About Monogramming - SewWhatStuff - Gifts & Stitches

Actually, “monogramming” is not a word, as in to monogram. However, its use in the industry and the level of customer understanding has given the term “monogramming” a whole new definition of its own. When people think of embroidery, hand-stitching and rocking chairs comes to mind. When people think of monogramming, item personalization comes to mind. Actually, a monogram is a form of embroidery.

Monogram Styles

A formal monogram for a single person places the last name initial in the center with the first initial on the left, and the middle initial on the right. The center initial for the last name is larger.


Classic Monogram	Cin Block Monogram	Diamond Monogram with Border	Diamond Monogram without Border

Block Monogram	Curlz Monogram	Designer Monogram	Goudy Bold Monogram

Monograms for Married Couples

A formal monogram for a married couple again places the last name initial in the center. Traditionally, the woman’s first initial is placed on the left, and the man’s first initial is placed on the right of center initial. Presently, we have found married couple monograms to be the other way around, with the man’s first initial on the left and the woman’s on the right as in Edward and Mary Greene.

Classic Monogram

Initial Styles

Straight initials are not considered a monogram, but are read from left to right and are all the same size. It is a popular alternative to a formal monogram, and men and boys often prefer this style.


Block Initials	Cin Block Initials	Cin Italics Initials	Curlz Initials

Designer Initials	Edwardian Single Letter	Goudy Bold Initials	Hobo Initials

Kindergarten Initials	Script Initials	Russ Times Initials

Name Styles

First names are often embroidered for personalization with a number of characteristic fonts to choose from. Keep in mind that straight initials or a monogram may be a better choice if the name is of considerable length. The point size for a name of great length would have to be so much smaller in order to fit the space provided and the embroidery hoop needed to fit the machine.


Block	Goudy Bold

Brush Script	Hobo

Cin Block	Kindergarten

Cin Italic	Script

Curlz	Snow

Designer	Russ Times