In my experience, Mary Engelbreit machine embroidery designs (from Bernina) are very versatile. They are cute, for sure, but they are also amenable to a bit of a twist. I have used several designs and have always been pleased with the results.
ME’s Princess of Quite a Lotdesign was used on a laundry bag for a sweet coed, given as a going away momento as she left for college. A lovely clothes horse, she was well known for donning a fresh outfit several times a day. The university setting offered even more opportunities for wardrobe changes.
The Princess of Quite a Lot design, with the added twist “of Laundry,” added a bit of whimsy to a perfectly utilitarian item. The monogram, on both the bag and the accompanying mesh basket, helped to reduce the likelihood that these personalized gifts would walk out of the dormitory’s laundry room with some other coed.
The letters  for the monogram on both the laundry items and the quillow below is Viking’s Card #9 Heirloom Alphabet by Martha Pullen. This is  an oldie but a goody. The rose was extracted from one of the letters and used to embellish the buttonholes in the laundry bag casing.
I’ve also sung the praises of polar fleece throws or quillows a time or two, and yet I do so again. This quillow was a gift for my daughter to keep in her new car and was color coordinated with the interior.
The edges of this quillow were finished with a simple 3-thread serge. A decorative stitch was worked above it, around the pocket and throw portions of the quillow.
Maybe I’m in a rut with these polar fleece throws. Nonetheless, I plan to make a few more for Christmas gifts.  I expect the recipients will be pleased with them.
