I’m very happy and pleased that my Mum agreed to let me photograph her wearing her very recently completed hand-dyed-embroidered-and-stitched creation, and to show the pictures here on my blog …
thank you so much Mum!
This is Mum’s third Alabama Chanin project, and the first completed one… she has very nearly finished a more wintery skirt and top but has put those aside for a little bit in order to make something with the flavour of summer. She wanted to have something to wear now!
Mum hand-dyed white cotton jersey in three different shades of pink for her top; pale apricot pink for the under layer, a deeper apricot-rose pink for the upper layer, and a true pink- pink for the neckline binding. The floral design is her own, and she made a stencil using dressmaking paper from Jackson’s but does NOT recommend this; it buckled and was apparently a nightmare. The design was rollered on to the upper layer in slightly watered down, regular household paint applied with a small roller. Mum used double thickness Gutermann’s upholstery thread to hand-stitch the floral motifs, all seams and the flat felling of all seams; and pink stranded embroidery cotton for the cretonne stitch to secure the neckline binding. We had some debate on whether the armscye seams should be stitched down to the sleeves or the body?? a quick recce of the Tshirts in the general vicinity seemed to indicate that there is no convention here but men’s buttoned shirts are to the body so this seemed like a good example to follow.
The pattern is the Tshirt pattern from the book Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, by Natalie Chanin, with the neckline from the tank/dress pattern, and short sleeves. Before launching into all that time-consuming embroidery Mum wisely tested the pattern and found it necessary to make small adjustments for fit… both of us loathe muslins and generally avoid them like the plague and yeah, it does seem ludicrous for a basic Tshirt in a forgiving stretch knit, but an Alabama Chanin project is kinda exceptional. It doesn’t take long to run up a test Tshirt on the machine using a long basting stitch, and is well worth the effort. And could save lives!! Well; at the very least, a tantrum 😀
Thank you so much Mum!
I'm really pleased your Mum let you post this too – it's such a pretty top and what a lot of thought and work went into it's creation! I prefer to sew for the season I'm in as well. This top is perfect for the summer with the lovely beachy backdrop.
I think she is a great model and very clever lady. it is a great top. Jo x
It's so lovely to meet your Mum:) What a wonderful top she has made.
Wow! Fabulous. I can see where you get your creativity
What a clever Mum, It looks wonderful on her.
Really beautiful 🙂
I love it. Your fabric is so beautiful.
Mother, like daughter – very talented!
Gorgeous. So glad we got to see it!
Such beautiful detail and thank you so much for letting us see your gorgeous work!
The apple certainly didn't fall far, Your mother has made a beautiful top.
Love it. Please tell me she'll let you share her other two projects with us when they're done!!
Like mother, like daughter! That book is certainly a source of inspiration. Please tell your mum we adore her!!!
I can see where your talent comes from, your mom made a beautiful top. I hope she'll let you show the skirt and top she's working on too. And doesn't your daughter also have the creative gene?
So pretty and in pink, too! I'm loving all the AC work on your blog. How lovely that the creativity runs in your family. The more the merrier!
Now I can see where you got your creative side from. It's a pretty top, love all the handmade folwers and embroidery, from afar it reminds me of burnt velvet(?) I think that's what it's called:) Yay for your mum's new tshirt and for being a good sport to be featured on your blog! The blogshoot at the beach is lovely!
Your Mom's top is beautiful! Love the detail that is in this top!
That pink fabric with all that hand work is absolutely wonderful. I love your Mom's white hair! It's gorgeous! Did she had red hair like yours? I've noticed a lot of redheads have lush white hair later on. I like the rationale you and she agreed about the seams. It's very satisfying to figure out little things like that.
Thank you Shelley! and actually no, Mum had ash-blonde hair! I think my brothers and I got Dad's hair, although there is red on both sides of the family. My youngest brother is a true carrot-top 🙂
Wow! Gorgeous color and flowers! That's one of the prettiest Alabama Chanin tops I've seen.
Just lovely! I envy you family's dying skills! 🙂
Gorgeous!! This Alabama Chanin technique is really special. I love the colors and design she chose!
Wow, that is really special – a real keeper that she should be super proud of.
very pretty and love the color.
Pretty Pretty! You two are mad about Alabama Chanin! 😀
So pretty!
I love this! Your mum's top is beautiful. I love talking crafty things with my mom– she's the one who taught me how to do everything and reminds me periodically that I should get my shears sharpened or my machine serviced. I love that you've featured your mum on your blog!
That is a beautiful top!! Your mom is a lovely lady too, so sweet to have her on your blog!
very pretty!! Thank you to your mum for modeling!
Wow. Just wow! So much gorgeous work – and your Mum looks lovely modelling her new top!
this is beautiful! looks like talent runs in the family! 🙂
Your mum's top is beautiful and so is she! I hope she lets you post pictures of her Alabama Chanin wintery skirt and top when she finishes them.
Gorgeous!
I love that you have three generations of women in your family sewing beautiful things.
Wow! That must have been so much work. It's just beautyful.
And hallo from Norway to the lovely mom.
Ellen 🙂
So beautiful! And it really suits your mum.
Wow, I can see where your talent comes from! I love this top and now want one, but know it won't happen. Seriously lovely. Thank you for sharing, and looking forward to the next two projects!
It turned out awesome!!!! Tell your mother, I love her white hair 🙂
Thank you everyone for so many lovely comments on my new top. I enjoyed making it. Hand sewing is very relaxing and rewarding. To think that all garments were made in this way once. I am very caught up with Alabama Chanin garments Gillian (Mum)
This is fab Mum! I love it, the colours are perfect and the stitching is so even and delicate. It's beautiful.
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop enabling with the GORGEOUS creations! (Hi Carolyn's Mum, you look fabulous! I see where Carolyn gets her gift from!) I am going to have to buy this book now — and that could lead to buying fabric and supplies — at some point I will no longer have room in my flat for me and kitty!!!! ARGH!!!!!
I agree, so lovely to meet your mum and what a great top!! Really love all the handwork.
Also, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree….
This is absolutely gorgeous! It suits your mom so well. Kudos, Mom!!
Wow, that's really beautiful! I'm glad your mom was willing to share!
This is AMAZING. I don't like all the garments in their books, but the blouse is wonderful.
Simply casual elegance. So chic. Sweet and cheerful. I love it!
Thank you so much for sharing. The Tshirt is fabulous.