Like other popular American foods, claims to the creation of the cheeseburger are scattered across the country. Sixteen-year-old Lionel Sternberger is said to have thrown a slice of American cheese on a cooking burger in 1924 at his father’s diner, The Rite Spot, calling it a “cheese hamburger”. The first establishment to serve a cheeseburger… Read on

Among many recurring subjects in Frida Kahlo’s artwork are flowers, foliage, and fruits. She used this imagery to celebrate Mexican history and culture. The garden at her home, Casa Azul, was first started by her parents and was filled with ivy, roses, and apricot and orange trees. As an adult, Frida and her husband Diego… Read on

“They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn’t. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality” – Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo’s perspective on dress was unique, in that she was able to express her political and feminist views using traditional Tehuana-style Mexican garments. Many believe that she chose this style of dress at… Read on

When she was a teenager, Guadalupe Rivera Marin moved to her father and stepmother’s home in Coyoacan, Mexico City—a home that was well known by friends and neighbors both for its famous occupants and the opulent parties they loved to throw. Guadalupe’s father was muralist Diego Rivera and his wife was painter Frida Kahlo, both… Read on

Welcome to the new year. In the spirit of the fresh start a new year brings, we present a new Collection. About the Collection During the summer of 2016 on the Journal, we started an artist series that profiled female artists and designers like Frida Kahlo, Louise Nevelson, Clarie McCardell, Sonia Delaunay, and Anni Albers…. Read on

Frida Kahlo was both surrealist painter and unwitting fashion icon. Her image is immediately recognizable and her clothing was carefully chosen to reflect her feelings about femininity, politics, and her own physical limitations. Frida’s vibrantly colored and richly embroidered garments were tweaked versions of traditional Mexican clothing, with corset-style bodices and long flowing skirts. But… Read on

For many Americans, “Black Friday” (the name given to the Friday after Thanksgiving) marks the beginning of the holiday season. It’s a day largely associated with fanatical shopping and savings. While some people dread the thought of Black Friday shopping, many get excited—even camping out at stores the night before to get the best deals…. Read on

It’s a BIG week for us here at Alabama Chanin. Our newest book, Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns, lands in stores and into the hands of the makers tomorrow. This fourth book in the Alabama Studio Series includes all the patterns from our first three Studio Books on a convenient CD, plus instructions and patterns for… Read on

It’s been raining every day here at Penland—such a change from the dry, dying fields of North Alabama over the last weeks. Like a miracle, it rained on our cotton field, too (more to come on that next week). My father reports that we did get 3 inches of rain at my house and I… Read on

Check out our post today @ EcoSalon: Sewing for Humankind There was a time – not so long ago on humanity’s calendar – that sewing was not considered “women’s work,” but rather a tool for survival. Hunter/gatherers looking for food on a cold winter’s day, some miles from their camp, might have a shoe wear… Read on

Check out my post this week for EcoSalon and join in the conversation about Pirates, Punks, Fashion and Cultural Assets today on our Facebook Page @ 1 pm CST. xoNatalie I never really thought much about what punks, pirates, and the Spanish Armada had to do with farmers markets or sustainable life until I saw… Read on

Check out my post this week on EcoSalon. xoNatalie Board By Board: This is a conversation that played out in my head countless times this last week: “I need to sit down and write the EcoSalon post.” “The laundry really needs to get done.” “I NEED to sit down and write the EcoSalon post.” “Maybe,… Read on

Those of you who follow us on Twitter, Facebook and/or Tumblr, know that I was in New Mexico over the holidays. What resulted from this adventure was a love for the west and an understanding of why so many artists and creative types have settled to work there.  I was deeply impacted by the beauty,… Read on

Where did the last two weeks go?  Read my bi-weekly post @EcoSalon on the importance of being wobbly. And thank you to my friend George for the gift of a simple garden gnome – so many, many years ago. Perhaps I will watch Amelie tonight! There’s No Place Like Gnome I planted my fall garden… Read on

Lead image: “The Wall #2”, 1962 by Agnes Martin from the National Museum of Women in the Arts.  “I do know one thing about me: I don’t measure myself by others’ expectations or let others define my worth.” ― Sonia Sotomayor  HISTORY describes Women’s History Month as a time to “reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of… Read on

“It is no secret that I feel a commitment to my community; it is equally evident the role that growing up in Florence, Alabama, had on my development as a designer. Textiles – the growing, picking, spinning, knitting, cutting, and sewing – were a part of the vernacular of small southern towns from the late… Read on

