Onesie Tour for Bedlington High Students

Our links with schools began in 2009 when we started to donate our off-cut fabric pieces to local schools so that they could use them to make items to sell for fundraising.

This service escalated very quickly and soon we were helping schools, colleges, nurseries and local charities by donating our off cut pieces of fabric.

Our first experience with school children asking us to visit our factory premises in Ashington, was in 2010 when 8 sixth form students studying textiles asked if they could see the factory in production.

The results have been overwhelming as not only did they get to enjoy seeing the cutters, machinists, and embroidery machinists in action and appreciate the skill and experience on show, they were keen to take part in the company and wanted Kate to set them a challenge.

The challenge was to come up with a collection of onesies using the online builder.

Within days the collection ideas were coming back to us and we were amazed at the range of ideas that they had all come up with.

The deal was that the winning idea would go into production and the onesies would be made for a photo shoot.

This was the launch of the 'Go Green' Collection, designed by the students at Bedlington High School.

The photo shoot took place at Halo Photography Studio in Bebside and all of the sixth form textile students designed their own onesie for the shoot, modelled and came up with ideas for the embroidery and message they wanted to get across - 'onesies are perfect for keeping warm and turning down the heating.'

[caption id="attachment_9121" align="aligncenter" width="659"] 'Go Green' Collection[/caption]

The students loved the experience of modelling and being part of The All-in-One Company so much that they wanted to be involved again, and of course, we were delighted.

When we did our first lifestyle photo shoot, we invited the students back to model again.

The theme of the photo shoot was festivals. We set off to Warkwarth, with Warkworth Castle as the backdrop.

We teamed up with 'Field Candy' and put together a fun shoot day with tents, BBQ's, Steve's Land Rover, and even sheep!

We had the best day and the results were even better, all thanks to Burns Rowatt Photography.

[caption id="attachment_9122" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Festival Photo Shoot[/caption]

As we had such a lovely day, the students asked again to be considered for other photo shoots, and as it just so happened, we had the most perfect day planned at the log cabin in Arthur's Cabin, Felton, for our Christmas and New Year photo shoot.

We had everything from a Christmas feast, a New Year's party, presents, a hot tub, bike rides and fireworks.

Thank you again to Burns Rowatt Photography and our amazing onesie team!

[caption id="attachment_9123" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Log Cabin Photo Shoot[/caption] All this started with a visit to the factory to see how our onesies are made. 'From little acorns, mighty oaks do grow.' Our off cut service still continues to go from strength to strength, and so are the sixth formers. They grew alongside The All-in-One Company, moving from school to college and then even university, some even continuing in the textile path. Amy Raisbeck is one of the sixth formers that took part in the design challenge and photo shoots. [caption id="attachment_9160" align="aligncenter" width="674"] Amy Raisbeck[/caption]   She is currently studying for her Fashion Marketing degree at Northumbria University. Amy had asked if she could spend her work experience here with us at The All-in-One Company, and of course, we said yes. Amy has been working alongside Kate on a marketing project with access to the factory just through the door. She has been able to be a creative as she likes with the project- watch this space! Her experience in the industry has expanded further by having the chance to help on the Northumbria University Fashion Show 2014. Of course it was an event we just had to attend! While we were there, we spotted Ross Latimer and Beth Johnston. Ross and Beth were two of the sixth formers that modelled for us. They were two of the designers that had their collections showcased at the fashion show! [caption id="attachment_9157" align="aligncenter" width="652"] Ross Latimer and Beth Johnston[/caption] Following in the footsteps of the former sixth formers, were the new Year 10 students (that also attend Bedlington High School) recently came to visit the factory. The students came to spend the morning here at The All-in-One Company to see a real life business and how it was set up. The fabulous Director of the company, Kate Dawson is an inspiration to all budding enterprise students who are thinking about setting up their own business. They also got a behind the scene tour of how our onesies are made! It all started with a talk from Kate, telling the students about her inspirational journey and how The All-in-One Company began.

The students then visited the office side of things - customer services, sales and marketing!

With that now under their belts, the students headed over to Steve, one of our fabulous cutters!

They got to see how each and every onesie is carefully hand-cut.

They caught Steve cutting a gorgeously green onesie in our Camouflage- Metro Polar Fleece, Star Green Micro Fleece, Mini Dot Sage Micro Fleece, AND Forest Trail Polar Fleece.

The students got to see how each roll of fabric is carried from shelf to table (and back again) by Steve himself.

They also got to see how each pattern piece is carefully placed and chalked onto the appropriate fabric, before being hand-cut, by Steve.

Once a onesie has been cut, it is then sent over to embroidery to get personalised (if required).

The students then followed a onesie to the embroidery station, where I showed them how we personalise each and every one.

I explained how we used CAD/CAM to bring the customers design to life!

Once the embroidery is completed (and checked at inspection) the suit then moves on to the machinists...

Watch your fingers Edith!

Edith and Trina showed the students how each onesie is sewn up, panel by panel, adding in zips and cuffing along the way.

All our onesies are hand-made at The All-in-One Company, here in Northumberland.

Ahhh, time for a spot of marketing.

Our Rachel demonstrated how we use AIDA in marketing to finish off a lovely morning...

We had a lovely time showing the students around the factory and how fun business can actually be! As a part of  Trading for Good, we find it important that we support charities and communities, improve our impact on the environment, work better with our suppliers, make life better for employees, and especially helping young people into work. That's exactly what this day was about. Our aim was to show them what is actually possible and what can be achieved in this industry. Research shows that; 'Regardless of how much you think you have learned about your chosen career from your studies you will learn so much information and acquire so many skills from a work placement. You can never be really clued up on what a job entails until you have been working practically in that role.'  TheBigChoice.com Unless students are given the opportunity to visit the workplace, they will never understand how much potential they actually have. We hope that we can build on this relationship with the Year 10's and look forward to the results from the new challenge that we have set. Can you imagine the amazing  possibilities the students have now they've had an inside look on The All-in-One Company? Why don't you design your own British Manufactured onesie? You can create-your-own on our personalised onesie builder today.