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Alabama Studio Sewing + Design: A Guide to Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe
Alabama Studio Sewing + Design is an invaluable reference for any woman who has dreamed of creating her own gorgeous handmade wardrobe. In this follow-up to Alabama Stitch Book and Alabama Studio Style, author Natalie Chanin presents all of the stenciling, hand-stitching, and bead¬ing techniques her company uses to create the award-winning Alabama Chanin line of organic cotton clothing, plus more than 50 variations that lead to infinite design possibilities. Included in this encyclopedic compilation of Alabama Chanin skill and style are patterns and instructions for dresses, skirts, tops, a wrap, a poncho, a bolero, fingerless gloves, and a hat. Each piece is featured in both its basic form and with varying embellishment combinations. By mixing, matching, and layering, a stunning, unique, and versatile wardrobe can be built.
Praise for Alabama Studio Sewing + Design:
“Transform organic or recycled materials into clothing or home décor items with haute homespun flair.”
—Better Homes and Gardens Quilts and More magazine
“Natalie is beautifully simple, yet elegant, just like her clothing. Her signature look is intricate stitching, beading and applique on basic organic cotton jersey which together make a show stopping casual look." —SF Unzipped
"I'm a longtime fan of Natalie's clothing designs . . . Her sewing patterns do not disappoint. These are the same dresses, tops, skirts, and accessories that carry four-figure price tags and are coveted by ec-groovy lady rock stars. The same ones. But in her books, Natalie teaches you how to make them yourself . . . Natalie's pieces are so simple to sew together . . . They go together in a single evening, and when you pull them on they don't just make you look better than you did in whatever you were wearing before, they make you feel better." —Heather Ross, HeatherRoss.Squarespace.com
"The photographs in this volume are exceptional . . . I think if quilters get this book for both technique and inspiration, it will be more than worth the money." —Meg Cox, quilter and author of The Book of New Family Traditions
“I just love that Natalie has the guts to share the tricks of her trade. The reason I say guts is that you would think that sharing how your garments are made might hurt your business—but in Natalie's case it's proved to be actually quite the opposite . . . The interest in her couture line grew once she started to write books." —Cathy Callahan, Cathy of California blogger and author of Vintage Craft Workshop
Praise for Alabama Studio Sewing + Design:
“Transform organic or recycled materials into clothing or home décor items with haute homespun flair.”
—Better Homes and Gardens Quilts and More magazine
“Natalie is beautifully simple, yet elegant, just like her clothing. Her signature look is intricate stitching, beading and applique on basic organic cotton jersey which together make a show stopping casual look." —SF Unzipped
"I'm a longtime fan of Natalie's clothing designs . . . Her sewing patterns do not disappoint. These are the same dresses, tops, skirts, and accessories that carry four-figure price tags and are coveted by ec-groovy lady rock stars. The same ones. But in her books, Natalie teaches you how to make them yourself . . . Natalie's pieces are so simple to sew together . . . They go together in a single evening, and when you pull them on they don't just make you look better than you did in whatever you were wearing before, they make you feel better." —Heather Ross, HeatherRoss.Squarespace.com
"The photographs in this volume are exceptional . . . I think if quilters get this book for both technique and inspiration, it will be more than worth the money." —Meg Cox, quilter and author of The Book of New Family Traditions
“I just love that Natalie has the guts to share the tricks of her trade. The reason I say guts is that you would think that sharing how your garments are made might hurt your business—but in Natalie's case it's proved to be actually quite the opposite . . . The interest in her couture line grew once she started to write books." —Cathy Callahan, Cathy of California blogger and author of Vintage Craft Workshop
176 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2012
10 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Chanin
6 books58 followersNatalie “Alabama” Chanin is founder and creative director of Alabama Chanin and the author of six books.
Her designs for hand-sewn garments constructed using quilting and stitching techniques have been lauded for both their beauty and sustainability. Made from 100% Certified Organic Cotton combined with up-cycled and re-purposed materials by artisans located near Natalie’s home in Florence, Alabama.
Natalie has a Degree in Environmental Design from North Carolina State University and works simultaneously as designer, manufacturer, stylist, filmmaker, mother, artisan, cook and collector of stories from her home in Florence, Alabama.
Her designs for hand-sewn garments constructed using quilting and stitching techniques have been lauded for both their beauty and sustainability. Made from 100% Certified Organic Cotton combined with up-cycled and re-purposed materials by artisans located near Natalie’s home in Florence, Alabama.
