Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns: A Guide to Customizing a Hand-Stitched Alabama Chanin Wardrobe

by Natalie Chanin

Alabama Studio Sewing A Guide to Customizing a Hand-Stitched Alabama Chanin Wardrobe by Natalie Chanin is a companion to the Alabama Studio Alabama Stitch Book, Alabama Studio Style, and Alabama Studio Sewing + Design . In this final volume of the four-book series, Chanin offers, by popular demand, three new core patterns—the A-Line Dress/Tunic/Top, the Long and Short Wrap Skirt, and the Classic Coat/Jacket/Cardigan—and a guide to customizing garments to fit and flatter. For ease, convenience, and to ease its ecological footprint, this book comes with a CD rather than paper patterns. The disc contains patterns for all of the garments from the previous books in the Alabama Studio series with additional sizing for XXL, the three new patterns, plus five Alabama Chanin stencil designs, including the Polka Dot in three sizes, the popular New Leaves, and the classic Magdalena (all for readers to print as needed for their individual sewing purposes). Printed and bound in the USA.

This installment

Genres: Sewing, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

180 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

About the author

Natalie “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.

Reviews

[polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most practical of the Chanin books, in terms of wardrobe-crafting; it may be the least inspiring in terms of creativity, but it is rock-solid and includes so many patterns that you could spend years sewing just from this book! I printed out all the patterns on the CD at a large-scale architectural printer's office, and also printed the stencils at full-scale and it was about $53. An amazing bargain for that many patterns!!! I loved studying the various alterations to make to patterns--the ruffled cardigan, the tee shirt with princess seams, the t-shirt with godets.....

The patterns also range from XS-XXL!

Natalie Chanin's continued willingness to share her techniques, patterns, and tips is admirable. I love her!

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

nonfiction; sewing (stretch/jersey fabric; slow-sewing decorative details)
Patterns (lots of them!) are included on CD, so you'll have to print--either at a printer's that can print on large paper or by using a tiling program (not included) to break them up for printing onto 8-1/2x11"s--before copying to your size (with some of simpler patterns, an experienced pattern drafter may be able to just wing it using the basic shape given in the illustrations and their measurements).
Pattern sizing: XS (28-30" bust, 23-24" waist, 32-33" hip) through XXL (44-46" bust, 35-36" waist, 43-44" hip). "Note: When choosing your size, remember that cotton jersey stretches when worn. What begins as a snug dress will relax after only an hour of wearing." Pictured models vary in age and size.

Alabama Chanin's patterns are always so comfortable-looking but still stylish (some of them quite fancy and fashionable) but I'd like this a lot better if the patterns were included on paper--this particular edition did not. It does give instructions on lots of various alterations as well as a (lovely!) stitch library with a few tips/instructions for creating the beautiful hand-stitched detailing that AC is known for.

[Heidi Thorsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious which patterns were included in the book, so I checked it out at my library. I like that there are many photos of these clothes plain or with just a little embellishment. Not every pattern from the older books is included, so there's reason to get those, too, this book doesn't really replace them. But it's a good reference for some of Alabama Chanin's most popular stuff to sew.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't heard of Alabama Studio, but love the applique patterns and fitting tips in this book. Plus at $4000 for a custom appliqued jacket, a $30 book seems like a good buy.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good information about adjusting patterns.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want to review this book until I had actually made one of the projects.

I started with the corset and did a double layer of knit jersey with a reverse applique. It fit really well without any adjustments.

I really enjoy this book, the patterns are brilliant, the photographs I have stared at for hours, and I loved how easy it is to individualize this to what you like.

What took the longest was doing the embroidery around the applique, the actual construction, even though it was hand sewn did not take that long, and the corset has more pieces than most of their patterns.

I am looking forward to being able to do some more standing and therefore I can cut out more of these because they are super comfortable and fun to make and I love having an individual wardrobe. A great Christmas/Birthday present from friends. I had never really seen any of Alabama Chanin's work before this one.

[Peep1031 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not have a lot of new information regarding techniques for sewing and embellishment over that contained in her earlier books. What it does contain is a cd with all the basic patterns used at Alabama Chanin and the instructions for adapting the fit to your body. I have not gone through and tried to sew any of the patterns or follow the instructions so I cannot comment on how good those are, but it is nice to have all the patterns available especially for the price you pay for the book, considering one Vogue pattern is over $30.

[Juliana Haught · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick read, and also a book to read over and over. I particularly liked the parts of the book that explain ways to make alterations to both the Alabama Chanin patterns and to patterns in general. The clothes in the book are beautiful and artistic. I keep referring to this again and again,

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I plan to buy this book. I eventually want to make clothes, and this book is everything I need. Glorious, that Alabama Chanin.

Hope it is rereleased without the CD. I don't have the means to print from that technology anymore.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The patterns are all handstitched but I really loved some of them. Hope to try them out at some point in the future. Included patterns on a CD which are really easy to use.

[Lucy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

decent patterns and inspiring ways to bring jerseys to life

[Keegan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was pleasantly surprised to see the CD came with the book, which I checked out from the library. The patterns are incredibly useful, and I am really looking forward to sewing these up. As always, everything is clearly explained, and a lot in this book is about proper fit, lots of clear diagrams for every alteration you could ever want in this book.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Alabama Chanin for years but have never made anything from her books. This one makes me want to make everything.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um..... nice hand stitching.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, patterns, and instructions.
Patterns are easy to modify, and fit.
The instructions for hand sewing are good.
Really happy to have this book in my collection.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently making the corset. The instructions are a bit brief.

[Karen H · Rating 4 out of 5]

can't wait to start