10 DIY Monogram Cushion Tutorials — Sum of their Stories Craft Blog

Monogrammed Cushions or pillows are a home decor classic. If you have basic sewing skills it's not difficult to have a go at making them yourself.

This year we have been guests at quite a few weddings and I’ve tried to make personal gifts for everyone. If you are looking for Wedding Gift ideas you might want to check out the other gifts that I’ve made for the other weddings Crochet Flower Gift Wrap and Paper Cut Picture, Nespresso Pod Gift Wrap Idea and Framed Scrabble Quote.

For one couple I wanted to make something classy and unfussy as that suits their style but still wanted it to be personal for them. After some deliberation and time on pinterest searching for inspiration I took a plain gold shop bought velvet cushion cover and embroidered the couples initials in a very simple back stitch.

I found this plain gold cushion in TK Maxx and fell in love with the velvet. A plainer fabric would actually have been easier to stitch on but the velvet has a beautiful sheen and texture which I do love. I found something similar on Amazon.

I also chose an embroidery thread the same colour as the fabric of this cushion so the embroidery is subtle, you could easily do a contrast for a bolder effect.

To make a Simple Monogrammed Embroidered Pillow Cover you will need:

A cushion cover and insert
Embroidery thread
Computer, printer, paper (or water soluble printable embroidery paper)
Needle, pins, scissors

I used regular printer paper to create a pattern for this monogrammed which worked just fine for a simple line only design. You can also buy specialist printable embroidery paper which is water soluble, so it just washes away when you are finished. It’s softer than regular paper so is recommended if you want to stitch a more complicated design.

First go onto your computer and select a font you like. Play around with different ones you computer has.

I used the font "Small Roundhand" for the N and & but I didn't like the E in that font, it was one of those letters that looks more like a backward 3 than an E so I did the E in "Apple Chancery".

Print out the initials in the size that you want, this will depend on your cushion cover size of course. You may have to print it a few times until you get the size right.

Trim the paper close to the initials then pin the wherever you want them on the cushion. I did mine centrally but yours could be anywhere you like. Use loads of pins so it doesn't slide about.

Using 2 strands of embroidery thread stitch the initials in backstitch going through both the paper and the fabric.

When you are done, gently pull the paper away. I found it easiest to tear the paper as close as I could to the stitching first then the little bits just pull out easily with your finger nails or tweezers.

Simple as that! You can see in my photo above that I had trimmed away the paper around the letters as I finished each one, that is not necessary, I was just checking it had worked!

All these photos are taken on an angle as that shows the embroidery better, with the nap of the velvet it was hard to get the initials to show up nicely on a photo.

If my velvet monogrammed cushion idea doesn't take your fancy or suit your style how about some of these beautiful DIY monogram cushions and pillows.

Since I first put this collection of DIY monogrammed pillow ideas together several of the blogs and websites originally featured have closed. I’ve left the photos here for inspiration.

This beautiful cushion was made by Robyn from The Farmer's Nest, just like my idea above it is also done on a ready made cover using a super simple embroidery stitch.The Farmer’s Nest Blog is no longer online so this photo is just to inspire you.

I love this twirly font Trisha from The Sweet Survival chose for this felt monogram pillow, so classy. The Sweet Survival website is another that doesn't exist anymore so this is just an inspirational photo now.

Here is another felt letter but with a completely different look. So cute and modern. It's from

How Does She and has a great step by step tutorial.

This cover from Beneath my Heart has a stencilled monogram. The tutorial includes a great set of instructions of making the cover, including that pretty contrast piping.

Another stencilled idea from Merrick's Art, so simple, so effective.

If more colour is your thing, how about this beauty from Yes Spaces. It's made using a traditional machine applique method and a ready made plain cover. It would be a great way to use up fabric scraps. It’s another website that doesn’t exist so it’s another idea that is for inspiration only.

This is a little bit different, a letter shaped cushion. What a fun idea from Classy Clutter.

I do love a good "crafting with buttons" project and this one from It all Started with Paint, is just lovely.

This beautiful letter made from fabric rosettes is so pretty. Kaitlyn from The Birds Nest used a liquid stitch glue so this is a "no sew" option, but of course you could make a "sew" version if you prefer!