Maggie Grey is a textile artist living in the south of England. She practises all forms of stitch and paper craft. Machine embroidery is her usual method of construction but she likes to do this on complex surfaces built up with layers. These layers may be fabric or paper, usually painted. Backgrounds are often simple materials such as commercial felt with foil ironed over it. A variety of sheer fabrics can be layered over this, often with heat applied. This method is sometimes enhanced by the use of the embellisher machine.
She enjoys the design process for new work and this often spills over into sketchbooks which are heavily textured with gesso or texture gels. Walnut inks, Moon Shadow Mists and embossing powders are often used here. The computer is brought in to assist in the design process and the results printed out to form a base for hand or machine embroidery. You can see some examples of her work in the Gallery.
In addition to her own work, Maggie gives talks, teaches and has led workshops by invitation all over the world.
She edits Workshop on the Web, publishes Quiltwow and writes books for D4Daisy Books. She founded D4Daisy Books (www.d4daisy.com) in partnership with photographer Michael Wicks. Her forthcoming book, due during June, is 'Stitches, Straps and Layers'. Previous books for D4daisy have been 'Textile Translations', published October 2008 and 'Embellish & Stitch, published March 2007. Both her recent books offer free on line classes (more details and pics on the D4daisy site).
She exhibits with Wessex Textile Artists (www.wessextextileartists.com) and the deadlines for their exhibitions are her driving force for producing new work.
Maggie's Blog
As many of you will already know, Maggie has a blog which you'll find at www.magstitch.blogspot.com. It's updated every few days (when she's not teaching). The blog often contains mini-tutorials and, with the comments offering a chance to discuss issues from design to the best sort of sewing machine, gives rise to a lively dialogue. There's even a video on using embossing powder hidden in there (20th November 2007 - click Archive 2007).
Workshop on the Web
In the June issue of Workshop on the Web, Angie Hughes foils us again, Lynda Monk talks about textured vessels, Maggie Grey is in recycling mode, more machine embroidery from Ken Smith - this time whip stitch, Nikki Parmenter describes the new trapunto, Ruby Lever is magnetised in bag mode, unusual embellishing techniques with Janet Crowther, a week in the life of . . . the Bogod Company, plus all the regular features. All this in our step-by-step format, plus all the regular features. As ever, there are lots of new products, news, book reviews and exhibitions. If you haven't seen Workshop on the Web, visit the site and click Taster for a free preview containing exciting workshops.
Quiltwow
In the June issue of Quiltwow, out on June 8, Dionne Swift dabbles with devoré, Liz Plummer uses acrylic paints on fabric, Linda Rudkin blooms with natural dyeing, the Celebrity Interview is with Catherine Nicholls, Kate Dowty is back with her scrappy florals, Katharine Guerrier also returns, this time with A4 quilts, Annette Morgan makes her own stamps and Margaret Ramsay tells us about doors with gesso. Plus lots, lots more.
Don't miss it - go to the site www.quiltwow.com, have a look at the Taster and sign up if you're impressed.
Maggie's Talks
Maggie and Clive join forces for their talks to groups. Using a digital projector linked to a computer, they combine excellent quality still images with movies which demonstrate the techniques which Maggie is discussing. Very popular are her technique talks which describe particular methods of achieving given effects. Maggie is known as a lively and amusing speaker and Clive generally stays awake. Click the pic left for details of talks.
You can contact Maggie by email at
