How to Embroider Initials on a Baby Blanket

Embroidered initials can be sophisticated or whimsical.

Embroider the initials on a newborn's blanket and it becomes a special keepsake for life. Embroidery is a great way to make an item special, and embroidered initials make it personal as well. It's an easy project, even for a beginner, with a big return on the time invested. Choose the style of monogram, color and location and you're ready to begin. Sometimes the monogram is centered in the middle of the baby's blanket or the center along an edge, but more commonly it's centered in one corner. Look at monograms in art books, embroidery books and online to find a style you like, whether regal or fanciful.

Things You'll Need

• Disappearing pen
• Tracing paper (optional)

Instructions

1. Draw a line across the fabric where you want the bottom of the monogram to be. Use a disappearing ink marker made for fabric and a ruler or other straight edge as your guide.

2. Draw another line across the fabric where you want to top of the monogram to be. The overall height of the monogram is your choice, but should be appropriate to the size and weight of the blanket.

3. Draw lines connecting the top and bottom lines for each side of the monogram, measuring from the side of the monogram to the edge of the fabric so the monogram is centered. You should now have a centered square or rectangle in which to draw the initials.

4. 

   Find inspiration in many places or create your own design.

   Draw the initials freehand, or trace them onto tracing paper and then transfer the drawing onto the fabric. If you make a mistake, simply correct it, as the ink disappears or washes out later, depending on the kind you use.

5. Embroider the initials starting from one end, such as the top of the first letter. Line stitches such as the whipped running stitch, back stitch, stem stitch or couching are all good stitches for a monogram. For beginners, the whipped running stitch is easy: Just pull the thread up from the underside of the fabric (point A), then pull it back down at point B and repeat. Be sure that point B is always the same distance from point A. Next, go back and loop the thread around each stitch you made without passing through the fabric, creating the appearance of one continuous line.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash and dry the baby's blanket according to the care directions on the label before beginning to embroider. Slight shrinkage is normal, even with the best quality fabric, and you don't want the shrinkage to affect your stitching.

• Stencils, available at craft stores, are a good source of inspiration for your monogram, as well as an easy way to draw the initials onto the blanket.

Resources

• JoAnn's Fabric and Craft Stores: Dritz® Marking Pen w/ Water Soluble Ink - Blue