Wedding sampler etiquette?

[Kute Kitty]

I wonder if anyone can guide me on this one?

My brother and his fiance are getting married next year. Naturally, I've offered to stitch them something, and the response was so enthusiastic that I'm now stitching them a sampler and a ring pillow! (Should be interesting, I've never done a cushion before so it's a good thing there's plenty of time to practice!)

I'm probably over-thinking things here, but I like to sign my work. I usually sign samplers, I even sign coasters some of the time. I'm wondering though, would it be inappropriate to sign a wedding sampler? I mean, it's meant to be about celebrating the love of these two people and a signature is really about my ego more than anything! With the ring pillow I thought I might put a message on the underside along the lines of "stitched with love for the happy couple by Carolyn" but obviously with the sampler itself there's not really the option of doing that so it would be more likely to be my usual signature - my initials in a corner.

Now, I've not even got the charts yet for any of this (they should be arriving at my work tomorrow though so I'm looking forward to going in to work tomorrow!) and they're not actually getting wed until next year - and with their combined organisational skills I can see that becoming at least the year after - but, what can I say, I like to be prepared!

The sampler they've chosen is this one (which will probably be the first thing I ever get professionally framed) and the ring pillow will be this. It says there are four designs so I'll have a look through and get opinions and go from there.

[Angel]

I recon your small initials would go ok in it. Failing that...you could always stitch them on the very edge of the fabric...the bit that will be covered by the frame.

[ellay]

I think it would be nice to sign your work, but maybe use a thread very close to the fabric colour so it does not overpower the design ?

[Rose]

All artist sign their work even if it is a portrait that was commissioned so why shouldn't you sign your work? I say do as you usually do and don't worry about it.

[ali-cat]

I think you should sign it, as well. I think it would make it an even more personal gift.

[MaggieM1750]

I agree with the others in that you should sign your work. And since you are having it framed, what about also adding some sort of adhesive label to the back of the frame.. pattern design info, your "stitched with love" sentiment.. That way, the information is there, and your work is credited without it being obtrusive to the design.

[Wandatoo]

I stitched a gift for a wedding - not a sampler - and put my usual small initials and year on the front.

I also put a label on the back. I think the wording was something like this:

"Stitched with love by Valerie for XX and XX on the occasion of their wedding (DATE), with support and encouragement from (OH) during 354 hours of stitching." It was a large project!

I liked the idea of the label for this kind of occasion.

[koko]

Oooh, I am glad I saw this thread as I am doing a wedding sampler right now too! I was wondering the same thing about adding my initials, but I also really like the idea of the label on the back!! Thanks everyone

[~threadbear~]

I agree, you should sign it. It personalises it doesn't it and I bet they'd choose initials as well if you were to ask them.

[Kute Kitty]

If I asked them I have a feeling they'd tell me to sign it because they know it'd make me happy Thank you all for the advice, I definitely like the label idea, shall have to remember that at the time I'm hoping that as the sampler and pillow seem to be similar colours (but how much can you tell from a photograph) that they might be displayed together - but whether they are or not, it would be appropriate to have a similar message on both. Good thing I've got ages to think of the exactly right wording for it

[minij]

I think if you usually sign your work then you should still do that. I have never signed any of mine, perhaps i should start I really like the idea of a label on the back

I have stitched the wedding sampler which is in the chart leaflet with the ring pillow and I was really pleased with the result, I did change the colour slightly so it was the same as the wedding colour scheme.

[nettie]

Go on sign it or if you feel it will be out of place on the design I was also going to suggest the message on the back of the frame but varnish that so it doesn't fade!

[Kute Kitty]

It's a pretty symmetrical design and my signature is pretty symmetrical, so I'm thinking of putting it right at the bottom of the design in the centre so hopefully it'll look like it more or less belongs It's arrrived today, I'm so excited. I've never done a wedding sampler before, I've now got this one to do and a couple of other friends have suggested I could do one for them as well. They both stitch, so could do their own, but they feel they'd rather have one done for them as a gift

[Squirrel]

I agree about signing your work and also put a label on the back too. That way all bases are covered.

Love both the designs and the sanpler is most unusual.

Squirrel

[Wandatoo]

Love the design -- Macintosh is one of my favourites. It should stitch up quickly too. Have fun!