December 26, 2011
It seems unbelievable to me that 2011 is coming to a close. The Alabama Chanin journal has covered so many topics over the 2011 year and we have been so grateful for the opportunity to share our thoughts, travels, milestones and inspirations with you. As the year’s end approaches, we thought we would recap some of the favorite topics of the year.
December 22, 2011
It took me years to come to love the paisley pattern. I first became aware of the distinctive design during my days working in India and throughout my years as a stylist: men’s ties, patterned shirts, dresses, and scarves just scratch the surface. Since that time, I have avoided using it at Alabama Chanin simply as I felt that it was just SO often seen across the realm of textile design. However, my strict stance has mellowed recently and the pattern is highlighted in Chapter 8 of our upcoming Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, entitled “Fabric + Fabric Maps.”
“The paisley – a tear-, pear-, or kidney-shaped curved figure – is a common motif in almost all cultures across the globe.”
Historically, paisley has been present in fabrics worldwide and there have been an array of books written on the pattern. I suppose a designer could spend their entire career just working with this simple shape.
The stencil is now available from our Online Store and shown above embellished in back-stitch reverse applique from Alabama Studio Style.
December 6, 2011
There has been such a wonderful buzz around the studio these last weeks as we prepare for the holidays. So much buzz, in fact, that I have not really had time to sit down with our new book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Last night, I remedied that with a quiet house, a cocktail, and my “comfy chair,” as my daughter Maggie calls it.
I wrote last August about the process of writing this book and the moment of awaiting proofs from the publisher, but it seems like I just batted my eyes and the book is lying in my lap.
I’ve had time to recover since writing that post. I am once again in the studio and have – once again – been pulled away from the book and into other projects. Much like giving birth, it seems that the pain of delivery subsides as you move away from the actual moment of delivery and on to holding that growing life. Not to compare my book with a new life BUT, when Alabama Stitch Book first came out, my editor said “the best part of writing a book is watching that book come to life in the hands of another.” It’s true. I experience that exact feeling as I sit here today and write this post. While the book is not a life, it does take on a life of its own. Today, I am the proud mama of a 1 pound, glowing book.
So, without further ado, here you find photographs of some of my favorite spreads in the book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. You will notice that I have included instructions and patterns for some of our favorite collection pieces. You can find the book on-the-shelves by mid-February (good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise – as we like to say in the South).
DIY Kits, fabrics, and other goodies will begin to appear in our online store over the next weeks. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say… xoNatalie
August 18, 2011
This market bag is my (almost) constant companion. (When my daughter Maggie hasn’t filled it with toys or books.)
Beauty, simplicity, and what might be the perfect length handles keep it in heavy rotation.
So many have sprung up around the office that we’ve jokingly labeled it our “Alabama Briefcase.”
It’s just the right size for back-to-school, a meal’s worth of groceries from the farmer’s market, a day by the pool, or a light-weight carry-on.
Shown here in our Alabama Indigo Fabric, the bag is made from scraps of medium and dark indigo, stenciled with our facets pattern and sewn with grey Button Craft thread.
Have a look at page 107 of Alabama Studio Style to see where it all started.
August 9, 2011
My son Zach’s lacrosse shirt from high school was re-fashioned following the pattern and instructions from Alabama Stitch Book.
I am not sure if that stain is blood or juice and I prefer not to know.
Choose your team and get started.
This shirt was constructed many years ago using a beaded stitch of my own invention (although I am sure that it has been done before!):
Thread your needle, love your thread and tie off with a double knot. Insert needle through either side of pinned seam, pull through to other side and add one bugle bead. Take one “stab” stitch and bring needle back through to your beginning side. Make one whip stitch over the seam allowance, coming back to the same side. Add one bugle bead and take one “stab stitch” bringing your needle through to the opposite side of your seam. Add bead and repeat.
Post pictures of your Team Corset to our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/VisitAlabamaChanin
August 2, 2011
It is hard for me to believe that I am almost finished with my third book, now titled Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Had someone asked a decade ago where I saw myself in ten years, it certainly would not be lying in bed, reviewing and making notes on a “pass” (publishing lingo for a low resolution printout) of my third book, writing additional texts, and trying to be quiet while a sleeping five year old tries to nudge me out of my own bed.
Strange where life takes you when you least expect it.
For our avid journal readers, I believe that it was clear over the last year that I was – at times – absent. I most definitely was. There were certainly times when I wanted to write – and felt that there was something important to say – but could not find the words.
For my staff, it must have seemed that I would never return (and am not fully “back” yet).
I am driven by enthusiasm – in all areas of my life. So, when we signed the contract with STC for our third book, I was over the moon and (CERTAIN I) knew exactly how the book would work and look. I was convinced that this was going to be a piece of pie. You know, third book, seasoned designer, a decade of work behind me… I was sure things would just fall into place, right?
