Comments on: ANNA SUI (+ ALABAMA CHANIN DIY DRESS)

By: Anna Sui (+ Alabama Chanin DIY Dress) Winner « Alabama Chanin

Anna Sui (+ Alabama Chanin DIY Dress) Winner « Alabama Chanin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:34:05 +0000

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By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:59:33 +0000

I am constantly amazed at the beauty and seemingly endless creativity that comes out of Alabama Chanin! I just received the new book “Alabama Studio Sewing + Design” the other day and keep taking peeks throughout my busy days. The clothing and samples are gorgeous, and I love how the end of the book has detailed information about all the specific design choices you made for each item or fabric close-up. Thank you! You have enriched my life! I have made a few t-shirts for my 18 month old daughter and several for my 10 year old. Right now we’re working on one together with lots of applique and beading she designed herself. I always get compliments on these outfits and refer everyone to your website and books!

About craft and fashion intersecting–I think they go hand in hand when dealing with couture garments and maybe also in countries where traditional dress is still created by hand (weddings, ceremonies, etc) but I think craft is definitely missing when we’re talking about the majority of fashion. It is so refreshing to see what you and your company are doing–from the slow design concept to using locally sourced materials to empowering people by sharing so generously your techniques and patterns. Your positive energy is contagious! Thank you.

By: Jennifer Bowles

Jennifer Bowles — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:09:59 +0000

Thank you so much for such an inspiring post. I’ve collected so many of the supplies for AC projects and I’m so looking forward to making this dress as well. I have the ambition to make some things for Christmas and since the projects are so portable I can take them with me to work on any where I go! Someday I hope to get a weekend in Alabama at a workshop! Thank you for being so generous with your ideas and creativity.

By: Virginia Burrow

Virginia Burrow — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:35:05 +0000

This dress is absolutely gorgeous and would suit both my daughters beautifully! I would love to know more about the dyeing process to get the stunning coral colour. I am currently madly stitching up a basic camisole dress (from Studio Style) to dye at an indigo dyeing workshop I am attending next weekend. The idea of using Chanin hand sewing techniques with commercial patterns is something I also definitely want to explore. Thank you for providing so much inspiration!

By: Alison

Alison — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:48:08 +0000

Beauty in the simplicity of the design of the dress and the embroidery and the color just brings it to all to life.
I am the granddaughter and neice of women who sewed professionally and for pleasure. I love the fact that when you sew you add your touch to the garment and bring individuality to your creation. I’ve been collecting embroidered items for a while now because I think of the pieces as Women’s Art. An embellishment of just a few stiches can make something commercial or repurposed unique. Years ago my aunt bought a sweater in California and embroidered it for my daughter. She sent it to us in NJ and when my daughter saw the plain sweater in a department store she was even happier with her lovely gift .
I’d love the dress as a post-maternity gift for my daughter whose favorite color has always been pink.

By: Julia Morehead

Julia Morehead — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:57:52 +0000

I find so much inspiration in your work!
For me fashion and craft were meant to be interwoven. Just look at the beautiful, oppulant clothing from a few hundred years ago. It was all made by hand by super talented craftspeople.
What I think may be the best part is that when you have the talent to craft your own fashion, you have a perfect, custom fit. High fashion, tailor made just for your own body

By: Michele Anderson

Michele Anderson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:15:46 +0000

Truley inspirational as I have commented on every time I see the work . I made my first nightie in school 42 years ago all by hand . My mother taught me to sew from the age of 6..I stopped when she died 25 years ago while we were working together making wedding gowns. But some time ago I realized that it was in my blood and i missed it. I love your web site love the clothes and promise i will make one. I used Vogue patterns all my sewing days and used to love the challenge of making the hardest ones..Couture Vogue..I won a first prize at The Royal Melbourne Show as a student . What you are doing is helping take the Myth that we lived under that if you werent a smart student you did craft!! Thankyou thankyou …and it makes me so happy to see all the younger (girls and boys) enjoying sewing..on my bucket list is do one of your workshops..just have to get there from Australia..

By: Monika

Monika — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:31:45 +0000

I would add “style” to fashion and craft …

By: Pamela Keown

Pamela Keown — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:01:53 +0000

This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. I love the color. My hopes are placed on winning the dress. But I will need to know how to recreate the color if some other wonderful person receives the (my) dress.

By: Jonn

Jonn — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:23:22 +0000

My belief is good design is tasteful and never goes out of fashion or style. It is not dictated by current runway shows or magazines. In my opinion, a Chanel Suit or a time intensive piece from Alabama Chanin are the epitome of fashion, craft, art, timeless, and heirloom. My first vintage Chanel pieces were acquired while thrifting. I bought them to serve as art, inspiration, and motivation in my sewing room; the beauty, details, and hand stitching. [Alabama Chanin cured my loathing of hand stitching, which is now my preference for sewing.] The Alabama Chanin clothing, books, website, company, and workshops provide even more than the Chanel pieces.

With my grandmother’s guidance I started sewing at age four. Sewing is my favored hobby, as necessary to me as food or shelter. I started sewing and smocking for my niece before she was born and have never stopped, though I have since taught her sewing. It is a part of our bond we continue sharing that is both exclusive and inclusive. She is studying design and engineering. It is my plan to gift her an AC workshop together after her graduation.

My desire to win the Anna Sui dress is for it to be my niece’s first authentic piece of Alabama Chanin clothing. The color and size suit her. She would love and care for it, appreciate the time and effort it took to create it. From an early age she has valued and preferred handmade to off the rack mass produced.

Thank you for the beautiful post and the opportunity for consideration.