper cutting and mosaic. Living in Detroit,far from her culture, she would keep the Native spirit alive with Ojibwe monograms on her linens. Some were in English, some were in Anishinaabe syllabics. Crewel work,knot work, you name it, she knew it. We worked primarily in silk and wool with beadwork. I am a better person for having learned this beautiful art form from her.
I love monograms because they maket the ultimate personalized gifts!
How exciting for a chance to win this “elusive” book! I think monograms are elegant and take you back to a more “genteel” time. With all the techie stuff, stitching monograms are a respite from the hustle and bustle.
Carol b(Cln crs)
I never really thought about monograms until I saw your website. Then I fell in love with them. What an awesome gift to give everyone on your birthday or other gift giving occasion – their own personal monogram! Thanks for a wonderful giveaway
I really like monograms- I like how they look when making handcrafted Christmas ornaments, especially. ^_^
What a thoughtful giveaway, as well!
Embroidery monograms – I have always loved them. The lovely lady like elegance of the letters. I love how you can incorporate them into all items, pillows, towels, hankies, framed items, clothing and so much more. I am always looking for another pattern to fill my needs of embroidery monograms. Having a book with more information would be wonderful.
I love embroidered monograms. I took a class on them a few years ago, but that is not why I love them. My mother and I shared exactly the same name (I was a junior) until I got married. Then, following the tradition of my locality, when I married, my last name became my middle name. Since I married a man whose name started with the same letter of my middle name, my monogram became my initials and my initials became my monogram. Coincidentally enough, my mother had done the same thing. So at this point we have come full circle. My mother’s initials became her monogram and were my initials. My initials became my monogram, and were my mother’s initials before she married. Mom is not with us any more, but every time I initial anything, I know she is smiling somewhere.
Greatly enjoy reading your blogs. Would love to have the book. Thank.
I love, love, love monograms. I have used them to embellish scrapbooks for my children. I am now expecting two grandbabies and can envision many uses for monograms in the future. The book would be a treasure! Thank you for your generosity!
Janice
Hello Mary,
I love embroidered monograms. I made only twice, once on napkins, with the initial of few friends and relatives, and each time I take them out, my guests exclaim. The other time was on a t-shirt of my husband, and he was so proud! I love them, because it adds such a personal touch. And then, a letter hand-embroidered rather than machine-embroidered … it has so much more value.
Diane from Montréal in Québec
I love letters – embroidered, illuminated, zentangled and just played with. Letters are such a great base to play with and add so many do-dads from beautiful flowers to fun designs.
I just love monograms!
Either to embroider, draw, paint or just look at.
Hi Mary, I love the newsletter and look forward to it every day. I have come late to embroidery but have found it to be a very satisfying skill to have. I LOVE monograms. I have been playing with them in hoops and enjoy adding embellishments to them to suit the style of monogram I’m using. I am collecting monograms I can find on the internet and would love to add to my stash. Thanks for the opportunity. Lori W
I love hand-embroidered monograms! From a very tiny monogram on a men’s shirt to large monograms on trousseau linens, they are all exquisite in their own way. The curve of the letters and the intertwining of flowers, leaves, or any other decorative element is stunning. Stitching monograms is a long process, but well worth the accomplishment. This gentlework is a timeless legacy, one that needs to be preserved.
Simply put, I love the timeless understated elegance of monograms.
I do love embroidered monograms! There is just something very lovely about them, in addition to the fact that there are so personal. I haven’t embroidered any, but this book would certainly get me started with all the lovely patterns. Thank you for the giveaway!
I read your first review on this book and started looking for it at a reasonable price. When I saw it at $150.00 plus I had to give up my search. What a great item to add to my reference library. I would be doing back flips if I won as letter is its own art that stems through out the ages.
Best of luck to every one
Monograms are beautiful, timeless and make gifts so personable. I’ve searched for this elusive and evasive book. Such a gem.
Thanks for the chance to win this fabulous book, Mary! Wow!
I love hand embroidered monograms – especially on antique linens. I’m not sure why they’re so appealing to me, but when I come across monogrammed linens in an antique shop, I always stop to admire them and appreciate the skills of the embroiderer. It is a skill I’d like to develop myself.
As a young teenager my first needlework was embroidery. I loved it. I am 78 and still love the “itching” in my fingers to hold a needle and work on my projects. The different stitches are what is most exciting and monograms interest me. The giveaway would be appreciated.
Monograms can be so elegant. A handmade gift in any medium is especially thoughtful when personalized. I try to do that in my stitching and would love to learn from this book (which I tried to purchase just yesterday!). Thank you.
Hello Mary,
Another wonderful book give-away, you are very generous! I have not done monograms before and don’t really have a burning interest in them. However, our Needlework Guild has a ‘challenge’ every year and of course this year it is Monograms! I am sure the book would give me some excellent ideas for my monogram.
Penny B
Yes, I do love monograms, because they personalize objects in such an elegant way. I have embroidered white on white pillowcases, framed monograms for weddings and elegant beige letters on homey red flowered flannel for rice bags for my daughters to keep their toes warm at night. Even when they were small they understood that this just showed love.
What a generous thing to do! We are the proud older (76 Years) grandparents of our first grandchild. She was adopted by our single daughter and is the light of our life. We expected that we would not have the privilege of grandchildren so now I am sewing just about every day and would enjoy having the monogram book to personalize her things. Bless you for the opportunity and joy to the winner.
What a nice gesture!
I love hand embroidered monograms. They remind
me if a simpler time when hand work was admired
and appreciated.
Becky Myhre
I collect antique linens…and the ones with monograms always ‘call’ to me. Who was the person whose initials are on the pillow sham? When, where did they live? Who embroidered the pillow???
In a former life, I was a Graphic Designer, so lettering of any kind intrigues me. Then, I discovered a burning interest in working with all fibers, not just paper. Hand-embroidered lettering is great. Now, I just need to practice, practice, practice. Someday, I may be skilled enough to design my own hand embroidered lettering. Thanks for making the book available.
I have been searching high and low to see if I can get the ‘new release’ – obviously to no avail…
I won’t be a hypocrite and type out a whole story, I’ll just say it out straight – I ‘NEED’ that book:-)
I’m addicted to beautiful white-work monograms, and if you add lace to them, I am lost… Ever since I saw Marie Suarez’s masterpieces in white, I have been planning my own project… Then you dangled this tempting book before my nose, and I was lost…
Pleeeeeeeeze Mary, I’ll dance, jump and rollover better than any circus poodle, I’ll even whistle any tune you like…
I enjoy monograms and embroidery, thanks for a chance to win.
Oh, Yes, I do love pretty monograms. Especially hand embroidered ones.
You don’t really see them much any more. It would be nice if they came back in style!
I had the wonderful opportunity to take a Stumpwork class and Monogram class from Susan O’Connor recently. What a delight it was. Her knowledge and sense of humor made the classes so much fun though I was disappointed to hear that her Monogram book was out of print. This publication would surely guide me through the creative process and help me improve my lettering and monograming skills.
Mary, I like this book. But the book I really really reeaaaallly want to have is a book by you about how you made all those pretty letters you wrote about in an article titled “Stitches and Colors and Letters-Oh My.” Those little pieces of letters were so pretty. I would put them to use in my crazy quilt. If you ever make a book out of those, I will buy it. 🙂
Monograms are so elegant. What a wonderful book this would be to add to my ever growing embroidery library!
I love embroidered monograms. There’s just something elegant and personal about a monogram. I especially like how you can personalize it in soooo many different ways.
Grace B in Texas
I LOVE MONOGRAMS!!! Just purely because of the art and beauty of the designs. I tend to prefer when the letter is recognizable. But when they are done well, they are works of art. The embroidery, the materials, the color or lack of, and also the use of negative space. They can be a little slice of artwork you find in amazing places.
Mary!!!!! I ADORE anything LETTERS!!!! I have always had an odd passion for initials, monograms, names so much so that I will write them on paper using different pens and embroider them on towels, scrap material, you name it!! I love to “doodle” on material by writing my own letters freehand in various ways. Love, love, love monograms!!!
Hand embroidered monograms have a degree of elegance that can’t be reached with machine monograms. They have class.
My love is monograms along with all the other beautiful embroidery designs especially anything white on white.
I’ve been following and practicing and I am getting better. I too went shopping for Susan’s book but missed getting it.
I would love a copy so that I can continue to learn and develop my monograms with such grace.
I find adding monograms to items I’ve made adds such a impressive touch. Gifts I’ve made with monograms on them are always received with a WOW.
I have been collecting ideas from Pinterest and other books on monograms. I would so love to have Susan’s copy of monograms so that I can continue to learn and create fine work.
Eva McCormack
What a delightful surprise in my e-mail today. Having never done a monogram I have been a little scared that I could not. Yet I have followed and printed all of those that you have sent and am eager to try. And so I have been saving all of them. I even have a project to try
when I learn better how to and what to do.
I would love to be one of your winners.
Thank you, Mary, for this wonderful gift.
(I have been searching for this book too, ever since you mentioned it. Wasn’t willing to pay the high price for the used one though.)
I love embroidered monograms and they don’t even have to be my monogram. I’m always searching ebay for beautifully monogrammed napkins and hankies. I use both daily and I carry linen hankies instead of Kleenex in my bag.
With winter just around the corner, I will be stitching more and monogramming anything that doesn’t move. Even my tea towels get the treatment as they give me a chance to practice new techniques. Some towels have very fancy monograms.
I really appreciate the stitching done on the vintage pieces as the work is often much better than I can do. When I use monogrammed napkins that don’t have my initials, people just assume they are family heirlooms. They are, just not my family.
I ADORE monograms!! They are the ultimate touch of elegance and personalization. I love to give monogrammed napkins and/or towels for wedding gifts.
Barbara O
Oh Mary, How I would love to own this book. I have loved monograms since I first became aware of them; and probably for a very silly reason. I am the youngest in a large family. Almost all of my clothes were once one of my sisters’. I had little that was really my own. Once old enough and solvent enough to purchase my own clothes, I’m afraid it became important to me to ‘mark’ my territory by putting my monogram on what I owned. No more sharing!!
That is the silly answer. The serious one is how very, very beautiful monograms are and also how interesting they are from the perspective of history.
When I give a gift of handwork, it becomes even more precious if monogrammed in some way for the receiver.
Thank you once again for the generosity of this give-away.
Floss
I love monograms on embroidered items–so beautiful! Thanks for a chance to win!
Monograms are so classic and classy. They make any item special. I like them on pillows, towels, hankies, purses, you name it. And of course there was Laverne and Shirley. Because of that show’s impact on my young mind…I have been embroidering my initials on every plain colored sweater that I own. They have gotten fancy over the years. I would love to,look inside this book and get some new inspirations for my growing sweater collection. Thanks for sharing this book with one of your followers.
Okay, I’m in – I love fonts and lettering in all forms; I think I may have been a medieval scribe in some former existence! The intricacies of monograms are fascinating. I found a monogram at a thrift store a few months ago, just the pocket from some garment. Brought it home and framed it just for the pleasure of the stitching.
I love monograms! They are always so beautiful and make any piece more special. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
I have never done a monogram. I have been not so patiently waiting for you e book that you are working on with the monograms. I really want to try some but have not found a book that inspires me yet. I would love to have this book that you are giving away so that I can get started on a new obsession.
Thanks
Annemieke
Oh my goodness, Mary … I N-E-E-D this book!! I adore stitching monograms. They can be fun, cute, sassy, beautiful, classic, etc., etc., etc. I have the French version of this book and I even took a monogramming class given by Susan O’Connor here NY State last year. Of all the books I have on this subject, her’s is the absolute best. I would truly love owning it in English.
Thank you so much for yet another wonderful give-away opportunity. 🙂
I love monograms! My husband carries handkerchiefs arouns with him, and I’ve always dreamed of monogramming some, and maybe embroidering his family crest on one. Thank you for this giveaway,Mary. I always enjoy your book reviews.
Hi Mary,
Ever since I tried my hand at the ‘N’ you had published I have been spending time studying this area more. I had noticed the comment on Search press and was puzzled by it. Of all your giveaways I really, really hope to win this one!
I passed on the book a long time ago because I was interested then but other things were taking up my focus… Now I really want to study this area. My ‘N’
Was stitched without much prior study and I fear it may not be ideal / not ‘true’
Monogram technique…so, please … PLEASE.. May the stars be aligned positively on this day of Diwali … Please make the computer gods ‘pick me’ for this book giveaway!
Hope you are well…
Nupur
http://Www.thesongofmyneedle.blogspot.com
I love the fancy monograms and would love to include them on quilts that I make for family members such as the one I just completed for my daughter. I really wanted to put her Initials on it but need more than just the patterns.
Thank You for the opportunity to win.
I love embroidered monograms because I also love to do calligraphy of all sorts. A book like this would be a great addition to my collection. Thanks for making such a generous offer and good luck to all of those interested.
Personalized monograms add such a distinctly unique touch to any garment that it always enhances not only the garment, but my pleasure when wearing it. I also love personalized linens and towels. the book shoring how to put hand embroidery would be such a happy thing for me. Thank you for considering me for one of your books. Anne Jenkins sewmuch@mindspring.com
I love, love, love embroidered monograms! I think they are a lovely way to show off you embroidery skills and a way make small gifts a little bit more personal. Because who doesn’t love something that is made just for them!
I love them for their timeless elegance!!
Monogramming is a most beautiful and endearing way to express how much you care. It is an art form that spans across the pen to the needle and thread. It represents a time when elegance was personal. Monogramming is a lost art that captures the creativity and skill of its creator and all the while puts the recipient at the very center of the creation. The masters of monogramming have left a legacy to inspire us and that book is just one of the many ways they have succeeded. OMG, yes I would sooo love that book!
I adore embroidered monograms and have spent the past 20 years collecting examples to study and enjoy for their sheer beauty. I am committed to learning the techniques of whitework embroidery and its incorporation into monograms. This book would be a wonderful addition to my collection of books on this subject!
I love embroidered monograms SO much. I’m not much of a stitcher, but I plan to be. I buy vintage monogramed pieces when I find them and wonder about who they were made for and what their lives were like. JaneS from Long Island
I love the elegance of monograms. I’ve been collecting antique linens with monograms for many years and especially like the highly padded, elaborate ones. I’ve also picked up antique pattern books of monograms, mostly French. I’m excited to be attending a workshop on monogramming at the Williamsburg School of Needlework in November. So yes, I have thought about monograms and like everything about them!
As a newbie to red work I feel that embroidering monograms would be such a lot of fun and they make lovely gifts. As a quilter I would like to use the monogram as a centerpiece and then build on it with patchwork, etc. as I have done with another small redwork piece. I did mine in blue though and do you still call that redwork or blue work or blue redwork? Anyway, I would love to win this book if I get lucky. Thank you for the chance and the fore thought of keeping a few extra books!
I love monograms. I love the perfection of the stitches, the elegance of white on white embroidery and the exquisiteness of a monogram on a lawn handkerchief. They make me happy.
When I see monograms, I think elegance and sophistication.
Do you love embroidered monograms? Why or why not? What appeals to you about them? Or what doesn’t appeal to you about them? Or have you never really thought about it? For me, embroidered monograms bring back memories of my grandmother who loved to embroider pillow cases, table runners, and tea towels. I’d like to learn to embellish items like that too. I’ve practiced on simple monograms but would really love to learn to do monograms with flourishes!
Ever since I watched my second cousin, a Sister of St. Joseph, embroidering monograms on hankies a long time ago, I’ve have appreciated the work and humility that went into needlework completed for someone else. Today, I give many projects away to family. I would like to give monogrammed hankies to all my friends and family as a rememberence when I have fallen off the twig. Susan
You are so kind, Mrs. Corbet! Giving your copy away instead of selling it. Three cheers for you!
I do so love embroidered monograms. I love the elegance and/or the simplicity of them. And they’re a great way to personalize your embroidered items.
Thanks for this chance, Mrs. Corbet! I really want this book!
Sarah 🙂
Thank you Mary for sharing this wonderful book as a prize. I remember making a monogram towel for a 4-H project when growing up for a fair. I also made a beautiful needlepoint foot stool for my parents with their initials in the middle. It is both a vintage and modern way to commemorate a person’s life to honor them. They are especially beautiful surrounded by flowers and birds. Thank you Mary for teaching about beautiful hand embroidery.
I do not love monograms I adore them,I grew up in Brasil and all are linen was monogrammed so my passion for anything monogrammed must of started then. I even collect copper and tin monogram plates. It is something so personal when I see antique linen with a beautiful monogram I always wonder who put so much time and effort into something so beautiful. Several weeks ago I was searching for that book and was very shocked to see the price, I keep hoping I can find it at a used book shop
I love monograms! They’re elegant and mysterious. They are timeless and beautiful and I so want to learn how to do them well.
Thank you Mary for the chance.
Sarah
Of course I Love embroidering monograms… In fact, recently it has been all I have doing. The special of embroidery monograms its, in my opinion, the special affect you put when embroidered, because, in most of the cases, you gift an enbroidered monogram. And thats the reason for me to want improve my embroidered monograms. Thank you Mary!! Kisses, Paula.
I love to stitch monograms – they are classic – can use any and every color or thread and young and old appreciate a beautifully monogrammed item.
Hi Mary,
What a lovely inspiring book! Perhaps if we inquire about it frequently, it may surface again…with the old cover reinstalled. Thank you for offering to share your copies.
Thank you also for your website with its amazing cross references. This is so very helpful for learning, reviewing and improving our stitching skill. The indexing and searching features double its value.
My first embroidery love is whitework, specifically the lovely monograms of the past. When I see and touch the fancy stitched letters they lift my spirits and place my mental thought into the feelings of the stitcher. Her love of style, sensing her feeling the fabric and threads and the proud moments of her accomplishment when stitching and carrying/usng the finished product. When I iron my sheets with monograms I am always smiling as I iron. (A rare thought act when ironing). I enjoy viewing the finished stacked sheet turned on the shelf so the stitched monogram is observed. Winning this book would be heavenly!
Ann Bergman
I have searched and searched for this book.
I love hand-embroidered monograms, I love how they personalize projects, and if I can make a monogram on a Christmas stocking from the book, I would be totally happy.
Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway.
I love monogram letters. I love the challenge in creating them. I love the vintage look of them. I also like how I use skills in other techniques to create them, which means I am practicing for all embroideries. This would be an awesome addition to my library.
ME, ME, ME!!!!! I’m not a me, me, me type person, but this book brings it out in me. I totally adore monograms, they are a touch of by-gone elegance that I appreciate and crave.
