I love getting emails from people who read my blog. It’s just fun 
Several months ago I received an email from Melaine of My Sweet Savannah. She said she loved my blog and she loved the stuff in my etsy shop and she wondered if I was up for a trade – my sewing skills for some advertising on her blog. I emailed her right back, said I just might, and asked for a link to her blog. I’d not had not heard of ‘My Sweet Savannah‘ until she contacted me and I was missing out! Melaine is a great gal and her blog is now in my list of favorites, and she and I text more now than we email. I love the fact that we text – I love texting 
Melaine wasn’t sure at first what she wanted made so I let her ponder that for awhile. She decided she wanted some large pillow shams – I think I remember her saying they are for her bedroom.
Melaine sent me a box with drop cloth fabric and a couple other options for some details to the shams. We talked on the phone once, and text often to get the details right. My plan was to get them made before Christmas but a few unexpected things happened and Melaine said she wasn’t in a hurry. She now knows that’s not necessarily a good thing to tell me. I do much better with deadlines!
But this time I think the ‘no deadline’ issue was for the best. Melaine had mentioned having a monogram added to the pillows. I don’t have an embroidery machine so she was going to look into getting that added after I shipped them back to her. Then I suggested that I get it done somewhere here before the back was on the pillow. She decide to go with one pillow monogrammed and the other 2 left plain. I did some calling around. I wasn’t sure how big to make the monogram. Did I mention the pillow shams are 24 inches square? That’s big folks – very big!
Melaine told me to use my judgement on the size of the monogram- thanks Melaine
Then I had a moment of inspiration – or insanity perhaps??!
I COULD DO THE MONGRAM MYSELF – BY HAND.
Sure, it’s been a few years, quite a few actually, and I’ve never created an actual monogram, but I HAVE done satin stitch embroidery. Anyway, how hard could it be? Melaine jumped on the idea and that was that. I was hand stitching a monogram.
She emailed me a picture of a wooden monogram she has, I printed it, traced it onto a blank sheet of paper, tweaked the design a little, and cut it out. Positioned it on the pillow sham and traced it with a water soluble marker. And began to stitch.
I did search out a tutorial on stitching a monogram before I started. You can find the one I read here.
I also started out with grand intentions of doing this properly – with the use of an embroidery hoop. I dug out and dusted of the long-neglected hoop from over a decade ago. And I did try. I gave it my best. But I just cannot stand using a hoop. Ranks right up there with my dislike of using thimbles. So the hoop was left to gather dust again.
It’s far from perfect but I’m happy with it and I really think Melaine will be too. If she squints a little she can pretend it’s an old European monogram from 100 year ago. heehee.
There is a flaw in it. I didn’t even notice till I was completely finished and had it all pressed and ready to put the back on it. Every piece of handmade artwork has to have a flaw though, right? I have even read of loom artists weaving in a flaw on purpose. Something superstitious I think so I’m not really into that so I wasn’t adding a flaw on purpose.
But there is one, accidental though it may be. If you see it just squint and pretend it ain’t so.
Melaine, when you get your pillow shams inspect the monogram carefully. If the flaw is more than you can handle just flip it over so you can’t see it heehee!
Constructing the pleated ruffle and flat piping on 24 inch pillow shams is no small project. I did mention that they were TWENTY-FOUR inches square didn’t I? That is 96 inches total around one! So each sham needed 100 inches of flat piping. I cut it double the width I wanted the finished size to be plus seam allowances. I pinked the edges so it would curve at the corners nicely. And stitched it on.
I rounded the piping around the corners – no expert advise on this I just did it.
I left the piping longer than needed and when I was almost back to where I started, I stopped and figured out where to make a seam in the piping so it was one continuous piece around the sham. Again I just did it – no fancy info here!
The large ruffle is box pleated – double fold a strip of fabric to use as the ruffle. So there are 2 thicknesses of fabric, the piping was folded in half so there are 2 thicknesses there. Plus the front of the sham. And eventually a back will be stitched on too. I’d advise lighter weight fabric if you aren’t used to sewing much Add to that the fact that all those box pleats take the ruffle from 2 thicknesses of fabric to SIX!!!
Have you ever hand stitched a monogram?
Sew a Fine Seam
Linking up:
Savvy Southern Style
Jennifer Rizzo
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Jill, what a treasure!!! You are amazing, cute friend ~ between her eye for styling and your talent this is sure to be a huge hit!!
Pam @ Simple Details recently posted..girl’s and boy’s bedroom update…
Thank you Pam! I think she’s gonna like it – flaw and all!
It’s just beautiful Jill! I love everything about them. Your time and attention to detail are obvious. I’m sure Melaine is delighted with them. And don’t worry about that little flaw. No one will ever, ever notice it. It’s been a while since I did any satin stitching, but I can appreciate the time you put into it. Well done, as always. Have a great day!
