A light and breezy summer table is easy to decorate using monogrammed linen tea towels. Four buttonholes tied with ribbons complete the look.

 

BERNINA® embroidery software enables you to convert your computer’s built-in fonts to embroidered lettering. There are two things to which you must pay close attention. One is that the font must be a true-type font. The other is that you are a responsible embroiderer. Sometimes the font you choose to embroider might be too skinny or have too many needle penetrations such as a true-type cross-stitch font. Look at the legs of the font and see if they have any width to them then use your embroidery software to look at needle penetrations (View/Needle points).

 

Always stitch a test sample, this will save you some heartache down the road. Having a hoop that automatically generates a large stitch area makes this project “sew” simple. Open your embroidery software and select a true type font by scrolling through the font list in the Alphabet Tool Object Properties box past the built-in alphabets. Insert a design on each end of the font, mirror imaging the design on one end. Scale each segment individually to your desired size and you are set to embroider. The hoop will do the work, all you need to do is move the hoop into the next position when the machine stops and the message appears.

 

The most difficult aspect of this project is selecting the monogram style. Years ago, women would use their monogram on table and bed linens whereas men’s monograms were reserved for barware. Much of this came about because women would work on their dowry, which included linens, before they were betrothed. The rules are not as strict anymore, so whatever pleases you will be perfect. A larger letter in the center of a string of letters designates the last name. The letters on either side could be husband and wife’s first initials, wife’s first and middle initials. Or you could simply combine first initial, middle initial and last initial in a string and stitch them all at the same height. You must also decide if each chair will have a different monogram (as pictured) or make them all the same.

 

Although these towels were stitched white on white, they would be equally pretty with the monograms and designs stitched in color. However, white on white can be used for the Easter holiday, any summer dinner, and New Year’s Day too. Whereas colors would need to accessorize the table décor.

 

Embroidery Products
BERNINA® artista 200E
BERNINA® artista Mega Hoop
 

Alternative:
BERNINA® embroidery software with digitizing capabilities

Materials
linen tea towels
60wt white cotton embroidery thread
Organ embroidery needles, size 80
Aqua Mesh Plus water soluble stabilizer
Water soluble fabric marking pen
ruler

Step 1. At the Computer Open BERNINA® embroidery software. Right click on the Alphabet tool. Type in the desired letter or letters. If all letters are to be the same height, input all letters in desired order now. If monogram is going to have a larger center letter, add each letter individually for easier editing. Select desired true type font. Click OK.
	The monogram will come into the work area already selected. At this point you can change your size by using one of the corner handles or side handles. The corner handles change size proportionally.
	Dragging one of the top/bottom handles changes the height of the design as shown at the left.
	A totally different appearance can be achieved by dragging one of the side handles.
Select File/Insert Design and add an embroidery design on each end of the monogram (simple scrolls or small flowers work well).   Use the keyboard shortcut of CTRL and A to select all. Change to one color if desired. Rotate the entire design 90 degrees, counter clockwise. When the towel is in the hoop, the majority of the towel will drape to the left of the embroidery arm and thereby avoiding the risk of sliding under the hoop during the embroidery process. Save the design and send it to the machine.

 

Step 2. Embroidery
Remove the protective paper from the Aqua Mesh Plus and place it on the back of the hoop. Position the linen towel onto the sticky stabilizer so that the lettering stitches in the desired position, centered width-wise and above any existing decoration on the tea towel. Embroider the design.

When the embroidery is complete remove the towel from the hoop. Wash away any remaining stabilizer with warm water.

 

Step 3. Finishing
Drape the chair cover over the back of the chair, centering the embroidery design. Place a pin on each side of the chair cover where you want to insert a ribbon to secure the cover.

Stitch a buttonhole on each mark (four total). Insert a ribbon on each side and tie to secure the chair cover to the back of the chair.

 

Embroidery Designs
FBO IV
Englische School font (height: center 87mm, ends 48mm)
Embroideryonline.com corner CR028 on 45 degree angle

 

MBR
French Script font (height: center 87mm, ends 65mm)
BERNINA® Tassels & Trims II design collection #30 rotated

 

FOB III
Harrington Script font (height: 87mm)
Embroideryonline.com corner CR072

 

SJB
French Script font (height: 87mm)
Amazing Design Lace Collection II ADC121, design #98670 in the Mega Hoop.

 

FBO IV
Englische School font (height: center 87mm, ends 48mm)
Embroideryonline.com corner CR028 on 45 degree angle

 

MBR
French Script font (height: center 87mm, ends 65mm)

BERNINA® Tassels & Trims II design collection #30 rotated

 

FOB III
Harrington Script font (height: 87mm)
Embroideryonline.com corner CR072

 

SJB
French Script font (height: 87mm)
Amazing Design lace Collection II Design 98670 (polygon select tool used to select a portion)