I have always been a sucker for monogrammed linens. Not in a preppy, grandma or Muffy kind of way, but in a simple tailored timeless way. There is nothing quite like a custom monogram on your duvet or towels to give your bed and bath a special personal feel.
My feeling is that unless the monogram itself is really special or incredibly large scale, it looks catalogue-esque, and almost not worth doing. And always looks best on white sheets or towels… So if you’re going to do it, really do it.
Ask the embroiderer what is the largest size that can be made for a piece and choose that size. Even better, choose a tape appliqué, which is even beefier in scale and a bigger statement. In this case, go for drama. In case you are wondering, the difference between embroidered monogramming and appliqué is that embroidery is done with thread and creates an “engraved-like” surface and appliqué is done with flat fabric-like “tape” making a flat surface.
The common rule of thumb is to use the woman’s first letter of her first name, the first letter of the surname and then the husband’s first letter of his first name. If you are single, use your first letters of your first, middle, and surname.
But, I enjoy a single high letter, if possible, blown up in a huge scale. For a child, you can use the first letter of his/her name. For a family, of course, use the first letter of the family surname. There aren’t many places that practice this old school art form, but the few that are really good are really great.
Most of you know Leontine Linens which is the gold standard, and the prices reflect that. When the monogram is hand-done, the price will reflect that as with anything labor intensive and hand-made. But there are newcomers to the scene like Julia B, whose work is equally original and at a slightly lower price point.
Matouk linens also does a wonderful job with their appliqués, although it is not entirely hand done. Most basic is your local Bloomingdales. Believe it or not they do a great job, can scale up the size and have a rainbow of color to choose from. Machine done, yes, but at $10 a towel, do you care enough to pay 70 times that? Only you can answer that.
7 Responses to “SHEET!”
Thank you for the Julia b tip. I am loving her site!
Its funny, it never occurred to me to monogram my sheets. Towels, yes. Sheets? Something my parents in England would do. I must have become too Americanized and dare i say, lazy… about proper presentation.
Thank you for reminding me that it is nice every once and a while to fancy things up a bit.
I would opt for bloomies! I’d rather spend the extra money on a high quality thread count than worry about a monogram.
Great tips! Glad to have found Julie B
I wish my bed was that well made to deserve monograms. I am lucky if I get the comforter off the floor in the morning!! Very pretty to admire, but monogrammed sheets are just not for me.
I <3 Matouk!
I received Leontine bedding for my wedding almost 11 years ago. They are such good quality, I have not had to replace. They are the softest set I own and are in the best condition! They are monogrammed with a great big G for our last name and still stand the test of time!