Fine Cell Work, the social enterprise which trains men and women in prison to do professional needlework is auctioning this historic quilt stitched together by prisoners at HMP Bullingdon and embroidered with the signatures of contemporary artists and designers which were created by inmates in a number of stitching groups throughout the UK.

The Fine Cell Work ‘ Celebrity Signature Quilt' has the signatures of 72 important figures whose lives have some bearing on design, textiles and prison. Luminaries who have given their signature include Tracey Emin, Margaret Atwood, Louise Bourgeois, Dame Judi Dench, Betty Jackson, Giles Deacon, Helen Mirren, Alice Kettle, Zandra Rhodes, Terence Conran, Bruce Oldfield, Celia Birtwell and Matthew Williamson.

The quilt is made in a traditional turkey red and white star design, and measures 57" by 57", the back of the quilt are the names of the 17 quilters and stitchers who worked on the design.

Stranded cotton for this project was kindly donated by Coats Crafts UK

Bidding for this quilt will continue at a live auction at 8pm on March 25th 2010 at a Private View of British Quilts at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.