My New Found Love: Natalie Chanin
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
I know I’m way late on this, but I am totally in love with Natalie Chanin, and her company, Alabama Chanin. The Daddy Monkey gave me The Alabama Stitch Book for my birthday, and it is such a beautiful and inspiring book. I love the fact that she left New York City, and then Europe, to bring her business to her home town of Florence, Alabama, which was struggling after the post-NAFTA switch to overseas manufacturing. At her company, Alabama Chanin, stitchers create all hand-sewn garments from recycled materials and American-made organic cottons.
Just look at this skirt!
I would love to support such a beautiful and noble endeavour, but it’s a bit out of my price range, so now I have the instructions to create my own.
The book and Miss Natalie herself are just oozing with charm. What’s not to love about this video blog, wherein Miss Natalie shows us how to “love” our thread, literally and figuratively? She writes in the book, ” ‘Loving’ your thread infuses the work with kind intentions, but it’s also a very practical step that removes excess thread tension and prevents pesky knotting.”
The book is gorgeous, the projects are beautiful, and the story is so uplifting and inspiring. I practically ran to my local thrift shop to buy this stack of old t-shirts to make the Reverse-Applique Corset. A pre-cut stencil is even included in the book.
Looks like a lot of hand stitching, but lately, I’ve come to really love hand-sewing. As good for the soul as knitting, I do believe. And apparently so does Miss Natalie.
No. 1 — May 18th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
oh wow! that’s beautiful!!
i’ve only made quilts from old tshirts – but clothes — beautiful clothes!?
No. 2 — May 27th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Wow, Rose. Beautiful, flattering cut. (And if I say pretty please with sugar on top?…)
No. 3 — June 1st, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I too have fallen in love with Natalie Chanin’s work. I took a workshop with her in Nashville this past weekend and got to see a lot of her work in person. Had you been there, I have a feeling, I wouldn’t have been the only one drooling and “fondling” her new pieces … her Summer Denim collection is to die for.
No. 4 — June 4th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I finished the Alabama Chanin project from her workshop. I now have Alabama Chanin fever. Let me tell you that after finishing the project, I had to gently put my eyeballs back into their sockets. I inspected every seam, every stitch, … every inch left me in awe of just how much goes into all of her work. Hoping to see a piece you might try.
No. 5 — August 6th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Ooh, thanks for sharing this post on my blog! I’m glad to hear I’m not alone in my obsession. :) I can’t stop thinking about this stuff! Going shopping at lunch today to look at jerseys. :)