Debbie
Debbie, you leave me the sweetest comments
thanks so much for always bringing a smile to my face!
They are gorgeous! But I’m so glad I didn’t have to make them.
Love the monogram! Super special.
deborah recently posted..A Winter Week
Oh my goodness Jill the pillows look so amazing!!! Some of the prettiest pillows ever!! I know she is going to love them!!
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage recently posted..Vintage Style Rocking Horse Make-Over
Thank you Lisa! I got a text from Melaine this morning and she wanted to know if I could hear her squealing about them all the way from Hawaii!
BEAUTIFUL. Job well done and well worth the wait. Those pillows are gorgeous. The ruffle detail along the sides are AMAZING. The monogram looks perfect to me. I do a lot of embroidery (and I have done a monogram or two)…though, always with a hoop…which I then regret because ironing out the hoop mark is a huge pain. Really lovely job, as usual. I am super impressed.
Amy of While Wearing Heels recently posted..Winter Fun – Snow Painting
Thank you Amy. You could totally make this yourself and I’m sure your monogram would look better than mine! This is the first I’ve done any satin stitching for probably 25 years! Embroidery is fun I just don’t usually take the time to do it. I need to change that.
I love the detail and care you put into these pillows! They are beautiful and amazing!
Thanks! I had fun with them and I’m happy with how they look finished! Thanks so much for your sweet comment!
This is fabulous Jill!!! I am obsessed with monograms and while I do have a monogram machine, it will never give you the look of hand embroidery (in my opinion) – yours is stunning!!!
Thanks Jennifer! My hand stitched monogram is not perfect but I knew it wouldn’t be going into it so I embraced the ‘hand stitched’ look and went with it! I’m happy with it
What a gorgeous project! Makes me want to get some embroidery done right away.
Adventuresindinner recently posted..Pantry Cioppino
Thank you Jane!
Jill – I’m completely blown away! Just gorgeous! And I cannot believe you created that monogram by hand! I’m so impressed! Can’t you tell by my crazy use of exclamation points! I truly adore those pillows, though …
Linda @ it all started with paint recently posted..new locker baskets turned vintage
Awww, thanks Linda! It was totally fun to do and I’m already thinking of some things I could add little monograms to and add to my etsy shop! Small ones wouldn’t take a lot of time so wouldn’t have to be too expensive!
I love that you added a little tute. Beautiful, encouraging work!
Thanks Susan! It was a fun project even though I did drag it out for a rather long time! LOL! Thanks so much for leaving a comment!
Hi, Jill!!! You do incredible bespoke work! Just beautiful!! Okay, I want us to work together. Maybe you can make something for me?
By the way, do you ever visit the DC area? Would love to meet up!
Cheers,
Loi
Loi I am totally honored that you would want us to work together! Your style and blog are amazing – and you actually like what I make!!
You made my day. I’d LOVE to work with you! I haven’t been to DC since I was a teenager. Maybe we could plan a field trip for the kids there – that would be totally a great history lesson doncha thing?! I will definitely let you know if we head your way!
Seriously, I would love to collaborate, Jill. Have you make something for me and the shop. Let us brainstorm
xo
Loi
Loi Tone on Tone recently posted..February Flowers
Well what do you have in mind? You are getting me excited!
That post was fascinating! I guess I never thought about doing a monogram by hand, but of course that is how they used to do them! How perfectly unique and beautiful. Great post!
Thank you Carolyn! It’s so much easier and more perfect to have a machine do them now – but I don’t have a machine like that and once the idea hit me that I could do it by hand I was rather hooked on doing it!
GASP. I can NOT believe you did this by hand! Like, I am SHOCKED. That, plus sewing are skills I just do not have so I’m always astonished at people who can make things that turn out so beautiful. I love this! High fives!
Kelly @ View Along the Way recently posted..Big. News. Lots of Exclamation Marks.
Thank you Kelly – I was very happy with my end result. And it was a fun project!
Your flaw is my perfection. You outdid yourself!
Liz @ Quirky Vistas recently posted..Competitive Thrift
Awwww, thanks Liz! You’re the best!
As usually…gorgeous! I wish I had 1/2 your sewing skill! Thanks for sharing at my party. Have a great week.
Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way recently posted..Twirl & Take a Bow Party and Features ~ #29
Thank you Leslie! I love to sew and create – thanks for liking my results! If you lived close I’d give you some sewing lessons
I’d love that! But for now, I’ll admire from afar! Stop by House on the Way and see your pillows featured at today’s party! Have a great week!
