I’m so excited that I recently purchased the Angie’s Falls stencil from Alabama Chanin! It features prominently in Natalie’s second book, “Alabama Studio Style”. Buying Studio Style back in 2010 was my first introduction to Alabama Chanin and I have dreamed of Angie’s Falls ever since. The book features several techniques with the stencil, but … Continue reading Relief Applique
I’ve been trying to finish up some projects lately to get ready for #MeMadeMay. If I’m going to wear something I’ve made everyday in May, I need to get busy! The last thing I do to finish a project that has a neckline and armholes is to add the binding. If you buy a kit … Continue reading Binding tips
One of the interesting concepts at Alabama Chanin is the “Build-A-Wardrobe” idea. The concept is to create four key pieces each year that will be go-to staples. I have to admit, in my fantasy world, I would only wear clothes I’ve made. That said, I will always have a pair of jeans in my closet and … Continue reading The Layering Project
When you go to a weekend workshop at Alabama Chanin, which I highly recommend, part of your “tuition” goes toward a DIY kit. You spend that first Friday evening looking at the different garment options, the different colorways, the stencils and the embroidery techniques. You even get to try on different sizes of the garments … Continue reading The Walking Cape
During my November visit to the Factory, I found myself completely inspired by the preprinted cotton jersey Alabama Chanin created in collaboration with Spoonflower. Spoonflower is a custom design print shop located in North Carolina that can print just about any design on any medium. I knew this fabric would make the perfect holiday top … Continue reading Spoonflower and Beads
By now you all know I’m a huge Alabama Chanin fan. One of the first things I learned about Natalie Chanin was how she decided to strike out on her own using quilting/embroidery techniques she learned growing up in Alabama to transform Thrift shop T-shirts into one-of-a-kind corsets. I’ve used Natalie’s beginning as inspiration for … Continue reading Showing My Spirit
I made a bold move a few months back. I decided to invest in my first Alabama Chanin stencil. I chose Anna’s Garden because it’s a very versatile pattern, mostly floral but with a geometric feel to it. Was it worth it – absolutely! Do I now want to buy even more stencils – you bet! My … Continue reading A Bold Bolero
Last year at this time I embarked on an interesting journey. What I thought was going to be a two year expat experience in the Philippines became a 35 day diversion. Needless to say, a time of re-examination and reflection. Before I left, I bought another Alabama Chanin DIY kit, and some extra yardage so … Continue reading DIY Hijacked
As with many goals in life, sometimes we fall short. I think as long as we acknowledge our efforts and forgive ourselves we learn just as much from what we don’t accomplish as what we do. In this case, I dropped the ball on MeMadeMay. I actually didn’t drop the ball on the spirit of … Continue reading One Goal Missed, One Goal Made
Did I tell you I fell in love with the Alabama Chanin philosophy? I had so much fun with my first projects, I was ready to sew myself a whole wardrobe of clothes so I dove into my first "all by myself" project heart first when my head knew I should have read more, learned … Continue reading DI all by Y
Everyday Artisan 