Monograms - Initials or Last Name?

[Equestrian24]

Something I’ve been wanting to do for years but was never really able to until now is get some customized monogrammed products, or have my existing things (quarter sheet, blankets/sheets/coolers, etc.) monogrammed. I like how classic initial monograms are and how nice they look, but the main purpose of doing it for me is so that if it gets lost or misplaced, it is easily identified and returned to me, including at horse shows, so I was thinking of getting my last name instead.

What is your ideal choice? Also, if you went with the initials, did you get your last initial in the middle (First-Last-Middle) or in regular order (First-Middle-Last)? It seems the first is most common.

Has anyone ever had something they’ve already owned embroidered rather than ordering it from a place like Dover that way? I’d rather just get my existing things done than buy new. Does any embroidery place work, even if they don’t specialize in horse stuff, and what place on a blanket and quarter sheet would be best? I’ve seen lots on the hip, especially initial monograms, but I’ve seen last names towards the front and in the middle as well. Thanks!

[OldLadyYoungOTTB]

I have had a lot of our stuff monogrammed, and most of it I’ve had done at a local monogram shop. Which really wasn’t a shop but rather someone who does monogramming as a side business out of her home. The only difference is I have to be more specific with her about size, location, etc., but I like her work a lot better than what I’ve seen on other blankets from the tack shop. We’ve had coats, saddle pads, blankets, and stall bags done.

As far as initials vs. last name, I’ll let others answer to that as I’m certainly not up on the current trends. I just do our last name because I prefer that but maybe it’s making me uncool.

[PNWjumper]

I have a lot of monogrammed stuff. Mostly initials because my last name is long enough to be…well…long. And for things like saddle pads, I like the circle/diamond shape in the corner as opposed to a name. My initials are LAF, and I kind of like that it spells a [happy] word, but I stick to convention for the most part. If the middle initial is larger (or the monogram is diamond shaped) then I go with first-last-middle: LFA

But if the initials are all the same size I go with first-middle-last: LAF

But then a couple of years ago I named my farm and now just put my logo on everything…no more agonizing over the order and arrangement of initials, lol!

[2DogsFarm]

I always went with initals in the traditional diamond-shape format: First/(oversized)Last/Middle

But I am now enamored of the way my Driving apron was done:
Perhaps too fancy for what you have in mind, but at least unique enough to not be “mistaken” for someone else’s

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I’m needlepointing an inset for my new chaps and went with First/Last/Middle. I typically go with initials in the traditional order, with last name initial in the middle. But for saddle and bridle plates I use my whole name written out.

[Madison]

A local embroidery person can do your existing stuff, but you may need to show them some examples for reference.

On my dress sheets/ coolers I have started doing my last name on the left side of the chest, at the bottom just above the trim, and I like the way they came out.

[mvp]

I’m all about monogramming stuff.

1. I do it the traditional way-- last initial in the center. You can do it how you wish, but remember that monograms are a very old convention, so there is no reason to get creative without cause.

2. That said, I have seen lots of 19th-century stationery with really creative monograms (wealthy socialites who have their initials in branch-like letters from their “camp” (read: summer estate) in the mountains. Others have vines woven in; 2 DogsFarm’s monogram on the driving apron would not be out of place. So there really is cause to get creative. But do it once and use that monogram forever; that is how they were intended.

3. Best ever is to design your own. I found a home embroidery business by luck, paid the guy for an hour of his time and sat by him while we used his software. I chose some cool fonts first and then I messed with various shapes until I had two or three that I liked. I subsequently narrowed it to one and now I have that (and small permutations of that) on everything. The permutations account for colors and the size of the monogram. He gave me the monograms on a thumb drive in JPEG form and in embroidery machine language.

4. You can use any embroiderer you like, especially if you have your monogram as a JPEG or in the right software for their machine. But you need to take responsibility for choosing the size and location on your horse blankets. Don’t make them pick the right place on the hip if you are likely to know better than they where that is!

5. You certainly can use your last name. Just think about how you like the look of that on a blanket and where you’d put it. I think Madison’s location would look nice. If you do choose to do it this way, I’d think hard about fonts, choose one and then always use that one. To me, mismatched monograms is an oxymoron. But I could see someone perhaps varying the color.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can answer other questions for you.

[Peggy]

I go with last name bc using a monogram would involve a middle name and thus my legal first name (right?) which has a different initial than the name everyone knows me by. Too confusing, especially at a show where some of the grooms may not be our home grooms. I do love a nice monogram in a diamond, though.

