Clockwise from top left: “Khruangbin” by Mal de Mar from Lux Aeterna: Latitudes of Reverence to an Endless Sun, 2005–2018 by Mal de Mar; Abstract Camel Fabric Swatch from The School of Making DIY Kits; hand-stitched interpretations of cliffs and Italian roof tiles from The Intentional Thread: A Guide to Drawing, Gesture, and Color in Stitch, 2019 by Susan… Read on

“Untitled”, 1947 by Ruth Asawa at Black Mountain College; Keyhole Dress Kit from The School of Making; Left: “Group IX/UW, The Dove, No. 12”; Right: “Group IX/UW, The Dove, No. 13” from The SUW/UW Series, 1915 by Hilma af Klint. Photograph from Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future, 2018 by Tracey Baskhoff for The… Read on

From left: “Homage to the Square”, 1968 by Josef Albers via the Museum of Modern Art; Color Palette Bundle #3 from The School of Making, Abstract Gold Organic Cotton Swatch from The School of Making, “Lapis Lazuli (left) and Blue Verditer (right)” from An Atlas of Rare & Familiar Colour: The Harvard Art Museums’ Forbes Pigment Collection by Kingston Trinder (pages 116–117); Button Craft… Read on

Clockwise from top left: “Magpie” from the In Flight series, 2020 by Mark Harvey; Swatch of the Month 2021 Subscription from The School of Making; Graffiti Painted Tee from the Alabama Chanin Archives; Black Bugle Beads from The School of Making; The Keyhole Dress Kit in Baby Blue from The School of Making; “Structural Constellation” by Josef Albers via “Josef Albers’ Intimate Visual Relationship… Read on

From top left: Asymmetrical Peacoat in Verdant made from The Peacoat Bundle from The School of Making; Color Palette Bundle #4 from The School of Making; “Things had changed for the better, which is not always the case. But sometimes is.” from Sara Berman’s Closet, 2018 by Maira Kalman and Alex Kalman; “Maira Kalman sweeping… Read on

“Most of our lives we live closed up in ourselves, with a longing not to be alone, to include others in that life that is invisible and intangible. To make it visible and tangible, we need light and material, any material. And any material can take on the burden of what had been brewing in… Read on

We’ve restocked our 100% organic medium-weight cotton jersey in the following colors: Earth, Plum, Forest, Camel, Dove, Sand, Natural, and White.  Find these colors (along with more) back-in-stock and available by the yard in our signature organic fabric—seed-to-shelf Made in the USA. Shop Organic Medium-weight Cotton Jersey. (And find many of our DIY Kit colorways… Read on

Last week, Carmine was reintroduced in our Color Palette Bundle #2 for the 2020 Year of Color. The richly colored red fabric is also available by the yard for a limited time; and today, for our DIY Kit refresh, Carmine is paired with Ballet in new Abstract DIY Kit colorways.  Kits like the The Pencil Skirt Kit, The Classic Jacket Kit, and The A-Line Top and Tunic Kit have… Read on

Right now, as best we can, we are looking for ways to ease anxiety. Scientific research shows the positive and calming effects that sewing, cooking, and hands-on making has on the brain. The meditative action of sewing reduces stress. It increases dopamine, the happiness hormone; it requires creativity—which improves the brain’s ability to grow new… Read on

2020 is the Year of Color at The School of Making. From rich blues to warm browns, new color stories are the focus of this year’s programing. New offerings, like the Color Palette Bundle incorporate Natalie’s current favorite hues and today we announce new A-Line kits and that the DIY Sewing Kit colorways are getting… Read on

After announcing our Year of Color, we shared more the inspiration behind the first Color Palette Bundle with trend forecaster Li Edelkoort. With limitless combinations and possibilities, there’s so much opportunity for color and design exploration in our Year of Color series. Our Sample Swatches complement the exploration process—pair unstenciled and stenciled swatches in the… Read on

As part of The Year of Color, 2020’s yearlong exploration of creativity through color, we are delving more deeply into one of our inspirations, Lidewij – or Li – Edelkoort, one of the world’s most trusted trend forecasters. She has worked for a wide array of companies, from Coca-Cola, to Nissan, to Prada, Disney, Shiseido,… Read on

