Prison Calendar Cushion by A.A. Gill

£125.00
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This iconic design is a Fine Cell Work best seller. Made up of 38,416 single stitches, this thought-provoking prison calendar cushion was designed by writer A.A. Gill, who said: 

“The design of a calendar scratched into a prison wall came to me because somehow stitching is like marking off the days: it corresponds to doing time. I also think the idea of hard men and soft furnishings is very good." 

  • Size (inches): 14 x 14
  • Size (cms): 36 x 36
  • Feather cushion included.
  • Needlepoint in cream, black and red wool. Piped in red linen.
  • Dry clean only 
  • Designer: A.A. Gill
Stitched by prisoners and prison leavers.
Handcrafted from the finest natural fibres
9 months or more of dedicated craftsmanship

UK delivery starts at £2 and is completely free for orders over £200.

We also offer international delivery.

We hope you'll be delighted by your new Fine Cell Work items, but just in case you're not, there are several circumstances in which we will refund your purchase, subject to the item being returned within 30 days of receipt.

  • 5 stars: 16 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
C
Claire
60th birthday gift

Thanks so much for the 59 days crossed off on my cushion. Forever 59! Beautifully stitched 🙏

N
Nicky Grey
Perfect Gift

To celebrate 25 years of faithful ministry as a Chaplain in a woman's prison -

J
Julie Cole
AA Gill Prison Calendar Cushion

When I received a FCW gift voucher I knew that I wanted to buy this as I've had my eye on it for a long time. Wonderful quality. As someone who does needlepoint them self I know the hours of work that have gone into this. Thank you.

E
Elizabeth Bostock

Beautiful work

P
Pauline
Cushion

I’ve had my eye on the fine cell cushions for some time. Sits beautifully on a Windsor chair which my husband made. Was a present to us! I like everything about fine cell work and thank you to the maker, beautiful stitching and the cushion is so well made.

J
Jane Anderson
The crafted items are always lovely and special.

Fine Cell Work is my favourite website for presents. Thank you all, especially the stichers.

D
Dana Dusbiber
Beautiful heirloom pillow

I bought this to commemorate my 59th year...(count the days as years) and to help me always remember the pandemic and the challenges of life. I also like that this handcrafted object celebrates and supports the work of prisoners.

J
Jane
Absolutely delighted with my cushion

i am absolutely delighted with this cushion. i am so grateful I can help this brilliant organisation in a small way. I have wanted one of these for ages - the design is perfect and the quality of the work is excellent.

S
Sally Browne
Reminder of difficult times

The cushions are wonderful. I bought one each for our married children in London. I plan to present them when we are finally able to get together. I know they will be enjoyed and appreciated.

V
Victoria Hemming
Witty!

As with all Finecellwork cushions, this is beautifully sewn. The joy of this cushion is the wit of the AA Gill design, makes me smile whenever I look at it and I have wanted one for ages.

M
Mollie Cayzer-Colvin
Beautiful

These cushions are so beautifully made! I have wanted to get my hands on this design for a very long time and I’m so thrilled to finally have them. They are everything I wanted. Fine Cell is an all time favourite and if I could buy everything they make I would. Thank you so much!

J
JG
Wonderful memory of Adrian

Wanted one for ages and so happy I bought it. Such a lovely cushion.

H
Hilary Harwood
Super lockdown cushion?!

Delighted with my prison calendar cushion which chimes so well with the current lockdown! Quality of materials and workmanship first class. I also like the smaller size dimensions. Have envied it for some time, but well worth the wait.

M
Madeleine Hallward
I have wanted one of these cushions for years..

.. and I am even more thrilled with it than I imagined. It's a beautiful object, based on a clever conceit, and buying it helped to fund a really good cause. What's not to love?

C
Catharine Archer
Lockdown cushion

Beautiful workmanship. I love ALL the fabulous pieces I’ve purchased from Finecellwork. All so beautifully crafted.

S
Sally Carter
Great quality, great look

I love this cusion. It's got top spot on my mountain of prized cusions. Thank you

About the designer

A. A. Gill

Writer A.A. Gill was the mastermind behind one of Fine Cell Work's most striking - and most popular - designs of all time. He designed the needlepoint Prison Calendar Cushion for Fine Cell Work twenty years ago, and our stitchers still can't make them fast enough!

The iconic design has been translated into a tote bag and a tea towel, since its inception, the cushion has appeared in several additional colourways.

DONATIONS

Support our work

By purchasing from Fine Cell Work, you are making social change. However, 75% of our rehabilitation programmes are funded through donations and grants. We know that transformation is possible - for our stitchers, for our communities, and for our society as a whole. Your support - through donations or by purchasing products - will help to break the devastating cycle of reoffending and repeated imprisonment.

£10 donation
Provides a prisoner with the materials for one tapestry cushion (100 hours of creative activity). 

£20 donation
Will enable us to continue providing paid, creative and productive work to even more prisoners around the UK, helping them to build a brighter future.

£50 donation
Sponsors a prisoner to train as a volunteer 'class coordinator', teaching and mentoring other prisoners.

£250 donation
Covers the volunteer costs of a stitching class in prison.

£500 donation
Pays for the training, materials and support for one prisoner for an entire year, helping them to rebuild a meaningful, independent,crime-free life.

By giving prisoners hope that transformation is truly possible, they can envision a meaningful life after release. But nobody tells the story of how Fine Cell Work has helped them better than the prisoners themselves:

“Stitching allows me to use a totally different part of my brain and personality. I can move away from the more difficult reflections and anxieties and feel creative and purposeful. This means I no longer feel that my life has come to a halt and that I am of no use to anyone else.”

- Tom, FCW Stitcher -