©Alison Lewis Photography
Pink Stitch
©Alison Lewis Photography
Throughout June and July 2025, 12 women with a lived experience of breast cancer, all in very different stages of their breast cancer journeys, joined us for a 6 week workshop series where they created and hand stitched their very own self portraits as a reflection of themselves and their breast cancer experience.
The success of our in-person workshops encouraged us to open up a new opportunity to women across the UK who couldn't attend the workshops in person but still wanted to be a part of this project, during which, over 70 hand stitched pieces were created by our fantastic virtual participants.
These opportunities were created for the participants to come together, learn a new skill, process their breast cancer journey in a new and creative way, but also help us create an exhibition with a big mission - increase the awareness of regular breast checking, and in turn, early breast cancer diagnosis.
Timeline
June 2025
The start of our Pink Stitch in person workshops
July 2025
Workshops ended and portraits finalised
Virtual Pink Stitch launched
August 2025
Virtual Pink Stitch takes place
September 2025
Pink Stitch Exhibition at the Crafts Council, London
October 2025
2025
©Alison Lewis Photography
Our Artist
None of this would have been possible without the support of our fantastic textile artist, Emily Jo Gibbs.
Emily Jo Gibbs is a British Artist whose practice is rooted in Making. She specialises in hand-stitched appliqué, her distinctive style is created by layering and meticulously stab-stitching silk organza pieces onto linen. Championing the Value of Making, Emily has undertaken many projects that feature people who make things. She is Interested in the idea that by taking the time to slowly describe someone in stitch, you convey your admiration. Her investment of time in making the work becomes a quiet, thoughtful act of care and value.
This project, the first I have done specifically focused on wellbeing has been extremely rewarding. I know from my own experience and from many years teaching my technique, how mindful the making process is. Concentrating on looking and stitching is deeply absorbing and leaves little room for non-stitch related worries. The process isn’t as easy as it appears which I think adds to the participants feeling of accomplishment and pride in their results.
Participant Reflections
Have a listen to what our workshop participants had to say about their experience with Pink Stitch 2025…
©Video by Youyoung Jang
©Alison Lewis Photography
We had over 200 visitors to our Pink Stitch Exhibition. Our mission was to highlight the importance of creative activities in the breast cancer space and inspire people to check their breasts regularly.
The statistics are stark: over 56,000 new breast cancer cases occur in the UK each year. Almost all diagnoses at stage 1 are survivable, but only 4 in 10 diagnoses at stage 4 are. Early detection saves lives, and that's what this project aimed to highlight.
Almost 80% of our exhibition visitors had been personally impacted by breast cancer. Of those, 55% regularly check their breasts, while 45% don't check enough.
Over 90% of visitors left with a commitment to check more regularly or continue their checking routine.
For many, that's a life-changing decision.
“I loved seeing all the work together and feeling part of it - part of a bigger project bringing women and their individual breast cancer experiences together to highlight the need to check and keep checking ourselves.”
© Cj Swaby Photography
Pink Stitch Team
© Cj Swaby Photography
The Creative Team
Dayna Hewitt - Project Manager
Emily Jo Gibbs - Lead Artist and Workshop Facilitator
Hannah Thomas - CEO and Artistic Director
Lauren Anika - Engagement Coordinator
Teresa Ferreira, Ferrgood Studio - Brand Designer
Youyoung Jang - Film Editor
Participant Artists’ Self-portraits made by
Ann, Annmarie, Bal, Cheryl, Gloria, Juliet, Leonie, Lynda, Michelle, Sarah, and those who wish to remain anonymous.
Virtual Contributors
We also thank the 60+ women across the UK who joined our virtual workshop, each contributing a hand-stitched word. Some chose to sign their work, others remain unnamed.
© Alison Lewis Photography
Thank you to our Funders
The N Smith Charitable Trust
