Weavers' Marks
Weavers' Marks are how a tapestry weaver or a tapestry atelier ‘signs’ their tapestries, in the same way that an artist signs a painting, or indeed an original design for a tapestry.
Read the article An Introduction to Weavers’ Marks
BTG and weaversbazaar are collaborating in this project to compile an online catalogue of contemporary marks of tapestry weavers and studios/ateliers.
See how to contribute your Images and Text for the Weavers’ Marks Gallery
Claire Buckley, UK (mark #2)
I stitch this name tape label on to the reverse side of my tapestry weaving.
Eleonora Budden, UK
I sometimes embroider it on small weavings, but woven into the left or right bottom corner on larger ones. Based on my logo which is a geometrical representation of my initials.
Barbara Burns, USA
This is a new mark for me and to date has only been used on one large tapestry, (74 x 53”) woven at 10 epi . The mark is 4.5 x 4 inches wide. Normally I use a simple B (when I remember) and/or a label on the back of the tapestry.
Studio/Atelier: Burns Studio
Claire Cooper-Walsh, UK
I embroider my mark on either the right or left corner of the weaving, using either embroidery thread or fine wool. It is a geometric letter C with a W inside.
Sehila Craft, UK
My mark shows my initials back to back and is usually woven in the selvedge. Importantly, it is simple to weave!
Instagram:@Sehilac
Michael Crompton, UK
Initials "MC" woven on bottom border. From 1970 - 2000 number of warp threads to MC will give the year - 85 thread indicates 1985.
Michael Crompton, UK (2010)
Initials "MC" woven on bottom border. From 2000 the bottom of the C is extended by one warp thread per year. From 2013 my initials begin from the edge allowing one warp thread for each subsequent year.
Paulette Furnival, UK
I have kept my weavers mark simple although warp wrapping can be anything but! It is usually woven, but on small pieces it may be added afterwards.
Murray Gibson, Canada
I once took a workshop with Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie. Jean Pierre taught weaving techniques and Yael set a design project: create a weaver’s mark. I had woven much more than others in the workshop, and Jean Pierre remarked I was a spider. I soon came up with a spider mark that incorporates my initials; the colours change with each tapestry. The mark is woven as a tab beyond the hem; it then folds to the back side.
Annabella Harding, UK
I have used this weavers mark on and off for many years, mainly on larger tapestries.
Catherine Labhart, Switzerland
As a signature, most of my tapestries bear a small slit in the weave. This is my adaptation of a practice I was told Navajo weavers observe in order to ensure that the weaver's sole does not get trapped in the weave. With tapestry weaving being such a slow project, allowing for so much time to hang on to all kinds of thoughts, I gladly rely on this emotional way out.
Lindsey Marshall, UK
The mark is derived from my initial signature - often used to correct mistakes (which may be appropriate).
Donna Millen, Canada
I call my studio “Weaver's Studio” . This is a small community and though there are many other studios mine is the only weaver’s. My maker’s mark is of course my first and last initials. The “d" is a lower case and the “M” is upper case. It is not easy weave and I am attempting now to make it a more subtle part of the background although it does not appear that way in this photo.
Tea Okropiridze, USA (mark #1)
I have been weaving tapestry little over 20 years. I started marking my tapestries when I graduated from Art college by weaving my initials in to the tapestry on my native “Georgian” language. Letters usually overlap and they’re mostly located at one of the corners of the tapestry. However, placement varies based on the tapestry design.
I have changed my signature after moving to USA (see Marking #2)
Tea Okropiridze, USA (mark #2)
I have been weaving tapestry little over 20 years. Throughout my career, I use 2 signatures; my older tapestry shows marking in Georgian Language, when new tapestries have marking in English. I have changed my signature soon after I moved from Georgia to USA. Two letters are woven in and overlap on both versions. Marking is usually placed at one of the corners of the tapestry, depending on the design color scheme.
Christine Paine, UK
I weave my mark in the bottom right hand corner at the front of my weaving. Depending on the weaving and the colour scheme, the mark is either distinct or subtle. It is based on my initials cp joined together. I count the warps so the size depends on the sett. In addition, I sew or attach a printed label to the back of my work, with my name, email address and the words Woven Tapestry.
Eve Pearce, USA (mark #1)
I have been making tapestry for almost 50 years now, and so my ideas about marks has evolved a bit. Originally I used my script, lower case initials: “esp”. (see mark #1) ...
Eve Pearce, USA (mark #2)
I then started using just my first initial, “e," especially when there was a good way to incorporate it into the border of the design. (mark #2) ...
Eve Pearce, USA (mark #3)
Currently I use a round, black circle which represents “Black Moon,” the Buddhist name given to me by my Zen teacher when I became his student. I enjoy incorporating this circle into the tapestry’s imagery, so, unlike the initials which always appeared in a lower corner, the black moon may appear anywhere - in a cloud, in a dragon’s claw, … (mark #3).
Michael F Rohde, USA
My mark is a short row of contrasting color at the lower right edge of the turned hem of the tapestry. The lower (and upper) edges of the tapestries have a row of knots around the warp ends and the color change is in them.
Studio/Atelier: Michael F Rohde
@michaelfrohde
Matty Smith, UK
My mark was woven on a set of 3 epic. It is a stylised letter M woven across eight warp. The key factor in its design was that It would be easy to weave. I designed and wove a different mark some years ago but it was far too complicated!
Lin Squires, UK
Usually woven into selvedge on a double warp at 2epc the mark comprises my initials juxtaposed. Sometimes the space under the top of the S is left open sometimes completed with a contrasting colour. Geometric and easy to weave.
Kennita Tully, Kansas, USA
I use a Soumak technique to create my mark in woven tapestries. I chose this because nearly every tapestry I do has a bit of Soumak in one form or another. I also like that I can replicate the same or very similar look in a completed tapestry by applying surface embellishment after.
Ruth van Doren, USA
Done on hand spun coffee filters.
V for van Doren - made my stamp to be easy with lower case r inside.
Mike Wallace, UK (sewn label)
I use the same marks on both weavings and other textile work. The label appears on the back, sewn on (unframed) or stuck onto the backing.
Mike Wallace, UK (written)
The initials can be woven, hand written, or embroidered to suit the material in what I consider an appropriate colour so it is noticeable but not too prominent; I have not managed to weave it so it looks as I want (yet!)
