The Sensory Onesie - Double Donations

Posted on: 03/03/2021

We are so excited to announce our partnership with the National Autistic Society in support of Autism Awareness Week!

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
More than 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum, including an estimated 700,000 people in the UK.

Although everyone is different, people on the autism spectrum may be under or oversensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours, which can make everyday life extremely difficult.

We have been linked with the National Autistic Society for many years now, supplying members of staff with Onesies for Onesie Wednesday and then linking with Families across Northumberland to create the Sensory Onesie.

With every Sensory Sale, we donate 5% to the National Autistic Society to help them further in their research, but in support of World Autism Awareness week, we'll now be doubling our donation to 10% until 4th April 2021.


What is the Sensory Onesie?

The Sensory Onesie is a Onesie that provides comfort and peace of mind for those on the Autistic Spectrum. It is sewn in a way so that seams feel seamless, and the care label is not sewn into the garment so there is nothing that causes irritation on the inside.


How The Sensory Onesie Was Born

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lygPQgnhDkc

Our Sensory Onesie was launched in 2017, and working with the National Autistic Society, part of our research involved meeting and speaking with professionals, parents and children - and their help and feedback was invaluable.

We soon understood the issues that they face with just getting dressed every day and how a simple things like a care label can cause so much irritation.

Kelly Railton, of the National Autistic Society, said:

“Many autistic people are acutely sensitive to the texture of standard clothing fabrics and to seams and labels. This can mean that they are unable to put on clothes which others find comfortable to wear."

So, we wanted to come up with clothing that provides comfort and peace of mind for those on the Autistic Spectrum or with Sensory Issues.

We invited groups of local children affected by Autism to come and visit our factory to help us create the perfect Onesie.

“An extra aspect of autism, which isn’t in the diagnostic criteria, is the sensory element – and it’s very apparent,” said Helen Sutherland, the mother of one of the children. “It can be smell, it can be taste, it can be texture…but – generally, definitely – it can be touch.”

”We have to choose clothes so carefully. My Children don’t like labels because they find them really scratchy. They’re hypersensitive to seams and materials. Tight cuffs irritate them. They don’t like press studs, they prefer zips."

We asked the children which fabrics they preferred for softness, warmth and comfort and what they would find uncomfortable.

“The children all told me what they wanted on their Onesies and having the ability to choose not to have a hood or feet or to have the feet detachable was a huge revelation. They loved the idea of creating their own and making it just as they wanted.”

Kate Dawson, Director, The All-in-One Company

Thanks to the National Autistic Society, the children, and our brilliant development team, together we have come up with the Sensory Onesie.

“The girls have thoroughly enjoyed it.  It’s given them a voice.  They know they’ve been listened to.  I think that’s huge for them.  It makes them feel less of a minority,” 

Claire, mother of Grace, another one of the children.

Donna Swan, who runs Calmer Therapy – a support group in Ashington for parents of children with additional needs – also brought her son, 10-year-old Joshua.

 “Something as simple as changing their clothes can just fix it like that – like a magic wand. Trying to get him out of his Onesie might become another issue, though!”

“When given their first Sensory Onesie to try all three children loved them and didn’t want to take them off to go home! We are over the moon to have been able to help the National Autistic Society and children and adults affected by autism, making their lives a little bit more comfortable and snuggletastic.”

Kate Dawson


Creating Your Own Sensory Onesie

Since launching The All-in-One Company in 2008, we have a passion to change how the world buys clothes. We don’t offer off-the-shelf products, we allow our customers to create their own Onesies on our Personalised Onesie Builder, which has led us to become leaders in mass customisation. This method of production reduces landfill as your garment is more likely to be kept and cherished for years to come if you have designed it yourself.

We have always met the needs of the individual, and staying true to our beliefs, our Sensory Onesies is totally customisable. Since Autism affects people in many different ways, our Create-your-Own Sensory Onesie is perfect as you can adapt it to suit your needs but still have the colours and fabrics that you love.

You can create your Sensory Onesie on the 3d Onesie Builder.

To make it simple we have added a check box to order a Sensory Onesie, with a link to show how the seams are flattened, so they can’t be felt on the inside of the garment.

Choose any size for babies, children, men and women. You can design your Onesie exactly how you want it, (there are no limitations) you can also choose to have a back or front zip with or without a zip tab. You can add a hood, feet, mittens, ears and tails. You can also choose to personalise and have a name, message or image embroidered on the front and / or the back. You can simply design the onesie you wish existed in a step by step process.

Inside the onesie, as well as flattening the seams we cover the inside of the zip so that you can’t feel it against your skin, using the fabric you have selected.

Finally the sensory seams are all double stitched to prevent ripping or tearing.

Create-your-Own Sensory Onesie

Since launching the Sensory Onesie, we have also been developing our Sensory Range. You can now design your own Sensory Hoodsie, Hoodie & Bottoms, Short Onesie, and most recently, The Work From Home Suit Onesie.

All you need to do is tick the Sensory Seam Tick Box.


The Feel First Fabric Swatch Service

During our research, when developing the Sensory Onesie, we worked with families across the region who have children with Autism and Sensory Issues. We found that many retail fabrics couldn’t be worn because of how they felt. This was a struggle in everyday life just to get dressed.

We know how important it is to be able to feel the fabrics first, so we’ve created our Free Feel First Fabric Swatch Service.

Our fabrics are chosen with softness and comfort in mind, along with simple washing instructions, putting your comfort and peace of mind first.

You can Create-your-Own complimentary Fabric Swatch Pack. Select exactly which fabric types and colours you’d like to see before ordering and we will pop them in the post as soon as we can, so that you can make sure they are as soft and lovely as you want them to be.

Create-your-Own Fabric Swatch Pack >>


Customer Feedback

“A picture of a very happy boy enjoying a violin rehearsal in his awesome Onesie.

Lachlan had such fun designing it (he has Sensory Processing issues so wanted it to be as bright and fluffy as possible!) and has worn it EVERY day since his birthday last autumn.

It is very mum-friendly (easy to wash!) and still feels as soft as the day he got it. A brilliant service, and very good value – apart from the priceless look on his face when he opened the birthday gift voucher I’ve hardly needed to buy any clothes for him since the Onesie arrived! Many, many thanks.”


Helen and Daphne

‘Dear Kate, 

Daphne loves her Onesie. I thank you so much for all of your kindness and generosity. The whole experience was amazing for us all but Daphne will benefit so much. She is so proud of her new item and also feels very comfortable – she even slept in it last night. 
You have such a friendly yet professional arrangement. It was the perfect introduction to business – such a brilliant experience. 
Thank you again, from Helen and Daphne’