I love, love, love embroidered monograms – so lovely, so elegant, so personal. Thanks, Mary, for the chance to win this terrific book,
I do love monograms, although I have never embroidered one, yet. My friend Roxann, who was featured on your site a few months ago, made me a beautiful one for Christmas last year. Thanks for the opportunity to win this really nice book!
I adore embroidered monograms – love antique linens with them and collect when I find one, imagining when it was done and maybe for a new bride. Especially love the white on white for its elegance and (usually) richness. I’ve been watching your website and saving the monogram designs you’ve provided. One of these days…
I, too, when right to Search Press’ website and watched and watched. Finally gave up and emailed and they nicely responded. But….no. Picture me unhappy!
For me its giving identity in a very special way
I find monograms interesting because there are so many styles of them. As a new embroiderer, I think they are a great way to explore techniques. Thanks for the giveaway!
Yes i love monograms! Looking at the pictures there is such an elegance ownership feeling like a queen the white work especially brings out such wonderful positive emotions! in this crazy world that is good.
thanks again for the give away and your wonderful wed site my favorite.
I do like monograms. Not necessarily my own, but monograms. I have a friend who always signed her work with an elaborate monogram.
Thank you for this giveaway. It must have been awfully tempting to go ahead and sell the copies you had at that price. =D
I have all the letters I need for the daisy letters,but I need the W to complete what I need for the alphabet.I hope it is in the book so I can start my project,
Monograms are a wonderful way to express your love of handwork and show your personality through choice of styling.
Mary, you are soooo generous! I am giving hankies for Christmas to all my girls. I have some done but it would be awesome to see some monograms on them as well as the edgings. I don’t do alot of monograms although I have used some of your monograms, love the daisy monograms. Would love this book.
I do love monograms! My first one was a handkerchief I did for then-boyfriend’s sister, who was getting married. I was a fairly new embroiderer then, so I’m sure it wasn’t the best technique, but it’s the thought that counts, right? 🙂 Now, I’d love to do some guest towels for my soon-to-be-renovated bathroom….
I have always loved monograms! Even when they were out of vogue. There is something about them that echoed the past when everything had your “mark ” on it. A little letter here or there, on towels or clothing and even jewelry, would show that you had wealth. But the workmanship of the needlewoman on her monograms was also a means of employment and pride. It truely is a lost art, that of hand embroidered monograms. I would love to own this book! Thank you for offering this chance!
I love monograms. They put a bit if humanity into an inanimate object.
When I met my husband he had a handkerchief in one of the funny little pockets in his flight suit. That handkerchief had his social security number written in indelible black ink on the wide hem so that it would get back to him from the ship’s laundry. At this very moment, today, some 28 years later, he has a handkerchief in the back pocket of his slacks.
At the Naval Academy, he was taught to iron his handkerchiefs into a special fold that gives them seemingly unlimited clean places. Well, my husband has passed on to our oldest son the habit of “loading his pockets”: wallet, handkerchief, pocketknife, change. Now I iron origami handkerchiefs for both of them (when the boy is home from college).
A couple of years ago, poking around at the Good Will, I found a very old set of 100% 1inen handkerchiefs in the original, unopened package. Imagine my pleasure to see the initial of our last name monogrammed on them! I gave them to number-one-son and he is still using them (but not all of them) today.
I like to iron those handkerchiefs, because, more likely than not, I am the one who uses them! A wedding. A funeral. A little sister with a runny nose. A Veterans’ Day 21-gun-salute…
Last year, our family was sitting in folding chairs under a big tent, over-crowded, as it had started to rain. A great, big farm boy with a handsome face and a ready smile was directly in front of me. The ceremony was a tear-jerker. At the first report of 7 guns, my tears began, and before the third, my son had passed me his handkerchief. When the names of the young men from small town Iowa who were lost to war that year were read, I noticed the shoulders of the farm boy begin to shake. He kept trying to wipe away the tears, but they just kept coming. Wherever he is today, whatever the depth of his loss, he has a 100% linen handkerchief with our initial on it.
Mary’s talk of monogramming inspired me to purchase 6 yards of beautiful, light weight 100% white linen for men’s handkerchiefs, and more of a heavier weight for tea towels. Once monogrammed, these will be my Christmas gifts this year.
And boy, would that book come in handy!
I love embroidered monograms. I think it started with the fancy hankies my mother and other ladies in the family had. I like that something can be all white and still have such interesting textures. Thank you!
I would love to win this book. I’ve been practicing monograms and would like some help.
If there is a style of embroidery that I would want to excel in it would hand embroidered monograms. The possibilities are endless, color choices can be specifically chosen for a special person. And who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive a hand embroidered initial/ monogram as a gift, by cracky! I make initials for co-workers who are retiring or leaving the company as farewell gifts. I fact, I have made a reputation for myself. People know that they will be getting this special token form me.
I already own this book, but would love, LOVE, LOVE to know where/how or take a class that would help me to learn to become a better monogrammer.
Wendi
I love monograms on pillows, towels and home decorator items. They are intimate, yet glamorous. I find them frustrating on shirt cuffs or jackets, not because they can appear to be showy, but because they are not appreciated for the effort that goes into them. They represent hours of work that just get thrown into the washer and taken for granted by most people, especially in today’s market with machine embroidery so prevalent. I also want them all to look uniform and I find that quite difficult. For example, all jackets representing the school or a family’s initials should look alike. That is the main reason that corporations and sports teams do not allow individuals to recreate their logos and trademarked symbols. Just imagine the pressure of creating uniform insignia, corporate logos, or even the patches for our favorite sports team hats one at a time by hand. When I stitch monograms on shirts or jackets, I am always aware that they represent the family, and are a test of how well I can represent them through my stitching. I enjoy the final product, but not the process of doing the work. I prefer to work on things that I can also enjoy the process.
I haven’t embroidered monograms yet but have been looking at yours. In fact I just do a back stitch when I have to embroider words. Would like to try some. I’ve looked at yours and they’re beautiful. Thanks for the opportunity to win a book.
I have been an accomplished sample maker in counted thread for years and have recently branched out to embroidery. Your site is not only inspiring, but has been amazing in helping me with technique. I would love to be the recipient of the Monogram book giveaway. It is a beautiful art that I would love to learn.
Dear Mary
Oh, yes. I would love to own this book.
I do like monograms and I do like doing monograms. Have not done any lately so now might be the time to return to that technique.
I do love your e-mails. And, the tail of the hummingbird is looking much better.
Sharon in Winnipeg, cloudy, cool and windy today.
My mother was from a small South Pacific island. Handicrafts of all kinds were practiced, as a way to create, socialize, and keep busy! Embroidery was one of her special talents. As a child, I grew up with the most beautiful embroidered pillowcases, bursting with flowers and usually a name in an old fashioned elegant script style font. I wish I had paid attention, I wish I had learned how to do it myself. But like most children, I just took it for granted. Now, as I am older, with a daughter named after my mother, I understand. I would like to embroider a pillow for her. Maybe not as ambitious as my mother, maybe not her name, but an initial perhaps? With flowers? I enjoyed very much your series on monogramed initials. I am shy about starting, and would enjoy very much a book to guide me…and feel lucky to have found this blog! Many thanks!
I adore embroidered monograms! My grandmother was Portuguese, from Madeira, and had been brought up to do beautiful embroidery, both red work and white work. Monograms were only done in white work, and I’d love to be able to do them, too.
I’ve always loved monograms from the very simple to complex, embroidered with thread or silk ribbon or a combination. A monogram adds a touch of elegance to anything and there is a large variety of patterns available. So finding the right one for any project is possible. I’ve always loved just a simple monogram on the cuff of a sleeve because it makes that garment special and more so if if was done by a family member. This book would be a wonderful addition to any stitching library. Thank you for giving it away.
I love monograms of all sorts! I still have monogrammed jewelry from the 60’s when I was a teen. My favorites are antique, hand-stitched monograms. I have a small machine embroidery company and have sold more monograms than anything else (my specialty back in the early 2000’s was huge monograms on ladies shirts…like Laverne’s on Laverne and Shirley. I’m retiring from that business and planning to do mostly hand needlework from here on out. I would love to have a beautiful book like this one!
I do love embroidered monograms. I have practiced but I marvel at what others are able to do with an embroidery thread and a needle. The machine embroidery is becoming the norm for those that have “the marvelous macine” that makes their embroidery pieces. “Handmade” is really special when made by hand. I would appreciate getting a copy of this special book. Thanks for giving a copy to someone.
I’ve always admired the work of Susan O’Connor and thought it would be a dream to attend one of her classes or workshops. Her book on monograms would be the next best thing. I not only enjoy embroidery and needlework but also collect vintage linens that have monograms, even if the letters don’t come anywhere close to my own! Monograms are so charming and tell a story all their own. Thank you for a delightful opportunity.
I’ve always admired the beauty of hand embroidered monograms or any of the needle arts for that matter. To think of the time and love spent on them is just mind boggling. I am just now getting into the hand embroidery end of it so I really don’t know too much about it other than it is just gorgeous if done correctly. I would love to help the Altar Guild make some new banners for our Church and would really like to do most of the work by hand so have been watching many of your YouTube videos. Thanks very much for making those available. Anyway, Best of luck to all of you and Thanks so much Mary for the giveaway!
I love embroidered monograms!! I’ve always loved the art of a handcrafted letter and the fact that it represents a connection to someone else makes this art even more meaningful. To me monograms represent family, tradition, heritage, and above all a love for the person who’s monogram is embroidered.
This book looks amazing. A treasure for sure. I love to embroider monograms because it is such a personal gift that the recipient knows for sure you did it with love just for them. But I have a lot to learn, your satin stitch tutorial has helped me alot, thank you.
I love your web site and all the great information you give us. I have begun to renew my interest in embroidery and love monograms. I have along way to go with my work. Thank you for this give away
I love monograms, just haven’t had much of a chance to do them.
I love monograms! They are so elegant. I collect vintage linens and decorate with them, but would love to embroider some to actually use.
I LOVE monograms, and I’ve wanted to get this book forever. I’ve always been obsessed with monograms and embroidery, and have used them often in my stitching. Recently, I was in Paris, and had a wonderful time finding monogram books. I’d LOVE a copy of this, and have been trying to find one for quite a while.
This looks like a beautiful book and I would love to have a copy. It’s unfortunate that publishing companies have to make decisions about whether or not to publish a book based on profitability rather than the quality of the content, but that’s a sad fact of life in this electronic age of dwindling book buyers.
Thanks Mary for offering up a copy of this lovely book!
Oh, I love this book. And I, too, saw that sad little message about it not being available. I would love to win a copy.
Why do I love monograms? They’re a lovely way to personalize a gift and they usually use at least two or three different kinds of stitches (or more!), so they’re like a little mini-sampler.
So cute!
MissWrite at sbcglobal dot net
For once I would like to have a book that actually “teaches” and looks pretty at the same time. I haven’t had much luck with monograms, so maybe this book would do the trick
I never thought I would be interested in monograms-they seem so…letterish, but lately I have had several family weddings and they make the perfect small, yet personal and useful gift when embroidered on pillowcases. To monogram a pillowcase doesn’t take near the time needed to produce, let’s say a quilt, yet it can be every bit as impressive, even heirloom quality. I guess, then, I like momograms now and to have an inspiring book would be delightful…I have more weddings looming out there for next year and the timing would be right on!
Oh how I long to stitch monograms half as lovely as yours. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
I completed my very first monogram this Spring as a gift to my 32 year old niece (who did a stretch in the US Army, got married, and was raising 3 kids…age 2, 4, and 6 while being a college student!).
She finished up her “B”achelors of “S”cience in “N”ursing in May. For her graduation present, I created a quilted wall hanging that had a 9 inch embroidered center with a set of monograms… a 6 inch “N” and to the left of the “N” I listed a 2 1/2 inch “B” on top of a 2 1/2 inch “S”. Mary, I used your “Flowered Monograms” from this website for the patterns. I used my niece’s favorite colors for the letters and then had lots of fun adding the little flowers (they look like daisys to me!). My niece — and everyone at the graduation party — loved the monograms…and now I am hooked! I have been making monogrammed Christmas presents for close family members…and having lots of fun!
Thanks for asking us all to tell about our monogram ideas and for letting me share the story of my new monogram embroidery adventure on your blog. Mary — yes, I would enjoy receiving a copy of this wonderful book!
Mary, you are so generous to give away this
beautiful and illusive book! I love monograms,
especially white on white ones…such elegance
and a reminder of how important monograms on lines were at one time.
Pat S.
OMG I love monograms. The perfect combination of technical execution and artistic expression!
Thank you Mary for doing this as a give away.
Oh Boy! Do I LOVE monograms!! I actually think they are the most interesting “designs” plus they have meaning!! When I look at those vintage, whitework monograms (particularly Italian ones), I am absolutely enthralled. I love them in white and love them in color. Somehow, they can pack so much texture into such a relatively small motif — and then you can embellish, embellish, embellish with vines, flowers, squiggles, and scrolls. They are graphic AND delicate at the same time, and offer so much possibility for interpretation! I’m IN!!!
What a great giveaway. I love monograms. They are classic and versatile. What you can do with them is endless. Thanks for this giveaway. Someone will be excited to receive this book
I love monograms! I have not made many ( sooo much satin stitch which I don’t like to do) but I’d love to get some ideas on making them without it.
Love your columns and am learning a lot from them.
I would love to learn about monograms. If the book were reprinted, I would consider buying it, depending on price.
Oh, my, Mary, what a lovely book, and so lovely of you to have a giveaway instead of selling it. I would swoon to have this book, but would read it cover-to-cover, then gift it to my sister, who does beautiful needlework and would use it even more than I.
Well, I’ve never given much thought to monograms! BUT – when I owned and ran an antique shop in New England, old linen napkins flew out of the shop IF they carried a monogram, no matter how thin and tattered the napkin was! Since you have been featuring monograms, I have been printing the off and storing in a folder, while telling myself that I will begin attempting these, ‘one of these days’ .(hope springs!) And I know that I will always have your website and tutorials to turn to for suggestions on how to complete them! The book would be wonderful!!
Janet
I do love embroidering monograms, I embroider bed sheets and towels for my children and husband. I find it hard to embroider on towels, so the design is very plain but I love embroidering on sheets because it gives a luxury look and the family feels special and loved, sleeping on something mom took time to embroider. If you meant that anyone and from anywhere could win this book but didn’t mean outside the US, I understand. I love reading you every single day!!
I love embroidered monograms! I think they are very elegant, and are often very special because they are so personal. I wish I had more time because I’d be doing a lot of experimenting with different monograms and colors!
I love monograms – I have been obsessed with letters my entire life. When I read literature from the 19th Century, I always loved reading about characters who had stitched up monograms for themselves or for others. I also love when stitched monograms are used in mysteries. I love writing and letters and the written word. It is a passion of mine.
I have always admired and been awed by embroidered monograms
I have never been able to master the technique.
Even though I have been embroidering for years I still
feel that I am a novice. I would like to think that
this book would help me to improve my technique.
I love working on Samplers and I’m always searching for unusual/different lettering. I would love to win something in my lifetime.
I think embroidered monograms are so elegant and raise a mundane item to an item of beauty. What do I like…it is beautiful…what do I not like…I don’t do them well. I could use the book to improve my technique and make more beautiful items. Thanks for letting me enter this give away.
Mary,
I really enjoy reading your posts and you have inspired me to try so many new stitches! I loved your Hungarian Redwork Runner! I have started to try a few hand embroidered monograms and love how they look, although my technique needs a bit of polish! I would love to have this book for reference, for inspiration and just to enjoy the beauty of hand stitching at its best!
Warm regards,
Ruth Lutz
Dear Mary,
I would love love love to win this elusive book. I have looked high and low for it for months. Monograms are at the top of my most favorite things, stitching them is a JOY. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter this giveaway. And thank you for all you share on your blog. I have learned so much. First place I head to with my coffee every morn. Thanks.
I am intrigued by embroidered monograms. As whitework, they are elegant. In colored surface embroidery, they can be whimsical. Creating my own is difficult though because I don’t identify with any specific initials or fonts. There are so many possibilities that I am overwhelmed with choice. So please pick me because I could use the help.
I think the Monograms are such fun and beautifully decorative. I remember my Mother putting them on clothing when I was young. Now days, it seems like no one takes that kind of time. I love the look of the monograms on you site and in the emails.
Thanks for the give away. Answer to question…yes I do love monograms but I could use some help with my technique,this book could be the answer. Mary, as all your other fans, I also enjoy your website very much.
Mary, aren’t you an angel!!! Yes, I do LOVE embroidered monograms and even more I love fancy cyphers. Who wants some designer’s initials marking all of your possessions when one can have their own super stylish nametag on their goodies? I like knowing what I paid for is mine + I know it’s mine – it has my name on it, just like way back in school, except this many years later it just looks so much cooler in stylized embroidery! Thank you for sharing your stash!
I love to embroider and I love alphabets, so working with monograms really satisfies both areas. I find adding a monogram to a gift really excites the recipient. Finding the right monogram and picking threads and sometimes embellishments is really a pleasure. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this wonderful book!
I love the elegance of embroidered monograms. I think they make the letters come alive
I love monograms. They are so elegant and give items a rich look in a simple way.
I don’t know for sure WHY I love monograms, I just do! Maybe its the way they stand for someone’s name…or maybe I just love that you can do lovely satin-stitch embroidery when making them…I know that I especially love the ones with vines and flowers running thru them. I guess I just think they’re beautiful! Thanks for this chance to win what sounds like a GREAT book!
A hand embroidered monogram makes me feel regal! They are very rich and at times fun. I like to add them wherever and whenever. Thank you for this gift offer. Whoever wins it will be very lucky.
Marianne from Santa Fe
I love monograms, I love that they personalise a gift for those we love. This is an awesome opportunity and thank you Mary, good luck everyone, I for one have my fingers and toes crossed…walking could be difficult 😉
Love monograms, enjoy making them for wedding gifts. Something special for the new couple that no one else does for them. I really could use this book. Thank you Mary.
My love of monograms dates back to the ’80s when all of the cool girls at my school were little preppies and had monogrammed socks, monogrammed pique knit shirts and even monogrammed headbands! I was NOT one of those girls. I think initially I was drawn to the how the crisp-edged embroidery popped against a brightly-colored fabric background. Yet, even as the decades have passed and styles have changed, my love of monograms persists.
When I was a teen, I started reading old needlework books and I was surprised to see all of the possibilities for monograms. I was amazed at the plethora of designs based on various typographies and styles- some were crisp and plain, while others were flowery and ornate. It was at this time that I was introduced to my favorite of all monogramming- white-on-white.
I have monogrammed several things over the years- linens, pillows, electronics cases, even Christmas ornaments. I really enjoy monogramming as it is usually a relatively quick project. For the holidays, you can add a quick monogram to a less expensive gift and suddenly it feels quite luxe.
