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.
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.
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!
Bulbs are sprouting everywhere in the garden, Spring is on the way! I was thinking of gardeners when I was designing this apron – it’s easy to wear, adjusts to fit over clothing at different times of the year and has a range of pockets. This apron also works well for a range of craft makers, potters and artists – the bib features a row of hanging pockets carefully designed to remain upright and accessible even when the wearer is seated. An overlapped split skirt allows lots of movement whilst ensuring each leg is covered when sitting at the workbench/wheel or clambering about in the garden.
The classic combination of red, white and blue – red herringbone tape adjustable straps with navy and white fine stripe Hickory (Railroad) denim. A split skirt allows plenty of movement and good coverage, the pockets have lots of compartments for tools and the crossback soft straps tie to D-rings- easy to adjust for a wide size range and fit over extra layers of clothing in a chilly studio!
Feeling very proud! From Monday 30th September – Sunday 13th October 2019, I will be the featured maker/shop on Folksy.com! There is a ‘Meet the Maker’ interview on their blog and ‘In The Making – Aprons’ shop will be featured on the Folksy homepage for the whole 2 weeks!
Quite regularly I make batches of game pieces/cards to replace lost ones from the Myatt Garden School Storysacks Library – missing pieces stop play! Some years ago I scanned all the Storysack game pieces, so when they are lost I can print them out on paper, glue them to cardboard and seal with more glue – making new pieces so the games and Storysacks can continue to be used!
Occasionally I need to make replacement clothes for character dolls, this week it was a pair of new pj’s for the lazy farmer in the Farmer Duck Storysack – a few weeks ago a tiny shirt for Nelligan from the Pig in the Pond Storysack. Recently all the dinosaurs were ‘lost’ from ‘Harry & the Bucketful of Dinosaurs Storysack, so I did some scanning (from the storybook) and drawing in Photoshop to make ‘lollystick puppets’, then found some great Harry and the Dinosaurs activities online, improving the educational value of the sack too!
Introducing the No19 – a new ‘bib and skirt’ apron design – in the Folksy and Etsy shops today.
No19:2 – A black linen bib apron with a heavy lace trim, inspired by Austrian Tyrol folk dress – we had a wonderful summer holiday there once, when I was 11, on Sunday women passed the hotel in their way to church, dressed in long plum colored skirts, lace and big black hats! Folksy
No19:3 – A royal blue cotton canvas apron, inspired by 1940’s wartime ultility clothing. Etsy
