Embroidering a Monogram on Converse Tennis Shoes

Today I am going to walk you through how I added a machine stitched monogram to a super cute pair of Converse tennis shoes. 

 

 

 

First, you'll want to pull the laces really loose or completely out to expose the tongues of the shoes to be stitched on.  In this case this cutie pair of shoes has two tongues!!!  Today we are working on the back yellow tongue.

 

 

Next we have to remove what is probably a very expensive label.  Now you aren't limited to just converse shoes to do this too...there are generic versions of canvas shoes out there.  You removed the label by ripping out the stitched with a basic seam ripper tool.

 

 

Now I went into my embroidery digitizing software and created the monogram file according to the size needed to fit the shoe. 

 

 

To make sure the monogram is centered, I measured across the tongue with my ruler and placed a pin or you can use a fabric chalk to mark the center.

 

 

On my PE-600 Brother multi-needle embroidery machine I set up my fast frames, with a three inch hoop with sticky backing on it.  As you can see there is some impressions from the last pair of shoes I did, but you just patch up the hole with another piece of sticking backing to save on how much you need to use.

 

 

Next I pull out the tongue and place it on the sticky part of my frame making sure I have the middle lined up with the notch on the back of the frame.  I secure the tongue to the frame with binder clips and push down on the tongue to the sticky paper on the frame.  Then remove the pin.

 

 

Utilizing the outlining function of my embroidery machine, I see where the design will be placed on the tongue.  I can then adjust back and forth on the arm of the machine until I get the placement just right.

 

 

Now for the fun part!  While holding the heavy part of the shoe, I start the machine and let the magic happen.

 

 

Once the stitching is complete, I remove the shoe and frame from the machine and gentle pull the tongue away from the frame pulling away from the sticky paper which has helped hold down my shoe and stabilized my stitching.

 

 

For a finishing touch, I rub my thumb over the wholes created after ripping out the label stitching and trim up any loose strings.  Then repeat with the second shoe!

 

 

Wha-laa!!!  A super cute pair of sport shoes that have a special personal touch! 

 

If you are interested in having a pair of your shoes monogrammed, please feel free to contact me at Corrina.dea@theunlimitedstitch.com or call 309-431-0085.  I am located in Morton, Illinois so you can drop them off locally or have them shipped.