Thanks Mary for the giveaway!
Hi Mary, long time fan, first time entry. As an historical reenactor, I really should learn how to embroider monograms on my things. I’ve done embroidery from a very young age, and currently am practicing my goldwork techniques. I spin my own silk, cotton, linen and woolen threads and naturally dye them. I’d love the opportunity to learn my monogram and embroider it with my own treads.
Thanks!
Jenn
BTW – Gwenhwyvar Thredegold is my reenactment name <3
My first impressions of hand sewn monograms,initials comes from the hand tatting my Grandmother used on linen hand towels from the 1920-40. With my married last name initial matching her , ” T “,and I was the one to inherit them! My mother had her monograms engraved and sewn on many items. I hope to pass on the monogram tradition to my children and grandchildren as well!!
I read the comments of others and could say, I agree! I made a few items for my granddaughters with monograms and had to search high and low for the type of lettering I wanted, then search for the techniques to make the monograms look like the pictures. It would be wonderful to have such a special book.
Thank you for thinking of us when you purchased the books!!
I love embroidered monograms they remind me of my grandmothers embroidered pillowcases she made for me. They were absolutly beautiful and I remember wanting to be able to be as talented as her when I grew up. I started with cross stitch at age 16 many years ago, I mastered that and I want to do the same with embroidery. Thanks Mary!
White on white monograms never fail to bring back memories of two of my great grandmothers who had beautiful embroidered linens. They bring such a sense of luxury. But I also love updated modern versions with lots of color. Tradition only lives when it is also updated and moving with the times.
Oooooh, how exciting! I was so disappointed when I found out that the monogram book was not going to be available here after all.
I love monograms, they are so very elegant, but I haven’t done any in years and years because they don’t come out looking all that great for me. With this book I know I could conquer the world (of monograms, anyway.)
I should have been a little more specific with my name since the world is littered with Lindas, I’m Linda H. in California.
I love monograms! Why? Who knows, maybe because I love to read and seeing letters is always fun. Maybe because at my first EGA meeting 20 years ago the project was embroidered monograms. I love monograms in any form – embroidered, initial tote bags, charms for my bracelet – they are all around me.
Dear Mary,
I love Monograms. I hate disposable paper products. I love handkerchiefs. I especially love linen handkerchiefs. Every time I add a new one to my husbands drawer I monogram it. I’ve been doing it for 33 years now. I like to know that he thinks of me during the day whenever he pulls out his handkerchief and sees my stitching. I always love new designs. Thank you for the chance.
TerriSue
I love working monograms because I can experiment with new fibers, stitches, and color combinations without committing to a big project. And they make simple gifts something special. Plus, monograms are just classy!
Eu gosto muito de monogramas bordados em qualquer técnica de bordado, Gosto de aplicá-los em pequenas peças de costura, broches e também em trabalhos grandes como lençois e toalhas. Ficaria muito feliz de ter esse belo exemplar, obrigado por poder participar desse sorteio.
Monograms are personal more than most any kind of needlework. When I see something that has been lovingly monogrammed in a heep in the goodwill or thrift store, I am flabbergasted that it fell to such a unrevered state. I always want to rescue it and give it a place of honor in my home. And now that I’ve stated that, I think from here on I shall. I will sew them together so they will dance in the breeze on a valance or two. I like that. Thank you for bringing that thought to mind. And thank you in advance for whoever wins may they use and display the book as a reminder of all of us that sit quietly and love the art they make.
I’m a newly retired bookkeeper and feel the same way about books with written sentiment indie them. Personal and touching.
I’ll de-lurk for this opportunity. I used to be pretty indifferent to monograms/initials but have recently changed my mind mostly due to reading this website. In particular the great public domain ciphers you’ve posted in the past have really sparked my interest. I’ve even started an initial project – a whitework handkerchief for my mom based on your delicate spray alphabet – which is going slowly but quite well! I hope to post pictures in the forum sometime. (She’s even a B, so I get to use your posts as a guideline, which is very helpful.) So thanks both for this giveaway opportunity and for interesting me in monogram/initial work, which I wouldn’t have tried but for this site. It is great, you are great.
I have been searching for a way to do monograms for my daughter and future husband.
I want to stitch them by hand and I was looking for something not too feminine to please my future son in law. I think this book would be quite useful as I think of future gifts for my family. I am a new subscriber to your emails and find them quite interesting and informative.
Thanks Mary!
Yes, I love monograms! I first started learning with my grandmother to embroidery as a young child. A monogram denotes the personal for me however I fancy them so much that I have collected many old handkerchiefs with any monograms just to enjoy them. I love mongraming guest towels, hankies, clothing for home or as gifts. Mostly I love all the different possiblities to create monograms! I like not just one monogram but as many different ones as possible. So collecting the monograms is every bit as fun as stitching them!
Love in stitching, Allison
I LOVE embroidered monograms and have a Pinterest board of them. I own a few vintage towels but they are very hard to find here. I’ve tried doing some but I don’t know how to do them correctly and would love to learn! Long Mn. winters leave plenty of time for stitching. I’d be thrilled. Closest stitching shop is 4 1/2 hours away in Minneapolis. Kristine Butorac.
Yes, yes, YES. I love monograms!
Have bought some linen hankies and getting ready to start. So many alphabets and fonts..
Niece is getting married inJuly so WILL get that one done but would love to learn more.i did check out the book when you first mentioned it on your site and was very upset in not being able to get a copy , so to win a copy would be beyond wonderful!
Thanks for all you do to promote, educate and enthrall all of us ‘
Oh wow! How incredibly generous of you! I would absolutely love a copy: I adore monograms in all their forms. I’m currently working on a set of monogrammed whitework handkerchiefs for my father (inspired in part by the snippets of coloured monograms you’ve been posting for a while!) and have completely fallen in love with them. I love how they can be effortless and simple, or complex and detailed, but always beautiful. And, of course, how wonderfully personal they are!
Thank you also for this brilliant site: it gave me the inspiration to get back into embroidery. Unfortunately, now I’m completely hooked! Next stop silk and gold work…
I do like monograms. I love how ornate they can be and how personal they are. For Christmas one year I designed fancy monograms based on an illustrated letter and then stitched them up on felt as Christmas ornaments for my in-laws. They loved them (so did I–it was hard to give them away! :)).
One of my first big embroidery projects was a monogrammed pillow using your flowered alphabet. I’ve learned a lot since then so I’m thinking I need to make a new monogrammed pillow for the living room!
After reading the earlier post on monograms and this book, I searched high and low to find it. How wonderful Mary is sharing her precious copies. Monograms seem a graceful reminder of the past while bringing beauty to today.
I just love hand embroidered Monograms! First white on white is so elegant. I like monograms so much we bought a 6 needle machine to do monograms but Nothing we have done can compare to a hand embroidered hankie or pillow or sweatshirt.
Thank you for this blog I learn so much from it.
Gwen Ziegler.
I love monograms, to receive or give. I think most people love something personalized. It’s one embroidery I haven’t tried because I don’t know where to start, etc. I follow you because of all the wonderful techniques you teach. I follow Elisabetta ricami a mano just to see all the wonderful monograms and drool. Thanks for all your tips and tricks!
Such a wonderful book, so much to be done!
i have searched high and low to purchase this book. I have thread, needles and fabric and hands that are itching to go. I would love to be able to read this book and take a “stab” at this delicate and beautiful art form.
Kathy Smyth
I love embroidered monograms and I don’t care if they’re by hand or machine. In fact, as an amateur embroiderer, I have been trying unsuccessfully to do a simple padded satin stitch monogram and I keep ripping. Sure would love a reference and instruction book. Actually, I would rather have you at my side! Thanks Mary, I read your posts every day.
I like embroidered monograms on some things, such as linens and bags and sometimes quilts. I don’t care for them much on clothing. I tend to like them when the colors are subtle, or even when they match the background color. Not sure why.
Love embroidered monograms for their elegance. My grandmother “marked” all her linens. I inherited and treasure them.
I’ve always loved the look of monograms. I like the heavy, thick ones which stand raised from the background.
Thanks for the giveaway,
Heather M.
I love monograms of all types. I’ve tried designing and stitching them. I still haven’t come up with a monogram for myself that I like. And the stitching definitely takes practice. On one hankie, I stitched a letter in each corner-I could see the improvement. Thanks!
I would greatly appreciate owning this book on monograms, Monograms: The Art if Embroidered Letters, whereas our local Crazy Group is doing a monogram challenge and I have not idea where to start with this project. What a great resource this book would be.
Emma
I’m not sure exactly what it is about monograms that appeals to me, but I do know that it’s not JUST monograms, but any lettering used in embroidery. The work of Canby Robertson comes to mind. I have had this particular book on my list of books to purchase for quite a while and would love to win a copy.
I can’t say I’ve ever thought about loving them. But since seeing them here and some of the lovely ones, especially one that someone did and you posted here, wow, I’m loving them now. LOL. Would love to have this book, it’s very inspiring. Thanks again Mary, you are very generous!
As a child in England I saw and loved embroidery monograms on almost anything.What a beautiful cover on the book and a wonderful gift for you to offer.
I have a little more time on my hands now and I would love to make my family monograms on pillowslips, hankies,well on anything the heart desires really it makes everything look so beautiful and old world charm.
Thank you for the chance.
Yes, I love monograms! They are elegant. Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing this book!
Hi Mary,
This would be more than I would expect for Christmas!!!!
I’m a retired librarian, and I discovered that having handsome books like this one, help me to attract people from the younger generation to appreciate embroidery works. Monograms is a real plus on this matter, since it is so personal. Besides, I want it just for myself. It will be a plus in my library.
Regards,
Sal of Costa Rica
Love beatiful monograms! Especially for made personal gifts.
I love the beauty of hand embroidered monograms, and have collected some linens (with other people’s monograms! lol) over the years, from the simple block style to the flowing script and floral, I love them all. I appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that went into the original embroidery. Thanks, Mary, for the opportunity to own this wonderful book! I love your website, by the way. Thanks for all you do to promote handwork.
I do like monograms in general, but the form that appeals to me the most is white work. I’m not sure why other then it just looks so clean and fresh and chic, it has an air of sophistication I think. 🙂
Hi Mary!
I actually have not embroidered monograms- only cross stitched and needle pointed them. BUT I love them! This looks like an awesome book too- I love them because it’s personalized and therefore extra special! And so versatile! Anyway thanks for the give away!
Embroidered monograms make me think of my grandmothers! They both carried white hankies with their monogram embroidered on it. This is a special give away. Thanks!
I would love to win this book. I think it is special when you take the time to show someone you care by using their initial(s) on a gift.
I love monograms. They can tell so much about the person it belongs to. First, everyone has a font. My friend is times new roman. She is very orderly and follows the rules. I’m comic sans… Informal and happy, but not bubbly. Then the embellishments. I love daisies and baby pink roses….and polka dots. My friend loves asters and plaid.
I would love to have this book to share with my stitching buddies. Maybe I could persuade them to do a monogram swap!
Love embroidered monograms. I also do calligraphy like many of the other posters. Beautiful letters in any medium attract my attention. I like how personality can be expressed in perhaps only initials in a corner of a simple handkerchief or tie. Good Luck everyone!
I love embroidered monograms. They signify the making of something useful for someone special. For years I’ve hand embroidered monograms on my husband’s hankerchiefs. He smiles and thinks of me whenever he sees it.
wow,what a great opportunity to learn how to do embroidery monograms! i just do little flowers and kits and would sure like to expand my area. as you say, this book would be a great gift to start a new area for me. thanks for all the wonderful information you share and your heart of “gold” with your giving nature! aloha, blessings!
I have a real fondness for monograms not so much for my ability to emroider them but rather a feeling of nostalgia. My mother did monogramming on tons of things but especially on blouses for my sister and me. When I started college a long time ago, I took along 20+ monogrammed blouses. My blouses were quite a conversation starter! My mother passed away many years ago but she left me with fond memories of embroidery and especially those items she monogrammed. I would enjoy looking at the book of monograms and perhaps trying to execute one on an item for my granddaughter.
My grandmother is why I love monograms! I remember watching her stitching them on pillowcases when I was really little-it fascinated me! She did such beautiful work and I am fortunate to have some of her pillowcases and embroidered linens. Unfortunately i don’t have any monogram ones. Would love to make some for myself so would love this book. She also loved to embroider baskets of flowers and I do have some of those. I will treasure them always as she died when I was only 12.
I love monograms, and embroidery of all kinds! They seem classic and interesting and steeped in tradition, and I guess that’s why I like them. They’re both beautiful and practical. I found an old damask sheet with beautiful hand done openwork monograms of an “S” two years ago! I made it into a duvet cover for my bed.
I love monograms–all different kinds; I believe they add a large touch of elegance to all fabrics; my grandmother’s handkerchiefs all had monograms on them and I thought they were just so lovely. Also, it is a great way to put different lettering styles on projects!
Thank you for the giveaway!
Hi Mary,
What a nice surprise and how wonderful for the very lucky winner!
I have been searching and searching for this book since your May 14th blog and it simply isn’t available for a reasonable book price–anywhere. Well, I did see it a few times, but I will not pay the greedy price of $150.00. However, I believe you mentioned in May that it was supposed to be reprinted with availability in August. Do you have any info on the reprinting date? August has come and gone and no republished book. I have emailed Search Press, but haven’t received a reply to my query. Help! I so want to get this book and I echo all the other writers today–monogramming is simply stunning in its simplicity. Thanks for any comment or news on the book reprinting, Mary.
Roxanne in MN
I love the look of embroidered monograms, though I haven’t done any myself yet. I’d love to do some for myself and for gifts.
Gayle1154 Maine
I ADMIRE monogram embroidery, because I love handiwork & I’m crazy 4 items that R personalized. I have immigrating on my list(huge list) of techniques I intend to work.
Thanx 4 all your terrific information & encouragement 2 those of us new to some of these techniques.
Mary – What a lovely gesture for the give-away for a lovely book! Embroidered monograms have always been special to me since they’re so personal and timeless. Seeing the spectacular work on this web-site has been incentive to perfect my craft…this spectacular book would be such a treasure in that quest also.
Thank you for your generosity, Mary!
I love monograms because they are timeless and personal. I especially love hand embroidered monograms because it says “you are special enough to spend hours focusing attention to create something special for.” I also love them because when you or someone else looks at your creation you remember that time in your life when you were working on it or you remember the person who gifted it no matter where they are or how long ago it was given to you.
I LOVE monograms. They remind us of a by-gone era. I have put them on hankies (yes!), and given them as gifts. I keep my projects in cloth bags, and several of them have my monogram. While they are pretty when done in colour, using white-on-white (for bridal gifts) give them an extra wonderful look.
Hello Mary,
Well, the comment section is nearly at 200 and it’s still the first day of your offer on the Monogram book! Like everyone else, I would be honored to be the proud ‘winner’ of the drawing. One of the things I enjoy about Monograms is their appeal across the broad styles of design. They can be elegant and regal or cute and spunky. Useful as identification (family beach towels) or as decorative elements on a bed or couch. So, Yes! Yes!-Mary-, I’d love to have this book!
That being said; I noticed the original publisher was Country Bumpkin. “Home Sweet Home” was re-published due to popular demand. Do you think it possible that “Monograms” might be re-published if people were willing to pay-in-advance?
Thanks,
Cynthia
I love monograms because when you put them on gifts, that person knows you created something just for them!
Embroidered monograms appeal to me because they are so elegant. I think they represent an opportunity to fine tune my skills. The books I read for fun are all e-books but the hard copy books I collect are all about needlework and adding to my little library would be great.
Monograms are among my favourite things to embroider, because they offer the opportunity to try out all manner of techniques abs ideas in a small way. I don’t like samplers as such, because on a student budget, it adds up. Trying out techniques on hankies means that if they turn out great I have lots of personalised gifts and new skills!
I do love embroidered monograms. For me it echos back to Victorian days and a certain romanticism I have about how they used monograms as a means of identification as well as an artful expression. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era. I also love that on the internet you can find so many styles of monograms. You could almost spend your life researching them. Add to that the new and modern way folks are doing them now and it’s apparent to me that the art of embroidered monograms is alive and well in the 21st century. I’d love to add this book to my library, Mary. Thanks for another great giveway.
Dear Mary, I love the beauty and simple elegance of a white monogram. I love all needlework and plan to teach my granddaughters to continue the tradition. The ability to make beautiful things and give them to others is a delight to my soul. These gifts are priceless because they are gifts from the heart. Thank you for all the teaching and encouragement you provide!
I was taught, at very young age, to appreciate finely monogrammed linens. My first recollection includes a blouse that my mother wore, which had her monogram on it in green. Later on, she worked in a shop which specialized in custom-monogrammed linens, bedding, handkerchiefs, and lingerie. My Hope Chest was filled with beautiful things. I later taught myself embroidery, and I then began to hand-embroider in whitework, pillowcases and handkerchiefs to give as gifts. To this day, I still hand-embroider, but I also rescue some lovely monogrammed pieces from thrift shops and flea markets. It’s a life-long vice.
I love embroidered monograms, although I haven’t stitched any yet. They go on my list of things to stitch each time you start a new set of designs here on needlenthread, but as my initials are ST I’ve always got something else on the go by the time you get to me. I have 3 options, change my name to Amy Aardvaark, hope that you could produce your next alphabet in reverse sequence, or I could be lucky enough to win the book, and dive straight in at S and T.
I love embroidery monograms because it makes your project just that much more personal. (By the way…I love your site!) Thanks for the chance.
Elaine Gregory labedaelaine@gmail.com
I love monograms! They are great for gifts because they don’t take as long to create as a typical embroidery. They are beautiful and add individuality to embroideries and other items.
Such generousity. Thank you for the chance to win.
I like monograms. They are a beautiful way to personalize work. They are an initial and motif all in one.
I love the idea of monograms as they are small enough to be a full project on their own but not take as long. Since I started reading your blog I’m amazed at the variety of different monograms you’ve featured and how beautiful they all are. I don’t think monograms should be put on everything (like every single towel in your house), but I loved the photo album you recently showed as that’s a perfect example of an appropriate use of monogramming! I think a monogram would look great on the lid to a jewelry box also. I would love to win a copy of this book 🙂
I love the cover of the book…it is scrumptious! I’m just picking up embroidery again after nearly 40 years. I’ve forgotten so much and I know this book would be a godsend. I need to do this again before I can’t.
Thank you for the give away….Please pick me!
I love old monagrams because of the connection I feel to the family for whom they were made, and the connection to the embroiderer. I collect and use monograms with the first, middle or last initials of all my family members. It is like having a reminder of them every time I use them
I use text in my work a lot – people are always surprised when I tell them it’s embroidered by hand and I say “Our hands are capable of amazing things that a machine could never do.”
