Category Archives: News

BRAND NEW DESIGN No25

Completly forgot to add this new apron project to my journal!

No14:2 pleated apron has been so popular in the 3 years since I introduced it to the range, but I was also getting lots of requests for a version with cross back straps. It proved trickier than anticipated to a design an apron with all the functions and features required but which also felt comfortable and flattering. The breakthrough really came when I identified new canvas fabrics that were softer, had more drape but still had the hardwearing qualities my clients need.

Introducing the No25: a pleated split leg skirt and adjustable crossback straps that knot through loops at the back to get the perfect fit for you, whether that’s a looser easy-fit or more snug fit or adjusting to allow for winter layers in a chilly studio. The pleats and split leg feature give lots of extra coverage and comfort, especially when the wearer is seated at a potters wheel or work bench. I really love this spectacular sapphire blue colour canvas teamed with royal blue tie straps made from ‘cotton feel’ acrylic tapewhich is both soft and hardwearing (much more so than cotton webbing).

BRAND NEW APRON DESIGN!

I’ve been working on this one for quite a while now, over a year in fact, trying to produce a work apron that is simple and easy to wear, has well thought out functional details, has a lower price point, and of course looks great too!

The pocket sizes I’ve chosen to fit a variety of tools, notebooks, phone and devices, and the little square one is also handy for a little snack! I particularly love the arrangement of colour combinations, the soft natural unbleached canvas with it’s tiny dark flecks, the big bright yellow pocket and stark black pockets and straps.

Now available in my shops: In The Making – Aprons Online Shop No24 Unbleached (UK & USA) • Folksy In The Making Aprons No24 Unbleached (UK & EU) • Etsy In The Making Aprons, No24 Unbleached (UK, EU, USA)

NEW! Dusty Red Canvas No14:2

This pleated split leg apron has proved popular since I launched it 18 months ago, so I’m trying out some new colours and fabrics – this is the first of 3 new ones coming before the summer. This is a lovely colour, sort of ‘dusty-red-terracotta-dark pinky’ in the same tough medium-weight 100% cotton canvas as the original ochre version.

A very distinctive unusual potters/artists apron but with all the essential features needed for serious workwear. The pleated skirt and front split give excellent coverage and movement, well suited to craft activities that involve being seated at a work bench or potters wheel.

New colour for No4:5!

The No4:5 crossback split leg apron now comes in a glorious dusty terracotta/red colour canvas – first of a set of new aprons coming to the shop over the next couple of months. Designed for potters, artists and makers, the split skirt allows plenty of movement, whilst ensuring each leg is perfectly covered when sitting at the wheel or work bench. The easy-fit cross strap design means no ties around the neck, or dangly ties coming undone when your hands are covered in ‘muckiness’, and there are two good size pockets for tools, bits and bobs.

I also added a bit of new info to each listing, explaining the value of “a good work apron lasts many years longer than normal clothes. They retain their designed purpose and functionality, and also represent a special creative connection for the wearer”.

in.themaking.uk shop • etsy.com/uk/shop/InTheMakingAprons folksy.com/shops/adoglikesparky

Kit Bag Boro

The newest addition to my ‘Boro Collection’ The Kit Bag 002, it’s not an apron!!

I’m very economic with apron layouts trying really hard not to waste fabric, only throwing away the smallest slivers of fabric, the rest I keep… piles of it! Some can be sewn together in a patchwork to make individual one-of-a-kind aprons for the ‘Boro Collection’; but some fabrics don’t lend themselves to that, the canvas for example becomes too stiff to drape. As canvas is a traditional fabric for bags I’ve begun to experiment. To understand the size and shapes involved, my first bags are made with larger remnants of fabric, before I move on to making pieced patchwork bags.

The 002 Kit Bag is made from two pieces of ochre canvas leftover from cutting out two No14:2 pleated split leg aprons (see photo – one rectangle is next to me partly under the ringbinder etc). It’s a large bag (56cm x 43cm) easily accommodating an A3 sketchpad, has a drawstring top with orange cord and black cord lock, and dark grey soft herringbone tape straps which are sewn securely with 12 bars of orange stitching.

£78In The Making Aprons online shopEtsyFolksy

Decorative mending tutorial

I’m delighted to have a ‘decorative mending’ tutorial published at From Britain With Love here is a link to it frombritainwithlove.com/easy-visible-mending-with-sequins . From Britain With Love is a blog and directory of ethical UK makers, growers and creatives.

This year two of my favourite cardigans emerged from Winter storage full of moth holes. In years gone by one of them would have been binned but now I see the damage as a creative challenge, thinking of ways to give them a new lease of life.

I disguised the damage with clusters of sequins, and in the process gave them a really unique and personal touch. I was really keen to share this decorative mending idea, because it needs so little sewing knowledge but looks amazing!

Useful little bag

I made this little bag last weekend, using remnantsof ochre canvas and bits and bobs I had in the studio – It’s a birthday present for my brother. He’s a T.V cameraman – this little bag is to store his metal clamps so they don’t escape and roll around the floor of his van! Rather pleased with it, I fancy making a big version for me!

In The Making Aprons – online shop open

It’s been a long time coming … but my own In The Making – Aprons online shop is now open, find it at in.the making.uk

The final kick up the butt came from doing the PR Despatch tutorials, learning that a website/shop is the professional way of expressing my brand values and aesthetics and improves SEO to my products – they also point out that press/media features usually say ‘available from Etsy’ and may not even mention In The Making – Aprons … I also know Etsy shows all sorts of other aprons distracting from my own products. Etsy is great, I won’t be dropping it, but it’s a vast crowded platform with an ever increasing number of extra fees for sellers, so it will be good to give In The Makers – Aprons a wider reach.