Several months ago, I wrote and committed to all of you that I was going to do something creative every day. And for the most part, I have done that. I have continued to stitch on my sampler that I started several months ago, I have continued working on my quilt, and I have sewn several garments for Amelia.
Hobbies are amazing things. To quote one of my favorite sayings, “Why spend $2 on something when you can go to the craft store, gather supplies, and make the same thing for $9?” There is some truth to that isn’t there?
I get lost in my hobbies. When I am in my sewing room, the world outside just passes me by. Time moves much quicker when I am making something. My passion is monogramming; I have this inner desire to monogram everything. I can hardly look at a garment without thinking about where I would put the monogram.
What is it about monogrammed items that make them special? When you see your own initials on something it immediately makes it personal. And when I receive a monogrammed gift, it tells me the person who presented me with this thought ahead and planned the special gift.
We have included our monogram throughout our home decor, including on our dining room chairs.
Have you noticed the number of monogramming businesses that are springing up everywhere? I have, and I’ve also noted how people are being creative with monogram placement.
Monograming or marking linens is not new but dates back centuries. Little girls learned to stitch the alphabet when they were very young. It was important that the household linens have monograms or initials stitched on them. Linens were very valuable and must be marked for laundry. Stealing a person’s linens was one of the most horrible crimes. Linens were marked with sewn initials on every piece to ward off any attempts at stealing while the linens were drying outdoors. Samplers were stitched by girls to learn and to practice and perfect monogramming skills.
My love of needlework started with hand stitching. My love of monogramming started with my sewing machine and a love for the timeless tradition.
Do you love monograms? What do you collect that is monogrammed?