Mary, this should definitely be a call for action to all of us stitchers! We need to support all the talented designers and authors of our so special craft! This book is just too good to let it fall away from some publisher’s list!
I adore your needlework blog which serves to teach us about these special books, tools and techniques! And especially, your current project of the hummingbirds – I stop what I’m doing when I see your email!
PS I have shared your blog with everyone in my stitching group!
I think monograms are very elegant looking regardless if they are simple or exquisitely embellished. There is just something appealing about them.
I love monograms. I have a collection of letters for inspiration in doing or dreaming of monograms. Thanks, Mary, for the opportunity to add this book to my collection. I also am eagerly waiting for your e-book on flowered monograms. I hope to do a monogram for each of my children and grandchildren, and hope they will cherish them.
Ach!!! I once had a chance to buy this book and I utterly failed. Could this be an opportunity to finally have it and the valuable information it contains?..I hope so! Please put me in the running for the giveaway for Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters…and as always, Thank you Mary, for the wonderful work you do promoting the needle arts!
Hi, embroidered monograms are very pretty to see and the best to personalize any item. I haven’t yet embroidered any monogram though coz Iam just a beginner in embroidery. Would love to get that book. Thanks for keeping such a give away.
J’aime beaucoup les monogrammes. C’est élégant, raffiné. Je ne sais pas bien les broder en “broderie blanche” mais je les interprète avec des fils de couleur au point de Beauvais.
Lorsque dans les brocantes je vois de très beaux linges anciens brodés, je rêve à leur histoire. De la brodeuse qui les a brodés aux personnes qui ont profité de la beauté de toutes ces merveilles. Ce serait agréable de gagner ce livre,mais déjà parler de ce sujet est un plaisir. Merci de le permettre.
Cordialement,
What I love about monograms is the dainty yet royal look they seem to possess. It always looks exquisite to me. My 10 year old grandchild has shown promise in being a very good embroiderer. I plan, should I win, to share this book with her and help her achieve refinement in stitchery.
I think monograms are exquisite! They are personal and show in a quiet, gentle way that the recipient was loved or cared for enough that another person spent time, talent and meditations into creating a beautiful gift just for them. I would treasure this book and devote time into bringing its artistry to life.
I think monograms are exquisite! They are personal and show in a quiet, gentle way that the recipient was loved or cared for enough that another person spent time, talent and meditations into creating a beautiful gift just for them. I would treasure this book and devote time to bringing its artistry to life.
Of all your wonderful give-aways, this is the one that has me standing up with both hands raised yelling “Pick me, pick me!” Monograms are what first drew me to embroidery. They are out in the open, yet mysterious. They can be simple or extravangant or even both at the same time. Block letters or flowing, embellished or all alone….they are beautiful. Throw in all the historical aspects and I’m in love with monograms!
Monograms….oh they give me goosebumps! I adore them. They make me smile…what a wonderful chance to visit with more gorgeous examples…ah, I can just dream!
It’s really discouraging that so often the really interesting needlework books go out of print and are difficult to find.
I love monograms particularly the finely stitched white on white ones with some extra scroll and flower embellishment . . . pretty much like on the cover of the book.
What a wonderful surprise to find that a copy of The Art of Embroidered Letters
really does exist. I have been longing for the opportunity to learn how to
Embroider Monograms in the traditional way, how to pad and stitch the exquisite
Old patterns that are now available on the web. I just love pretty, small and fine
Needlework projects, they make lovely gifts, especially for Grandchildren.
Thank you Mary for the treasured giveaway.
Ann J
Embroidered monograms give me a warm, fuzzy feeling of by-gone days. I love curling up with magazines and books so any time I come across monograms I’m in seventh heaven. I collect old linens and monogrammed ones are my favorites. I have only done one monogram and it was in shadow work but they are definitely on my ‘bucket’ list.
I would love to win this book. I love Monograms and what they can do with them. I love the filigree they put around them. I love the ones that have flowers around them. I find they add a beautiful touch to a project.
A. I love monograms. They are a succinct form of identification and a possible representation of identity. B. I love hand embroidered monograms because they provide so many opportunities to express the embroiderer’s personality and/or their feelings about the recipient’s personality. I love to make them as gifts for any occasion for that reason. The colors you know someone likes, either for their clothing or for their home decoration, give you an easy basic palette for thread colors. I prefer them framed after all the work that goes into them. Monograms should be a piece of art that lasts for years. I read your original review of the book and longed for it at the time. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
This year I’m dyeing repurposed serviettes/damask tablecloths to monogram with matching floche to introduce contemporary enthusiasm to generation of nieces and nephews for table textiles. This book would be a wonderful opportunity to mix old and new.
I think hand embroidered monograms are beautiful (not much of a fan of the machine embroidered ones, though). I find them a little tricky to embroider when using satin stich because my satin stitch isn’t quite up to par yet. But I’m hoping to improve!
Oh Mary – I am learning so much doing the Hummingbird project. Thanks so much for that! As for Monograms, I used your shading and stem stitch technique to make monogrammed pillowcases for a special friend. I’m not new to embroidery, just relatively new to you and doing embroidery well! If I win the book, I will make the most beautiful pillowcases ever. For all you do, thanks!
I do love hand embroidered items for myself as well as personalized gifts. My grandmother started me monograming hand towels, hankies and making and monograming pillowcases. I now do hand monogram blankets for babies for gifts and usually hand monogrammed linen towels wedding showers. I am always looking for new ideas. What a treasure this book would be. And thanks for offering such a wonderful gift
I love embroidered monograms because they make great personalized wedding gifts!
There’s something special about monograms, regardless of the type of stitch, or fabric, or the skill of the embroiderer. Monograms have the power to transform an ordinary item into a personal belonging with a personal story. And stories, especially mysterious ones, are always fun to explore. Monogrammed hankies and linens are my favorite mysteries. What names belong to those letters? Did the owner embroider this herself? Or was it given to her by someone who loved her? In my treasure box I have a bed sheet monogrammed with my grandmother’s initials. Two letters done in simple red cross-stitch on a simple linen sheet. I always wonder if she did them herself or if it was a gift from her husband’s family. Was red her favorite color? Did she pass her hand over them as I do whenever I see it? I love a good story!And I love a great monogram!
Mary – Thank you for this giveaway. I have been eagerly awaiting the re-publication of this book and am so disappointed to learn that it may not happen! I have longed to learn how to stitch exquisite monograms. They are elegant. And timeless. And personal (in this age of of wearing some designer’s initials or logo. And beautiful monogram mime reminds me of my sweet mother and grandmother.
Should have proofread before posting! Forgot the close parenthesis and “monogram mime” should be “monograms remind . . . “
There is nothing more elegant than beautiful monogramming. Nothing more to say!
Peggy
I love this book and had been looking for it for ages and when I read your article about it being reprinted I was over the moon. Now you say that that won’t be, so I will have to try and take my chance with this competition and see if I am lucky enough to win it. I think there is nothing so beautiful as seeing embroidered initials on bags, children clothes and other embroidery pieces and I would love to give it a go.
Good luck everyone and may the lucky one win.
I’ve never embroidered a monogram, but what an excellent resource this book would be to entice me to try one. I’m always eager to learn new needle skills. Thanks for this generous opportunity, Mary!
I love embroidered monograms! They’re some of the first projects I learned how to do. I just think they add such an elegant touch to anything from hankies to towels. I love that sites like this are keeping the art alive.
I love monograms because it enable you to make any gift personal. Most people are very happy to receive a gift made just for them.
How can I help loving embroidered monograms? Since childhood I’ve treasured the various monogrammed linens I’m fortunate to have from my grandmother, great grandmother and even one from my great great grandmother. The handwork is so exquisitly done. I haven’t yet attempted minograms on my own as i think I’m a bit intimidated… I’m afraid my stitching will pale in comparison to the workmanship of beautifully stitched antique items!
Mary, Mary I am a little desperate here. I am designing an exhibition piece that is basically a Family tree based on MONOGRAMS. From the times and places of my ancestors weddings and/or births. I have realized that I have a lot to learn about monograms.
So please, please, please pick me. I promise I will never ask for any else ever again.
Thank you for inspiring me regardless.
I adore embroidered monograms. For the beauty, the craft, the art, the work…but most of all for the memories of great Aunts, long passed, with their always present monogramed hankies tucked up their sleeves.
I would love to own this book, Ive always wanted to own this book. It has the most gorgeous , elegant , beautiful projects. For the life of me I can’t understand why this book was ever out of print. Every embroiderer needs this book. Love, love.
I have always loved Monograms on anything. My mom did hand monograms on all sorts of clothing when we were growing up and I have a great appreciation for all things hand done. I am currently a crazy quilter and put monograms or full names on things that I give away. Thank you Mary for your wonderful site. I encourage all my students of hand work to visit and sign up for your newsletter.
I love to do hand embroidery,would love to have this book.I enjoy putting monograms on things for my granddaughters,we all like having our names on things.thanks so much.vonda wise 604 springridge dr. lex.ky.40503
Hand embroidery is an art that shall never die as long as we keep doing it and promoting it… I’ve always preferred it to machine embroidery because to hand stitch something is to put love into it… and who can refuse love?
Hi Mary, I am new to the world of embroidery having only taken it up this year. I never really thought monograms would interest me but after perusing the wonderful Inspirations magazines and many embroidery websites, yours is my absolute favourite (and that is not a bribe), I can see how many gorgeous little gifts you can make using monograms.
I love the sentiment of monograms. I love the history. I love how they were utilitarian to mark laundry and personal items. I love how they can be beautiful with a small amount of effort. I love how I can convert one person at a time to going back to using hankies by embroidering their initial on a corner and gifting it to them. I love how much sense it makes to me.
You are actually giving this beautiful book on my birthday! How exciting is that. I would love to win the monogram book. I have been stitching for a very long time my grandmother started me stitching before she died. She died when I was six.
When I think of monograms, what comes to mind is the big L that Laverne had on all her clothing on “Laverne and Shirley.” I do love to see elegantly done monograms. And, I would someday like to do a set of sheets and/or pillowcases. For that reason, I’d love to win your book.
I have one handkerchief with an H on it. My husband didn’t like it, but I love it. I also have a set of top sheet and pillowcases with an S, which belonged to my great-grandmother. Along that line, there are 4 spoons with an R from her first marriage. The problem is who do I pass these things on to?
Before this site monograms never appealed to me, but now it was the idea that I found unappealing I guess. The idea of embroidering monograms to everyday items used to seem like an outdated concept to me. Not any more 😉 I guess I saw so many beatiful examples here -and later other sites- that I started to see the connotations of giving such a personalized gift to somebody I love.
As much as I really love machine embroidery, hand embroidery is still favorite. This book would be a true treasure for any embroiderer. I would love to have this in my collection.
If I was the lucky person to receive this book, I would make a “stitching bag” for myself and put my monogram on the front. It would be so much fun. Have only done one monogram, but really loved doing it and I love to see it done anywhere.
Thanks for all your fun, interesting e-mails. I have learned so much.
Tanis
My most prized possessions are vintage linens hand monogrammed by earlier family members. I have a table cloth and napkins with embroidered monograms done by either a great grandma or some other relative and handed down to me. I will hand down to my daughter and hopefully add to the collection by embroidering monograms on additional linens. I would love this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Since I do not see anyone here answering the question, “Do you love embroidered monograms?” in the negative, the little contrarian in me wants to include this exchange between Jeeves (the English manservant) and Wooster (his aristocrat):
Jeeves: Shall I lay out one of your novelty handkerchiefs for you today, Sir?
Bertie: Oh, come off it, Jeeves! Everyone wears things with initials on them nowadays.
Jeeves: I thought the practice was restricted to those who were in danger of forgetting their names, Sir.
–It comes off better with a posh accent…
I LOVE monograms. Hope I win.
I adore embroidered monograms and will buy linens from estate sales that have them. I like the elaborate one the best. My grandmother had damask tablecloths and napkins made with her monogram in ombré colors to match the fabric. I wish that I had asked her who stitched them. My attempts are amateur, but I keep on trying.
I have never tried embroidered monograms, but i have always wanted to try it. Winning this book would bei the perfect start !
I really love monograms, and I embroider some of them, because they remember me that my grand mother did so, and I could to learn embroidering with her. I realize them with many colors and also with white thread, and also in richelieu. But I prefer white on white.
I recently embroidered two monograms for my daugter’s twins.
Dominique
I love monograms, especially on handkerchiefs. Birthday presents, Christmas presents, Present presents. Trying to get friends to use handkerchiefs instead of blow and toss tissues. I’ve been trying to find this book since you mentioned it before. Thanks for giving some lucky person a change to own it.
I like the idea of embroidered monograms – they’re traditional and I especially like the idea of artsy embroidered monograms because I think they should be special and embellished.
I love monograms. They remind of a genteel gone by era where everyone dressed snappily and appearance was important. Thanks Mary for your wonderful column and of course, for this giveaway.
Melody
Southport, NC
I love embroidered monograms, especially on table linens. It adds so much class to runners and napkins. In fact, I just made a Thanksgiving runner and napkins with my monogram hand embroidered on each napkin and at either end of the runner. I used an old English font, floche and they turned out beautiful. I learned about floche from you and it works so well for hand embroidered monograms. I would love to have this book to improve my knowledge, thank you for the opportunity
I love monograms, particularly in white-work rather than colours. I am a sucker for anything in white-work. I love the delicate, precise and professional look about it. The book would be a great addition to my library of not only monograms but white-work.
Chris
Yes, love embroidered monograms but have yet to really get stuck into them – this book would be the ideal push in the right direction.
I like embroidered monograms. Recently at our niece’s birthday party she and her older sister were dressed in semi-matching dresses. Each had their initials in (machine) embroidered monograms. It made the dresses look so special.
It looks like a lovely book-A friend just embroidered and old-fashioned monogrammed hankie for me and I have always loved beautiful monogrammed linens. Thanks for offering this!
Hi Mary
I love monograms and always have, without really knowing it. I have sewn monograms onto my sons dressing gowns as he has grown up. I have embroidered monograms onto face cloths and hankies. I have had monograms engraved onto my sons and my husbands cuff links.
Now with my new and dedicated year of learning embroidery techniques I needed a monogram to stitch on my completed embroidered pieces. I am particularly proud of my first piece of stumpwork. So I asked my son, John, who is doing Graphic Design at College to help me design a monogram (and it is a proper monogram as learnt from your articles). He did so and I will now always use this in my completed works. Thank you Mary as always for your generosity in imparting your knowledge to us and giving us a chance to win these lovely books.
Heather (New Zealand)
I do love embroidered monograms!
And I would love to win a copy of this book!
Oh I would so love to win this book! I love, love, love monograms. I have embroidered them for my 2 granddaughters, and would love to do some for myself! The are so classic and chic. I love doing them on hankies!
Please pick me!
I’ve not long been doing embroidery but I’m like a sponge just wanting to learn more and more. Your site has been an amazing source of knowledge and information for which I give you my thanks. The monograms are beautiful and so useful.
I love hand embroidered monograms. I will confess that I am not really good at them. I am adequate. Love the thoughts of this book.
Mary, I just wanted to tell you that because of you and your awesome website, I am embroidering again. I learned from my mother as a child and as I grew up I kind of got away from it as I love to try new things. I found your site and started receiving the emails. Well, I’m hooked again. I’m currently working on my granddaughters monogram. Your instructions and patterns are wonderful. THANK YOU so much. Teri
i love the look of every one else’s monograms but the few abortive attempts at my own haven’t been satisfactory or pleasing and i would like to rememdy that situation some day.
Wow what a give away and what a response! I have dabbled with monograms in the past on my daughters crazy quilt.I am working on another piece which will have my monogram on it.I would enjoy owning a copy of this book. Thanks for being generous and kind hearted in bringing the opportunity forward to the lucky winner.
I do like embroidered monograms. I think it’s the crisp shape of the letters, the different styles, and the history behind them that do it for me. The hand-stitching part is something I’m very keen about. I’m working on a monogram now for a wedding gift I’m making. I’d love to win this book! I’m sure it would help me improve my next monogram……
Thanks for the chance, Mary!
When your title “That evasive monogram book…” popped up in my blog reader, I thought you might be reporting on your own monogram book! Which is going to wonderful.
I love monograms! They are great for gift-giving and fun to stitch, and they do not necessarily demand a huge amount of time to complete. And while I am not a graphic designer, I also love type fonts. Embroidery plus lettering is a perfect combination.
It is very generous of you to give away copies of this book. It’s been on my wish list, in large part because of the instruction in techniques.
There’s one technique in particular that I’d love to learn: trailing. Can you or anyone else point me to another book or resource that teaches it?
Many thanks.
I am thrilled for the opportunity to own this book. Can’t believe you are giving some away. Just finished a small quilted wall hanging using an embroidered L followed by the small letters ove. I love embroidery and use it in my crazy quilts. Thanks for your comments and expertise. Karin
PS My family is from Junction City area. I was born at Ft. Riley.
In one word, elegant. They remind me of my mom. Everything she made was made with love.
After being away from needlework for some years I want to come back, which is why I read your blog..gathering up lots of inspiration. I love monograms and have embroidered them in the past and I love books on needlework as well. I’ve used monograms on pillows, on an apron, and on a travel-size laundry at for a dear friend who traveled frequently. I’m pretty sure I could really get back I to the habit of doing needlework with this book as inspiration. Even If I don’t win it,
I think it’s a very generous gesture on your part to offer it, so thank you.
I love embroidery and I also love letters. As a retired 4th Grade teacher who was known for her handwriting classes and my desire to become a better embroiderer (is that a word), a beautiful book about embroidered monograms is a no brainier. :). Plus, I am a huge fan of Susan O’Connor. I met her several years ago at the Martha Pullen Sewing Market in Arlington, TX.
Good luck to all. 🙂
I meant no brainer. Oops. Darn autocorrect. 🙂
For me, monograms mean elegance reminiscent of a more genteel time. I love to put monograms on heirloom items like a christening dress or blanket. Use of monograms shows how important the piece is
I adore monograms especially the white on white victorian versions. So classy and timeless on household linens. Really would LOVE to win a copy of this book.
I love embroidery. I love the look of the monograms but I will probably never try them because of my lack of skill. I hope the Art, and it is an Art will continue forever. Let the winner help the continue!
Embroidered monograms are so beautiful. I’ve never done any myself because they seem a bit complicated for my level. But there are so many possibilities for them like pillow cases, hand towels, napkins etc. It makes me happy just to look at beautiful embroidered monograms. You are very nice to give-away such a valuable item.