Left: Madam Vice President Kamala Harris on the cover of Vogue, February 2021; right: Amanda Gorman recites her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington on January 20, 2021.  “…We will rebuild, reconcile and recover and every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse… Read on

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde With Valentine’s Day this Sunday, love is on our minds. We are sharing art, writings, inspirations about this four-letter word.   The Alabama Chanin team has also gathered a collection of favorites that are perfect for gifting―all in stock and ready to ship… Read on

Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture, edited by Thurston Moore of the band Sonic Youth “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” ― Aldous Huxley  Music is movement. It moves you into a new state of mind, moves you to dance, and gives you the space to move through… Read on

Lead image: ”New Mexico”, 2011 by Natalie during a trip to Taos, New Mexico, to visit the Mabel Dodge Luhan House.  “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ― William Butler Yeats  The world is open to us as it never has been for humanity before. From our homes, we can… Read on

Founded in 2019 as a 501(c)(3), Project Threadways records, studies, and explores the history of textiles. Through their work, they seek to understand the impact that textiles and their creation—from raw material to finished good—had on our local community, the region of the American south, the nation, and finally at the global level—connecting the people, places, and materials throughout… Read on

“Photograph of a Young Woman at the Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. with a Banner”, 1963 from the National Archives and Record Administration  won’t you celebrate with me ― Lucille Clifton  …born in babylon both nonwhite and woman what did i see to be except myself? i made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay…  This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day we celebrate just… Read on

“It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine, and things pushing up and working under the earth…” —Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden, 1911  As we continue to settle in this winter, we are looking for ways to slow down, stay calm, be present, feel inspired, and soften…. Read on

Lead image from Beauty Everyday, 2013 by Rinne Allen, Kristen Bach, and Rebecca Wood (pages 4–5)   “…poetry is a strange thing. It often is a private act, written alone. But yet, it’s written for the possibility of being read or recited in public. And so poetry asks us to make public what is very private. And what is a more worthy thing for… Read on

Instagram: @alabamachanin  “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ― Nelson Mandela  If 2020 has shown us anything, it has been the resilience and courage of so many. It is with this spirit of hope that we move into 2021, but before the new year arrives, we reflect on our year at Alabama Chanin. As we look… Read on

Since March of 2020, all of us have learned to gather and share life virtually. This opportunity to connect across the globe has been one of the few benefits of this challenging year. In October, and in response to these new systems, we adapted our workshop model and began teaching virtual sewing workshops from The… Read on

Lead image from Beauty Everyday, 2013 by Rinne Allen, Kristen Bach, and Rebecca Wood (pages 11 and 24)  “The winter solstice has always been special to me as a barren darkness that gives birth to a verdant future beyond imagination, a time of pain and withdrawal that produces something joyfully inconceivable.” ― Gary Zukav  This morning, at 5:02am EST, was… Read on

“The outdoor Christmas lights, green and red and gold and blue and twinkling, remind me that most people are that way all year round―kind, generous, friendly and with an occasional moment of ecstasy. But Christmas is the only time they dare reveal themselves.” ― Harland Miller  Nearly synonymous with the holiday season are holiday lights… Read on

Hanukkah, the “festival of lights,” begins on the 25th day of Kislev on the Jewish calendar. In 2020, the holiday began at sundown last night and continues through Friday, December 18th. The lighting of the candles on the menorah represents the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days, when it should have lasted just one… Read on

“A letter should be regarded not merely as a medium for the communication of intelligence, but also as a work of art.” – J. Willis Westlake  Today is National Letter Writing Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the epistolary craft of hand-writing letters. Letters allow us to connect with loved ones, practice calligraphy, source beautiful… Read on

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and… 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

From top left: “Dress for Mary Todd Lincoln”, 1861 by Elizabeth Keckley (pages 30–31); Evening dresses by Madeleine Vionnet, 1930–31 (pages 48–49); Afternoon dress; evening dress; ensemble; evening dress, 1930–31 by Jeanne Lanvin (pages 52–53); Left: Ensembles, 2018 by Mary Katrantzou; Right: Ensembles for Chloé, 2015–17 by Clare Waight Keller (pages 136–137);  Left: “Dress by… Read on

“It’s actually a very liberating thing to have a creative community, which is something that we all kind of desperately search for and find in the ways that we can.” – Kae Tempest  The Factory Store will reopen for the holiday season on November 24th, and we’ll be hosting a series of special events at… Read on

