Two new apron designs were added to In The Makings Aprons in the last couple of months; an updated No10:2 woodwork apron in rich Chestnut Brown or classic Stone canvas, and a beautifully swishy No25:2 in natural washed linen.
The No10:2 apron is actually an updated version of the original No10:1, one of my first custom designs, a collaboration with a furniture maker. This improved No10:2 design is longer for extra protection and has wide adjustable crossback straps for people who don’t like neck straps/ties. But like the original design it still features a fabulous array of specialist pockets and the unique magnetic pocket flap which keeps shavings out of your pockets but flips up for hands-free access to the pockets underneath. I will be adding a version with tie neck & waist in the coming months and considering some more colour options – suggestions welcome!.
The new No25:2 design was made in response to requests for more lightweight aprons suitable for artist painters, makers and bakers. This washed natural linen is absolutely gorgeous and lends itself so well to the pleated skirt. This apron doesn’t have a split front skirt, but I will offer a split leg version in future.
Going back through 2025 photos I found this one of my ‘No24 Natural’ in the studio of my lovely friend artist printmaker Fran Farraron the Isle of Wight. She’s had a really busy year of exhibitions, two of them here in London – as we went round looking at the work she detailed all the different printing techniques. Visiting the annual Woolwich Print Fair last month (October 2025), armed with my new knowledge, it was really fascinating how it had changed my experience of looking at the work.
Although I’ve been on a long hiatus from making art I realised my experiences with materials and processes inform the way I look at work as much as subject matter; understanding and admiring the manipulation of the mediums to produce work that connects with the viewer. The aim of my creative work was to find a ‘beautiful resolution’ and actually this equally applies to In The Making Aprons and Boro Collection.
I was delighted to provide one of my aprons, the bestselling No4:5 Ochre Canvas, to one of the winners at the Annual London Potters Members Exhibition at the Morley Gallery, Private View 29th November 2025. It went toVeronica Kendall Ceramics congratulations to her! (Unfortunately I didn’t get a good photo of her work, but take a look on Instagram). The exhibition featured 120 makers celebrating the skill and imagination of London’s ceramics community, showing functional tableware to decorative objects and striking sculptural forms”. Look out for it in 2026, well worth the visit, it’s close to Waterloo and free! London Potters
No4:5 Aprons Ochre, Dusty Green, Beige. Pale Pink.
I’ve sadly neglected my blog-journal in the last couple of years, because social media seemed like such a treadmill of repeating myself. Lately though I’ve subscribed to some brilliant thoughtful blogs likeHebTroCowith their fabulous Bothering Magazine, and lucky enough to see the lovelyTom Robinsongive a talk at Brixton Hill Studios ‘Perfect Pitch’ launch a few weeks ago about valuing and connecting with your genuine audience on your mailing list, which made me re-evaluate it all. So here goes.
Today I put away summer clothes and dug out jumpers and warmer trousers, finally giving in to Autumn whilst reflecting on the Summer. My Summer had started with my biggest ever order, 37 lightweight No4:6 potters aprons for a gallery/studio in Majorca, I finished just days before my first major show, Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey 6-8 June 2025. It was HUGE over 200 exhibitors plus talks and workshops, quite a variety of different crafts on show but not surprisingly lots of jewellery and ceramics – the quality of work was extremely high. I was talking to visitors and other exhibitors all day long, which gave me some fascinating insights to their art & crafting lives – think I’ll do it all again in 2026!
Managed to see quite a few brilliant exhibitions during the Summer; Cockpit Open Studios Deptford (June) – Deptford X Festival various venues (July) – Matthew Cutts sculpture New Forest (July) – Printmakers Council 60th Anniversary Exhibition Oxo Gallery (September) – wonderfully colourful Grayson Perry ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ Wallace Collection (September) – APT Deptford 30th Anniversary Annual Show (September) – ‘Materiality’ at The Handbag Factory Jane Bottery’s, piece was absolutely beautiful (September) – Knit & Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace (October), stand outs being Jane Walkley’s extraordinary sculptural woven tapestries with cast Jesmomite artifacts, and an upcycled lab coat piece by Janel Vavrenyuk – the incredible Do Hoh Suh: ‘Walk the House’ at the Tate Modern (October) – The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Festival, at the fabulous Victoria Baths Manchester (October) –
The Do Ho Suh Exhibition ‘Walk the House’ at the Tate Modern London closes on the 26th October 2025 DON’T MISS IT! The show really connected with me as someone who has moved house a lot in my life, 31 times, 16 of those before I was 14 because my Dad was in the Army. The gauze fabric buildings, handles, light switches etc are stitched with the most incredible detail and the rubbings of his family home in Korea and other home details are so beautiful.
Currently I’m designing my stand for The Selvedge Winter Fair on 23rd November at RHS Hall in London, along with prepping stock for the busy Christmas period.
Subscribe in NEWSLETTER in menu bar at the top of the page, for news about new work aprons and upcycled ‘Boro Collection’ bags, events, exhibitions and stuff that diverts my attention.
I chose this beautiful sapphire-cobalt blue canvas for the new No24 studio apron aimed at printers, artists and craftspeople. The woven herringbone tape ties are in a slightly darker royal blue, they knot through loops on the apron corners and you can tie them in a bow or round the front for a secure fit. The three different size and shape pockets can accommodate pens, small tools etc. It took the best part of a year to develop this design, trying to keep it simple but well balanced and very functional.
I’ve been working on this design update to the No4:5 cross back aprons (see photo) for a few months, it offers a more personalised fit. I’ve made the straps adjustable using slider buckles, like the ones you’d find on bags like back packs. Making the straps longer or shorter means you can adjust for taller or shorter height person, or larger or smaller body types… and for extra layers of clothing in a chilly studio!
A second strap option for the No25 Natural Ecru apron. I couldn’t decide which strap colour to use with the natural undyed canvas – the ecru tape with the woven black dots along the length or this royal blue woven cotton-feel acrylic tape – so I decided to make both!
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).
This fabric is fabulous soft, thick, drapes beautifully – it’s undyed, unbleached canvas with tiny flecks of cotton seeds visible in the weave. The matching strap ties have lines of woven in black dots along the length, I’ve had this tape for quite a few years waiting for the right project to use it. This apron design has been a long time in development, working with different fabric options is very exciting!
An Etsy client asked if I could make an adjustable neck strap with a slider buckle for a No14:3 – this is my experimentaI version. I’ve never used one of these buckles before and I thought the canvas might be too bulky and unwieldy but in fact it works quite well…
The client also wanted an angled split skirt. It looks great, love all the different shapes … but there is less leg coverage than my standard apron skirts.
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.
