Handpainted and Embroidered Textiles
Sandy Newbold is a textile artist based in mid-Norfolk. She works with hand-sewn stitch, machine stitch, freehand machine embroidery and fabric painting to create expressive textile art inspired by nature. Sandy has sewn all her life, and her practice is rooted in sustainability, using mainly recycled and pre-loved fabrics, reclaimed textiles and trade waste, supporting charities and local small businesses through her materials sourcing and upcycling.
Her distinctive textile sculpture birds are crafted from her “re-born” fabrics and mounted on reclaimed objects. Each is machine stitched and hand-finished with slow stitching, hand-cut feathers and occasional needle-felted details, then hand-stuffed with natural wool. Beaks are hand-whittled from oak twigs, and every piece carries a stitched, typewritten label sharing its own story or sentiment.
Sandy’s jointed hares are made using traditional teddy bear techniques, strengthened with button thread and buttons or fabric and wool circles. Each hare has an individually shaped and stitched face, patchwork detailing and a needle-felted wool tail. She also creates hand-painted calico Indian Runner Ducks, assembled using toymaking methods, painted with acrylic and Inktense, heat-set for durability and finished with glass eyes.
Her cushions, fish decorations and slow-stitched scented sachets combine beauty with integrity. Cushions are made from re-born fabrics, trims and buttons, finished with new zips and new feather, cambric, cotton or hollow-fibre inners for quality and hygiene. Every piece reflects Sandy’s dedication to craftsmanship, texture and giving textiles a meaningful second life.