In the 20 years of being a sustainable business, we have seen our garments and products become incorporated into people’s daily lives and their homes. When someone values and assigns that type of meaning to something we make, we see our designs and our sustainable philosophies embraced by our guests and friends. That is our company’s vision playing out… Read on

“Love Print”, by Rinne Allen from Beauty Everyday, 2013 by Rinne Allen, Kristen Bach, and Rebecca Wood  “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ― The 14th Dalai Lama  World Kindness Day was founded in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement and is celebrated all over the world annually on November 13 (this Friday). The holiday is meant to “highlight good deeds… Read on

“Memory, for these times at 0fr Paris”, 2017 by Rinne Allen  “We are a nation not only of dreamers, but also of fixers. We have looked at our land and people, and said, time and time again, “This is not good enough; we can be better.”  ― Dan Rather, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism  Racial injustice, a global pandemic,… Read on

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” ― Maya Angelou  Our #womenwhoinspire series on the Journal is an ever-growing collection of posts about inspirational women whose selfless actions, harrowing stories, and good works have bettered their communities and society as a whole. Expanding on this theme of amazing women, this… Read on

At The School of Making, we incorporate our core values of sustainability, fashion, DIY, craft, and community into our mission, daily practices, and our educational initiatives. Through our sewing workshops, we are able to teach these values and create experiences for our guests to connect creatively with our team, each other, and their own selves.   In Crafternoon, Maura… 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

“The case study for “off-the-grid” fashion was created by Alabama Chanin who, in 2000, headed to Florence, Alabama, to work on what she thought would be a one-month project. Her idea, she says, was to make 200 one-of-a-kind T-shirts by hand, and she went home ‘to search for the elusive skills of hand-sewers who were… Read on

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking The Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart , Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired By Nature by Janine M. Benyus, Natural Capitalism: Creating The Next Industrial Revolution by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins, The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability by Paul Hawken, Strategy for Sustainability:… Read on

“Still of PlanYourVote.org video”, 2020 by Jenny Holzer  “Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world.” ― Sharon Salzberg  The fundamental right of voting has not always been freely available to all citizens of our country. While the United States Constitution was written in 1787, women could not vote until 1920, with… Read on

Natalie has been teaching workshops since 2009 at both The Factory and away, traveling the country and world to cities in France, New York, California, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, and Oregon to name a few. A typical workshop count at The Factory ranges from 15 – 25 guests, though we also offer an… Read on

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  Music and renowned recording studios have deep roots here in The Shoals. FAME Recording Studios and the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio have, for decades, hosted some of the most famous musicians and singers from across all genres of music. Newer studios, like our friends… Read on

Fabric swatches in development for Alabama Chanin Fall 2020 Collection (coming soon). “A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste—it’s hearty, it’s healthy, it’s physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I’m against.” – Diana Vreeland The Council… Read on

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” ― Bill Cunningham  Long a fixture in women’s closets since the Victorian era ended and corsets fell by the wayside, house dresses have had many incarnations over the decades. From long and loose “Mother Hubbard” dresses to the recognizable uniform of a 1950’s housewife,… 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

“Ruth Asawa Postage Stamp Book. Showcasing Asawa’s wire sculptures, the pane includes 20 stamps, with two each of 10 designs, featuring photographs by Dan Bradica and Laurence Cuneo.”, 2020 by U.S. Postal Service.  “I love the rebelliousness of snail mail, and I love anything that can arrive with a postage stamp. There’s something about that person’s breath and… Read on

It’s hard to believe that we are more than halfway through 2020 and The School of Making’s Year of Color. Such a year, we could never have fathomed—and, in so many ways, still cannot. Contemplation, making, and gathering inspiration for the future have become a go-to coping mechanism for me—which has been expressed through adding… Read on

Freedom Quilt by Jessie B. Telfair (1913 – 1986). Made in 1983. Jessie was fired from her job in a school cafeteria because she registered to vote during the Civil Rights Movement. The pain of the incident stayed with her her whole life and fellow quiltmakers urged her to express her pain through her art…. Read on

From top left: Backstitch Reverse Appliqué Abstract fabric swatch from The School of Making; Malick Bodian self-portrait as directed by stylist Suzanne Koller for A.P.C;  “Felt Suit,” 1970 by Joseph Beuys via Tate; Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the December 2019 issue of American Vogue wearing a dress by Balenciaga, styled by Tonne Goodman and photographed and… Read on

