Things You'll Need:
- Embroidery needle
- Embroidery floss or thread
- Letter template or pattern
- Fabric
- Tension hoop for needlework
- Washable fabric pen or pencil
- Scissor
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Step 1
Stretch your chosen fabric or fabric item, such as a towel or tote-bag, in the wooden or plastic embroidery tension hoop. The fabric should be tight and flat, but not pulled in any way. This provides a neat surface that is easier to handle and push the needle through.
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Step 2
Choose a pattern for the letter you wish to embroider. Monogram letter patterns are usually done in a fancy font, but you can embroider block letters, cursive letters, or any style you wish. If your fabric does not have countable threads, it is a good idea to use a washable fabric marker or pencil to transfer the image of the letter to the fabric; this will insure a neat finished project. Fabrics with easily seen threads will require counting to finish the embroidered letter.
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Step 3
Begin at the left bottom edge of the letter you plan to embroider by pushing your needle up through the fabric from the bottom. Leave a tail of embroidery floss or thread at least two inches long. Do not knot the thread.
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Step 4
Pull the thread across the width of the letter section and push the needle back down into the fabric on the other side. This is the satin stitch and, when repeated, it will cover the letter pattern completely. Repeat this process until the entire letter shape is completely covered. You can explore other types of stitches for different finished styles.
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Step 5
Weave the end of the embroidery floss or thread under the back part of the fabric project to both secure the stitching and hide the ends. Do the same for the two inch tail of thread you left at the beginning of the project. If colors were changed, each thread end should be woven in. Do not knot the ends in an embroidery project.
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Step 6
Remove the fabric from the embroidery hoop and flatten it with an iron or by pressing under something heavy. Finish the embroider letter project and enjoy.
