About Margaret
Margaret Talbot LSDC, LCGI
I am a textile tutor and author living near Cambridge, UK. I gained a City and Guilds certificate in embroidery and a teaching certificate in Dorset and a diploma in stitched textiles at Windsor. I was awarded a Licentiate of the Society of Designer Craftsman and the City and Guilds institute. I am a member of the Embroiderers Guild, ERTF and EAST.
For the past 25 years I have taught all over England and written two books titled Medieval Flushwork of East Anglia and its Symbolism and Contemporary Textured Surfaces in Fabric and Thread. I have also written articles for Embroidery Magazine and my work has appeared in several books by Maggie Grey. I have exhibited my work many times at Alexandra Palace, Harrogate, the Barbican, Braintree museum, Snape and other venues in London, Cambridge, St. Albans, Brighton and Norwich.
My research for textured surfaces has come from rock formations, caves and cenotes around the world – all a never-ending source of fascination. Inspiration has also come from medieval floor tiles, Suffolk Flushwork and the rock formations of Petra, Cappadocia and Yucatan.
Having tried many techniques over the years including mixed media in my textiles I now use only white natural fabric and thread. I became disillusioned with mixed media leaving the fabric hard or crusty and felt I wanted the simplicity of just stitching fabric. I explore its possibilities especially with regard to experimenting with making a variety of textures and manipulations. This results in a complex surface full of interest. The finished work is then dyed.
My recent works are small scale 3D sculptures which, because of the fabric manipulation, need no support other than the fabric itself. It is always a delight to transform old things and remake them into something new. Recycling is in vogue and helps the planet in many ways. My work uses recycled fabrics and lace from chair backs , table runners and curtains and is tea dyed which is also planet friendly.
By manipulating the surface of the fabrics in many ways I have achieved textures which have no resemblance to the original articles. These have been used in making vessels, sculptures and wall hangings with an organic appearance and rocklike surfaces.
Techniques-
Quilting, layering, folding, pleating, ruching, gathering, manipulation.
BOOK
Textured Surfaces in Fabric and Thread. Price £10 plus £3 postage
Email: margarettalbot@elmswell.f9.
Workshops and Talks:-
“Texture in fabric and thread”.
@margarettalbot859
Medieval Church Floor Tiles
Drought
Humble Tree
Crete
