As you build your library of embroidery fonts, consider a basic applique font. Not too fancy, not to juvenile, not too feminine, not too masculine, well you get the idea. A basic applique font is helpful to have on hand as you’ll find many uses for this type of font. Upper case letters will do the trick for most of your monogram needs but having access to multiple sizes is a bonus. The Punky Monkey from Five Star Fonts includes five sizes: 2 ½”; 3 ¾”; 4 ¾”; 5 ¾” and 6 ¾” PLUS numbers zero through nine. The font should really be called Chunky Monkey because the letters are chunky – allowing for generous fabric exposure.
I liked the generous underlay behind the satin stitches because that tells me these stitches will stand up against terry cloth and faux fur – two popular fabrics for monogrammed items.
Whenever I create an applique that has a small opening in the center such as the letter R or B, I precut the applique. Precutting appliques saves so much time because it eliminates trimming in the hoop. I hoop the applique fabric and stitch color 1 of the applique design and then remove the fabric from the hoop. I trim just outside of the stitch line and set it aside. Next I hoop the base fabric and stitch color 1, the placement guide.
Then I spray the wrong side of the precut applique with temporary adhesive and place it over the outline. The next color tacks down the applique.
The final colors complete the decorative elements. The extra (and optional) line of bean stitches running right down the center of the satin stitches adds an interesting detail and elevates this simple font.
Our resident photographer, Pedro, really likes the extra bean stitch detail…
These letters are the perfect addition to a variety of projects!
If you like to mix and match sizes as I’ve done here, then you’ll enjoy the simplicity of merging these pre-sized designs into the screen. To create this contemporary monogram, I used the 2 ½” extra small letters for the T (first name initial) and R (middle name initial) and the 5 ¾” large letter for the B (last name initial). Order and size of monogram letters are two elements that can be changed to avoid monograms that become words or acronyms like LSD, SOS and PMS. You can’t change someone’s name but you can get creative in the way you display the letters. The next time you’re confronted with a tricky letter combination consider using this unconventional approach to letter arrangement.
|
|
|
40 COMMENTS
judit z
10 years agoChunk and Rock my favorite it really zippy for just about any of today’s kids and teens. Get’s the attention they enjoy among their friends. judit
Shirley Clark
10 years agoI like the Sassy applique font, but I also like the one you used above!
Bonnie Gray
10 years agoI like Dotty Curlz and Raggy or Not. Very unique !
Belinda Germain
10 years agoI really like the Popcorn Appliqué Font. Very cute, well done and I live the way they added the names on the side to add more interest to the total embroidery design. I love her font and the in the hoop offerings on her site. They stitch beautifully. The coasters and mouse pads are a big hit for hostess gifts and the directions to make them are easy and thorough!
Nancy Weber
10 years agoJolly is my favorite, followed closely by Punky Monkey. I have used both on many projects.
Cheryl Greenleaf
10 years agoFunkadelic 60s 70s Retro Applique Font is way too cool!
TJ
10 years agoI like Roly Poly applique font the best, but Punky Monkey is a close second! Five Star Fonts is one of my favorite design sites. Their quality is outstanding!
Gail Beam
10 years agoI love all of her applique fonts, but chunk sports applique raggy and sports jersey applique alphas are great for me because my grandkids are into sports.
Linda Hanner
10 years agoI love the Whimsy Dots-Monogram. It is perfect for my granddaughters!!
Susie
10 years agoI actually love the Punky Monkey because of how large the letters are. They really stand out and get a lot of the material involved.
Carol K E
10 years agoI think Dotty Curlz is my favorite.
Heidi
10 years agoCool applique font really rocks it for me.
Sue C
10 years agoI like this new Punky Monkey font. Since it is an apple;ique, it makes it very useful!
Linda W
10 years agoI like the 2 color College Appliqué Font — great for making items to show school spirit.
Pam
10 years agoI love the Ric Rac Jelly Bean Monogram Font. All of FSF designs are wonderful!
Bernie
10 years agoI like the tiny font designs. It’s hard to find any. Thanks Eileen for the great tip. I had never thought to cut out the applique designs before stitching. It make a lot of sense.
Dolores
10 years agoLove the “Juju Beans Font”. They are all fantastic…but this one is my favorite! 🙂
Crystal
10 years agoI like the Runway Model font. It looks sharp and could be used for formal and more fun projects.
Rosalyn
10 years agoThis is a new design site for me. I loved so many things that I saw. I can think of many uses for the Punky Monkey.
Marilyn
10 years agoNow it is Punky Monkey. Thanks for showcasing it.
b tucker
10 years agoLove the design of the bag. I’ll have to check out Five Star Fonts now! Thanks for sharing…love your tips!
Laura G
10 years agoThe elegant circle font looks like a beautiful one to try. Thanks, Eileen, for a great tip! It can be pretty awkward to cut out appliqué letters in the hoop. I can’t wait to try cutting out the letter first!
Margarita
10 years agoI love a chunky font, so the Punky Monkey is my favorite.
Elisa Thames
10 years agoSilly Nilly Applique Font looks fun, fun, fun! Perfect for those “last minute” gifts.
betty smith
10 years agoI just love 5 star fonts website. have quite a few of the fonts, lately used college applique, chunky sports, the dot one, can’t remember the name. I like to applique and will try your method of pre-cutting letters.
thanks Eileen for this reminder as I’ve done this for other embroidery projects.
Anne Marie
10 years agoI like the Sassy font. Thanks very much for the pre-cutting tip. I never thought to do that, but it makes a lot of sense.
Kris
10 years agoI like the silly fish monogram. Not sure what I would use it for but it is cute
Mary
10 years agoI like the Punky Monkey. I like them all, especially the tiny fonts.
Bette
10 years agoPolka dot is adorable!! Thanks for introducing me to this source!
Mary Haggenmaker
10 years agoNever thought too much about applique fonts til now. I can definitely see the advantages of their use after your explanation pointed out some of them. I would probably make the most of them on bath towel wedding presents.
kathy Booth
10 years agoI think my favorite is Spunky Applique Font. I seem to navigate towards this one because the letters are large enough to really see the fabric chosen for applique. And it just seems to be the right font for burpies…cute and whimsical!
kathy Booth
10 years agoI type “Baby” in the smallest size, then the first letter of the last name in the large size. Everyone that has received one of these from me just loves them! Five Star fonts does a great job making embroiders like us look awesome!
Lulie Felder
10 years agoI love Whimsey Dots and Polka dots from Five Star Fonts! All are great!
Martine
10 years agoIt’s a nice way to solve some problems. My brother’s initials are WCR, so I can’t use it for him, R in the middle however works well. We can be creative even with lettering!
My favourite font is actually this Punky Monkey because of the great choice of sizes.
Lynn
10 years agoPunky Monkey!
Berenice
10 years agoI like the Giggles applique font, but the free ones are great also. I use the Freaky one often on bags. Evrything I own from them is wonderful!
Jackie Murray
10 years agoI like Runway Model font as well as the one you used on this weeks blog.
Linda Stanner
10 years agoI love the cheerleader font…perfect for 12 year old granddaughter. ..She will be thrilled to have her new duffel bag monogrammed with this font!
Elizabeth (Hannan) Keller
9 years agoChunk Sports Applique-Raw Edge-Raggy-Satin Font
Joni
8 years agoI like the dotty curls