Sara Impey – Meet the Artist


Sara Impey specialises in textile artworks inspired by traditional quilt-making techniques, incorporating free-machine stitched lettering. A former journalist, Impey writes her own material, allowing her to play with language visually and use the quilted surface to comment on contemporary issues. 

Quilt by Sara Impey
Free machine stitched text

In this video Sarah shares her ‘Context’ exhibition with us.


Sara Impey: https://www.saraimpey.com 

Sara Impey

A recurring theme in Sara Impey’s practice is the power of words—their ability to persuade, inspire, and sometimes mislead. In an era increasingly defined by contested narratives, her work highlights the importance of language and its impact. At the same time, she celebrates the legacy of needlework, honoring the craftsmanship and creative spirit of generations of quilters and embroiderers. Her pieces often explore the process of making itself, offering a stitcher’s-eye view into the construction of textile art.

Quilt by Sara Impey
Quilt by Sara Impey

Primarily working in wall-hung quilts, Impey occasionally ventures into three-dimensional forms, embracing new creative challenges. Her work is exhibited nationally and internationally and has received numerous accolades. Impey’s quilts are held in major public collections, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the International Quilt Museum, and The Quilters’ Guild Collection.

Quilt by Sara Impey
Quilt by Sara Impey

She is a member of the pan-European group Quilt Art and an honorary member of The Quilters’ Guild. Her book, Text in Textile Art, was published by Batsford in 2013.

O Curioso Gabinete: Animal Exhibition

I’m pleased to share that Found – Toy Lion has been selected by curator Alison Davis Kurley, for the O Curioso Gabinete: Animal Exhibition – an exhibition touring Portugal.

Found: Toy Lion - part of the O Curioso Gabinete: Animal Exhibition
Found: Toy Lion – part of the O Curioso Gabinete: Animal Exhibition

O Curioso Gabinete: Animal Exhibition

O Curioso Gabinete is a touring exhibition of miniature 2D and 3D works shown in a hamster cage. The cabinet will be displayed in several galleries and other locations in Portugal, including Porto, Coimbra and Tomar.

All work has a maximum length of 10cm and weighs no more than 60g – the average length and weight of a hamster. 

Update

The first stop of the tour, 26 September – 3 October 2025, is A Tentadora in Covilhã. Covilhã is a city in the Portuguese mountains and has a good arts scene. A Tentadora is a small, beautiful space that hosts exhibitions alongside its shop and workspaces. The exhibition will then transfer to its next Porto location. 

Found: Toy Lion inside the Hamster cage
Found: Toy Lion inside the Hamster cage

Update:

The second stop of the tour, 4-16 October 2025 in Porto. The exhibition will then transfer to its next Tomar location. 

Update:

The third stop of the tour, 17-18 October 2025 in Tomar. The exhibition will then transfer to its next Celas location.

Update:

The fourth stop of the tour, 25-31 October 2025 in Celas.

Land and Sea Exhibition

For this year’s Knit & Stitch Shows the Embroiderers’ Guild are curating a Members’ exhibition on the theme of ‘Land & Sea’. 

I’m pleased to share that ‘Butlins 1978’ is part of this year’s exhibition.

Butlins 1978 - part of the Land and Sea Exhibition
Butlins 1978 – part of the Land and Sea Exhibition

Knit & Stitch Show

Flowers, Leaves and Berries’ will also be on display, part of the Embroiderers’ Guild Members’ Challenge ‘Colour Rythms’ exhibition.

Flowers Leaves and Berries - part of the Land and Sea Exhibition
Flowers Leaves and Berries – part of the Land and Sea Exhibition

You’ll discover both of these beautiful exhibitions on the Embroiderers’ Guild stand.