Natalie has a Degree in Environmental Design from North Carolina State University and works simultaneously as designer, manufacturer, stylist, filmmaker, mother, artisan, cook and collector of stories from her home in Florence, Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 21, 2015
I picked up and put down this book a great deal over two years. Then, finally, I jumped in with both feet. I now have six Chanin style tops, three dresses, and the list of sturdily hand stitched items keeps growing. The esthetic definitely grows on you - perhaps a direct correlation to the embroidery becoming easier? The patterns are flattering, feminine, and easy to alter. The photos are luminous and inspiring.
April 1, 2013
I enjoyed this book the most of all of her books. She repeats much of the information from her other books but takes each idea a step further and allows more room for variation and imagination.
Wonderful ideas and execution.
Wonderful ideas and execution.
January 11, 2019
I discovered Natalie Chanin about 3 months ago through friends who create their own clothes. I was appalled at her prices until I started reading about her ethic of living wage for all her people, and how her work has engaged a whole community from farmers of organic cotton to makers of these fantastic clothes (her home community - the one she grew up in! Alabama of course).
The book is beautifully illustrated. I have played with embroider and applique and reverse applique and beads over 60 years but I *never* put it all together like she does. And then she share *all* of her techniques, as well as patterns for her line.
In the Introduction she says, "I have been asked many times why I choose to write books and, in the process, open source (that is freely share) instructions for making Alabama Chanin's couture collections. The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. It is based on my belief that good design should be available to all and my desire to build a company that is sustainable in all of its practices By sharing out skills in these books, I hope to shed light on not only how we can preserve precious natural resources but also how we can preserve and protect techniques that were once understood as essential survival skills."
I greatly admire this approach and her devotion to it. I found the book a total inspiration (even to the point of deciding I can probably make some of my own patterns for things like the fingerless gloves instead of trying to upsize the ones in the book...not many as most of the patterns you need for the clothing line is in the detachable patterns in the back that you can use or trace and use). She even gives her stencil patterns.
I am inspired not to have an Alabama Chanin but to return to my own closet and look at it with new eyes. Chasing her on Pinterest I have been introduced to natural dying (I'm trying my first batch now), Japanese Boro stitching (go look it up), and sashiko embroidery to name only a few rabbit holes I've been done recently.
If you like hand-work (any kind of needlework) or if you just like seeing beautiful things and knowing that there are people out there *making it* with a large side of generosity and openess, then you'll love this read.
The book is beautifully illustrated. I have played with embroider and applique and reverse applique and beads over 60 years but I *never* put it all together like she does. And then she share *all* of her techniques, as well as patterns for her line.
In the Introduction she says, "I have been asked many times why I choose to write books and, in the process, open source (that is freely share) instructions for making Alabama Chanin's couture collections. The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. It is based on my belief that good design should be available to all and my desire to build a company that is sustainable in all of its practices By sharing out skills in these books, I hope to shed light on not only how we can preserve precious natural resources but also how we can preserve and protect techniques that were once understood as essential survival skills."
I greatly admire this approach and her devotion to it. I found the book a total inspiration (even to the point of deciding I can probably make some of my own patterns for things like the fingerless gloves instead of trying to upsize the ones in the book...not many as most of the patterns you need for the clothing line is in the detachable patterns in the back that you can use or trace and use). She even gives her stencil patterns.
I am inspired not to have an Alabama Chanin but to return to my own closet and look at it with new eyes. Chasing her on Pinterest I have been introduced to natural dying (I'm trying my first batch now), Japanese Boro stitching (go look it up), and sashiko embroidery to name only a few rabbit holes I've been done recently.
If you like hand-work (any kind of needlework) or if you just like seeing beautiful things and knowing that there are people out there *making it* with a large side of generosity and openess, then you'll love this read.
October 21, 2012
I talked about this book on September 22 2012, on the Betty howls show.
November 6, 2015
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. I couldn't put it down. Will startling for materials and plan to tart with the previous book in January.
January 25, 2022
This is super inspirational. And it is about hand sewing. There are so little books about hand sewing that it gets automatically one star up. And there are paper patterns which is a great plus.
I like the style it is contemporary even though it uses age old techniques (well not the construction and the fabrics!). The book is only about stretch fabrics. There are loads of embellishments, which I might or might not use later, but some are interesting nevertheless.
The patterns are on the very small side. And the way they construct their clothes a bit unusual and they leave edges raw. Writing the directions on how to sew is not their forte. If you have never sewn you probably run into some problems. They omit important information but tell you in every step that you have to thread the needle and make a knot! I really would prefer instructions similar to the commercial pattern makers.
