Alabama Stitch Book: Projects and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Stacie Stukin (Author), Robert Rausch (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

“Haute homespun out of the Deep South.” That’s how Vogue magazine has described the fashion of Natalie Chanin. Alabama Stitch Book brings us a collection of projects and stories from her clothing and lifestyle company, Alabama Chanin, known for the cutting-edge twist it puts on tried-and-true sewing, quilting, and embroidery techniques, applied mostly by hand to recycled cotton jersey.

This long-awaited book from Chanin begins with her story. After living in New York and Vienna for over 20 years, she began to transform cotton T-shirts into high fashion using the needlework skills she learned as a child in Florence, Alabama. When she moved home, Chanin hired local women (many of whom had worked in the state’s now defunct textile factories) to stitch her couture collections with her.

What follows is a step-by-step guide to the stitching, stenciling, and beading techniques used in the 20 projects showcased in the book: T-shirts, skirts, and corsets that are sold at chic shops around the world, plus a journal cover, sampler quilt, and tablecloth, among others. Also included are a pullout stencil, perforated postcard for bead-embroidery, and reusable patterns. Throughout are Robert Rausch’s beautiful photographs set against the back roads, farms, and homesteads of the rural South.

About the Author

Natalie Chanin, a former costume designer and fashion stylist, is the founder and head designer of Alabama Chanin. She has been featured in Vogue, Time, The New York Times, and on CBS News, and her work has been recognized by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards, the Alabama Council for the Arts, and Aid to Artisans, among others. In 2006 she was selected for membership by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Robert Rausch is an award-winning photographer and creative director whose client list includes Anthropologie, Whole Foods, Saks Fifth Avenue, Elton John, and Paloma Picasso.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584796383
• ISBN-13: 978-1584796381
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #94,569 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL STITCHING BOOK, March 7, 2008

By	Kathy L. Martin "Music lover mom" (San Diego) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had pre-ordered this book and kind of forgot about it. When it arrived on a particularly over cast day it was a wonderful surprise. This is a beautiful book. I love the history that she starts out with as well as the incredibly beautiful projects. I am going to be making the skirt that is featured in the book. Natalie also has a Alabama Stitch blog that lists tons of sources for materials in which to make the garments. What I like about the projects is one you have the base garment finished you can bring your item with you where ever you go and stitch to your delight. I love some of the beading that is added to some of the projects. If you want to get your socks blown off check out Natalie's Project Alabama website. If only I was rich I would be buying every single garment she makes. I have been truly inspired by this book and I think that is what it is designed to do. I am going to take her basic technique and make it my own by designing my own stencils. This book is worth every penny if you haven't figured it out by now. Destined to be one of my favorite craft/sewing books ever. Enjoy!

Since writing the above review I have made 4 skirts and two bandanas and I am working on a very complicated skirt right now. I have bought my own air brush machine and have made my own stencil designs. I have emailed Alabama Chanin a number of times and they have been quite helpful. Natalie has a store on her website in which you can buy all the supplies that are talked about in her book. The t-shirt fabric that she sells is just wonderful. I have gotten so much satisfaction from making these garments. Don't be put off by the multiple steps in which to complete a project. She does a fantastic job explaining all of the steps and it really isn't as difficult as it seems. You can have a $1500 designer skirt for less than $50. When people see these skirts they will ask, "Where did you get that skirt?" When I tell them I made it they are blown away. By the way the skirt pattern is just designed perfectly. It is so comfortable and flattering. Give this book a try it will really make you happy to create some of the projects in this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Book! I am BLOWN AWAY!, March 19, 2008

By	Wendy McCormick (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have admired Natalie Chanin's clothing for some time now. I have completed the corset shown in this book, completely hand-stitched and beautiful! Chanin gives you all the tools and information needed to complete this project and many more. It comes with stencils, full-scale patterns, and so many projects... I can't wait to do them all! I am by no means a seamstress, or even that good at sewing, but these projects are so easy, with such beautiful pictures and illustrations, even a novice like me can make amazing clothing! Thank you, Natalie, for sharing your vision and creative gifts with us all!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Need this book, February 24, 2008

By	Monica K. Teem (Seal Rock, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had long anticipated the arrival of this book -and- am not one bit dissapointed with it.
It is beautifully photographed and written. I find it incredibly inspiring and easy to understand in the explanation of the process involved in producing Project Alabama styled garments & accessories.
With that said, it definitely helps to have a background in sewing and needlework to created their pieces. I wouldn't reccommend jumping into the projects without first having built up basic sewing and embroidery skills.
If you have admired anything from Project Alabama, you need this book.