Leslie
Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way recently posted..Twirl & Take a Bow Party and Features~#30
These are so gorgeous! I love the pleating, the welting, the everything. I can’t believe you hand stitched those. I just sent you an email about a custom order, I want some too! I read that somewhere too about the imperfection being stitched on purpose. I did tons of needlework as a kid and teenager, I had plenty of imperfections, all you had to do was turn the fabric over to see the rats nest of imperfections. My sister loved to brag to me how the back of her projects were neat and perfect. Oh well, I am the one that ended up doing something creative, so I think I got used to imperfections and embraced them!
karen recently posted..Trashy Tuesday, You Will Need to Sit Down for This Post
You did a fabulous job! I am sure she will be quite please.
kim recently posted..Wow Us Wednesdays #107
Thanks Kim! From the texts I’ve gotten from Melaine since the post went up I think she is very well pleased
Will be fun to get them sent off to her and see some photos of them in her bedroom.
Wow, Jill! This is fabulous!! You could sell as many as you could crank out, I’d bet!! What lovely embroidery! I know she loved it even more since it was done by hand!! You go girl!! The sky is the limit!
Hugs!
Becky
Totally amazing!! You blew me away. Who hand monograms? Apparently you! Wow, wow, and double wow. It’s gorgeous really, truly a work of art.
WOW this is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Just beautiful! I can’t believe you did those monograms by hand, they look perfect!
Maria recently posted..Classic White Bread
Thank you Maria! It isn’t perfect but it was fun and I’m very happy with the end result!
Beautiful! I have done monograms by hand and know that they are a labor of love! I enjoyed this post. Thanks! ~Kristie
Thank you Kristie! It was really fun to do!
Ok, this is just insanely awesome! Learning to embroider a monogram is now on my ever-growing to-do list…
Getting ready to make some cloth napkins for us to use here at home… maybe I should try some smaller monograms on them for practice…
Katie recently posted..Pinterest Challenge Time!
They are beautiful and lucky Melaine to be the recipient. The monogram looks great! I have done a lot of stitching but not a monogram with that much detail.
Elzabeth@ Blue Clear Sky recently posted..Robin’s Egg Storage Box and More Snow
Thank you! Melaine is excited to get them – they went in the mail yesterday! I can’t wait to see some pics of them in her bedroom! Thanks so much for coming by and commenting!
OH MY GOSH! I am so impressed and think this is just wonderful. Your stitches look perfect to me and I saw no flaw anywhere. Your trim is stunning. In my opinion, this is heirloom quality. You go girl.
Ann recently posted..Creative Cain Cabin ~ Master Bedroom
Thank you Ann! Coming from you that is such a complement! And the flaw – some darker floss got mixed up in my stash and i used it on the C. Never even saw it till I was finished and it was all pressed. Oh well, it is what it is and Melaine didn’t even care! She loves them
JILL…this is so gorgeous…my mom is an amazing embroider and makes pillows for her grandkids every xmas….I wish I had the patience it takes to do this….xo
LUCY recently posted..The Inspiration Gallery…week 25
Thank you Lucy! And you just might find the patience someday! I didn’t work on it for too long at a time for the most part. Towards the end when I needed to be getting it done I worked on it all afternoon on a Sunday when I didn’t feel like I had to be doing anything else anyway!
Sew beautiful! Lol! I love monograms (and can also embrod. but have not patience!) Really beautiful pillows.
I found you today from the Linky Party at French Country Cottage, where I’m #269. I hope you stop by my blog and leave a comment, too!
~ Megin of VMG206
Thanks Megin! It does take some patience but I didn’t do it all in one sitting either! LOL! it was several days before it was all finished. Sometimes I would work for a few minutes and then I couldn’t stand sitting still that long so I jumped up to do something else. I ended up working on it on a couple of Sundays when I felt like just sitting anyway
Thanks for coming by and commenting – I will definitely be by to see your blog!
This is just beautiful! I’m so inspired…but I don’t think my poor old sewing machine could handle six layers of fabric. Perhaps I should test it out!:)
Rita Joy recently posted..How to Turn a Tablecloth into a Rod Pocket Curtain
Thanks Rita – if you try it out use the heaviest ‘jeans’ needle you can get – it helps a lot!
Wow, these are so pretty! What patience you must have.
DeDe@DesignedDecor recently posted..Talkin About Thursday Link Party #9
Thank you! The monogram was actually rather fun to do!
Absolutely gorgeous!! Totally love them~ I am a sucker for anything monogrammed!
Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!
Thanks Courtney! It was fun to do and I’d do it again if someone wanted one!!
Hi Jill, I am featuring this project. Thank you so much for sharing. -K
karen recently posted..Spring Buffet, at Your Service
Thank you Karen! So sweet of you – it was so fun to see it show up over there
That monogram looks perfect to me! Bet people eat that option up if you add it to the list of things you’ll do.
Bliss
Bliss recently posted..Bookmark Tongue in Cheek Tuesday
You seriously did an amazing job. I can’t believe it’s hand stitched. It looks so awesome. I will be featuring this tonight at my Swing into Spring party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks.
Judy recently posted..Enough Already!
Thank you Judy! You are so sweet – I will be by later tonight!