I love embroidering initials, etc on gifts! Just adding a monogram on a nice little bag works up quickly and is a nice personal touch on something for a friend. My favorite way to use monograms… adding them on the left chest of the stuffed elephants I make for my friends’ newborns. 🙂
While I do not wish to embroider monograms on every items of clothing I own, I do love letters and embroidery and embroidered letters, and I’ve certainly been known to put a monogram or three on gifts and pillowcases and whatnot. 🙂 I do love all sorts of letter art.
One thing that I love about embroidered monograms is that, as a beginner embroiderer, they are an achievable project for me, a work of art in themselves – not too big and not too small. But what I especially love about them is that they add a whole extra layer of “specialness” – a hand embroidered monogram says that this was made for someone and by someone!
Well, I’ll wade in with a comment, but I don’t ever win any of the books. Love to hand embroider and love the monograms. Each one lends itself to different stitches – kinda like the hummingbird you’re doing, Mary. Have one book of patterns with a page (really, just one page) with alphabet. Would love to have something different.
I would love to have this book! Many years ago a cherished friend needlepointed a monogram using all of the letters of my name — Catherine — as a gift. Since then I have cherished the pillow from Phyllis and been in love with monograms but never brave enough to design one. I read your review and think that, with this book in hand, I could do it.
Many years ago a cherished friend needlepointed a monogram using all of the letters of my name — Catherine — as a gift. Since then I have cherished the pillow from Phyllis and been in love with monograms but never brave enough to design one. I read your review and think that, with this book in hand, I could do it.
Hats off to you! You have to be dedicated to wanting anyone/everyone to learn to love embroidery as much as you do. Your daily missives are a wonderful way to keep enticing all of us to pick up our Needle ‘n Thread!
I love embroidered monograms because they just add a flair and elegance to everything.
I love embroidered monograms! I love the personal touch they embody and their heirloom quality. Monograms are my next frontier! Ever since you mentioned the book a while ago, I have been searching and waiting…..I hope it will be reprinted soon.
I love, love, love the look of this book! Monograms are so elegant and timeless…
Hi Mary, I love monograms because they are timeless. I love monograms because they are so precise such perfect stitching!
Jude E
There is something absolutely timeless and classic about monograms, not to mention making lovely heirlooms!
I love them, I just think that they look so elegant. I love the fact they are so personal. You arre very generous:-)
Why do I love monograms? Well, now enjoying a return to the art of embroidery in semi retirement, I recall as a child learning my first combination of stitches on an alphabetical letter. Following this I went onto drawing letters and sharing these on cards with family and friends. I loved the way these simple forms could they could be enhanced, decorated, and coloured by a raft of media. I would so love to return to embroidering this interesting art form.
Hi Mary,
I just love embroidered monograms, they make everything so much more personal.
Thanks so much for the giveaway,
Jacqueline in Pitt Meadows
Hi
Never having embroidered one, I am a novice, enjoying the art of embroidery and monograms would be an extension to my love for the art of calligraphy. One can never learn too many arts.
Thank you for this opportunity to participate in your wonderful gesture of a giveaway .
I’m just learning the beautiful art of monograms. I did a one day class with Susan O’Connor at Beating Around the Bush this year and learned so much from her. Have been searching for her book for months because I think that an elegant monogram is an enhancement to many personal items, and I want to be able to teach these skills to my granddaughter who is taking an interest in embroidery.
I love them, not only because they are interesting to study as letter formations, but monogrammed handkerchiefs make great gifts.
i haven’t embroidered a monogram yet but it’s on my mental list of things to do. I love the elegant swirls, personalisation of an object and the creativity you can put into them.
I had the book on my birthday list and am sad it’s not going to be reprinted, at least not just yet. Boo.
would love to win, thanks
Embroidered monograms are what brought me back to embroidery after a 40 year absence (monograms on Xmas gifts) & while I absolutely loved the whole process the results where well… not as impressive as the effort. Anyway that exercise encouraged me to join a Thursday afternoon girls group (in a small regional town in Australia) where we sit and stitch and this has become the highlight of my week! Their presence & support has helped me more than words can express. I would love to win this so we can all share & spread the joy!
Ps thanks for your generous gesture.
Hi Mary, I do love monograms. They are classic and timeless. People are surprised when I give them a monogrammed gift because they believe it has gone out of style. I get raves though. Your stitching of monograms is the best work I have ever seen. I don’t know how you do it.
Thanks for the giveaway of this great book. Good luck everyone!!
I love embroidered monograms and use them to personalize face towels, bed linen and table settings. I think you are very kind to share your projects and knowledge with all of us.
I love monograms. As a young bride 47 years ago, I monogramed all our bed sheets and pillowcases. One set still survives. I dream of handmade monogramed, crochet edging hankies for my sisters, now that I am retired. This book
would top it all. Even if I don’t win, thinking about it, is nice.
I love embroidered monograms. I love monograms of any sort but the embroidered ones are simply gorgeous. How lovely to dream of owning this book and how generous of you to give one away.
Thank you.
Wow–what a give away! Thank you for the opportunity!
I have always been intreged by monograms. Something about seeing them in old linens. Just love the look. I did a wedding pillow for my son and his wife with their monogram in the middle. White on white with white beads. It was wonderful ring bearers pillow if I do say so myself.
Again thanks for the opportunity to add this book to my collection.
I love monograms-they are just simply beautiful, especially the old handkerchiefs I’ve found at estate sales. They make me think of all the the time and craftmenship that was put into something that today is made of paper that me just throw away. I often wonder what the letters might have stood for and what story they told.
I have just started to embroider monograms on a crazy quilt and would love to have this book in my library. Thank you for all your giveaways and more important for all your information.
Connie
I love embroidered monograms, but there is that problem of changing your last name, and possibly your last initial when you marry….So as a young lass a girl sets about filling her hope chest with what letter? I happen to be blessed to have married a guy with the same last initial as my maiden name. That worked out, didn’t it?!
I have a lot of beautiful monogrammed pieces that my paternal grandmother made in the 19-teens…I would love to make a few more for my kiddos to pass along in their generations.
I love embroidered monograms for their timeless elegance. I am currently embroidering a beautiful “S” for my yet to be born grandchild. It will be framed to hang on the nursery wall. Luckily both names they have chosen begin with an S so I don’t have to wait til it’s born to find out if it is a boy or girl. Thank you for sharing this beautiful book with us. It is indeed more fun than selling them!
Im now fascinated with monograms!! They are artistic in their own right. I recently took a course and am now forever hooked!!!!!!
oh I really love monograms, especially the white on white ones!
I would love the opportunity to win this beauty of monograms. I must confess I am a nut for French monograms. I am constantly trolling the Internet for that one of kind book on cross stitched letters. I agree it is hard to find these special books. My enabler alert would love to add this book, to my unending cross stitched accoutrement enhancement stash!
Monograms are wonderful! I love how the letters interlock and how the patterns change with different styles of letters. The possibilities are endless!
The minute I saw your book review, I located the fabric I wanted to use, as well as the threads and the appropriate needles. The fabric is on the frame and I feel like a bride waiting for the elusive bridegroom to arrive. I could not find the book anywhere.
Needless to say, I LOVE monograms: even have some old, very thin monogrammed hankies that belonged to my Mother. NOTHING is more beautiful and gracious than a well done monogram!
Yes, I do love embroidered monograms. It started when I received a dresser scarf that had belonged to my grannie. Her mother had embroidered it for her when Grannie went away to boarding school, and my married last name starts with the letter S same as Grannie’s maiden name. I’m so pleased to have something that my great-grandmother embroidered and it is something that I use in my home. I don’t know what kind of cotton cloth was used but the stuff wears like armor! 🙂
i love making presents with monograms for special people in my life ! Coat hangers are a favourite and I even have a B one in my cupboard. It came back to me after my mum Beatrice passed away. I treasure it!
I always think anything I tackle needs to be abig involved project -lots of shopping for the ringtone materials and colors, lots of effort to prepare and start. Monograms, or specifically, a monogram would be simple to start, not take too long and be done in a jiffy. Couldn’t be better!
I have just started embroiderying. So I have never done monograms but would like to start.
I have done silk ribbon embroidery for years. Thanks for the chance to win the book.
I admire the art of embroidering monograms. They are truly elegant forms of needlework-timeless and classic. I would love to win this book, but whoever does will surely get a treasure!
I would love to own a copy of this beautiful book
Dear Mary,
WOW- this is so exciting! I have looked everywhere for this book and was so sad to hear that it will not be available. However, I thank you so much for this chance to win a copy. Monograms are so regal- they remind me of queens and kings! They are really beautiful and how I would love to be able to embroider some for myself. Just imagine sleeping on bed linens with beautiful monograms embroidered on them- how elegant!! I will keep my fingers (and toes too) crossed!
Peggy in NJ
I absolutely adore embroidered monograms. I soooo hope the instructions in this book are good. My main concern is that my only option for monograms is satin stitch. Not so great at satin stitch. I’m starting to see there may be other possibilities mainly thanks to discovering this blog. Thank you.
I love monograms! I have collected monogrammed vintage textiles for many years, feeling that they are just one more link to the women who made and loved the fabrics. I have monogrammed some few pieces myself but have a long way to go to match their quality. Thanks for the chance to win this book. Ann
I think monograms are great for personalizing gifts, both as stand alone letters or as part of a name.
As it can be hard to find the right style for a person/gift, it would be nice to have this book as a resource.
Thanks you for your blog, I love learning about the different stitches and watching your projects progress.
I do love embroidered monograms, they’re just so elegant and pretty!
Christina A
I love the mystery of antique embroidered monograms – who did the monogram belong to, why was it stitched-wedding, birth, etc., where did it originate?
I love the unique ways artists combine the letters into beautiful designs. I especially am attracted to the white work monograms.
Thank you Mary for sharing a copy of the book with us and good luck to all the embroidery lovers out there!
I adore monograms! I started collecting antique and vintage monogram handkerchiefs after I took a marvelous monogram hand embroidery class. When showing my collection to a friend of all letters relevant to me, she said ” why don’t you collect the entire alphabet?” I hadn’t considered that but you better believe I’m out to do it now!
I would so enjoy winning this book as I’ve been trying to find one I could afford since it first dropped off the market. Thanks for another great give away and how much you contribute to our world.
Oh Mary, I LOVE LETTERING, Calligraphy,
Hand lettering, logo designing, monograms, and embroidery so I REALLY REALLY want to win the Monogram book. If I could write this comment with my calligraphy pen, wouldn’t it be gorgeous?
Thank you for all your lessons, emails, funny stories, mistakes, inspirations, ideas and yes, obsessions. I love them all.
Robin in New Mexico
I very much enjoy embroidered monograms (and related liturgical monograms/symbols) — especially done white on white. I do work with liturgical linens os this is an essential part of my creative efforts. I hope to do more with some additional textile projects I am exploring, including embroidered “illumination” & calligraphy work. This book would be a tremendous boon for my art! Thanks so much for making this opportunity possible!
I love embroidered monograms and I use them often when making gifts for special people. My grandmother taught me to embroider and my first project was to embroider my initials. So lots of memories. Thank you for the opportunity of a wonderful giveaway
I have only embroidered a few monograms on hankies and would love to do more. Thanks for the opportunity to learn more!
Hi Mary
Like you I love monograms – for me they make ideal gifts for the people I love. I can search to find a design that suits them, and put something of myself into working it in colours and purpose. I love most of all the elaborate scroll designs, with plenty of curls and loops. Oh – and little flowers too. I have done calligraphy in the past, and found it very satisfying.
White on white monograms are my favorite. On trouseau garments, handkerchef or other personal items are what comes to mind.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.
Dear Mary:
Thank you once again for another generous give away. Monograms are the perfect touch for a gift of love. It is everything others have said…timeless, elegant and a reminder of the beauty of embroidery.
Vivian from Milton, Ontario Canada
i just love monograms. I miss all the pretty embroideries hankies my grandmother had. All the different fonts…I love them all. Thanks for a chance to win such a great book.
The book looks like a feast being sat on the table. I would like to win it so I could partake of its appetizing aromas.
Monograms are fun to do. I can create a variety of designs surrounding the monogram and style of the monogram. I really like to do shading. Lately I have made lingerie bags which I embroider monograms. Mary, I enjoy reading all the comments myself. Have a great day.
Dianne
I love embroidered monograms! I have done a couple myself, one in cross stitch and one embellished with silk ribbon embroidery. I have a much prized collection of my grandmother’s hand embroidered handkerchiefs (many done by her with tatted edging). I would love to add this book to my needlework bookshelf. Thanks for considering your happy readers for this wonderful gift.
Many years ago, I learned calligraphy. Now wouldn’t it be special if I could do the alphabet in embroidery. I’ve thought about it many times but find myself in Jacobean work quite often. This would be a new adventure.
I love monograms. I monogrammed all of my trousseau items (1968), but my work was elementary. I would like to improve in order to monogram my children’s heirloom items.
I am a great fan of whitework and it looks like this book would be a great complement to my collection of library of needlework books. Thanks for the opportunity to own this volume.
I love the romance that monograms give to an item. There is just a lovely nostalgia about them.
Mary,
I love, love,love monograms. They are so beautiful and offer such riches and luxury to the bed. I can’t wait to jumb into bed to enjoy. Such a varity of stitches to apply to just one monogram. I dream of living back in the day when the ladies sat together around a fireplace to visit and sew.
I LOVE monograms. But I never thought I could actually sew them. Now that I have a little embroidery under my belt I am going to give them a try. Thanks for the chance to win!
Yes I like monograms. They’re very elegant in their simplicity of one letter. Whenever I see one stitched, I think it’s lovely. I’ve thought I would try it one day but I’m a bit intimidated. Mostly because the stitches I’ve seen are so even. I’m not sure I could do that. Of course I haven’t tried yet. I’d love to win this book…then maybe it will give me the encouragement to try it.
I LOVE monograms because it reminds me of the handkerchiefs that my Great Grandmother gave to me. I love that they have made a come back in a must have item!! I have had a watch on Amazon hoping the book was going to be reprinted as you had stated in your blog earlier this year. I have checked back each day hoping to see that it is available only to be disappointed that it is not there!!!
I have made a few for gift to friends, but I so would LOVE the opportunity to win this book to have new patterns for gifts!!
Good luck everyone!
I’m so excited that your doing a giveaway of these beautiful books! I’ve just started monogram month and I’ve been looking for a good book on the subject. You encourage all of us in the most spectacular ways! Thank you.
Dear Mary,
I love embroidered monograms. The intricate entwined embellishment of one’s, or another’s, special letters steeped in reverent ownership. I particularly like the style and attention to detail in antique French white work linen pieces. Some are stunningly beautiful. Thank you Mary!
I have always thought of monograms as being elegant and sophisticated. In the past few years since learning more about embroidery, I have attempted a few simple ones. I would love to have a comprehensive book to inspire and motivate me to create more embroidered monograms. Thanks for offering this lovely giveaway.
I love monograms, even though I’ve never embroidered one myself. The concept is great: proudly announcing your ownership of a beloved object, making a somewhat run-of-the-mill object undeniably unique, or beautifully personalizing a cute gift! Also, because I am a twin, a lot of the things I own look very similar to my sister’s possessions, so a monogram would be a practical and gorgeous solution to this ever-lasting problem. Besides all that, they just plain look great!
Good luck everyone, may the most deserving embroiderer win, and thank you so much, Mary for this great giveaway!
I think embroidered monograms are so neat! Of course the face that my only grandson likes them on his shirts has no bearing on it whatsoever. Lol! Would love for them to be embroidered correctly!
I really like embroidered monograms. I like the texture they add to an item, tote bag, pillow, etc. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
Phyllis
I have always loved hand worked monograms. I study pictures for ideas and techniques. I would love to enjoy this book. Thanks for the opportunity!
I love embroidered monograms, though I haven’t yet had the pleasure of making too many yet! I like the personal touch initials can make on household linens and things, and I hope to be able to sew some and add a bit of that classic elegance that I do think monograms provide. Thanks for the opportunity!
I love making crazy quilts !! I love all sorts of embroidery, however , that darn satin stitch is so frustrating. Your give away would be fun and a wonderful to have.
I adore embroidered monograms and all embroidered lettering. Monograms have a timeless, elegant, classic beauty that makes me feels connected to the embroiderers and needle workers of the past. They also make such wonderful personal gifts. I have embroidered many personal items to give as gifts to special friends and family, from simple handerkerchieves and hand towels, to more elaborate robes and blankets and framed embroideries for new babies. They are always very joyfully recieved.
This book looks absolutely amazing! Something personal. Possibly a wedding heirloom. Fresh linen. Romance. Beach house. Clean crisp. These are some of the possibilities that pop in my head
Hi Mary!
I haven’t really thought about monograms a lot. I do personalize items with people’s names, however, and using one of the monogram designs for the first letter of someone’s name is a neat way to do this.
Thanks for having a give away again!!
Oh I love, love to win!
I dore monograms! And I’m especially drawn to the old fashioned look of the white work ones. Especially the padded ones. Just think of the time the ladies put into making these beauties!
Hugs,
Gina Snyder
Monograms have always fascinated me. My great grandmother made many monogrammed pieces. I also love whitework, which is the traditional monogram setting. What a cool give-away!!!
Do you love embroidered monograms? Yes, indeed, I do.
Why or why not? What appeals to you about them? There’s something about the formality of them that appeals to me.
Thanks for this wonderful opportunity.
I absolutely love monograms. I think they are beautiful and elegant. I had an aunt who embroidered monograms on pillowcases and I still have some of them. I’ve never tried monogramming myself, but would love to give it a try.
Dear Mary,
I do love embroidered monograms. Several years ago it was suggested that a group collect a few vintage hankies for a sewing box. The hankies turned out to be beautiful and were actually miniature stitching samplers. The monograms were exquisite. Then you started showing us monograms that you were stitching. Who could not love them? I am waiting for your pdf manual to come out, but am also looking at all the books on monograms that I can find.
I would love to win this beautiful book from “Down Under”. Susan O’Connor is a talented stitcher and teacher.
hi Mary. After your last review of this book, I actually put in an order to buy it. I am disappointed to hear it may never be republished. I have started to get very serious about my embroidery, having been more of a dilettante, and although I don’t have all the time I’d like to do it, I thought adding this book to me small stash of books would be a great idea. As I recall, what I like about your earlier review were the illustrations. You can monogram so many things not for pride of ownership but to beautify something perhaps commonplace, and make it original. I hope you choose me to win. Thanks, Mary.
Hi,
I love monograms but have never tried doing one. It’s partially because I don’t find the embroidering material I need or I can’t get a book about monograms.
I love leaving a mark on every thing by embroidering on it.
This give away is a true gift .
