Monogram Styles Used:

• Art Deco XL Monogram Set 6
• Flourishes Monogram Set 1

Monogram: BT

We periodically get calls and emails from people who are trying to figure out the "rules" for putting together a monogram. The basic rule is that if the center initial of a three-letter monogram is larger, with smaller flanking letters, then the larger center letter represents the last name initial. Although not common before the 1930s this has become the conventional idea of what a monogram looks like.

Somewhat less common, although still correct, is the three-letter monogram where all the letters are the same height. In this case the last name initial would be represented by the letter on the far right - in the same sequence as you would write your name.

Neglected in either of these concepts are people who have only two initials - no middle name. We created a monogram for a shower curtain for just a person, with initials BT. We started with these two letters in the larger included size from our Art Deco 6 XL Monogram Set. To make a more interesting and formal design we merged a design from our Monogram Flourishes Set 1 - an Art Deco set of brackets, Year: 1932. For a nice subtle touch the whole monogram was sewn white-on-white.

The overall size is 7" (177mm) tall by 5 3/4" (146mm) wide.

How we made these monograms

Embroidery software programs make it easy to delete elements, copy and paste elements from other designs, resize different aspects, and merge elements together into one new design. Each program is a bit different in how the Edit functions are managed. Once you have learned to use yours, creating new monograms from other monogram parts is creative and fun. Experiment with different arrangements and colors.