It is hard for me to believe that 2020 will mark 20 years of Alabama Chanin and 20 years of defining sustainability. The School of Making programming began 12 years ago with the launch of  Alabama Stitch Book, although we didn’t know or plan how the publication of that book would change the course of our business. … Read on

The final quarter of our 2017 Design Bundle series is now available, filled with a bright color palette of Apple, Ruby, Burgundy, Carmine, and Plum—perfect for the holidays. The Design Bundle includes basic sample blocks as well as stenciled, in your choice of metallic or tonal paint, with our re-released Fern stencil and the newly available… Read on

From top left: Luna Rae Top in White Gold Palm; The Willie Top in Blue Slate; Waffle Caftan in Natural; Lightweight Organic Cotton Face Mask in Black; Left and bottom right: Lee Dress, 2017; Top right: Chandler Jacket and Austin Skirt, 2018 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin from The Women who Revolutionized Fashion: 250… Read on

Launched in 2006, the Alabama Chanin Journal celebrates the art of storytelling. This weekend we look back at our top Journal stories of 2020, starting today with The School of Making. This year, above all, we’ve learned from our readers about the importance of connection, inspiration, and making.  Check back tomorrow for Alabama Chanin’s 2020… Read on

From top left: The Tea Towels Kit in Natural, Color Palette Bundle #4, The Pillow Kit in Anna’s Garden White/Ballet, The Shirt Bundle in Natural and The Pencil Skirt Kit in Abstract Forest/Forest, The Swing Skirt Bundle in Abstract Ochre, The Long Apron Kit in Abstract Forest/Black, The Swing Skirt Kit Fabric Detail in Abstract… Read on

From top left: Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns, The T-Shirt Top Kit in Anna’s Garden Sand/Natural 100% Organic Medium-Weight Cotton Jersey in Ochre, The Asymmetrical Peacoat Kit in Forest, Embroidery Floss, Three-Day Workshop  Explore The School of Making’s holiday gift guide featuring seasonal favorites and gifts for makers. Find new designs, inspiration for your next project, and give… Read on

Lena Wolff & Lexi Visco’s VOTE Posters. Ahead of the critical November 2020 election, Wolff and Visco designed new 2020 posters to send across the country en masse. After fundraising and with support from a grant from the Berkeley Civic Arts Commission for the project, six variations of 30,000 VOTE posters and 25,000 postcards to voters were sent… Read on

“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.” ― May Sarton  August 8th was National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day. And if you are like us, you still have few zucchinis left from your… Read on

As we spend more time indoors, social distancing, and getting through this time spent #TogetherApart, we can’t think of a better way to fill the time, keep our hands busy, and allow our minds a bit of rest, than making.   2020 is The Year of Color at The School of Making, and we have been exploring new… Read on

From top left: January’s Swatch of the Month Magdalena Black/Faded colorway; Fabric Detail of Black 100% organic medium-weight cotton jersey stenciled in Magdalena; Lightweight Jersey Car Coat Kit; Black Bugle Beads; The Faded Stripe Pencil Skirt Kit; The Swing Skirt Pattern in Bloomers Black/Faded Colorway  What I love about watercolor is that a lot of happy accidents occur. – Jane Seymour  January’s Swatch of the Month features our faded organic cotton… Read on

A culmination of our favorite Core Essential styles, the Alabama Chanin Core Club includes five styles bundled together in one shipment with over 20% savings. Featured in Vogue, the Alabama Chanin Core Club provides a perfect sampling of basic pieces to take your wardrobe through the year. The styles include The Easy Dress with cap… Read on

The Alabama Chanin Core Club takes your wardrobe through spring, summer, and fall with our signature cotton jersey and rib-knit pieces. Delivering a selection of our favorite Core Essentials, the new offering from our Collection includes five styles bundled together in one shipment with over 20% savings. The featured styles include The Easy Dress, The Rib Skirt,… Read on