Order of Initials

• When embroidering a set of three initials, the order of the initials depends on the monogram design. If the middle initial of the design is largest, it should be the initial of the last name with the initial of the first name on the left and the initial of the middle name on the right. If all three initials are the same size, the monogram should read in the same order of the initials, so the first name initial is on the left with the middle name initial in the middle and the last name initial on the right.
  
  

Initials for Partners

• Embroidered monogram initials for spouses or partners on tablecloths or other household linens can use the single monogram initial of their last name, if shared, or the double monogram initials of both of their last names, if different. A two-initial monogram can be divided with an embroidered dot, diamond or other design. Couples that share a last name may also choose to monogram their last name in the middle, with each partner's first initial on either side. Traditionally, the husband's initial has gone on the left and the wife's on the right of the larger, last initial in the middle.
  
  

Embroidering Initials on Linens

• Historically, women embroidered their household linens beginning in girlhood as they built their trousseau. Because of this, towels, sheets and tablecloths were monogrammed with the bride's maiden initial, as she had no way of knowing what her married last name would be. Most modern brides do not marry with a trunk full of linens they have worked on since childhood, but traditionalists sometimes still choose to use the wife's maiden initial when embroidering linens.
  
  

Positioning of Monograms

• Embroider initials on dinner napkins either on the corner or in the center, along a fold. Monogram square tablecloths with the initial in one corner, part way between the center of the tablecloth and the actual corner, so that the monogram is seen when the cloth is set on a table, but monogram long tablecloths on the center of each long side. Embroider sheets so that the initials are visible when the sheet is folded over, and pillows along the open side hem. Monogram bath towels in the center so that the monogram is visible when hung in thirds.