One and a half years later, I am thinking that I survived by the skin of my teeth. I can’t tell you exactly why this book was harder than the rest. But I assure you, it was. I remember once distinctly calling out across our studio, “Can someone please drive me to O’Neal Bridge, so I can jump off?”
Those days are fading in (my tarnished) memory and these days I patiently await the final proof from the printer – the last step in this intricate process. I look back over the printout from the photo above and I am surprised how much information we managed to pack into 176 pages. And I think to myself that, I am really, really proud of this work.
The Alabama Studio Design Series truly documents my path these last ten years. From simple new t-shirts crafted from recycled ones, to couture garments, to sustainability on all levels, the books follow from one stage to the next. Alabama Chanin history is all here: from the materials we use, to the way we make our garments, to cultural sustainability, and finally to open-sourcing our patterns for individuals. (More about my decision to open-source coming soon.) It is a path that makes me proud.
A big warm thank you to everyone in our studio – who put up with me over the last year (I am asking forgiveness for all transgressions), to Sara Martin – who read and reread and listened to me rant, to Robert Rausch – our book designer – who practiced zen patience with every tiny change, and to Melanie and all the folks at STC who believed that we had one more in us.
July 29, 2011
Over the decade of my design work in Alabama, I have tried endless types of fabrics and combinations of fabrics; however, our clients return over, and over again, to our organic cotton jersey. And as often as I have wanted to move away from cotton jersey, I reach for it each morning as I get dressed. In my busy life, it is like having pajama day every day. (If you can call an all-over, hand-embroidered dress a pajama.)
However, there is truth in the fact that one of our embroidered dresses can take you from morning coffee to an evening event with little modification. (I do normally stop to change shoes.) Consequently, I have come to know a lot about organic cotton jersey.
Cotton-jersey fabric comes in a variety of weights and those weights are commonly described as ounces per linear yard. For the last decade at Alabama Chanin, we have been using a medium-weight jersey that averages 9.80 ounces per linear yard. However, we recently started working with a lighter weight jersey that is stretchier than the medium-weight fabric and averages 5.6 ounces per linear yard.
I adore the quality of this new fabric when worked in our back-stitch reverse applique with our Anna’s Garden stencil. After several requests, we have added this new fabric to our D.I.Y. Store. There are several colors in stock and new colors arrive weekly. The fabric below is made from our color steel.
The outfit above (in sand and black) features two patterns from our upcoming Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Both the T-shirt Top and the Mid-Length Skirt are perfect in our new lightweight cotton jersey. I am currently making the Long Sleeve T-Shirt Tunic from Alabama Studio Style in the steel colored, lightweight cotton jersey using a back-stitch reverse applique Anna’s Garden stencil (as in the photo below). I foresee this being my new favorite piece for summer and fall – while layering it with a t-shirt for the winter.
December 17, 2010
Outline and (most) first drafts for book number three submitted and approved – check.
(Thank you Melanie – celebrate tonight!)
Plan workshops for 2011 – check.
(Spots are filling up fast – reserve one today and join us.)
Holiday gifts made and wrapped – check.
(Order today using our code HAPPYHOLIDAYS20 for a 20% discount and we will ship it wrapped. Easy.)
Sign out early, pick Maggie up from school, make gumbo, read, build a fire, watch a movie, bake cookies, nap, cocktail with friends, write a letter, holiday video, family pictures, sit still, sigh…
*Photo from Lisa “Are You Kidding Me” Eisner of the E.B White Chair & Gumbo:
December 15, 2010
And in speaking of happiness…
Nothing like giving – and receiving, hint, hint – the bounty of summer.
Canning-Jar Covers – pictured here – from page 137 of Alabama Studio Style. Made with scraps of our 100% organic cotton jersey, Small Medallion stencil pull-out from Alabama Studio Style and an extra-fine permanent marker.
Prepare to be loved.
Have you ever baked in canning-jars? Angie Mosier did this when we were in New York City last year and I have been wanting to try it… seems like a perfect way to wrap up some holiday joy for friends.
Got recipes for me to try out with Maggie on these cold and icy days?
December 14, 2010
Over the holidays, I will take more time to sit and sew.
Over-the-Arm Pincushion – instructions from Alabama Stitch Book – on the back porch swing.
Did you know that sewing, cooking and all acts of hands-on making stimulate happiness and over-all well being?
“Lambert shows how when you knit a sweater or plant a garden, when you prepare a meal or simply repair a lamp, you are bathing your brain in feel-good chemicals and creating a kind of mental vitamin. Our grandparents and great grandparents, who had to work hard for basic resources, developed more resilience against depression; even those who suffered great hardships had much lower rates of this mood disorder. But with today’s overly-mechanized lifestyle we have forgotten that our brains crave the well-being that comes from meaningful effort.”
Thanks to Catherine Newman for sharing Kelly’s work:
Lifting Depression: A Neuroscientist’s Hands-On Approach to Activating Your Brain’s Healing Power