Alabama Chanin | The School Of Making

The School of Making

“I’ve come to believe that craft, making, and creative endeavors toward producing sustainable products will create an enduring future for our community.” — Natalie Chanin

Founded on the ideas of cultural preservation and education, The School of Making® creates workshops, conversations, and experiences to inspire. Explore creativity, craft, and design through the act of making.

100% Organic Cotton—from field to garment—is at the heart of The School of Making practices. It is a perfect example of our core values, melding sustainability, fashion, craft, and DIY. The collection of hand-sewn projects from the Studio Book Series features kits that include everything needed to complete a garment or project.

Contact the team for more information and details on workshops, organic cotton, hand painting, and maker supplies.

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+1-256-760-1090 x 116
studio@projectthreadways.org

Shown above: Embroidery: Threads and Stories, by Natalie Chanin, pages 136-137, Chapter 4, "Materials and Tools".

At top: Fabric Swatch in the Tony pattern, hand-embroidered with Reverse Appliqué in Navy on Navy.

WHERE WE BEGAN: THE BOOKS

1/6 – EMBROIDERY: THREADS AND STORIES

Embroidery: Threads and Stories recounts Natalie's journey and the origins of Alabama Chanin and The School of Making. A deeply personal work, his sixth book explored her design ethos and creative process through stories that shaped her life and career—an empowering guide for all who love design and craft.

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Shown above: Embroidery: Threads and Stories , 2022, pages 162-162 from Chapter 5: Practice

2/6 – MORE FROM EMBROIDERY

Pages 134-135 of Embroidery: Threads and Stories highlight Natalie's Bauhaus-inspired design training. The photo of Anni Albers weaving at Black Mountain College, alongside the quote, are included in Chapter 4, titled "Materials and Tools."

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3/6 – THE GEOMETRY OF HAND-SEWING

The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A romance in Stitches and Embroidery by Natalie Chanin is a comprehensive guide to hand-stitching and embroidery. The book breaks embroidery stitches into simple geometric grid systems. This breakthrough method had illustrated instructions for more than 100 stitches—from basic to elaborate—photos of both right and wrong sides; and guidelines for modifying stitches into complex patterns. The book includes two die-cut stitching cards with grids on which every stitch in the book is based.

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4/6 – ALABAMA STUDIO SEWING PATTERNS

Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns is a companion to the Studio Book Series. In this volume of the four-book series, there are 28 pattern variations and a guide to customizing garments for fit and style. The book comes with a disc (or download) containing patterns for all of the garments from the Alabama Studio Series.

The book is currently out of stock.

5/6 – ALABAMA STUDIO SEWING + DESIGN

Alabama Studio Sewing + Design presents hand-embroidery and embellishment techniques utilized at The School of Making and Alabama Chanin. Included in this encyclopedic compilation are patterns and instructions for a range of dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories.

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6/6 – ALABAMA STITCH BOOK

Alabama Stitch Book, the first in the Studio Book Series, offers a collection of projects and stories from The School of Making and Alabama Chain. Published in 2008, the book is known for the cutting-edge twist it put on tried-and-true sewing, quilting, and embroidery techniques, applied mostly by hand to recycled and organic cotton jersey.

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DESIGN AND MAKER SUPPLIES

EXPERIENCES

WORKSHOPS

Work with The School of Making team using a range of DIY garment patterns along with organic cotton jersey fabrics, an extensive stencil collection, and a swatch library of beloved designs. These options can be tailored to any skill level. Instruction may include hand-sewing, patternmaking, stenciling, and design exploration. Choose from virtual, three-day, and weeklong (five-day) workshops, held at The Factory in Florence, Alabama, and around the country.

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FACTORY TOURS

Plan a visit to experience The School of Making and Alabama Chanin in-person, view the Collections firsthand, work with our team, and learn more about Alabama Chanin’s commitment to responsible production, sustainable practices, and thoughtful design.

Contact studio@projectthreadways.org to schedule a private tour.

THE FACTORY STORE

The Factory is home to Alabama Chanin’s flagship store, design and production studios, and Bldg. 14 Design + Manufacturing division. In addition to the Collection, our store features machine-sewn organic knits, accessories, home goods, and kitchen wares from celebrated artisans, local music offerings, as well as a selection of fabrics, sewing notions and tools, books, and more.

THE SCHOOL OF MAKING CLUB

Join our community designed for hand-sewers and makers who share a passion for craft and connection. Members exchange tips, find inspiration, and elevate skills while building relationships with others who love hand-sewing.

The club provides access to resources, conversations, and guidance that support creative journeys—and celebrates craftsmanship and creativity.

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GROUP EXPERIENCES

Customize a private Weeklong workshop with friends, family, or colleagues. Groups of 12 can learn from The School of Making team during a personalized workshop at The Factory. Cost includes materials, instruction, lunch, and studio tours.

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PROJECT THREADWAYS

Project Threadways is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that records, studies, and explores the history and impact of the region and beyond through the lens of textiles and fashion. The organization seeks to understand the impact that textiles and their creation—from raw material to finished good—have on communities, the American south, the nation, and the world—connecting people, places, and materials.