It’s the Little Things…

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Sometimes the tiniest detail can have a dramatic effect on the way something looks. This is something we have learnt over the years at Impact Trading and Cotton Roots. Our production and design team pride themselves on accuracy and detail which gives our customers the confidence to come back to us over and over again.

These details are something that the design team can offer when developing aprons. For example, a plain apron can be given an industrial look by adding rivets, poppers or eyelets. Tiny accents of colour can be added with coloured bar tacks or contrast stitching or bindings. Leather or suede straps can give a feel of quality and nostalgia to an apron.

If you want your apron to really stand out, then interesting fastenings like poppers, dungaree clips or toggles can be a real talking point.

To see some of the details we have used in the past have a look at some of our aprons

Canvas Versus Twill

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When deciding which fabrics to use for our bespoke aprons, the two main choices are canvas or twill. So, what are these weaves and how do they differ?


Canvas

The yarn most used for canvas is cotton. It is a simple plain weave, which means that the warp and weft are woven in a pattern of “over one, under one.” A double filled canvas uses two yarns in the “over under” instead of one.

Generally, canvas uses much heavier threads than other cotton fabrics and so the combination of the plain weave and heavier threads creates a strong fabric that is resistant to snagging, tears and abrasion. The simple, rustic style of the canvas weave is also attractive and combined with it durable qualities, makes it ideal for our aprons.

Close up image of canvas fabric


Twill

Twill describes the weave design, which is more complex. The weave consists of going over one yarn and under two or three. The weave then moves across each row to create a diagonal effect. These diagonal lines are called a ‘wale’. The most common type of weave is a 2/2 twill, which is two warps crossing every two weft threads.

Twill is very tough. It is basically a plain weave with extra yarns added at intervals for extra strength. This makes its very difficult to tear.
One big difference between a canvas and twill is that a canvas is reversible, there is no visible difference between the front and back and this allows for more flexibility when cutting the fabric. Twill has a different front and back. The ‘wale’ pattern being the front.
Jeans are probably the most common example of a twill weave.

Close up image of twill fabric

Conclusion

Whilst canvas fabrics are simple and very durable. Twills are a more complex version, and the appearance is more sophisticated.

Both are perfect for aprons or, in fact any workwear garment. Twill adds that extra bit of interest and durability. The durability will always depend on the fabric weight. A canvas that is 300 grams will be stronger than a 200 grams Twill.

For more information about apron manufacture, and the design of bespoke aprons, click HERE

What’s a Bar Tack

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Bar tacks are a tiny run of stitches that are placed on garments to reinforce an area, which may receive extra stress or wear. This could include the side of a pocket, the end of a strap, the bottom of the fly or either end of a belt loop.

Bar tacks are one of those tiny details on clothing that you don’t really notice, but when they are there, they can add a unique detail as well as being highly functional.

One of the areas that Impact Trading and Cotton Roots specialise in are bespoke aprons and we often use bar tacks on the sides or corners of pockets to strengthen the join to the apron. From a design point of view, bar tacks create an opportunity to enhance the design. Adding bar tacks to unusual areas or by using brand colours that add a ‘Pop’ of interest, you can create an apron that is entirely unique to you and your business.

Bar tacks at the bottom a denim pocket

For more information about what we do, click HERE

Cross Back Aprons to Fit

Bespoke Aprons, Food Industry, Hotel Industry, Made in Britain

About 6 months ago, Liz from the design team came upstairs to the office to show us a new prototype apron she had made from striped navy and white denim with red straps.  I jumped up in excitement because I immediately fell in love with it.  I’m always one for a stripe, especially one that gives a nautical feel.  This, along with a pop of colour from the red strap had me completely smitten! 

Liz, seeing my excitement, offered to let me try it on and once I was strapped into it.  I realised that although I loved the look, the actual brilliance of this apron is the cross back which makes it fit like a glove.  I never really appreciated that the cross back, as well as creating a stylish look, is a fantastic way to make a standard apron fit all sizes of people.  The cross back allows the straps to shorten and lengthen at the neck which means all heights are catered for, this also applies to the width which accommodates all body shapes and most importantly makes it really comfortable to wear, almost like a dress.

For restaurants, cafes and hotels with a number of staff, cross back aprons are definitely the way to go to suit everyone.

Have It Your Own Way

Choosing Polo Shirts, Choosing Polo Shirts Fabric Composition, Choosing Weight of Fabric - Polo Shirts, Made in Britain, Pique Knit or Jersey Knit

There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a product design and knowing it can be brought to life. We gets lots of enquiries here at Impact Trading for garments such as Pantone colour matched t-shirts or polo shirts with contrast collars and buttons. Our job is to take your ideas and basic sketches and make them into a reality.

