Original text by: Marina Belova

There are rules for everything in the world. There is also a set of rules that makes embroiderer's life easier whenever he or she needs to position the design on the item. For it is at times easier to follow an internationally established guideline and not to rack one's brains to find the place where the embroidery will look best. It works good in case there is no need to create a highly unusual design that may demand departing from the rules.

Pictures below demonstrate the general rules of embroidery design placement:

Towels

Duvet covers and top bed sheets

Left chest

Socks

Center chest on garments

Turtleneck collar

Handkerchiefs, blankets, napkins

Shorts

Left chest under pocket

Left chest on polo shirt

Back on a polo shirt or an ordinary shirt

Cuff

Pockets

Pillow-cases

An item Where to place the embroidery Polo shirts Left chest, centered 17.5-22.5 cm below the shoulder seam or 10-12.5 cm from shirt center. You can also embroider the name on the front, and the surname — on the back of the shirt. In this case the surname on the left should be mirrored to the name T-shirt Left chest, 17.5-22.5 cm below the shoulder seam, centered between T-shirt center and the side seam or 10-15 cm from T-shirt center. Pocket Centered 2.5 cm above pocket or 10-12 mm below edge of pocket, centered between left and right seams, or centered on pocket Shirt front (a very small monogram on the placket) Design is positioned on placket between 2nd and 3rd buttons, centered between left and right seams. Shirt back 12.5 cm below the collar bottom, centered between left and right seams Shirt front Left chest, 17.5-22.5 cm below shoulder seam, centered between placket and side seam or 7.5-12.5 cm from shirt center. Cuff (a very small monogram) Only the left cuff is embroidered — 3.5 cm to the left from buttonhole (or 2.5-3.0 cm from the cuff center). The lower edge of a design should be 0.6-0.7 cm higher than the edge of the cuff. A monogram should be visible in wear. Jacket front Left chest side 16-20 cm below left shoulder seam and 10 cm from center Jacket back 17.5-22.5 cm below shoulder seam, centered between side seams Women jacket 2.5 cm to the side from buttonhole and 0.6-0.7 cm above its top Turtleneck On the collar between left shoulder seam and collar center so that the embroidery is on the outside 10-12 cm from the fold Sweater Left chest, 17.5-22.5 cm below shoulder seam and 7.5-12.5 cm from the center or in the middle between the center of the sweater and side seam. On women sweaters the design may be moved 5 cm higher Or placed in the center Sweat-shirt Left chest, 17.5-22.5 cm below shoulder seam and 7.5-12.5 cm from the center. Shorts On the leg 10-12 cm from turn-up seam and 2.5 cm from side seam Necktie 5 cm above the necktie's end Scarf Centered 10 cm above edge Socks 10-12 mm from upper edge Apron Centered 10 cm below upper edge Bib In the center Bathrobe 10-15 below left shoulder seam, centered between flap and side seam Pajamas Left chest, 17.5-22.5 cm below left shoulder seam and 7.5-12.5 cm from center Handkerchief 3-3.5 cm from point of corner, sewn diagonally Hand towel 5 cm above hem or 3.5-4 cm above border Bath towel 10 cm above hem or 3.5-5 cm above border Bath sheet 12.5 cm above hem or 6-7.5 cm above border Beach towel 12.5 cm above hem or 6-7.5 cm above border Napkin 7.5 cm from point of corner, sewn at the angle of 45° Placemat 7.5 cm from upper right corner, sewn diagonally Table cloth 12.5 cm from point of corner, sewn diagonally Top bed sheet Lower right corner or on wide hem 5 cm below the fold. If a bed sheet has shams, you can place the design on them Pillow case In the center If the opening is on the side, the design is centered on it. If a pillow has shams, it is possible to place the design in the center of every one of them. Blanket 20-25 cm from point of lower corner, sewn diagonally Decorative pillow case Centered on pillow case Bag 10 cm from the bottom centered left to right or centered on the bag

Of course, the numbers mentioned may vary. This happens because the size of the items differ.

And keep in mind the most basic rule: measure thrice and embroider once.