January 11, 2026

CERTIFIED BY THE NEST ETHICAL HANDCRAFT PROGRAM

“I realized that the hand-embroidered shirts I’d been making were really little more than a quilting stitch. I wanted to go back to the community of my childhood in North Alabama. I wanted to talk to my grandmother and the other ladies like her who had quilted their whole lives.” 
— Natalie Chanin

 

Since 2000, the work of Project Threadways has been made possible by artisans in and around the Shoals. Collaborating with these skilled sewists is one way that we fulfill our mission to preserve craft, provide economic opportunities, and honor the cultural heritage of this region.

 

All Alabama Chanin pieces are hand-cut and -stenciled at The Factory in Florence and prepared into project kits, similar to The School of Making’s DIY kits. Then, they go to artisans for embroideries and construction. These local independent contractors—all licensed small business owners—bid on each piece by offering a purchase price for the kits and a selling price for the finished product. Once a garment is complete and passes a quality inspection, we purchase the finished garments at the agreed-upon price. Each garment is signed by the artisan who created it.

This cottage industry method of production allows artisans to work from their own homes, run their own businesses, and be in charge of their own lives and families. At its core are commitments to humanity and transparency—hiring skilled artisans for exacting work that can only be completed by hand, and investing in an unbroken U.S. supply chain.

 

That’s why we are proud to be a part of Nest’s Ethical Handcraft Program, which sets universal standards for decentralized supply chains—making home-based work safe and fair for workers across the globe. The program uses risk evaluation, education, and training to address workers’ rights, health, safety, compensation, and more. Learn more about Nest’s standards here.

 

The Nest Ethical Handcraft Seal, shown above, signals that a product has been ethically crafted in accordance with these standards. We hope that it also demonstrates Project Threadways’ dedication to and appreciation for the people who do this work.

 

Thank you to the Nest team for the time and effort they spent visiting The Factory, getting to know our team, and all that they do to make home-based work a safe and viable option for artisans worldwide.