The idea for our current Core Essentials began in 2013 with a collection of hand-sewn basic styles. Last week, we mapped the evolution of those designs and you can read that history here.
Today, we share a guide to our Core Essential tops and tunics which fall in a price range from under $100 to just over $400.
Know our process:
- Each piece is made from Alabama Chanin organic cotton. We offer three different fabrics in various styles: lightweight rib (5 oz. per linear yard), medium-weight jersey (9.8 oz. per linear yard), and lightweight jersey (4.76 oz. per linear yard).
- Every garment is designed and made in Alabama—right here in our Bldg. 14 production facility, which is housed in The Factory along with all of the Alabama Chanin Family of Businesses.
- We practice lean manufacturing and every garment is made to order. By making each garment to order, we conserve our fabric, employee time, and do not end up with an overstock of unwanted items.
A few updates (for those of you who already have your favorites):
- The Rib Crew (long sleeve), Rib Tee (short sleeve), and Rib Shell (sleeveless) are now found in one place under The Rib Crew—with three sleeve length options.
- The Sleeveless Scoop, The Elbow Scoop and The Scoop (long sleeve) are now found under The Scoop—with three sleeve length options.
- The Coverup now has a short sleeve option.
The guide below is a resource for fit, fabric notes, and features for each of the Core Essentials styles. Core Essentials evolve over the season with fresh colors and updated details—check back often.
#knowyourbasics
#ownknitdressing
#alabamachanincoreclub
The sorrow of my life is that I am a 2X plus size. I spent two weeks trying to make a “muslin ” of the factory dress to fit me. I finally have up. I have to be content making things with no size like ponchos, scarves, gloves and garments as gifts for others. I have a normally shaped bidy, it is just big. How I would love to make the essentials for me, but will have to wait a while until I acquire more fitting skills.
Thanks so much for the detailed comparisons of all AC basic top styles!
Great to have in one place (consider keeping this permanently on the website as part of AC style info?).
A question: how about including organic INTERLOCK cotton fabric and clothing in AC offerings? I prefer interlock for cooler weather and even summer for tees and especially pants!
Interlock holds it’s shape better than jersey and stands up to hard wear (aerobic workouts and gardening) and regular washing.
Perhaps lack of interlock knit production in the USA is an issue?
But the USA grows wonderful Supima/pima cotton that is super soft in interlock.
Please, can AC help bring back interlock cotton fabric production in the US?
Thanks for listening & much appreciation for AC strategies and products.
This is wonderful!
This is really, really helpful. Thank you!
Glad to hear that, Robin. Thank you!
To Whom It May Concern,
Do you sell the fabric by the yardage for The American Flag project?
Hi Helen,
If you want to make the American Flag Quilt shown on the Journal, we do offer our 100% Organic Medium-weight Jersey in the colors shown in the quilt. Our fabric yardage arrives unwashed, so be sure to launder it before cutting and sewing. If you’d like to stencil your quilt as shown in the post, we have a wide range of stencils available here. Let us know if you have any other questions.