Well, National Sewing Month came and went this year. All over the web you were hearing about it and with everyone focused on sewing it was a great time to start a new hobby, brush up on an old one, or maybe start an exciting new project to gear up for the Christmas holiday gift-giving season.I wasn’t immune to the rush either. Being so busy and all these days I haven’t had much time to sew and I could feel that bug biting hard. I’m really up for the challenge of starting a new project especially with the cold weather setting in and I’ve had my mind set on one project in particular; I’ve become completely intrigued with this idea of sewing and embellishing a wardrobe (or at least a garment in the wardrobe) completely by hand, sans machine. Yup, you heard it, no sewing machine. Nada, Nix Nil! What on earth would ever possess me to think such a thing, I mean, being the lady behind The Sewing Machine Lady and all. If you’ve already heard about Natalie Chanin you probably understand the reason behind my fascination.
A true visionary, Natalie is a really quite an inspiring woman. A fashion designer by trade, she had a vision, while living in New York, to create 200 one of a kind t-shirts. At the time she couldn’t find a manufacturer to take on the production of her designs. It was then that she realized she needed to go home, back to Alabama and to her roots. Equipped with a new vision, she set out to create a business using the time honored traditions of her skill.
Using U.S. grown and produced organic cotton spun into fabric and employing local artisans to produce her designs, her company, Alabama Chanin, was born. By allowing local talent to earn a living wage she was able to take a part in combating the effects on a community ravaged by unemployment. These artisans became proud to be part of a company that took pride in its roots and allowed them to use their skills to make garments that are 100% completely hand-sewn and embellished. There is something truly satisfying and fulfilling about creating something with the skill of your own hands; it’s something no machine can ever replicate.
The Alabama-Chanin designs are very expensive and extremely stunning and Natalie’s philosophy is absolutely lovely. She is a truly beautiful person. One can only hope to build a business as thoughtfully and responsibly as she has built hers.
Natalie has written several exceptional books teaching her techniques. We’ve written a review of her most recent book: Alabama Studio Sewing + Design: A Guide to Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe. You can read the review here.
I’ve already bought the book; I’m off to buy some fabric and supplies. I’ll keep you posted….
Listen to the Alabama Chanin story on the video below:
