I’ve finally finished my latest Alabama Chanin project…
Below is how it appeared on this blog previously…? (shudder) well, that dress has undergone extensive renovation over the past five months and now at last, I am quite satisfied.
I received loads of fantastic suggestions, thank you so very much to everyone who gave me so much helpful and wonderfully thoughtful advice 🙂 I am very grateful 🙂 *mwah*
The pattern is the fitted top from Alabama Studio Sewing + Style, by Natalie Chanin, and I had modified it slightly by giving it a higher rise at the neckline at CB, which will help keep the straps firmly on my shoulders and not slip off, like they occasionally do in my previous, first version of this pattern. The print is Abbie’s Flower design from the same book, enlarged by hand and printed as described here, and I employed the reverse appliqué method from the book, stitching running stitch around all motifs using crimson Gutermann upholstery thread, and then cutting the printed motifs away to reveal the base layer of fabric underneath.
I really liked Ann’s suggestion to bring some navy into the equation. I bought some royal blue cotton jersey from KnitWit. This was but a starting point; the original blue was a nice colour, but flat and not quite as edgy as I would have liked against the warmth and liveliness of the raspberry. Some dyeing fun was called for. I made haste for the lair and dragged out ye olde dye-pot, mwahahahaha
A short stint in a half-strength bath of iDye in Brown later and it was darkened and deepened up very nicely; transformed it into a very satisfactory shade of mottled dirty-navy.
Hehe, I just re-read that description and had to laugh at how the exact opposite of attractive that colour sounds! well, I do love me some ugly colours, hehe.
The seams are all hand stitched in running stitch, with the occasional backstitch to “stop” the seam, something I learnt to do in hand- stitching quilts; and the seams then felled using running stitch, as per the Alabama Chanin way.
I cut the binding strips for the armholes and neckline from the same dyed navy jersey and hand stitched them down in herringbone stitch using navy blue Gutermann upholstery thread.
A new tip; in my previous Alabama Chanin embroidery forays, I pinned the fabric layers together for the embroidery stage, this time I thought of a better solution. I pinned and basted around all raw edges, then simply ran rough basting lines of long stitches, about 4-5cm apart, right across the pieces using my sewing machine. Quick and dirty, nicely stable, and the long stitches are very easy to pull out as the embroidery progressed. And far better than having to worry if my pins were going to fall out, only to get discovered on the sofa and produced as hard evidence in the Case against Sewing Taking Over the House. Please, take a moment to consider the danger to one’s beloved husband whose bottom came to rest right beside that tiny little pearl-headed pin! not to mention one’s innocent offspring and cute fluffy pets!
Hehe, no need to add further fuel to that particular flame 🙂
My next Alabama Chanin project? already in the works! Fortunately I made my original dress double layered and so I still have quite a good quantity of the raspberry fabric left after cutting this out; and I also dyed enough of the navy so that now a matching, though not identically patterned, skirt is awaiting in the wings to be made, as we speak. Type? Read? One day, someone is going to come with a satisfactory verb for this kind of interaction 😉
Anyway, I am super pleased with my new Alabama Chanin top, and the good thing about that satisfaction is the renewed enthusiasm it brings for me to get on with that skirt quick sticks, to have something else to wear it with. Ever onwards!
Details:
Top; the fitted top from the Alabama Studio Sewing + Style book, hand-dyed, -printed, -embroidered and -stitched in two different colour fabrics
Jeans; the Closet Case patterns Ginger jeans, navy stretch cotton denim, details here
That's amazing! I'm blown away by your handwork!
Fabulous refashion! Whilst I liked the original dress I think the reincarnation is even better. You deserve a medal for your patience snipping out all those tiny pieces and stitching around the outlines. I love your sludgy navy, too.
Beautiful piece. I have several Alabama Chanin skirts and dresses. I currently have a mauve and navy piece in the works. I like the way your piece turned out…the contrast of the raspberry and navy is great.
Amazing work…….and thank you Carolyn for going where no "man" has gone before. You iron out all the difficulties making it so much easier for those of us lagging behind. They life is too short to make all the mistakes yourself!!
Lovely vest Carolyn. I like it better than the original dress.I am looking forward to seeing the skirt!
So beautiful – sigh!
Beautiful… and the colours are so you.
Lovely combo… And wouldn't the verb be 'as we blog'? 🙂
thanks 🙂 but "blog" describes the act of writing, but doesn't take into account the part of the reader or the interaction. Maybe "converse electronically with time lapse?"I don't think there is one word in English to describe it properly!
I admire the patience it must take to make an Alabama chanin garment. Lovely colour combination.
Oh Carolyn it's gorgeous! I did like the dress too, but it has to be what you like. I haven't started mine yet…the fabric etc is waiting. 🙂
Love your 'new' top! And look forward to seeing your next AC creation! Thank you for your basting/stabilizing tip. I've only added AC herringbone stitch to necklines, sleeves and hems and found the pins to be a little bit of a pain there too. With your tip it'd make the project definitely more portable and keep the stability….. as well as the safeness to others!!
Sooo much better! You've inspired me to finish my top now.
It's gorgeous and by the way, jealous of your tiny waist!!
Great colors and lovely details. Very meticulous stitching – so impressive! Perhaps "chat asynchronously"?
Wow, that must have taken a long time! It surely turned out lovely.
The idea of the binding application was a great idea!
such patience! It is fabulous. Your gingers are a pretty cute fit too. It am posting a nice dress tomorrow but the ribbon was already sew onto the fabric. Jo x
Ooh it's so lovely! I really like it with the navy background. What a load of work you've done!
Everytime I see one of these pieces I want to try. Then speedy projects that must get done get in the way… some day.
Beautiful! I love the way you can change something great into something even better. You help inspire me to sew.
I want know do the same… Amazing ! Bravo.
Beautiful color combo – a labor of love!
Wow, Carolyn! You have the patience I only dream about. Great top!
Just stunning. What amazing handiwork. I could admire this for days!
I love it, the blue is beautiful and I'll definitely use your tip for keeping the pieces together on my next AC project.
I like the end result of the dress and it looks stylish on you.
Your new top looks amazing, love the dirty blue, it really works with the raspberry!
CRAZY good … but so much work & patience!
This turned out beautifully! I love the navy background, it's a great color combo!
Wearable art! This is so beautiful. One day this is on my list of things to learn to do. So many things you do are on my list to learn! ha ha If I lived anywhere remotely near you, I would pleading with you to teach sewing (and shoe making) classes!
LOVE this! I've got to get going on some of these projects for myself.
Excellent renovation – much more you! You called it 'dirty' navy, I would have called the original more 'royal blue', but back in the day we called colours 'dusty'. 'Dirty' just sounds more modern…edgy (I'm feeling too old today to even have the right word to describe it). Beautiful top – look forward to the skirt!
This is absolutely stunning! Your handwork and attention to detail are exquisite. I'm in complete awe of this project!
You have done a fabulous job as usual. Great top.
The navy is the perfect contrast. It looks lovely. It was a shame to cut the original up though!
Beautiful!!