Three of my partner’s jeans need mending… I found a fourth pair of jeans which is in a much worse state so I decided to cut these up to mend the others…it was at this point I discovered I had mended this pair in the past! Apparently they had been torn on a nail. I had roughly sewn the torn edges then used some scrap denim the make a patch on the outside, sewing with Benina stitch No8. I like how the patch looks almost part of the design, lined up against the stitching on the pocket.
NEW COLOURWAY! These little drawstring bags are made from woven stripe denim, fabric remnants leftover from making aprons in the In The Making – Aprons range. Its a good size for storing artist materials and craft tools, or use as a phone bag!
I’m always trying to create a bit of variety in the range, so that clients find an apron that suits their craft practice, personality and preferences. This lovely 8oz denim drapes over your legs beautifully when seated at the wheel or work bench; it’s a really distinctive and attractive design, yet highly functional work apron.
I donated one of my No14:2 pleated canvas aprons to help raise money for Children in Need – it was part of the “Potters Bundle” prize (see photo). It was a real pick-me-up being involved in something with a lovely group of potters and discovering lots of beautiful work! Overall, very nearly £3000 was raised.
More little drawstring pouch bags. It’s really nice making one or two of these a day, between making aprons, or when I’ve spent all day on the computer doing marketing/social media. They are made from canvas leftover from making No14:2 & No4:5 aprons.
A weekend project I set myself, to make use of the small pieces of fabric generated from making aprons in the range, reducing textile waste and creating something genuinely useful. This is a canvas tool bag with a little pocket and a drawstring closure that pulls up tightly to form a loop, so you can slip it over your wrist or hang it up on a hook. There’s a surprising amount of room in there for pens, pencils, brushes, pottery tools, carving tools up to 20cm long. My daughter’s first observation was that it would make a good phone bag! As tool bags go I think it’s rather cute!
I can’t bear to throw fabric away, even scraps, knowing all the processes that went into making it and the thought of adding more textile waste to landfill. Making something useful from odd shape scraps of fabric is a challenge. I often get very narrow strips of fabric leftover after cutting out apron – here I’ve been experimenting with joining those strips of fabric to make a good size bag. More work needed to incorporate an internal pocket and an interesting strap.
This new design is in response to requests for more tie apron designs (rather than crossbacks) from clients who wanted a snug fitting work apron. I was aiming at a classic work apron but with updated features for the modern maker.
The split front has a deep crossover to ensure good leg coverage when sitting at the potters wheel or a work bench, the skirt also has a large patch pocket on one side and on the other side a ‘wonky pocket’ angled to access more easily when seated. There is a further pocket on the bib and a tool loop in the waistband to hang a cleaning cloth etc. All the pockets are double stitched for strength. The contrasting colour soft woven neck & waist ties and the little red canvas D-ring loop give a distinctive touch.
The twill fabric on the pocket and hem edges had worn away, they were frayed and holey. There were also tears at stress points at the ends of the pockets, these were patched with green twill fabric. I used embroidery thread to sew over the frayed parts of the edges, really enjoying arranging the blocks of colour. James loved it so much he wore the shorts to a party the next day!
I completely forgot to mention before, that I was accepted on to the Crafts Council Directory a few months ago and found myself on their homepage the next day! I feel very poud to be amongst such a fascinating and talented community of makers – I regularly spend hours lost in exploring the beautiful work in the Directory!
