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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 and Maggie has written a book on embellisher techniques (www.embellishandstitch.com).
She enjoys the design process for new work and this often spills over to become books 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. Maggie's new book, 'From Image to Stitch' (signed copies now available), covers this subject. You can see some examples of her work in the Gallery.
In addition to her own work, Maggie edits Workshop on the Web and writes books for B T Batsford and D4daisy. She gives talks and teaches; she has led workshops by invitation all over the world.
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 new book is here. She is really pleased with it. Have a look at From Image to Stitch.
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 day or two (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, Jean Littlejohn designs to embellish, Lynda Monk creates an Elizabethan dressel, Australian Ken Smith begins a series on machine embroidery, our celebrity interview is with Sue Rangeley, Christine Benson develops a monochrome landscape and hand stitching with Hilary Hollingworth. More on Paint Shop Pro with Hazel Credland and wires with a twist with Pauline Verrinder complete the line up.
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 out on June 8, Helen Deighan shows us how to make a coil bag, an Awaji cushion panel by Susan Briscoe, Pat Archibald uses foil in gilding leaves, the Celebrity Interview is with Dilys Fronks, Hilary Gooding uses crazy, log cabin and pineapple techniques to create perspective, inkjet printing on fabric with Gloria Hansen, Carol Dowsett tells us about piecing inspirational daffodils and Naomi Renouf paints a fantastic wallhanging. 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 |
