… I received a belated birthday present from Mum and Dad.
woa. Further experiments in, effectively, creating your own fabric designs. Eye candy, indeed. It’s rare for me to get this excited about a(nother) sewing book. Ha ha! well, we all know that’s a lie… beautiful fabrics? a concept that is but always going to reel me in, the proverbial hook, line and all.
Prior to my birthday, Mum had offhandedly asked me: did I like embellishments? Embellishments. A concept that has gained a bad rep, thanks to scrappy leftovers rosettes, and sweatshirts sporting appliqued quilting cotton prints outlined in squiggle paint. I world-wearily said no. But I’ve changed my tune now. This is the new and improved version of embellishment, a modern and yet still authentic approach.
Appetite whetters include…
I would dearly love to get into this. Could I incorporate some of these ideas into my mini wardrobe plans?? hmmmm, possibly. *rubs chin, glint in eyes* yes, quaite possibly.
(tagged “book review” but really this is just my first impression. I will write something more in-depth and intelligent once I’ve actually used the patterns and ideas in the book 🙂 )
Your mum and dad really know you well! What an awesome book! I like a lot your third "favourite". It looks the easiest one and also in a knit. It would make any simple top very interesting.
Looking forward to seeing what you make first!
this is actually my favourite book from this series. I got all the books from my local library, but this one I put on my wish list for Christmas. It's pure eye candy (or craft porn as my husband puts it), since I doubt I will really have the time, but I love it and will try to incorporate maybe little bits of it (not sure I could really do a whole embroidered skirt, too impatient really). Good luck though and I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with 🙂
My oh my, this is wonderful. Have you been to the WAFTA exhibition? That will finish off what this book starts! Can't wait to see what the outcome of all this is.
totally agree with Giggles: craft porn! I own this book and though I still haven't made anything from, I spent hours just watching the photos.. I can't wait to see what you make from it 🙂
Great book I can see why you love it. Must put it on my christmas list. I complete piece would be very time consuming but special, you could incorporate a small piece in to a panel or trim etc. You should look into vintage books they did marvellous things with plain fabric, and plain braids so inventive.
Wow! What a great present. Can't wait to see what you make of and with this!!
Hello Carolyn,
I don't know if you know this group on Flickr :
http://www.flickr.com/groups/alabamastitchbook/
There are beautiful pictures too.
I've got a previous book of Natalie Chanin, "the Alabama studio style". Very inspiring too.
Your parents did find a perfect gift !
thanks so much for the link Karine; people have made such beautiful things! I really like how everyone interprets the idea to suit their own style 🙂
Too funny because that is a favorite of mine and it is such a great fit for you!!! I have finished a skirt and am working on a dress currently. I have also moved on to a jacket and want to make the skirt on their blog that they made the "The Party Dress Book'
Such a fabulous book and such fun ideas. It is so much fun to make too. I thought it would be so boring to hand stitch, but I loved it. I am so excited to see it in your hands and cannot wait to see you making Alabama Chanin!!!! Will be so fun to see what you come up with. I am giddy with excitement 🙂 More fun inspiration now with two of may faves in one 😉
I agree, hand-stitching is very therapeutic and strangely addictive. I'm really looking forward to getting into the ideas in the book. Good for you, finishing a skirt and making a dress too!
There is a thread at Artisan Square under Fashion, Style & Wardrobe and Indigotiger does some beautiful work, you will find her on the SWAP board.
I have the Alabama Stitch book and this one is high up on my wish list. I think you'll enjoy using these techniques!
I know you'll do something really fabulous. I tried out some reverse applique early on in my sewing career. I'd like to try it again now a few years later with a few more skills under my belt. I've seen some really beautiful things made with her techniques.
Can't wait to see how this book inspires you! What a lovely present to recieve! Happy Belated Birthday!
Isn't this book amazing? I've made two Natalie Chanin projects in the past (a skirt and a corset top) and love them (and wear them) both to bits. The only embellishments on mine are the stitching thread and reverse applique technique but I feel it's time to move to sequins or beads… your review has got me thinking about this again. I'm sure your creations inspired by the book will be just stunning – looking forward to them.