The patterns and the way the clothes are constructed are very basic in places too basic. I understand that a zip and hand sewing is aesthetically not very nice but there are no buttons either! Also these women seem to never wear pants, while most women wear pants most of the time. I probably will never wear a bucket hat because I need a brim, but I do wear aprons every single day!
I would also prefer more realistic photos with normal middle aged woman.
All in all this is a great book to have and get inspired and I am happy for the patterns also. But it is not a great book to learn how to construct hand stitched clothes.
I like the style it is contemporary even though it uses age old techniques (well not the construction and the fabrics!). The book is only about stretch fabrics. There are loads of embellishments, which I might or might not use later, but some are interesting nevertheless.
The patterns are on the very small side. And the way they construct their clothes a bit unusual and they leave edges raw. Writing the directions on how to sew is not their forte. If you have never sewn you probably run into some problems. They omit important information but tell you in every step that you have to thread the needle and make a knot! I really would prefer instructions similar to the commercial pattern makers.
The patterns and the way the clothes are constructed are very basic in places too basic. I understand that a zip and hand sewing is aesthetically not very nice but there are no buttons either! Also these women seem to never wear pants, while most women wear pants most of the time. I probably will never wear a bucket hat because I need a brim, but I do wear aprons every single day!
I would also prefer more realistic photos with normal middle aged woman.
All in all this is a great book to have and get inspired and I am happy for the patterns also. But it is not a great book to learn how to construct hand stitched clothes.
May 11, 2022
I borrowed this book out of the Stow Library years ago. At the time I was intrigued even though the aesthetic of the garments did not really match my classic style. My life was too busy and chaotic to take the time to do hand sewing. The reverse appliqué process went into the back of my mind as an interesting embellishment. I am revisiting this book borrowed from the Brookline Library ILL due to my current exploration of T-shirt construction and my desire to try and sew my garments with responsibly grown American textiles. I found the information on hand sewn in seams to be very helpful in increasing my understanding of the behavior of thread and the basics of garment sewing. I think every seamstress should do it at least once.
January 10, 2021
This is my second time reading this book, and I think I liked it even better this time. If it actually made me jump up and craft a garment I would give it five stars, but so far I am content to gaze at the beautiful photos and dream.
October 20, 2022
This book is delightful and inspiring and full of beautiful things. This is a great resources especially if you like customizing or embellishing your clothes or other items made from fabric. If you like sewing, and especially hand sewing, you will probably enjoy this book.
June 6, 2024
When I first glimpsed at this book I thought I would never make any of the garments, all hand sewn! But now, after reading and looking at the clothing I am inspired to try at least one item and see how I like it. I like the philosophy behind the garments, the fabric and the manufacture.
August 16, 2017
This book is interesting. Recycling taken to new and beautiful standards/
October 3, 2024
Great ideas
May 19, 2015
I love everything about the Alabama Chanin business model, philosophy and clothes. I have made one pattern thus far and very happy with the results. Included are patterns and all of the sewing techniques to create your own handsewn piece. There are lots of images of finished pieces including all the techniques used to make them. I find that this is couture that I can really relate to, couture out of organic cotton jersey.
February 10, 2013
This has to be the best Alabama Studio book yet. I actually truly can't wear their styles, and still they are inspiring. The stenciling, the stitching, the beading - those have to be transferable to other things.
September 16, 2013
a great book to just look at for inspiration. not all of the garments are things i would actually wear, but i've tried a few of the hand-stitching techniques and have lofty ambitions of trying some of the more complicated reverse applique stuff. lovely lovely stuff.
November 18, 2014
I have two of her books and they are both full of inspiration. I've used three of her patterns from this book and they've turned out well with minimal tweaking and found the hand sewing aspect surprisingly enjoyable. It's good to slow down!
September 4, 2012
Beautiful clothing designs with easy to understand directions... I'm planning on trying a few simple projects.
October 19, 2012
I love Alabama Studio however despite excellent directions this book has moved beyond my rudimentary stitching abilities. Its beautiful- couture if you will for the hand-sewer!
April 1, 2013
So cool.
Want to read
January 3, 2014Saw this at Powell's - want to find it at the library before I fork out the $$$ for it.
February 7, 2015
Loaded with techniques and simple, full-sized patterns. A perfect intro to handsewing
September 22, 2016
Gorgeous and inspiring!
December 28, 2016
Valuable addition to my sewing shelf!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews