Blackbird Field House Workshop Apron

Ballard is the off-season home to Alaska’s fish and crab boat fleets, where boats are maintained and repaired just blocks from the Blackbird store. This makes its neighborhood full of colorful salty dog types smoking pipes, drinking beers and telling of their adventure at sea. This industry attracts many woodworkers, sail makers and metal-smiths to our neighborhood and The Field House is where they hang out and stock up on workwear for the season. A while back, Blackbird Designer and all around smart guy Billy Bartels, was listening to some customers talk in the shop and came up with the idea of making tough as nails, functioning work aprons. After months of research and walking in the doors of many a canvas supply, tradesman shop and dry dock office, Billy was able to source salvaged heavy used canvases pulled from back storage areas and scrap piles for his project.

After meeting third generation Seattle sailmaker George Broom, he knew who he wanted to construct the final product, a heavy-duty, hand-made apron with various compartment features offered now through the Blackbird online store for $165.