I love this book-it is indeed a feast for the eyes. It inspires me in a very subtle way-I like the techniques and envision them as detail on MY clothing. With your tall, lithe figure, you could wear this type of work throughout a dress, skirt or coat. Thanks for showing this as it sparked analysis about why I haven't jumped into making a whole garment.
Ooh what a great book! I love what I've seen of Alabama Chanin's stuff. One day I want to look at one up close. I'm sure you'll have tons of fun creating with this one!
PS. Happy belated Birthday!!
I absolutely love the Alabama Chanin look and dream of one day having the time and energy to work on it! I'm really looking forward to seeing how this book inspires you!
I have all 3 drool-worthy AB books. I can't wait to see what you do with the techniques in the book.
I did a machine/hand combo and wrote a tutorial on how I did it.
http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/alabama-stitch-book-condensed-version.html
PS, I saw her work up close in the 1990s at the now closed Susan boutique in downtown Burlingame, CA. Back then, she was sourcing old t-shirts, vat-dyeing them, and then cutting them up for a much scrappier and visually complex aesthetic. It was amazing. But, her new direction, using new organic jersey, is equally stunning. It was hard to explain to people why they were paying $3000 (back in the late 1990s) for used t-shirt jersey.
It's really interesting to see inside this book (thank you) and I hope you will do a review – I might be missing something but I haven't found a comprehensive one on the net yet. I've been following the Alabama Chanin blog since I saw Morgan of Crab & Bee's Alabama Chanin top. I absolutely love their style.
I will be looking forward to your versions from this book. 🙂
This first came onto my radar with this blog. http://everythingjustsew.blogspot.co.nz This lady does lovely Alabama Chanin sewing.
Looks really interesting. I haven't come across this before – I'm going to take a look at the website.
I agree, so inspirational. Have loved her studio/work for ages. What an artist.
OMG! Your parents know your tastes great, this is a clever gift to get your mind set new challenges in your sewing. Great!
Such a great gift! Your parents know what you like, don't they? Can't wait to see your appliques, I'm sure they're going to be amazing!
Carolyn, I have long been in awe of your sewing skills. I can see now what with your recent fabric designs and this book you are going up to a NEW and wonderful level. Look forward to see future makes.
I love the embellishments in the book. How great would it be if you could do that yourself? But I dread to think about all the hours and hours and hours of hand-sewing they involve…
I love all three of her beautiful books and enjoy just watching others make them into beautiful garments and home dec items. This winter I plan to nestle by the fireplace and enjoy stitching away. Glad that you are inspired too since I know your results will be terrific.
I have the other two but haven't seen this one yet. They are lovely! I've been thinking about embellishments a lot lately, (as well as thinking about silk screening – gosh I love your work) and got a couple of books out only to be disappointed. To be fair though, that can be said for plenty of sewing project books too. Like anything, if it's done well and with taste/style (which you clearly have in spades) it can be awesome. I'm sure you will do something amazing with these ideas and I look forward to seeing your interpretations.
That looks like a fabulous book. I must investigate further!
Oh, I ADORE those books (there are three, this is the third I think?). I'm working on a reverse applique skirt now, and I've made several dresses from old t-shirts using her patterns. They're all lovely. She has a great way of talking about making and handwork and slow sewing.
Awesome present!!!!! This book looks sooooo interesting! I can´t wait to see your next embellishment proyect 🙂
Oooh, great book!!You will have fun with that, for sure! Happy Belated B-Day Carloyn!
Happy belated Birthday! What a fantastic book! I will look forward to seeing the next episode in your sewing journey.
Totag in love with this book… A dream wardrobe!
happy belated birthday! lovely gift, look forward to see what you make inspired by this!
A happy belated birthday to you, Carolyn! I just borrowed this lovely book from my local library. So interesting to read and see all the creative details and processes. Can't wait to see what you do with it!