Blog · May 2015

Reinventing Traditional Embroidery Techniques

How braille lettering and 3D puff foam turned a soft blanket into a monogram gift that can be read by touch.

Heart and infinity monogram embroidered in braille with puff foam
Heart and infinity monogram embroidered in braille with puff foam

We recently came up with a way to reinvent a traditional embroidery technique, and we had to share it.

A longtime customer, who loves personalized embroidered gifts and monograms for friends and family, asked us to monogram a blanket for his blind mother-in-law, who had recently lost her husband of many years.

The challenge: soft fabric

Traditional embroidery sits slightly raised on flat, solid fabric. This blanket was soft and fluffy, and from experience we knew her initials would blend into the surrounding fabric. We wanted his gift to be perfect.

The solution: braille plus puff foam

After some thought and test stitching, we used braille lettering over puffy foam backing so she could read the monogram easily by touch. Puff foam is traditionally used on hats to make logos and text stand out in 3D.

Our customer loved the idea and asked us to add the heart and infinity symbol you see in the photo. On one side of the infinity symbol are his mother-in-law's initials in raised braille, and on the other, her late husband's initials, also with puff foam.

The blanket turned out beautifully. It's one example of how embroidery can create completely personalized gifts that loved ones use and cherish for years.

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From one monogrammed gift to a full team order, our O'Fallon studio brings it to life in 7–10 business days.