Where It All Started...

Studio In Progress didn’t appear overnight. It grew slowly, organically, out of my personal sewing journey. At first, it was just me experimenting at the machine, figuring things out as I went. But as I started to make pieces I was genuinely proud of — the kind that no longer felt like practice runs — something shifted. Friends and family began asking the question that nudged me toward the next step: “When can I buy one?”

Slowly, Carefully...

For me, building this brand was never about rushing. I began sketching and planning as early as September 2023, but it wasn’t until May 2025 that I officially launched Studio In Progress. Almost two years of behind-the-scenes work, testing, and refining went into the business before I felt ready to share it with the world.

Part of that was simply the reality of being a one-person team, balancing this project with other jobs and responsibilities. But even more than that, it was about my mindset: I refused to release anything I wasn’t completely satisfied with. Every detail - from the stitching to the labels to the way a bag sits on the shoulder - had to feel right. That meant countless drafts, endless tweaking, and a lot of starting over.

Refining...

I lost count of the number of prototypes I made for certain products. Each version brought me closer to what I envisioned but also revealed another detail to improve. The same happened with branding - I trialed logo after logo, experimented with label methods, and agonised over the tiny things that most people might not even notice.

And then there were the materials. True to Studio In Progress's values, I was determined to only use secondhand and reclaimed fabrics. Every handmade bag is crafted from fabric that already exists - whether found in charity shops, sourced through eBay, or even cut from old tents. Choosing sustainability over convenience meant tracking down materials piece by piece instead of ordering bolts of new fabric. But that choice is at the heart of what Studio In Progress stands for: slow fashion that values care, creativity and resourcefulness. 

Looking Back

When I reflect on those early days, it feels clear now that the long timeline was necessary to get to where we are today. This brand was built on patience, persistence, and respect for materials that already exist. Studio In Progress was, and is, made slowly - and that is one of the things I am most proud of. Sometimes great things take time.

And even though the brand has now taken shape, it is still driven by the constant nature of learning, refining, and experimenting. That means Studio In Progress will always live up to its name - it will always be in progress.

See where the journey goes next!
Explore the shop to discover handmade sustainable bags created from reclaimed fabrics, or follow along on Instagram to watch Studio In Progress evolve.