Monogrammed Towels: Picking Colors

This project shows how to choose colors that will stand out when monogramming on patterned backgounds. It also breaks some of the traditional rules as they apply to stabilizer.



I bought these towels on clearance last summer and decided to add a couple of monograms. Loved the background print, but how do you choose what color to use?

Fuchsia is a favorite, but it would blend in. I wanted these monograms to pop.

First, choose a font that is bold enough to separate itself from the print. There are many built into your machine, or buy one now while they are still on sale!



For contrast, I chose the two colors that were least prominent: black and green.



I pre-washed the towels using the same cycle they would be laundered in, whites whites, and dried them in the dryer before ironing out all of the wrinkles. Then, I folded it in half to determine the area that would show when hanging. I folded the bottom half in quarters and pressed on the folds to find the center. That's where the monogram will go.

Hoop mesh cutaway stabilizer. Since the towels were very lightweight (like flour sack towels), I used two layers positioned in opposite directions of each other. Lightly spray the back of the towel with spray adhesive.



Line up the folds of the towel with the centering marks on your hoop. Place the hoop on the machine and add a basting stitch to secure the towel to the stabilizer (shown after embroidery was finished).



Stitch out the font. Typically, I would use the same color thread in the bobbin, but because the back of these towels were white, I used regular bobbin thread so it would blend in more. When embroidery is finished, trim stabilizer close to the stitching.

A lightweight water-soluble topper would normally be used when embroidering on towels. Since these towels had no nap, I skipped the topper.



The result is personalized towel that pops!

Debbie SewBlest

Use these fonts:

Gessele:
https://www.annthegran.com/prd/alphabets/fireside-threads/gessele/1/fst0024.aspx

https://www.annthegran.com/prd/alphabets/gosia-embroidery/monogram-59/1/monogram59.aspx
https://www.annthegran.com/prd/alphabets/gosia-embroidery/monograms-44/1/monogram44.aspx


Comments (4) -

I love the help of color suggestions.  I love the font and would like to purchase it.  What is it?

Please tell me the font you used for these towels...fabulous!

Font was built into the embroidery machine.
Do you have a Viking Ruby Royale?

Sew blest,
No, I don't have the Viking....have the Babylock Ellissimo.  Thank you for responding and the tutorial on
this towel.
B

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