As the iconic London department store Liberty celebrates its 150^th year, Fine Cell Work is incredibly proud to be part of the Liberty Patchwork Collective Project, which is currently on display at Liberty.

Following the iconic department store's open call for submissions, apprentices from our post-release Open The Gate programme, volunteers and staff members submitted handcrafted patchwork squares to this anniversary project, some of which have been selected and woven together into a breathtakingly beautiful super-sized patchwork house.

Liberty received over 1500 handcrafted patchwork squares from across the globe from a network of artisans, makers, designers and visionaries, and this collaborative living artwork stitches together a multiplicity of stories into the fabric of Liberty’s legacy.

At the start of the year, we reached out to our supporters for donations of Liberty Tana Lawn and Lasenby Cotton, and we were blown away by the response! We received an array of gorgeous fabrics, and as any fan of Liberty fabric will appreciate, it was delight to open every package. It was through your generosity that we were able to participate in the project. Inspiration came thick and fast, and our workshop was buzzing with excitement and creativity as everyone chose their fabrics and got going with their designs.

“I used my friend’s favourite colours in the creation of my Friendship Star patchwork. Friendship is the thing that has got me through on the darkest of days."

~ A Fine Cell Work apprentice

The sense of creative expression encouraged by this project really resonated with everyone who worked on a patchwork square. It soon became apparent that each square told a story – a microcosmic narrative, that in many cases struck a deep chord with its maker.

One of our apprentice’s found inspiration in the rich history of Liberty and encapsulated its heritage through their patchwork. Sitting in the centre of the piece, Liberty’s founder, Arthur Lasenby, is surrounded by signature Liberty florals and ribbon and is framed by colourful hand-embroidery.

As part of the submission, stitchers were asked to write about their design inspiration but also say a few words on what Liberty means to them. More than one of our stitchers said that Liberty encourages a sense of freedom, with some drawing parallels between creative agency and freedom from the restrictions of prison life post-release:

“Liberty for me means freedom – being able to choose brightness, to finally be able to do things for myself, to do my life in the colours I choose and be back with my friends and family.”

~ A Fine Cell Work apprentice

Since the Patchwork Collective opened back in May, there's been even more excitement in our Battersea Hub, as stitchers have been along to the Liberty to find their patch. Jostling up alongside patchworks made by iconic design brands such as Jil Sander and Paul Smith, our apprentices and everyone involved at Fine Cell Work have felt a huge sense of pride in being included in the installation and books on display: 

"Seeing both patches I made in the store was incredible and makes me feel extremely proud. To be part of the Patchwork Collective made me feel like a team player with everyone having the same goal." 

"It is brilliant to see something I have made on display in somewhere so famous!" 

"I really enjoyed being part of a collective - firstly as part of the Fine Cell Work submission, and then as part of a global quilting community! It gave us a real focus early in the year, and we are all able to celebrate our work being part of something lasting and special together."

Liberty also commissioned internally renowned photographer, Uli Weber, to capture some of the faces and organisations that make up the Liberty creative community. We were delighted and honoured to find a portrait of a Fine Cell Work staff member Jo in store next to the installation as part of the I Am. We Are. Liberty portrait series, selected by Weber to represent and celebrate those who help continue to shape Liberty's legacy. 

As Liberty continues to celebrate their 150th anniversary throughout the year, they have drawn attention to a small handful of their favourite patchwork squares that were submitted across their social media channels, and one of our apprentices is absolutely thrilled that their patchwork has been given a special mention!