Than you so much Mary
what a beautiful book, I would love to win it! I am a newbie follower of your blog returning to hand embroidery after many, many years so I am keen to increase my skills. Thank you for all the inspiration
I love embroidered monograms, I think they are beautiful and I love the personalised touch they give.
I have been teaching myself hand embroidery since the beginning of this year and I have only scratched the surface with a ribbon embroidery project and a crewel project. And Im currently working on an embroidered tree of life centre piece for a quilt.
Ive been itching to learn embroidered monograms so I can create some for my husband and I. We are newly weds and Id love to monogram some towels and linen for us but Im not sure where to start.
Hi Mary,
I lived in Italy many years ago, when I was young. I discovered a love for monograms there. To receive something with your monogram on it is a real gift of love. For me, they speak of lineage, history and permanence. Recording the mingling of surnames, letting a married woman leave her own unique mark on the world. The artistry, skill and hours of practice put into such things are mind boggling. I use an old linen dowery sheet on my bed, it’s embroidery is as strong and beautiful as the day it was made. Monograms are like self portraits, each one as individual and unique as the hands that made them. I think embroidery stitches are musical and magical. The composer/artist is limited only by her imagination.
Thank you for such generous give away. I enjoy your newsletter and tutorials immensely.
Hi Mary, I’ve never won one of your give aways, and would be so grateful to win this lovely book. I love, love, love embroidered monograms. I love letters and calligraphy and fancy script and plain fonts too. Embroidered monograms make wonderful gifts, but they’re even more fun to stitch. Thank you for enlightening us on the art of embroidery. Getting your daily e-mails always brightens my day.
I love the look of an exquisitely finessed monogram. It is so expressive and can go in any direction. From demure to wildly flamboyant. From classic to oh so modern. And who wouldn’t it apply to? I trend towards loving traditional motifs, but its pretty hard to find a style that I can’t appreciate. I would love to have this book, so I hope that they actually do, do another reprint. I’ll be in line.
Hi, I have been planning on doing an embroidery of my new granddaughters name , I have never attempted a monogram before ,but am always up for a challenge !
I love embroidered monograms more now that I’m emersing myself in hand embroidery. I don’t have any experience personally in embroidering them, but I hope to in the near future, so I’d love to have the book 🙂 I think hand embroidery of any type is just so personal and “earthy” if you know what I mean. Having something embroidered with your monogram is just so much more personal.
Thanks for sharing your books with us.
Hello,
I do like monograms for a number of reasons. I am a college English instructor, and so I love letters. I do calligraphy and actually first got into embroidery because I wanted to monogram lettering that I had done. Also, there is something old-fashioned and wonderful about the flourishes and embellishments that adorn the letters in most monograms. I do hope that this book comes back into print. I would love to have a copy. And Mary, thank you, for the opportunity to win one!
I love monograms! To me they represent elegance, splendor and refined living! That’s something to inspire to! Having a monogrammed item means it’s yours and yours alone! Something rare to siblings from large families!
My mom helped me start embroidering before I could write. When I was in the 6th grade and learning cursive I developed a love for calligraphy. Embroidered monograms are the best of both those worlds and I love them!
I think this book would be an invaluable addition to the library of our small guild (8 members currently)
a unique and useful book for stitchers of all levels
Yes, I love embroidered monograms! They make items precious and personal. There are many different styles to suit every occasion/item.
I have read many of your articles on Momograms over time and I have developed a real desire to be able to stitch them well. I have been waiting for this book to be available again. Currently I enjoy making small embroidered gifts to give to friends and family and for our Guild gift shop (for fund raising). A small bag with a cord through the top, a needlecase, an etui and I would like to embroider an initial on the item now instead of other embroidery techniques. Much more personal. I could gradually try every letter in the alphabet!! This book would be a great “teacher”. Thank you for the opportunity to go in the draw.
I absolutely love Monagrams. I would love to monagram all my linen.(towels, sheets, pillow cases etc) I would feel like royalty if I could learn to do this properly. I have coveted this book ever since it was published. I am now mortified that it isn’t being published.
What a wonderful resource this beautiful book would be to my library! Thanks for the opportunity!
Oh dear, I don’t need another embroidery book (another distraction from the current half a dozen projects I have partially completed), but I do want it. The gorgeous monogrammed photo album cover you showed us last week had my head in a spin trying to decide whether I had enough room for another hoop and box of thread in my already overflowing project box. I decided not. But if I were to win a copy of this lovely book it would be rude not to start something new . . .
My first attempt at embroidery was a small monogrammed handkerchief. I love antique monogram patterns especially in Art Nouveau style. It just evokes a different time when ladies carried lacy hand embroidered items monogrammed with swirling beautiful initials. There is something so lovely about that we don’t really see now. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
I love monograms. They are a great way to personalise books, bags, bookmarks, napery, linen, pincushions and especially gifts.I love finding a monogrammed item in a charity shop and wondering about who it might have belonged to; hopefully someone in the future will be entertained by our present day monogrammed items as well.
I love monograms. Liz Almond came and did a workshop on them for our Embroiders Guild some time ago and I would love to have the book to learn more.
I havent done many monograms but I love them and are doing one right now for a special lady. Mongrams are such a personal touch and they remind me of days of old, a lasting gift in every stitch. Love to win such a gem, thanks for the opportunity Mary.
I am not sure exactly why I love monograms but they do look so pretty and there are so many different styles. You can pick one to suit your mood or your project!
Yes, I love embroidered monograms! Especially the linens from years ago. The ones that are intertwined with other letters and vines and flowers. They are so elegant.
Such a beautiful book to have.
I’ve never tried stitching monograms, but they would be wonderful to add to some of the Christmas presents I am making.Blessings
Hi Mary!
I really love embroidered monograms and recently have begun stitching them into corners of tea towels as gifts for newlyweds (being one myself I have been to rather a lot of weddings lately!) and I also recently stitched a dressing table mat for my younger sister with a little tulle edging – it looked so sweet! I love that monograms can range from extremely simple to incredibly elaborate and I enjoy experimenting with different stitches. I also like that in general, monograms are a reasonably quick project if you want them to be and it’s lovely to complete tasks (I find with very long projects I tire easily and get frustrated sitting and working on the same piece over and over – I don’t know how you do it with the Secret Garden!).
For me, monograms, in particular when stitched into shirt pockets or handkerchiefs, exude a certain amount of style which I quite like, and it is a simple way to personalise one’s wardrobe!
Love monograms for the glimpse of personality they provide.
I love hand-embroidered monogram! We even have some very old European pillow cases that my great grandmother embroidered — too fragile to use now, so I am thinking of ways to preserve her work. I’ve only had one lesson in making monogram, and I’d love more practice under Susan O’Connor’s “tutelage!” Having once deliberately attended a SAGA convention especially to take a class with her, I know that if anyone can teach me to make a respectable monogram, it’s Susan!
I recently fell heir to beautiful antique napkins that were embroidered by hand by the giver’s grandmother. They are gorgeous and grace my dinner table at every opportunity. To be able to duplicate them for a future generation would be fabulous. I know this book would help me learn to do that. Thanks for the opportunity.
Mary I appreciate the beauty of monograms. I collect textiles with monograms and admire the hand work that goes into each one.
I have seen and laid my hands on a English version of this book. It is amazing. Thanks for your generosity.
I do so love monograms and have been searching for months for this book. I love the artistic flair or look of monograms, there are so many ways to create them and they make the prettiest personalized gifts! Thank you for this opportunity.
I love embroidered monogram of all kinds, but sometimes have trouble achieving the look I want. I would love to learn new techniques and ideas for them.
I have always liked monogrammed clothes because to me it was a sign that you cared how you looked if you were willing to stick your initials on it. And nothing beats a monogram in enhancing a plain shirt or other article of clothing it a touch of class. I like making a special piece of clothing for each of my children and monogramming their initials on it. That one extra touch makes the gift more special than it was. Great give-away….
Suzanne Pratt
I love doing the hand embrodiery plus many other needle works. But this time my grandson has ask me to do an International Harvest Emblem on a pillow case and this would be the book to help me with the letters and I could use all the help it has to offer.
thank you
I’ ve always loved monograms! I took a monogram class with Susan O’Connor and it was delightful. It really renewed my desired to stitch monograms in different styles. I would love to have a copy of her book. Thank you!
I’ve loved monograms since I was a child admiring a set of monogrammed pillowcases my mother had received as a wedding gift but judged too nice to actually use. I use those pillowcases–they are on my bed right now. Lovely workmanship; too nice NOT to use IMHO. This book is a wonderful offer. Thanks!
Monograms are elegant and timeless, recalling linen hankies and french cuffs. Gorgeous!
I love embroidered monograms! I just love looking at them. So much skill is involved in just creating one! They remind me of my grandmother. 🙂 She always carried one.
Belinda
I have never tried creating one – but I do like them, and someday I might try one!
I didn’t use to like embroidered monograms: given the chance to do one several years ago I turned it down! Now, however, I’ve changed my mind (perhaps it’s an age thing?)and am fascinated by them and would welcome the opportunity to own this book! It’s everything about them – they can be simple or complex, plain or fancy. I especially like white on white, but think an exploration in colour could be fun.
I love monograms because they are so versatile. They can be simple or really fancy. And you can put them on anything!
As a person who has always used split stitch or cross stitch, I have been actively read your website and various and blogs. Monograms appeal to me because they are SMALL, and, presumably, an easier introduction to this type of embroidery than tackling a larger picture (not ready to get my feet wet!) I have seen several different fonts that appeal and look forward to learning more about them.
I don’t embroider monograms very often, but I do love to embroidery words, full names, and my favorite sayings or quotes. I looked back at your review and wow, it looks like a fantastic book. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Monograms are so classic! I love the look of them and would be thrilled to win this book! Thank you for your generosity!
Mary, Good Morning, I do not no if you remember me ,but I am your pest and tried to monogram a medieval R on a lace Hankie in Satin stitch and the vine in reverse chain which could not be done that way. Do you think this is a real good book I should have I respect your a opinion because I think I found one.Please let me know as soon as you can,
Thank you,
Sandra
Oh yes! If you like classic monograms, this is the book to have!
Thank you for another great give-away,Mary.
I too love monograms. I have a few vintage monogrammed towels I purchased years ago at a flea market – and they have my initial on them! Someday I plan to monogram pillows for my bedroom. I have a few books on monograms and enjoy looking through them and plan future projects and just plain daydream!
Lets hope Search Press plans to reprint the book.
I hadn’t really thought about monograms until I read your post about the difference between ciphers and monograms – fascinating! Since then I’ve been toying with the idea of incorporating a small monogram on my embroidery projects as a way of ‘signing’ each project. I’d love this book – even if only for the visual appeal.
Monograms – wow – wow – wow! I’ve returned to embroidering since I retired and love every minute of it. I especially love to learn new techniques. I’ve never tried monogramming, but I sure would love to. Thank you for offering this wonderful book to your readers!
What a great resource! I must admit that monograms are not my favorite embroidery – I prefer low key personal identifications, nothing fancy in my bath or bedroom. That said, I do a lot of liturgical work for my church and letters are a major part of that endeavor. I DO NOT own a book of monograms and it would certainly contribute much to the banners and orfreys I produce to have such a luscious book to work from. Who knows, I might even learn to love monograms!
I love to monogram. I monogram quite frequently especially on pillow slips I give as wedding gifts with hand knitted or crocheted lace. Monograms simply remind me of more elegant and relaxed times.
Oh Mary , you are so generous, not only with your giveaways but also your vast knowledge of everything embroidery related. I actually have a display shelf in my stitching room with only “L” things on it, hankies, needle cases, scissors fobs, tape measure, you get the idea. So having this book to add to my collection would be a treasure .Thankyou and Best Stitches, Louise D.
Beautiful Book! I had the opportunity to take a couple of classes from Susan and her work is impeccable. She offered the book at that time and foolish me, I thought I would purchase the book later.
Your work is beautiful as well. I always enjoy seeing what you are working on.
Thank you for taking the time to post things for the rest of us to enjoy.
Jo SAGA member in St.Louis
I love embroidered monograms. I was researching them and looking to use it in my logo for my farm Rose Meadow. I think it would look great and then it would give me and excuse to do a lot of embroidery to make all the extra pieces….
Thank you!
I do love monograms. There’s something so innately optimistic about someone spending the time, energy and creativity to create a monogram. It’s like a shout to the future…I was here! And at the same time, they’re mysterious…because we often don’t know whose monogram it is, or who created it. So, I was here (anonymously)!
Would love to have the book.
Wow, what a beautiful book, this is a generous give away. I love embroidered monograms, they remind me of illuminated letters. The intricate details are amazing. When I was younger I loved creating illuminated letters in calligraphy class. I have yet to embroider a monogram as I am new to this amazing art form. Thank you Mary for the blog it awesome.
I have embroidered many initials for various objects and clothing. Initials and monograms have always been one of my favorite little embellishments to make an item very special for the receiver. Giving away the book is very generous of you. Thank you Mary Corbet for your time spent every day and sharing so much.
I love embroidered monograms. There’s so much you can do with them and so many ways to personalize them.
I like monograms because many of them are very elegant! Also, they are perfect for crazy quilts — one of my favorite activities. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have always loved the look of embroidered monograms on just about anything! From the time I was a little girl to my age now of 61.They are so elegant and so personal.
I would love to own this book or any of your books you have reviewed !! I am trying to learn to embroider, it is hard !! to get the stiches perfect !! I am a newbie, I love ALL EMBROIDERY !! I THINK IT IS JUST LOVELY AND THE MONOGRAM LETTERS ARE JUST PURE ART SO PRETTY !! Oh, can I ask you a question?? Do you have any of your tuturiols on a DVD to purchase?? THANKS FOR YOUR WEBSITE I LOVE IT !!
Jane
Hi, Jane – thanks for your question. No, they’re not available on DVD, I’m afraid. I thought about it once upon a time and actually went so far as having the cover of a DVD case professionally designed. But after some thought, it seemed to me, that, with all the instruction available online, there wouldn’t be a large enough demand to justify the expense of the undertaking.
Mary, thank you for this very generous give-away.
I do like embroidered monograms. I like the personal nature of monograms. They are especially beautiful when done in white.
Thanks again!!
I absolutely love monograms. Maybe I have an overactive imagination. When I see monograms, I think of a very personal representation of a person somewhere in time. Perhaps they stitched their own monogram on linens for a trousseau, or someone stitched them as a gift for a bride to be or a newborn babe. I love the swirls at the tips of the letters. I love the little details of French knots and special stitches on the fancy monograms. And, I love the simple, plain Art Deco style monograms. I have stitched monograms for pillows as gifts to my aging Mother, on pillow cases for my daughter’s trousseau, and on t-shirts for my grand-children. I love finding new stitches to sneak in as embellishment. This book looks like a great addition to my library. I’m sure I can find some great techniques and inspiration inside. Thanks for a great give away. Good luck everyone.
I know this is not quite on topic, Mary, but just wanted to comment on your beetle wing embroidery article in Threads magazine – Very nice! Did you make that shirt used in the article?
Embroidered monograms are one style of embroidery that I have never tried. I have been watching your articles demonstrating such beautiful techniques that I am very interested in adding these to my repertoire. Hopefully this book will provide me with the tools to do so. Thanks for the chance to win one of these books.
I love monograms. I’m just sorry my parents gave me an extra initial (G) as otherwise I would be AVA, which is just made for a monogram! You’re being very generous with this giveaway- thank you.
I love to embroider monograms on handkerchiefs. So far this year, I’ve done several ladies handkerchiefs for relatives and friends, and I monogrammed a handkerchief for my brother on his wedding day. Next, I’d like to try some elaborate monograms on pillowcases.
My grandmother taught me to embroider several decades ago, but your website has helped me to brush up on my old skills, and add many new ones. Thank you very much for this wonderful resource.
I love lettering of all sorts. When I taught seventh grade English, one of the most popular assignments was to create a personal dictionary. The students loved choosing letters from simple to ornate to use as page headers. I like to embroider monograms on linens for gifts. It is a great way to give a heartfelt present. Your site is a terrific resource. Thanks
I love embroidered letters as they are just so elegant, tactile, feminine and down right attractive. I would love to embroider them on everything if you didn’t keep introducing ideas to embroider so that I keep getting waylaid. Maybe with this book I would just get down to lovely letters.
Here’s longing
Joyce
I love embroidery of all kinds, and I am a big fan of Susan O’Connor’s work. There is something about a monogram that adds so much elegance and such a sense of history to an item. It makes me thing of old fashioned wedding linens. I remember my cousins wedding shower when I was just a little girl. She got dozens of pillow cases and tea towels all lovingly embroidered, many monogrammed, but many embroidered in sweet designs made to make chores like doing dishes a little more cheerful a task.
But next to smacking little garments for children, monograms are my favourite type of embroidery. The best monograms I have done were on the Christmas stockings I made for my two Grandaughters. The stockings were pale pink moire satin with appliqués of lace from their mothers wedding dress making the toes and the heels. I lined the stockings with lining also leftover from their mothers initials. Then I embroidered with silk floss and silk ribbon an elaborate monogram for each of them. They will have those stockings forever and it gives me a good feeling every Christmas when I see them hanging by the fire.
I love the way that well embroidered monograms seem to emerge from the fabric itself. They could tell so many stories…about the embroiderer and about the person they were embroidered for. I love the sinuous and flowing complexity of them, especially where you ‘see’ the letter release itself from the pattern entwined around and within it.
I like fonts/lettering so even the plainer monograms intrigue me. I would love to read this book.
Oops that was supposed to be “smocking” for little children not “smacking”. Auto correct just changed it again to “shocking”. Good thing I checked this time! Sorry about that.
Hi Mary,
yes, I absolutely love monogram, because they are so clean and crisp stitched with white thread.
Hello Mary,
Thanks so much for writing this blog, so much useful information.
Love monograms; I love the way you can personalize anything for beautiful gifts.
Hazel
Hi Mary,
Monograms have only recently entered my consciousness — I never thought much about them until a few years ago while at a higher end antique mall, (real, but slightly damaged antiques — not museum quality, but not flea-market-vintage,either), I came across some old french tablecloths which had glorious, highly embellished monograms with floral accompaniments stitched all around them tone-on-tone colors in pale lavender, blue and ivory. I stared. They were works of art. And I wanted them, but I didn’t want to pay the $1000 plus pricetag, this has led me to take up all kinds of fancy embroidery — stumpwork, thread painting, even passementerie, (which isn’t embroidery,). But even though monograms provoked me to take up embroidery I haven’t tackled them yet, (there is so much to focus on, i.e. pillows like Rebecca Vizard’s antique confections).
So, of course, I would love to have this book — for inspiration as well as application!
Thanks for graciously having the give-a-way!
