‘Working with Frederic was a delight. I was very impressed by his grasp of our very particular brief and the care and attention he put into the project. His final garden was just stunning!’ Cath Kidston MBE

The Stitchers’ Garden celebrates the prison charity Fine Cell Work and its mission.  The garden invites visitors to reflect upon the dimensions of the space prisoners inhabit and how embroidery enriches their lives and opens horizons.

The linear layout is based on the footprint of a prison cell. 

Willow trees and willow work represents the ‘regrowth’ encouraged by the collaboration between FCW designers and prisoners. 

The garden features two pavilions. The smaller of the two replicates the real-life sizeof a prison cell. 

A transparent pool with fountain jets evokes the dynamism and clarity of the creative process, leading the eye across the garden to the larger pavilion: a metaphorical space in which prisoners, designers and FCW clients meet.

Willow panels are woven through the metal bars to soften their effect and provide screening.  Three sculpted Salix alba 'Chermesina' remind us that willow regrows vigorously when pruned or pollarded: its stems being put to creative use.

The tapestry of planting represents the inspiration and colour that needlework brings into the lives of prisoners, where very little of either exist.

Simple, but striking combinations are inspired by the beautiful canvases stitched in prison cells.  Stitching for Fine Cell Work encourages the stitcher to see beyond the confines of their life in prison and a more positive future.

In the garden, a pathway of clay pavers leads around the garden, through the two pavilions and out into the world.  The garden's boundaries, also in clay pavers, gradually lighten in tone to represent the gradual disappearing of the stitchers' confines.  The garden is both restful and inspiring.  It represents the inner calm and positivity of the creative space that stitching provides.  

The garden was sponsored by Nina Campbell and William Yeoward.  Clay pavers and brick slips were generously donated by Brickworks Vande Moortel.

Soft furnishings were designed by Cath Kidston and produced by Fine Cell Work. 

The garden has been relocated to HM Prison Warren Hill, Suffolk.