Raising The Surface With Machine Embroidery

By Maggie Grey
Published by Batsford
ISBN-13:9780713490282
ISBN-10:0713490284
Price: £14.99
Reviewed by Carole Kokinis

This is the paperback version of Maggie Grey’s book, first published in hardback in 2003 and reprinted twice in 2004.

The first chapter begins with backgrounds, on which to raise the stitch. Angelina fibres, chiffon, foils, brown paper, fabric scraps and transfer papers are used in new and exciting ways. Every page has inspiring full-colour illustrations. This is definitely not a project or how to book. It is however extremely inspirational. The emphasis is on good design and using the information as a springboard for your own ideas.

The book guides you through the process of creating wonderful texture, without it becoming crude and unsubtle. Painting, dyeing, embossing, stitching, layers and layers of glorious tactile surface design are used to good effect over and over again. Who would have guessed that plastic canvas could take on a new life, with something as simple as string and tissue paper. Finally, the relief textures leap from their backgrounds and become three-dimensional objects in their own right. This is a truly wonderful book.

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