Sabrina of Lawrence.
I love monograms. What appeals to me about them is that they are personal to each friend or relative you make them for, and there is scope to make them with different stitches, colours and textures, and many possibilities to decorate them. It is difficult to find attractive designs for some letters of the alphabet, like T, J and I. Some monograms are complex, like M and W and to decorate them could distort them so the letter might not be recognisable. I would love to learn how to make attractive monograms, and what stitches to use and what decorations to add to make really attractive monograms.
I’ve been doing projects with vintage table linens and quilting them and I would love to add a monogram on the quilt as sort of a label. I’ve been following your posts and they are just beautiful. Thank you!
Who doesn’t love hand embroidered monograms? They take us back in time when femininity was admired. I treasure my ancestor’s hand embroidered hankies and have been thinking about stitching one with my initials so that my daughter and granddaughter can add to the keepsakes. Thank you for the opportunity to win a beautiful book.
As a lover of all that is embroidered, monograms are of particular interest to me. I am captivated by lettering artistry. What a treasure this book is. Thanks so much for the introduction and the give away opportunity!!
I never met a monogram I didn’t like. I even buy old monogrammed napkins at yard sales and enjoy wondering about their original owners as i eat dinner. Who could ever get rid of such beautiful work? I hope the needleworker is happy somewhere knowing their stitches are still appreciated.
Well! in 1994 I purchased a Liz Clairborne Jacket (wool/with a monogram) , sadly I found the jacket too collegiate for me at that time. Now, needing a warm dress jacket, though for everyday use (I live in a rural Southern town), I love the monogram and wool fabric. I now embroider monograms on dolls/clothes, my t shirts and sweaters. The monograms give the outfit, doll dress a colorful and sharp look that appears distinctive from other clothes. Of course, learning to use different threads and needle sizes as well as adding yarn to the letters gives the item dimension and color.
I am learning to design my own selection of print to embroider on my wardrobe. Almost feel I have a new set of clothes. ATK
I haven’t really thought about monograms, but I’m REALLY excited about embroidering words, especially all the crazy “expressions” my mom used to use. I’d love to receive this book. Maybe it will turn me on to monograms too!
I often rummage & find the most exquisite embroidered handkerchiefs. Visions of the past tickle my fancy taking me to an elegant era that doesn’t really exist in my real world. I love the pondering, beautiful mindscapes and oh my just behold the elegant craftsmanship of the artist behind the needles. These delicate monograms of which I have yet to find mine in one 🙂 so….. a lovely book to learn from would be just grand!
I do love monograms. I don’t have anything with my initials, but I have things that I have acquired. There is a feeling that the object that I have doesn’t really belong to me, that it still belongs to that other person. I hope the things that I have embroideried for my grandchildren makes them feel very special and that the object is truly theirs until it’s worn out or ready to be given up. Thanks.
Hi Mary,
You are such a generous lady! I would like to win a copy of this much loved book for a friend of mine. She is also a very generous person and has always coveted this book. But I don’t love her enough to give her my much used copy! I do share , but it would be nice for her to have her own. Whoever wins this giveaway will enjoy it immensely.
Beautifuly book! I’m ready to take my embroidery to the next level.
I took a class with Susan O’Connor which was one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have had with my embroidery. I have wanted this beautiful book for such a long time, as I love the elegance of monograms and would love to add them to my work. This book would be a much treasured addition to my library of embroidery books.
I think embroidered monograms are beautiful – I’ve never stitched an embroidered one, but one of my favorite cross stitch patterns is a custom monogram pattern (it’s huge, even on 36ct!). They’re classy, elegant and timeless.
I do love monograms, they make anything look special.
Marian
I have never embroidered a monogram, but am interested in white work in general. Would love to study this book and perhaps try out some of her designs. Thanks. Karen
Mary, your generosity never fails to inspire me and this takes the cake. You are right, you could make a killing selling this book/these books for at least $150 a copy but you prefer to give one away just so you can read our witterings.
Well, my witterings have never won me anything, but as the poet says, hope springeth eternal. It also happens to be spring here in the southern half of the world, so I reckon this is my best chance.
I love monograms, initials whatever you like to call them whether embroidered or painted or ? – I used to paint initials quite a lot in the style of illuminated manuscripts but now I embroider them instead. This book I am sure would provide much inspiration and joy for my future.
Keeping all my fingers, toes, eyes (no, not them – I have just had cataract surgery), and anything else that will cross, crossed, here’s hoping….and hoping. Please, let it be my turn.
Oh, and thanks again.
the first class that i taught was a silk ribbon monogram. my students just loved the pillow with a monogram just as much as i did and wanted more. this was wonderful because i love to design with letters and monograms. i worked in printing for 30 years and still love typography. jo mchenry
Monograms are wonderful memories of my Mother. All her hankies were monogrammed. 25years after her passing I still use some of hers. My early attempts to embroider pillow cases when we first married need a little updating. How I would love to win a copy, as I forgot,to purchase one when it was reviewed in Inspirations
JenJen
I love embroidered monograms because they are so stylish and project a feeling of opulence of times past, but can feel so sophisticated in current times! I would love to win this book because I am a keen embroiderer trying to get my 12 year old daughter more interested in embroidery. She really likes calligraphy, so I am sure if she looks at the Monograms book she will want to try transferring her writing skills into embroidery! This is a fabulous kind gesture you are making in this give-away, so thank you Mary! Also, thank you for all the work you do for embroidery!
Oh, after reading all the comments I feel awful!
I don’t like monograms, unless they are embroidered by a child. Then I find them deeply moving, like a declaration of self-discovery.
Long may the winner enjoy the book and how about, for a change, a give-away to Mrs Corbet?
I like monograms, but I just love single embroidered initials, and yes I have read your articles, so I know that an initial is not a monogram. That said, I have seen many beautiful embroidered monograms. White on white is my favorite.
Wow, Mary. What a giveaway. I’ve loved monograms for a long time, but was too afraid to try one. They looked so complex. I started doing some in the last year and am addicted. My mom and all my siblings have received monogramed hand towels from me.
Thanks for the chance to win this book.
I love hand-embroidery – and monograms just make it so personal for gift-giving.
I am brand new to the art of embroidery, and have been teaching myself from this site and youtube. I must say that I like your tutorials best, Mary! They’re very through, easy to follow, and have been teaching me good habits – like not carrying my thread!
As for embroidered monograms specifically, I really like the look. I live in Charleston, SC, and monograms are a HUGE trend. I love the clean look of a monogram combined with the homey feel of the embroidery. I love the look of an embroidered one with pretty accents hung in a hoop on the wall. My boyfriend’s sister is also getting married next summer, so I’m thinking handkerchiefs and one in a hoop for their new home together!
It’s wonderful that you have copies of this lovely book and are so generous as to give them away! Thank you! Good luck to everyone!
Thank you for your website and your Book Give- Away. I have embroidered since I was 5, taught by my Mother. I have been embroidering since then, doing only the stitches that my Mother taught me. I have just gotten a computer, I find your website, and find out, that I am just a beginner…there are so many stitches that I haven’t done. All of my older relatives pasted away when I was little, and I am the only person that I know that embroiders. I was extremely excited to find your website today, but, now I realize that I am just a beginner at this craft. I am now 63 years old. How wonderful to find you today. Thanks for your website….
This is fate! Just this morning I was searching for this book all over the web. And just now, while reading your article on thread sizes and differences I see this giveaway!! I love vintage monograms on antique linen. I am awed and amazed at the fine detail and consistency in stitching those women possessed. True artists! I want to give it a try, but am waiting to find a detailed reference source. So wish me luck! Thanks so much for all the great info you share here. Lisa
I haven’t really thought about it; I’m just getting back in to embroidery from a long hiatus (i.e., since childhood). What I’ve seen from this book look so beautiful, though! – I’d love to try them.
Monogrammed linens and clothing remind me of my visits to my Grandmother’s house. She would explain the history of each linen as I learned to iron them piece by piece. I enjoy sewing or embroidering monograms even today because of my Grandmother…
Monograms provide a terrific opportunity for your imagination to run free. You can decide upon the variety of luscious thread colors, thread types and weights, and the stitches you want to use. The fun of monograms is that nothing you do with a monogram is wrong. You can explore a variety of options and, even better is that monograms are suitable for a number of uses. They can be stitched on clothing, album and journal covers, sewing accessories, bookmarks and linens, to name just a few. There is no such thing as having too many monogram patterns. I love using them. Please pick me!
Of all the different types of embroidery, monograms are my favorite. What more personal gift can you give? I love the many different stitches, letters, and fanciful embellishing. Have been wanting to make a monogram pillow for my 90 year old mom…and so many others
I love personalized hand embroidery, to me it turns an embroidery piece from hand embroidery/gift to a really personal gift from you to them given from the heart.
I do love monograms. I also sew, and I love monogramming a little tag on the garments (especially things like coats) when I get the chance!
I love embroidered and cross stitched monograms as not only do they personalize a piece of needlework, monograms are a great design element, intricate and clever. Thanks for offering a great give-away! The person who wins is sure to be inspired and educated by this book.
I am very intrigued by hand embroidery, I just started looking into it. So the thought of embroidered monograms, seems way out of my league but I love the idea!
I love them because they are just beautiful. I think they have been brutalized lately with all those mass produced monogrammed bags. It makes me appreciate the old fashion designs even more.
Hi Mary
I love ALL monograms – be they embroidered, painted, drawn, carved, etc. But obviously, when they are done in white embroidery, with maybe a drawn/pulled thread combination thrown in, I want to OWN it! Wish I had the time to do more myself. Love your generosity, Mary – thank you.
I love monograms and all sort of letter things but I am always getting them to look bad, sure this book would help. I would love to win it.
I do enjoy embroidered monograms. It’s special to have a personalized item done so beautifully. I have embroidered many hankies, pillow shams and other items as wedding shower gifts.
Wow what a generous give away! when you reviewed it I thought it looked like a wonderful book, but I didn’t realize just how rare it was! As for monograms, for me they don’t really stand out separately from the rest of embroidery. I like the ones that I like. I’m not sure how to answer the question other than that =)
I like monograms, in large part because of their nostalgia. I also appreciate their clean crispness. Thank you for the exciting, generous give-away!
I would like to try this technic of embroidery but if I am the winner, I will offer it to my best friend who really hope to find one. Thank you to share with us the possibility to obtain a copy of this wonderful book.
I have always loved monograms. It is personal and says money. I saw a movie once and it was set in New Orleans. When engaged to be married, the heroine embroidered the shirts of her bethroed.
Your Student In Stitching
I’ve had the privilege of having a class with Susan. She’s an excellent teacher. Her book must be absolutely wonderful! Reading about her book has given me the incentive to take her piece out that I started and finish it! Of course, having her book would be a great visual aid….
Thanks for this giveaway, it’s very generous of you!
I would love to get some ideas for embroidered monograms. My mind is churning already about what I might do. Pick me!
A well-designed monogram is so very elegant. It can be used in so many ways and adds such a personal touch to a project. I read the review of this book and it looks to have been thoroughly thought out and is well written. What a grand addition this book would be to my stitching library. This is a great and unexpected giveaway. Thank you so much! Good luck to all.
What a wonderful thought to offer Susan O’Connor’s ‘Monograms’.
Of course I love monograms – they tie in with my interest in calligraphy and one can ‘draw’ them in thread combining colour and texture. Even better. And Susan’s work is so delectable.
Years ago, a friend showed me a gorgeous R she was embroidering, I was hooked after that. I have made a few bobbin lace letters for friends, made a lovely lace “C” for a little Callista’s christening, looked really nice framed on red velvet. Shame I forgot to take a photo before I wrapped it up!!!! Thanks Mary!
Julie
Although i never tried monogram embroidery but the shape and vines and flowers surrounded interest me. It would be nice to start it if I could win a copy. Thank you.
I’ve never embroided a monogram before, but I’ve always found them fascinating to look at. I particularly love ones that are white on white. I have a vintage handkerchief with a white on white monogram (even in my initial!) that I love. I find the smooth, shinny, relief of the embroidery against the fabric quite striking. Sadly, finding things in such a high quality today is rather difficult, so I’d like to start making some for myself (between all my other projects of course!). Having such a book would be a great start!
I learned to embroider with my hungarian grandmother at age of 6. at 11 I really begun to embroider and collect all thread and fabrics I could 😉
I love monograms and already embroidered some because of their vintage look an connection with the past.
that’s also why I love Hungarian and other ethnic embroideries technics.
Thanks for proposing this giveaway ^-^
and long life to you and you beautiful website !
Elisabeth Z
i love looking at embroidered monograms but do not always love making them. i find the satin sticth used for filler (many times) tedious as i am not very skilled at it. i especially love old monogramed linen napkins that i find at yard sales. i use them frequently when i have guests for dinner. karen
I bought a beautiful whitework monogrammed handkerchief many years ago on a holiday to Madeira and still admire all the work put into that simple yet elegant piece. However,I must admit that I had never given monograms that much thought until I started following your inspirational website earlier this year. Now I am hooked! The beautiful stylised letters remind me of the lovely handwriting of people from years gone by.It will be my silver wedding anniversary next year, and I think that this is now the perfect time for me to have a go at working my own monogrammed piece as a celebration of that occasion.Many thanks for all the lovely information you share.
Seeing your initial transformed into a beautiful monogram can make you feel like a princess! I volunteer with teen girls at risk, and would love to share this skill with them, as they already love embroidery. What a boost to their self image for them to see themselves transformed into a “princess”, and the thrill of learning a new skill!
I would love to have a copy of ‘Mongrams: The Art of Embroidered Letters’ to share with them.
Thank you for these wonderful give-always!
I love all monograms–including embroidered one. I think it’s the personalization of it that makes attracts me to it. I think it’s wonderful to have something that represents nobody else but you. Isn’t that delightful?
I actually took a class with Susan O’Connor many years ago where she gave a mini-class on monograms. I still have my practice scrap. I would love to have her book. I almost bought it so many times, then missed my opportunity. Thanks for giving us another chance to get one.
Hi Mary,
A young girl named Desiree Clary who lived in the late 1700’s to the 1800’s, was engaged to a handsome young man. So she duly started embroidering all her trousseau with a lovely and elegant B. Alas when she went to Paris to visit her aunt she discovered that he was now engaged to someone else. Broken hearted, so the story goes, she tried to jump off a bridge only to be saved by a dashing young man. To save her from the shame of being jilted, he proposed marriage, which she gladly accepted. She returned home and continued her embroidery still using the B. Her family, thinking that the poor girl was bereft, did not interfere. Only she knew that her new fiance’s , which the family knew nothing about, last name also started with a B.
This young lady’s 1st beau was Napoleon Bonaparte. Her 2nd was Bernadotte who was a Marshal in Napoleon’s army. Bernadotte later became King of Sweden and so Desiree became queen.
So you see Mary, ever since reading the story of Desiree, I have been interested in monograms. Who could resist after reading this story. 🙂
I do love embroidered monograms. It really adds a personal touch
Hello!
This is fabulous!
I have read your site fore a wihle and love it!!
Sutch a ispiration!
Tanks fore Giveaway:)
I love embrodered monograms and all that come from you who I read carefully. Embrodered monograms are my favorite. I am glad to study embroidery.
Hello, I am new to embroidery and remember watching my grandma doing it when I was little. That’s nearly fifty years ago and I really wish I’d learnt back then. Loving your blog Mary and I am really inspired to have a go. I think the monogrammed are beautiful and a nice place to start. I already have loads of ideas….first being a monogrammed sketching book cover for my Dad.
I grew up in the South — loving monograms is in our DNA 😉
embroidered monograms are just beautiful. I like that they are link to a traditional artform, but can be done in a modern style if you wish
I love monograms and all kinds of embroidery.
I really love momograms, but have never had the opportunity to make one. I found a lovely scarf in a antique store with my initials, how lucky was that. Love your blog, I am learning so much about embroidery.
I like embroidered monograms and anything embroidered. There have not been a lot of them around in my life. No antiques or items from my parents or grandparents. Most recently I have enjoyed stitching colorful monograms as part of a purse. I don’t get too excited about white on white monograms; I like color! Thank you for the incredible giveaway. Good luck to all!
Embroidered monograms are wonderful. I like languages, letters and numbers. So embroidering monograms is fun way to write with thread. Thanks for sharing with us. And I do hope they will re-print the book it looks great.
Embroidered monograms are truly a challenge, requiring perfect stitching to be elegant. What a treasure this book is. Susan O’Connor is one of my favorite designer, author, and Inspirations contributor. I’ve been looking for this book for years. Thank you Mary for your generosity. What a gift this book will be to the lucky recipient.
Thanks for this give-away. I LOVE this book, and wish I had picked it up when I saw it several years ago. I love the elegance of the monogram. I would love to stitch monograms on towels and linens! Hopefully this book will be reprinted at some point, so that we can all get our own copy!
Sandi in Oregon
I love love love monograms. I love that they are personal. I love that they are beautiful. And I love Susan O’Connor’s work as well. What a treat this book is! I’m crossing my fingers and toes too–as my girls say. 🙂
I haven’t had occasion to need to embroider any monograms. Never made a project that had it. I have embroidered whole names, though. I love seeing what others do with monograms, especially on this site! I have collected many sets of monograms online, so I’ll have it when I need it. I imagine that the first go to ones I’ll look at will be from your site, Mary. 🙂
Hi Mary, I do like embroidered monograms a lot. They are very personal and tied to a real person. They are of a certain style and usually very attractive. Often they evoke another time or era. I have embroidered my initials on things, but nothing as lovely as the ones you show in your blog, or as shown in the book. But I could and should and would love to do one. Thanks for a cool giveaway of a rare book!
I love embroidered monograms! My favorite monograms are white on white; but I love colors, too. I like the beauty of the letters and their embellishments. I also like their simplicity when there are no embellishments. Some of my dearest little treasures are linens that were monogrammed by ancestors.
Monograms look good on a hankie or a hand towel. Some are very elaborate and well done, and are much too nice to actually use the adorned item. Imagine taking out your hankie at strategic moments just for show. Or whipping away the towel, just as some poor unsuspecting guest went to wipe their hands!
Mary, thank you for the chance to win Susan O’Connor’s beautiful book.
Who wouldn’t love to add this classic book of embroidered monograms to their repertoire of hand sewing delights – I would be in seventh heaven. This book would give me the opportunity to enhance my embroidery further – just like my Nana used to do. Cheers.
I love monograms. I think the add that lovely personalized touch with a fanciful flair. I love using them for gifts because they are easy to incorporate into various styles of decor. Thus making it easier for my recipients to display them in their homes 🙂
I really like embroidered monograms, I’m a bit new to it so I’m not sure if I love it quite yet. I admit I’m rather partial to the designs that are easily recognizable with distinct letters. I think monograms are an amazing way to personalize a gift and make it that more special and meaningful, something that can be treasured for a lifetime.
