"Do you sign your stitches?"
I keep seeing this question pop up on stitchy groups I'm a part of (specifically on Facebook, I'll be honest) and I wanted to explain both what it means as well as arguments for and against doing it.
So let's go.
First off - what is "signing" my stitches?
Just like a painter may paint a signature on a painting they create, a needlepoint artist - in my humble opinion - should sign their finished pieces, also. But instead of using paint, they should use needle & thread!
Huh?
Basically, you take a corner, empty space or even stitch over the top of existing stitches (usually in the corner again) and using just 1 strand of floss, initial and date the piece itself. It's unobtrusive, it's simple, it's small and it -to me- feels professional.
Most of the time, the initials used is the person's name but others, like myself, use their business name. The year can be tricky (for example, you start a piece in December but complete it the following year in March?) but as long as you set your own rule and stick with it, then it's entirely up to you.
Why would I do this?
I'll admit: I'm bias with this. But hopefully you'll understand why when you see my arguments for and against signing your work.
Arguments for signing:
- Knowing who stitched a piece based on the initials, name, etc.
- Being able to look at a piece and know when it was completed.
- Expressing your pride for something you've created.
- Allowing others seeing your work be able to get in touch and possibly order something from you/give you praise on the work you did.
Arguments against signing:
- Keeps a piece "clean" and free from possible distractions
- …that's it.
Examples of how I stitch my signature.
So I am a little different when it comes to signing - I take a colour floss that is similar to the fabric itself whereas a lot of people who do sign their work prefer to use something like a black or dark grey. See what I mean from the examples below.
So what do you think? Did you already know about signing your cross-stitches (or embroidery pieces as a whole) or not? Do you have a strong for or against argument for doing it? How do you sign your pieces (my example is "TLK" and then the year of completion)? Drop a comment below to let me know - I'm super interested in this!
And honestly? I hope this post has swayed you to doing it in the future. It's lovely to see my own mother and grandmother's work and being able to tell how old a piece is just by the signature. I hope my own children feel the same way when they are older.
I have also always signed my work, however, lately have had a bit of criticism (in one of the cross stitch Facebook groups Im in) for doing so. One lady said it’s like “stealing the work from the designer”.
I think it’s important to sign, as I am doing a lot to give away (wedding gifts, birth records for grandies), and I want them to be able to remember that their mum/grandmother took time to hand stitch these very precious gifts. I just can’t seem to get my “signature” right though! Find it hard to get the initials looking right!
I agree that it’s important to sign our work! It makes me smile to imagine my grand or great grand children finding my signature on an embroidered pillowcase many years from now.
I’m currently just using my initials and ‘24 but would like to be more creative while still staying small. Happy stitching!
Adrian – Yes! It likely could be! That’s so wonderful to read.
I came across a hand embroidered table cloth with HLI 34 stitched in the corner. Is that likely the initials of the person and the year 1934? Thanks.
I hope you do(/have been) sign what you sell! Us needlepoint artists are artists, too!