Using the highest quality fabrics we offer options of customisation and embellishments that really reflect your brand. Our aim is to produce something truly unique and exclusive to you; and let’s face it, it’s all in the detail, the smallest thing can make the biggest difference. The button, the placket, the collar, the piping, even the little neck label with your company logo. These can all be produced in your company colours, or maybe even a contrast colour to make them really pop!

Our fabrics include all the usual cottons and poly-cottons but more wonderfully and very recently, organic cotton, a fabric choice we are very proud to offer!

All the fabrics available can be dyed to your choice of Pantone colour and receiving your little lab dip fabric swatch in the post is always an exciting moment. We specialise in the manufacture of pantone matched polo shirts and t shirts.

We do our best here to make things simple and as quick as possible for you without compromising on quality. We also manufacture in Europe and can deliver in as little of 6 weeks. We keep in touch throughout the process, so if you are looking to enhance your company image then bespoke manufacture might just be the route for you.

Pantone dyed polo shirt, Pantone dyed buttons, bespoke woven neck tape.

The Importance of People

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A recent chat in the office revealed why the staff thought Impact Trading was special and unique and why customers choose us over other companies. There were all sorts of obvious reasons like, speed of service, quality, and competitive prices.  Then we came to customer service which was something they all agreed that they were passionate about. 

Our staff were all confident that they gave customers excellent service but actually it was much more than that.  They felt that many of their customers are like friends and family (in fact some of them are!)

An email or call is always a joy because it’s either a previous customer with a familiar name, full of news or a new customer that brings a new challenge and is the start of a whole new relationship.

Our company is all about people –

Our staff with an amazing array of skills and personalities
Our long lasting suppliers with which we have built great relationships
Our manufacturing partners who often feel like they are actually in the business with us and of course……

Our Customers

Apron Strap Style

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If you are looking for something really unique that makes your brand stand out, apron straps are a great way to make an impression. At Impact Trading and Cotton Roots we are constantly developing new styles with different fabrics and material and colours to fit with our customer’s branding and to create inspiration for new customers. 

Customers can choose stock webbing that’s plain or striped, to completely bespoke webbing that can be printed with a particular image or design. You can even have bespoke webbing that is woven in your brand colours. If webbing isn’t your cup of tea you can have self-fabric straps, which are made from the same fabric as the apron, or a completely different colour or type of fabric to add a little bit of texture or contrast.

Some more unusual options are leather straps which are often made detachable so that they can be removed when washing the apron. If you like the look of leather but need it to be more practical and washable, a faux suede can be used instead which gives you the industrial look. Extra little details include choices from a range of neck sliders, both metal and plastic and adding contrast stitching, bar tacks, studs or poppers.

As well as a choice of interesting fabrics and materials for your apron and straps, you can also choose the style of straps and apron you want.  Standard bib aprons either with or without adjustable straps are a very popular choice, but cross back straps, waist aprons or a completely bespoke design are also available for you to choose from.

Add a Splash of Colour

Jackets,

Larger companies and organisations often come to us looking for sets of work wear that match but can be altered slightly to represent different departments or teams within the organisation. 

One of the options we can offer, are garments which are the same style and design but come in a range of colours. 

If a customer is looking for a more subtle difference then we can provide clothing which has the option of coloured accessories, such as zip pulls, hoodie draw cords and buttons. This is a subtle change which can make a garment easily customised, fit in with branding colours and define different sections within an organisation.

Interchangeable Zip Pulls

For more information visit impacttrading.co.uk

The Michel and Alain Roux Apron

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Manufacturer of Bespoke Aprons for Restaurants, Chefs and the hospitality Sector.

We have recently had the honour of working with Maggie from the Michelin star restaurant, The Waterside Inn, in Bray which is run by chef patron Alain Roux.

They were looking for a bespoke, made in Britain apron to sell in the restaurant gift shop and came to Impact Trading with a strong idea of what they wanted. Our design team began transforming the sketch they sent to us full of their bespoke ideas, into a reality.

Every component and detail was thought out, sampled and put together. The apron includes woven labels, printed logo, webbing and a beautifully embroidered motto “Taste, season, taste again”. The navy Pantone colour has been matched throughout, and coordinates perfectly with pastel blue of the apron.

Michel, Alain and Maggie were delighted with the results so the Roux apron went into production here at Impact Trading which is based on the edge of Milton Keynes on beautiful Rose Lane Farm.

The team at Impact Trading loved working on these aprons as they had unique features, such as the embroidery which is much wider than anything we would normally embroider. The aprons also had a many elements which required precise detail, for example the top stitching for the pen pocket within the larger pocket.

Alain and Michel proudly wearing their aprons

These bespoke aprons made by Impact Trading in Britain are available to buy from the Waterside Inn online shop here