Oh Mary you are a treasure! This book is fantastic. I had it but lost it along with all my other embroidery books in the bushfires last year.I picked up my Barbara Snook as I left but what else do you have time for .The stitching community has been absolutely unbelievable in their kindness and generosity.But this is one book that we all hang onto very tightly!! the instrucions so clear and the projects doable and gorgeous and monograms connect you with precious memories of Mothers and Grandmothers and dear Aunts The opportunity to win one is very generous of you and I am sure all 532 of us would love it Chris Munge
I love the look of hand sewn monograms. Love that there are people who love to do all that by hand fancy work. If I’m luck enough to win I’ll be sending the book to my dear friend Dorrie. She lives in In the Mideast … But moving back to her home Australia early next year. She has been taking classes on hand embroidery. She does beautiful work.
Best of luck to all !!! Thank you Mary..
I love to stitch monograms. In fact, amongst friends, family, co-works etc. I’m known for them. Many a baby has received a crib blanket from me stitched with an initial. I like how versatile they are — elaborate and showy or minimalist, functional or fussy — the list and combinations are endless (or bounded by my skill). Thanks for the chance at one of these books. I’ve been (like everyone else) waiting …
I am always hopeful that hand embroidery in any form will have a resurgence in the U.S. and I’m doing my best to contribute. Hand embroidered monograms can be historical or as modern as one wishes and it’s fun to experiment with them. I live in the south-we monogram everything! Thanks, Mary, for the giveaway!
I do love monograms. I think they are part of the ancient magic of names. Also, they make for easily scalable gifts, since the can be small or large, simple or elaborate.
I do love embroidered monograms. They are wonderful to give as gifts – either on a hand towel, clothing or framed.
Thank you for offering the books in a give-away!
I love emboidered monograms for many reasons including the stark beauty of a pure white satin stitched monogram against a pure white linen. But the reason I love them most is because of the connection I am able to make with my 20 yr. old nephew, a graphic designer. When he comes to visit we pore over my books of monograms. He studies them as the art form they rightly are. Some monograms have influenced his development of fonts, typefaces and all things typographical. It is exciting to see his work in graphic design reflect my love of hand embroidery; monograms joining generations and transcending disciplines. How cool is that?
Mary, I am dying to win this book!! If it’s not moving, I monogram it! I would love to get some ideas for new styles and fonts for monogramming my linens, clothing and transferring to my needlepoint designs. Thank you for being so generous and thoughtful to giveaway this amazing book.
Hi Mary 🙂
I think for me, my love of monograms comes from my perception of their elegance and class. It just seems to add a little regalness (is that a word, lol?) to any item. It speaks of thought and care of one’s surroundings and belongings, not of possiveness, but of beauty. And I love how the typeface can change a feeling.
Thank you for the chance to win 🙂
I love them! Descriptive words would include:
Elegant
Classy
Creative
Antique
Casual
Fun
Decorative
and a bunch of others!
Would love to win this beautiful book. I have never embroidered monograms but have a project in mind for my little granddaughter. Your patterns are so pretty and I really enjoy looking at them even tho I will never come close to your level of expertise. Thanks for sharing.
Good Morning,
I love stitching monograms or letters of all kinds for gifts. I think they are very classic and give a great personal touch. Thanks for the great give-a-way!
I love monograms for many of the reasons already mentioned but as a fanatic of genealogy I love the built-in provenance that monograms provide. Imagine having a treasured stitched anything with the initials of a great-great grandmother. You know she held that fabric, pondered the design, worked the thread and sat back with pride when it was done. And there’s no doubt, her “stamp” is right there. Thank you Mary for parting with such a treasure.
My love of monograms started when I realised that by being named for my Grandmother I not only had a strong name but a great monogram..MAD!
She had everything monogramed and I inherited linens, lingerie, dresses, silver and even luggage.
Now I am thrilled to pass many of these treasures on to the next generation and hope they love them as much as I have.
My hope is to be able to add new treasures with the current generations monograms and pass on the love and interest in the art!!
Thank you
I love embroidered monograms because of the connection to a real person or family. The “specialness” of something made for one person, and the efforts to add that person’s initials must have made the receiver very appreciative! I don’t know any embroiderers so, one day, I’ll make something just for me with my initials – KER. The possibilities are endless.
Mary, thanks for offering up one of your copies!
My love of monograms is what drove me to this site originally. From there I began to teach myself embroidery from the (fabulous!) tutorials. I have completed my first embroidered piece and am very pleased with myself even though it is a clumsy, shakey attempt! I am far from being able to do justice to any monogram but I continue to (very slowly!) persevere!
I like monograms, and it probably stems from having some around me growing up. As a grownup I can appreciate their beauty and the work that went into them.
“If this book, Embroidered Monograms, the Art of Embroidered Letters by Susan O’Connor was chocolate, it would be the finest chocolate available in the world, ever.” This quotation by Judie Bellingham of Australia is the start of her review of this fantastic book on Amazon.com.
Using this wonderful description, I can tell you that I love embroidering monograms because when a monogram is finished, it is just like looking at a piece of the “finest chocolate.” Anyone who looks at the monogram wants one. So, if I am chosen to receive this book, i will feel like you sent me a box of chocolates that never ends.
I love the look of embroidered monograms but after working a few I have to say they are definitely a LABOR of love! Monograms worked properly take time, effort, and lots of patience. Being somewhat of a perfectionist I have to say that they may take more time for me than for others and I do believe that to actually be wonderful at them a person needs the proper monogram and the proper tools. Therefore I’d LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to win Susan’s book! Thank you for the opportunity!!
Thanks, Mary, for once again giving us the opportunity possess something otherwise unobtainable. I was waiting for the reprint of Monograms… I have been dying to monogram some beautifully preserved,linen pillowcase blanks inherited from my grandmother,(that I now know how to clean properly!) but I’ve been too scared to start. This book seems like just the sort of resource to get me going. If I am fortunate enough to win, I promise faithfully to share the book with friends.
Thanks again for your amazing generosity
Hi Mary
Just love the look of this book and such a pity it is not widely available. I particularly like monograms to make for a special gift and as I am new to white work it is a new challenge and with each set that you do for us it becomes more addictive. This should be a cracker of a book to have on your shelf. Thanks so much for giving is this unique opportunity to have it on our shelves.
El.
ho iniziato a ricamare da poco, ma ho già ricamato dei tovaglioli con le iniziali, per poterli riconoscere, ma questi tovaglioli sono anche degli imparaticci.
I put a monogram to everything I can. I would love to get more intricate and fancy for keepsake items. I have long wanted this book, but it’s cost is in the stratosphere. Hope I win!
Me encantan los abecedarios para bordar,es una lastima pero aqui en España no se encuentran muchas revistas de bordar a mano.
I simply adore monograms. They are a form of romanticism and an extremely elegant form of branding. An art in itself, it also reflects sensuality and a personal view of who we are. Although impossible to justify a comparison, in this day and age, our new generation prefers “tattooing” as a form of branding. I suppose it is one way to guarantee personalization, but it cannot be handed down from generation to generation. It pleases me that monograms are making a comeback but sad the art of embroidery is not as strong as I would like to see it. Having raised three daughters, they all have tried some form of needlework, but it seems that “life got in the way”.
I love the look of monograms. I especially admire the artistry of the embroiderers who can transform a line-drawn letter into a beautifully textured work of art! I don’t quite have the vision to accomplish that (yet?).
Since joining SAGA six years ago, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning hand embroidery. I have sewed since I was a child but embroidery was new and I love the restfulness that comes while working on a project.
I look for old embroidery patterns and books whenever I travel.
The monogram book would be a wonderful addition to my embroidery library.
I love embroidery of any kind!!! Keeping my hands busy keeps my mind active with good thoughts!!!
Good luck to all who entered!!!!!
I love seeing the initials of my family member’s and mine done on a lovely piece of needlework. I’ve never done the embroidery work very well that is required and with a book like this my stitches might become more perfect. I would so love to have a gorgeous book like this to help me along the way.
I love monograms and have embroidered some on handkerchiefs to give away. I love them for thier timeless beauty and personalization. They have been handed down from past generations and they make me smile. I would love it if I could win this book.
While I have nothing monogrammed in my house…that does not stop me from using them on gifts I give too others….towels mostly. Frankly speaking, I tend to use the same patterns over and over….need to break out of the rut! Appreciate the give-A-way!
I’m not that into monograms as such, although I do admire the skill at designing them. Mostly, satin stitch really intimidates me 🙂
But a book like that could be a motivation to finally knuckle down & tackle it (so to speak)
Thank you for your hard work, inspiring blog and beautiful embroideries!
Tessa in Stellenbosch
I’ve loved monograms since the late 1960s when it was very popular to have things monogrammed, hankies, jackets, sweaters (and I even had a friend who had a formal dress monogrammed!). Monograms are timeless. I love embroidery because it doesn’t bother my arthritic thumbs!
I wish there might have been a contest earlier so I could work on our Monograms before the wedding. Oh well. Hope I win and I do love monograms.
I have never done monograms yet, but I would be delighted to give it a try. Be sure that if I win the book, I will use it for sure.
This book is definitely on my “bucket list”. I am retired and determined to leave linens for my daughters monogramed to remind them of our shared love all things beautiful and wonderful to use. Dare I dream of adding this elusive book to my collection to further teach me?? Thank you for listening and your many give-aways to your readers.
What’s not to love? I collect vintage linen so “make up” whatever to fit the monogram. “A” pillowcases are for my Aunt, “KNG” on a table runner I think I “Kick nine Goals” today, “H” on a handkerchief makes me “Happy”, “CV” on a tea towel and I have “clean vases”. Just a bit of fun every day 🙂
I love embroidered monograms, especially on antique linens, I always wonder what stories could be told by the linen and who the person was that used the article. In another lifetime I used to teach calligraphy, and I feel the same way when I look at calligraphy on parchment.
Techiya from Kitchener
I’ve never tried to do any hand embroidered monograms, but I do love the touch that it can add to things like towels and hankies. Especially as I am getting better at some new and different stitches, it seems like a great opportunity to “play” with some of the new things I’ve learned on the site!
I love embroidered monograms! Probably because I love calligraphy too. I’ve wanted this book for years! Thanks for the opportunity to win it 🙂
I do not know what you mean by web-site–
I’m 75 years old and love all kinds of embroidery- Red Work, Regular, Brazilian etc. I was a nurse in the Woman’s Army Corp. I was in Japan, Korea, Texas, Colorado, Alabama, & Hawaii Then a neonatal nurse for 26 years and then St. Cyril School Secretary for 15 years. I love to Tat, Quilt, draw, crochet-Made 150 crocheted Hat pincushions for all my friends last year– I do a lot of crafts at home because I have Arthritis, Chron’s Disease, and a pace maker. Hit Safeway, St. Cyril’s Church for Mass, & craft shops when I have a good day. Enjoy your site very much–Keep up the good work.
Dear Mary,
Thank you for giving your readers this opportunity to obtain such a valuable reference. I am just coming off a three month, incapacitating migraine siege. All of your emails have been saved so that they could be read when I was feeling better (this was the first to be read). I am the fifth generation to enjoy a Victorian couch which needs some “dressing up”. My thought was to start slowly but engage in something that would not be tedious, could be put aside, if necessary and would not take forever to finish. Monogramed pillows or arm rest protectors came to mind incorporating the initials of my ancestors. This type of work is a wonderful reminder of work done by past generations on both my husband’s side and mine. It also holds very pleasant memories of sipping tea doing fine work with my Gram. The project will be a cathartic memorial to them and gift to my granddaughter who will inherit the furniture.
I would love to have that book! What appeals to me is what a monogram communicates about its owner. It can be bold and strong or frilly and delicate. The choice of design, stitching, fabric, color and placement all reflect one’s personality.
I wouldn’t say I love embroidered monograms exactly; to be honest I haven’t seen many real life examples and I have a hard time imagining a project worthy of the effort. But then I don’t have much experience with embroidery, and good ideas for finishing a piece is one of the main things I struggle with(Your wonderful tutorials certainly provide plenty of inspiration for the stiches themselves – I’m very happy to have found your site) Besides, I have T as one of my initials, and have never liked the old-fashioned versions, so it’s hard to work with.
On the other hand I’ve always been intrigued by the customs of days gone by, and I definitely have a soft spot for beautiful letters and calligraphy. I was very happy to read your article on monograms and Ciphers; it was very informative. And I have been toying with ideas for using monograms in my other hobbies – how about a small silver box for needles decorated with a monogram on top? So maybe I just need to go hunting for nice examples of embroidered monograms to inspire me.
Well, thank you for such an educational site and good luck with your hummingbirds 🙂
I would love-love-love to have .susan O’Connors beautiful book. I have always loved monograms for their elegance. A lovely monogram takes something generic and everyday and makes it unqiuely personal. I am getting older and life gets harder for me, not easier. My life is very lonely and I spend most of it alone. When Someone gives me something that bears a thoughtful elegant monogram, it is as though they say to me: You matter. You have a name. It is worth it to take the time to say you are not forgotten, and whenever you see this monogram, you will know that I cared enough to name you as my friend.
I would like to give that as gift to others whose hearts are heavy and whose health makes them aware of their limited time left in this life, to say: you are still worth the time and effort for me to say: i name you as friend and you are loved.
What’s not to love about monograms!! It’s so elegant to see clothing, towels and other items with one’s monogram on it. I especially love the fancy swirly monograms.
Why do I like monogrammes?
Thats pretty easy.
They are personal. They are unique, like the person embroidering them. They are like a window into the time period they were stitched into the favourite materials of the embroiderer, and their tastes. Even giving us an insight to the fashion of the time and their thoughts and feelings to the person thst thry embroidered the monogramme for. Its that personal. Thats why I love monogrammes.
I really like the look of interlocking monograms, maybe it’s the “gothic” look. I like how same letter can be portrayed in so many different ways. I’m really inventive or creative when it comes to stitching my own initials.
When you first reviewed this book I put it on my Amazon wishlist. I love mongrams and always have. As a child I was fascinated by my Grandmother’s monogrammed hankies and yearned for my own. Unfortunately ‘M” seems to be either very popular or not made muchas they are few and far between. So i wanted to learn to do them myself and was counting on this book to learn from. Oh well….
Nothing is more classic than a hand embroidered monogram! Thanks for the giveaway
What an amazingly generous give away! There is something about monograms – I think it’s because they are so personal. If you create something for someone and decorate it in an special way (whether it is illuminated, quilted, embroidered etc); that speaks to recipient, “This was created just for you, because you are special”. I’ve become more interested recently in making designs and projects more unique and personal and this would be a wonderful way to do it. Thankyou, Kathy O.
Love, love, love monograms. Would love to have this book, have searched for it for ages.
Pretty generous I must say that you are giving it away. Good on you!
Im putting my name in here again for the raffle for the monogram book because I didn’t see it when I went back to make sure it was in there. Not trying to cheat, just covering all my bases. I really, really want this book, so have to make every effort. Good luck to everyone as well, because I know you feel the same way. Lord, if this woman would just re-publish this book, she could make some money and we all would be tickled pink
Dear Mary, I must admit that I was really looking forward to Susan O’Connor’s book of monogram designs and was sort of disappointed to note its absence….However, I have been downloading some of your beautiful letters and also note that you will be ultimately providing an e-book of your designs so that explains the phrase “sort of disappointed”
BUT one can never have too many great source books!!
Many many thanks for interesting and endlessly informative daily articles that float through the ether to my laptop!
Regards Heather
The culture I grew up with doesn’t have monogram. I developed the liking for monograms gradually and now found some designs irresistible. I’m itching for embroidering a few.
Sorry I missed the date, just finished Nicole, french kit with my first monogram, lovely with many possibilities
You probably don’t get too many men responding with comments. But monograms are essential in our household because…well…my wife likes it when we wear matching clothing. I like to match too, of course, but for my wife it is pretty much essential that we walk together, hand in hand, with virtually identical articles of clothing.
So while way over the top on the cuteness scale, matching clothing for pretty much everything can pose something of a problem. For example, getting dressed in the morning or sorting through the laundry. At times, we are dressed so much alike that it can be challenging just to tell US apart! :).
So this is why we love monograms. I mean, how else can we distinguish his and hers when so many of our things are matching? Of course having the monograms embroidered would be even more elegant. My wife is quite handy with needle and thread. With this wonderful book, I have a feeling that embroidered monograms will be appearing on virtually every article of clothing that we own!
I really love embroidered monograms and have received one from a friend which I treasure, but have not done any myself. I have done lots of embroidered strips for towels over the years mainly for new arrivals but also for significant birthdays and Christmas. I keep saying to myself that one day I would try but of course that day hasn’t come yet but never say never say I. Thank you for your very informative newsletters.
Yes! I love a good embroidered monogram. When I see one I am immediately transported to a different time and place…perhaps, to an ivy-covered English manor house with a dog or two by my feet. Monograms in general have become somewhat ubiquitous – but, embroidering them makes it so much more “personal” and rarefied. Thank you for this giveaway!
I have a fond memory of one monogram in particular. When my college roommate got married, she wore a beautiful long, white gown. BUT…for her bridesmaids she chose (this is 1967) a boat-neck, cap sleeve, princess line SHORT dress in a very pretty silk faile ecru. She didn’t want to saddle us with dresses we’d never wear again. We wore matching headbands but the thing that made it so outstanding was that–as a gift to each of us–she had the front of each dress embroidered with the wearer’s monogram. The monogram was a soft, mossy green, fairly large in a traditional script. We were the hit of the wedding…even the men commented on how lovely we all looked. And I wore that dress for YEARS!
I love embroidered monograms! I am especially taken with the monograms on old bed linens, and find some breathtakingly beautiful. Reading your posts and watching your videos (and practicing!) give me hope that one day I may be able to do a passable job!
I’ve had my eye on this lovely book a long time. Thank you for a chance to win one.
Embroidered monograms for me – the sign of elegance. Of course, this does not mean that all my bedclothes and table linens are embroidered 😀 But I’d like them to be monogrammed. Maybe one day…
So sad this book is not readily available to those of us who desire to create lovely and unique hand embroidered monograms. I love to monogram and embellish things with hand embroidery. Seems like everyone is on the machine embroidery kick – it’s easy to do on my machine and can look close to hand embroidery – but there is not the satisfaction of creating monograms by my own hand.
I really love the idea of a hand embroidered monogram. I am really just a beginner at embroidery (2 years). I have mostly watched videos, read books and have learned from a few people that have taught me the basics. It I very enjoyable and people loved to receive something special and handmade!