When you receive an ILO piece, what you’re holding is much more than organic fabric and playful prints. It’s hours of careful work, thoughtful decisions and the quiet hum of machines in our Bristol studio. At the heart of it all is Laura, our amazing seamstress.
Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes to see what really goes into making each ILO garment, from the first cut to the final popper.
The Studio: Where It All Begins
Every ILO piece starts life on the cutting table. Patterns are laid out with precision to make the most of every length of fabric. Minimising waste and respecting the materials we use. This stage is slower than you might imagine; grain lines matter and prints need to sit just right so nothing is rushed.
Once cut, the pieces are bundled together and moved through the studio, gradually transforming from flat shapes into clothes designed to be loved and played in and then passed on.
The Machines (and the Magic)
If you could step into the studio, you’d hear a familiar rhythm:
- The cutting machine, a hand-held electric tool that allows us to cut through layers of fabric with accuracy and control.
- The overlocker, whirring steadily as it finishes seams neatly and durably.
- The sewing machine, where we carefully construct each garment, adjusting tension and stitch length depending on the technique and fabric.
- The popper machine, delivering a satisfyingly firm press that secures every fastening. Each popper is carefully checked and tested by hand.
These machines are tools, but the skill behind them is what makes the difference. Laura’s experience means she can feel when a seam is right, spot issues before they become problems and make tiny adjustments when needed.
Time, Care, and Attention to Detail
Nothing at ILO is mass‑produced. Every item is handled multiple times, checked and trimmed, then pressed and checked again. Labels are added carefully and seams are inspected. Anything that isn’t quite right is unpicked and redone.
It’s this process that allows us to make clothing we’re proud of. Clothes that last and wash well, and can be worn by more than one child.
Quickfire Questions with Laura
To give you a glimpse of the person behind the seams, we asked Laura a few quick questions:
Favourite part of the making process?
Seeing flat fabric turn into a finished garment – it never gets old.
Most‑used tool in the studio?
Definitely the overlocker. I’d be lost without it.
Fabric you love working with most?
Soft organic jersey – forgiving and comfortable, perfect for children’s clothes.
How many garments do you think you’ve made for ILO over the years?
Honestly? I’ve lost count… but it’s a lot.
One thing people might not realise about sewing professionally?
It’s very physical and very precise. Your hands are always working.
A Few Laura Facts
- Laura has been working with ILO since 2018 and is a textile graduate with an MA in design.
- She has a background in costume and repairs.
- She loves working with colour and texture, which makes her a perfect match for ILO’s playful prints.
Why This Matters
Choosing ILO means choosing clothes made by real people, in a real studio, with care at every step. Laura’s work is a huge part of why our garments feel the way they do… comfortable, practical, made to last.
We hope next time you fasten a popper or pull on a pair of ILO leggings, you’ll think of the Bristol studio, the whirr of the machines and Laura at her sewing table, bringing it all together.
Thank you for supporting our small business, it truly means the world to us.