[Soaponarope]

I think for blankets, dress sheet, or a champion cooler it’s nice to put your horse’s name on it in the middle of the body and then put your monogram on the hip on the other side. I say go for a classic diamond or circle on the hip with your last name initial in the middle. Use conservative colors; white thread stands out on most hunter horse clothes.

[mlm7914]

Southerner here who has everything monogrammed. I do love a diamond with the Last initial in the middle. That being said, I also have name plates/bridle plates/halter plates on everything with FML initial in block font, so sometimes I do get that embroidered, but most typically the diamond, or “fishtales” is what I use. Just find a good embroidery shop and take care to tell them where you want it. They almost put a monogram on a saddle pad upside the last time I was in there and they are forever confused about coolers or sheets. Cant blame them though, they normally just do linens and kids clothes.

[anicolle]

I did my monogram for all my saddle pads etc. I had my last name on my bridles/martingales etc.

I sharpie my last name and horses name on buckets.

I just got married so I’m working on updating everything. I have my horses at home so it’s not a big deal. I use last name for my blankets and coolers.

I just got a pair of shotguns with my new monogram on it

DH Has a horse brand so I’ll be redoing all my saddle pads with our brand and might embroider my stable name. (Basically I just have a little hobby set up, DH is more into colt starting than I am)

[Jo]

Agreed with the convention named above:

first LAST middle

or
first middle last if all the same size

If you take to a non-horse embroidery place, take an example and pin a note to the exact location you want the monogram, showing how it would be embroidered. This has saved my butt a time or two with mall-type shops!

I’ve got a machine that cuts vinyl so I have monograms on EVERYTHING, and if I don’t use that, I have a label maker that prints stickers. Perfect to wrap around extension cords and other items that “walk off.”

[silver_charm]

My ‘real’ monogram would be BLA which I hate, not that BAL is much better. I tend to get my pads done with my last name, although that did result in a barn dad telling his kid that the mare I was riding was named My Very German Last Name. Plus side is nothing ever goes anywhere.

[Madison]

@Soaponarope

I think for blankets, dress sheet, or a champion cooler it’s nice to put your horse’s name on it in the middle of the body and then put your monogram on the hip on the other side. I say go for a classic diamond or circle on the hip with your last name initial in the middle. Use conservative colors; white thread stands out on most hunter horse clothes.

Using the horse’s name was like an automatic invitation to lameness at my house :lol: First two horses had their name on stuff, one had a career ending injury and one promptly needed a year and a half off, extensive rehab and a new job!! So, current horse gets my last name and initials on everything, and has to wear some thing’s with Madison’s name still on them because they are the same size lol.

[D-quine_TS]

I used to always put my last name on things, but I am at a point where marriage and a name change are in my near future. Luckily my spouse has the same initial to his last name as I do, so I’ve started monogramming things. I always do first-last-middle, but that’s because mine is DHD and I like the balance of it lol.

[adultammylife]

Personally, I like to put the last name on things like coolers, bridles, halters etc. Anything that might be reused or shared between horses. I’ve also seen coolers with the farm name on the side and the last name on the shoulder, near the buckle. I like both looks - kinda just depends what your farm does and if you want to match everyone. I also really like last names on saddle pads in the jumper rings or for schooling but can definitely see how a monogram might be better if you have a longer last name.

[kashmere]

Dumb question here - if you have two middle names, do you just choose which one goes on the monogram?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@kashmere

Dumb question here - if you have two middle names, do you just choose which one goes on the monogram?

I have a cousin that has 4 names, so no middle name really. When I engrave stuff for him, I do all 4 initials, reading left to right just as the entire name would appear as written - ABCD.

[mvp]

@4LeafCloverFarm

I have a cousin that has 4 names, so no middle name really. When I engrave stuff for him, I do all 4 initials, reading left to right just as the entire name would appear as written - ABCD.

Yes. Or if you wish to create a monogram, you’d still put the family name in the middle, but design a pattern that included the middle name. Remember that originally, these were hand-designed and hand-embroidered; you didn’t name your three letters and have Dover put them into a stock pattern.

I have seen monograms for people with hyphenated last names (plenty of 'em in Britain). Usually, both letters were included with the hyphen. And a name with a Mc or Mac involved was Mc/Mac + initial.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Good Point @mvp. I have seen a custom monogram with a large letter for the last name, and three smaller letters for the other names, in a semi-circle around the bottom of the large letter (at like 3, 6 & 9 on a clock - the the last name initial predominant in the center).