February 19, 2025 · AlabamaMISSION, LEGACY, AND WHY WE BECAME A NONPROFIT
Twenty-five years ago, I moved back to my hometown of Florence to create a short documentary film, STITCH, and 200 one-of-a-kind T-shirts, handcrafted by artisans in The Shoals.
When I began this work, the concept of a for-profit business with a social mission was either nonexistent or beyond my awareness. From the very beginning, however, Alabama Chanin incorporated a clear social and ecological mission into its business model. We worked with recycled T-shirts, bought organic, American-grown cotton, paid skilled artisans to sew by hand, created jobs, and facilitated community gatherings. We held maker workshops, nurtured supply chains, and dreamed of a safer, more equitable industry that honored place, people, and planet—looking to the past while working toward a better future. Over time, the mission came to transcend the business itself.
In 2023, at a time when several important sustainable brands and American-made manufacturers were struggling, I began asking: What happens to a community, state, or nation when we no longer know how to make? How do we preserve generational and industrial knowledge of making and production? How do we restore dignity to this work? When we talk about sustainability, how do we build systems of food, clothing, and shelter that honor humanity? And how do we, as an organization, ensure our survival in an uncertain future?
Thanks to a generous donation, in 2023, Project Threadways conducted a Constituent Study with stakeholders in our community, across the state, and around the nation. The results of this study helped guide a monumental shift: At the start of 2024, Alabama Chanin, The School of Making, and Project Threadways transitioned into a single nonprofit organization, with cultural heritage and craft preservation at its core.
This not-for-profit structure allows us to establish and grow a Board of Directors that shares a commitment to this mission—protecting and guiding the organization, alongside our incredible team, into the future.
Under this structure, Project Threadways can:
Apply for and receive grant, foundation, and individual donor funding to continue the work of documenting, studying, teaching, and interpreting stories of fashion and textiles—stories that are at risk of remaining untold as generational knowledge ceases to be passed down now and into the future.
Develop creative partnerships with academic institutions on educational initiatives, which are already underway (more details coming soon).
Continue this vital work outside of a traditional business structure—one that often prioritizes profit over people, relies on offshoring, underpays workers, and perpetuates environmental degradation.
A better way is possible.
A global community has supported this work in countless ways—shopping Collection pieces, attending workshops and symposia, buying organic cotton fabric, joining The School of Making Club, sharing stories, making a donation, hosting events, and so much more.
Every gift of any amount makes a difference. Every story shared ensures the future of this work. Every contribution matters, and we appreciate each and every one and all.
With deepest gratitude for your support of this mission and vision
xo Natalie and all of us @ Project Threadways
THE UNFOLDING LANDSCAPE OF LABOR
THE CAMPAIGN: SOLUTIONS AND COMMUNITY
A LEGACY OF CRAFT & SUSTAINABILITY
Project Threadways grew from 25 years of work at Alabama Chanin and The School of Making, championing craft preservation, sustainable design, and community-driven making. What began as a small collection of hand-sewn garments in Florence, Alabama, has evolved into a movement—one that connects artisans, scholars, designers, and educators in a shared mission to honor textile traditions while building a more sustainable future.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Project Threadways is dedicated to documenting, studying, and interpreting history, community, and power through the lens of fashion and textiles. A new headquarters in downtown Florence, Alabama, within the historic Cotton District, will bring this vision to life—creating a dynamic hub for education, artisan development, and cultural preservation.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The decline of craft preservation, textile education, and domestic manufacturing has led to job losses, environmental challenges, and the erosion of traditional craftsmanship in America. This initiative seeks to revitalize this rich legacy while shaping a sustainable future by:
Establishing a state-of-the-art Maker Lab, training over 100 artisans annually in sewing, embroidery, and pattern-making.
Creating jobs and economic opportunities, with a projected 50% growth in artisan employment over the next decade.
Strengthening regional and global partnerships, working alongside the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), University of North Alabama, and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Showcasing textile heritage through exhibitions, storytelling, and cultural symposia.
Enhancing local business growth, attracting visitors, boosting tourism, and increasing foot traffic in Florence’s Arts & Entertainment District.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
The campaign aims to raise $3.5 million to fully realize this vision, with $663,526 already secured through early contributions and historic tax credits.
Opportunities for engagement include:
Customized sponsorship packages that align with philanthropic goals.
Exclusive naming opportunities within the Maker Lab and exhibition spaces.
Participation in a landmark project that will leave a lasting impact on arts, culture, and economic revitalization.
To learn more about how to be involved and support the Capital Campaign, please reach out to: development@projectthreadways.org.
Together, this work will ensure that the legacy of American textiles, sustainable fashion, and craft preservation continues to thrive for generations to come.