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow – Audrey Hepburn  Originally planted during World War I and World War II, victory gardens offered food security, reduced pressure of the food supply, and encouraged morale during wartimes. They have made a resurgence amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with many citizens of communities across the world going… Read on

With an emphasis on the cultural preservation of education and the living arts, The School of Making supports creating memorable experiences, the exchange of ideas, and the opportunity to develop sewing and making skills in an educational and inspiring environment of our workshops.   Our next available workshop, the Patternmaking Workshop, from The School of Making takes place… Read on

“Creativity is nothing but a mind set free.” ― Torrie T. Asai The School of Making is a community of makers. In a time of crisis, as the entire world is currently under during the COVID-19 outbreak, it is the communities that rally together to offer comfort and support to all. We, like so many… Read on

On Friday, we shared a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, announcing the postponement of our events in March and April, the temporary closure of our store, and our efforts to maintain a safe and responsible workplace and supply chain for our team and guests. If you missed it, we encourage you to read it here…. Read on

Though we are surrounded by many uncertainties right now, we at Alabama Chanin will continue, as best we can, to share stories and have conversations that are uplifting and positive. Today’s post reminds us about enacting change through acts of courage. “I know you are asking today, ‘How long will it take?’ Somebody’s asking, ‘How… Read on

Dear Alabama Chanin Guests,  Thoughtful design, ethical, and responsible production are the highest priorities for us. Our guiding principles of quality, impeccable service, unified teams, organic, local, regional, and domestic sourcing are reflections of our care for the wellbeing of all. We seek to be a benefit for the broader community in our region and… Read on

“Where there is a woman, there is magic.” ― Ntozake Shange  International Women’s Day was celebrated yesterday, March 8th. In its honor, we invite you to reflect on this year’s theme, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights,” and encourage you to support local and national organizations that stand behind a better and more inclusive future. We… Read on

“These living arts have been passed down by oral histories through generations of women and men—connecting us to our roots, our past, our community, and consequently to our present.” — Natalie Chanin, 2008 From the original introduction to Alabama Stitch Book A connection to community has always been deeply rooted in Natalie’s work and is… Read on

Project Threadways, as a concept and idea, has been in the works for several years—taking shape in Natalie’s mind for even more. Last spring, the planning, learning, researching, and visioning came to life at the inaugural Project Threadways symposium, held at The Factory in April. Following the symposium, Project Threadways was officially established as a… Read on

Back in August of 2019 friend, badass, swimwear designer, and founder of the “love thy differences” movement, Malia Mills, joined us at The Factory with her team for a Pop-Up Shop. Natalie and the Alabama Chanin team have long been fans of Malia’s mission and expertly designed swimwear and ready-to-wear pieces that celebrate and flatter… Read on

The School of Making is launching, for the first time ever, DIY Sewing Kits for all garments featured in the 2019 edition of Build a Wardrobe.  Each garment—the Fractal Dress, the Jumpsuit, the Asymmetrical Trench, and the Pencil Skirt— is offered in a variety of styles for your DIY Kit. The Fractal Dress is available as… Read on

Celebrate the holidays with us at The Factory’s annual Holiday Market. We’re excited to offer you the opportunity to do your holiday shopping at Alabama Chanin. While The Factory Store is open Monday through Friday from 10am – 5pm with gift selections from the Collection, Leisure, Cook + Dine, The School of Making, and other… Read on

“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.” ― Pete Seeger This Friday, November 15th, is America Recycles Day. Originally founded in 1997, it was the Presidential Proclamation in 2004 of then-Present Bush that declared every November 15th America Recycles… Read on

At The Factory, we thrive on creating an environment that is welcoming and inspiring to all. It’s been our great pleasure for the last six years to open our company doors to anyone who wants to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we make. Our events, workshops, and parties have… Read on

“Making it through the ceiling to the other side was simply a matter of running on a path created by every other woman’s footprints.” ― Shonda Rhimes Today is National Women’s Equality Day – a day that marks the adoption of the 19th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote. In celebration… Read on

We’re excited to host our friend and designer Sophie Simmons for a pop-up of her inspiring collection of underpinnings at The Factory, August 22-24.[ Spending her time between Paris and the United States, Sophie grew up wearing dessous passed down from her grandmother. These Swiss-made, French underpinnings were delicate and feminine, but durable enough for… Read on

“All of us who are openly gay are living and writing the history of our movement. We are no more – and no less – heroic than the suffragists and abolitionists of the 19th century; and the labor organizers, Freedom Riders, Stonewall demonstrators, and environmentalists of the 20th century. We are ordinary people, living our… Read on

“Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory there would be no civilization, no future.” – Elie Wiesel To commemorate Memorial Day and honor those who have died while serving our country, today we share the stories of women in the military whose contributions have impacted our country and our lives. We pay gratitude to… Read on

“Really, I do not know whether my paintings are surrealist or not, but I do know that they are the frankest expression of myself.” ― Frida Kahlo Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated this Sunday, May 5th. Author Isabel Bueno of National Geographic said of the holiday: “For Mexicans…as well as Mexican-American in the United… Read on

“To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage.” ― Georgia O’Keeffe In celebration of Women’s History Month, this week, explore the artists who, drawing from their own unique outlook on the world, have used their work to convey the gamut of universal truths, emotions, and experiences. “The inconvenient spectacle of Frida Kahlo”… Read on

The Gathering weekend is fast approaching, and we’re busy preparing The Factory for a spring season full of events. We’re hosting the customers, artisans, and the Shoals community for a weekend full of good food, workshops, company history and future. This is a time for the entire Alabama Chanin community to come together and celebrate… Read on

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and the world better than you found it.” ― Marian Wright Edelman The affect a teacher can have on the life of her student can be monumental. From instilling a love of learning and fostering a sense of self confidence, to encouraging… Read on

Welcome to 1972. The Rolling Stones just landed at Muscle Shoals Regional Airport to record three of their classic songs: “Wild Horses,” “You Got To Move On,” and “Brown Sugar.” Aretha Franklin recorded what was considered the first big hit of her career, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You).” Across the… Read on

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.” ― Neil Gaiman To start the new… Read on

… the role of the architect, or the designer, is that of a very good, thoughtful host, all of whose energy goes into trying to anticipate the needs of his guests—those who enter the building and use the objects in it. – Charles Eames A place at the table. What does that mean?  It means… Read on

As the “Global Day of Giving”, Giving Tuesday began seven years ago when the United Nations Foundation and the 92nd Street Y in New York City sought a way to turn attention away from the consumerism of Black Friday and focus on the spirit of giving. On this year’s day of giving, we are here… Read on

“Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways, it can change someone else’s life forever.” ― Margaret Cho Giving Tuesday, a response to the consumerism that surrounds the holiday season, has been celebrated since 2012. Founded as a way to give back to one’s community, both local and global, the Tuesday following “Black… Read on

“The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied.” – Confucius Such is the intent of the elaborate embroideries in our most recent Collection. By mirroring each delicate design, they become more substantial, all while ensuring the garment’s femininity. Our design team has long had a love affair with vintage embroideries—the soft and lacy feel of… Read on

Our Family of Businesses includes customer service as a deep part of its mission statement and vision for business.  We strive to build relationships on trust and quality. Our interactions and bonds with our guests over the last two decades have helped us learn how to grow and adapt. After listening to your shopping questions… Read on

“Travelling is like flirting with life. It’s like saying, ‘I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station’.” — Lisa St. Aubin de Teran Road trips are a very sensory and immersive method of traveling. Unlike a plane, which only offers a patchwork view of the land below, road… Read on

During June 2018, Natalie took month-long respite and creative journey during her residency at The Hambidge Center in the woods of north Georgia. She reflects on her time there and shares her experience for which she is eternally grateful: In the summer of 2017, I was going through what will always be known to me… Read on

“I found I could say things with colors and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” — Georgia O’Keeffe Our lives are full of and, in many ways, dictated by color. We express ourselves with the color of our hair and clothing. The vibe of our home… Read on

We’re nearly halfway through the year, and the rest of our workshops for 2018 are filling up quickly. We recently hosted our largest Three-Day Workshop—with 20 guests—and the popularity of our workshops continues to grow. We normally wait until later in the year to announce upcoming workshops, but we have already set dates through part… Read on

“One of the greatest gifts my father gave me—unintentionally—was witnessing the courage with which he bore adversity…He was always unshaken, completely tranquil, the same ebullient, laughing, jovial man.” – Ben Okri By the time Father’s Day was proclaimed an official holiday in 1972, it had already been unofficially celebrated for 63 years—since Sonora Smart Dodd,… Read on

We’ve written before about the process of mending and of integrating it into your lifestyle. Embracing mending as sustainable practice and a component of everyday life can be a small change that makes a big difference. Mending acts as a solution to economic challenges by utilizing your own skills to repurpose, repair, and restore your… Read on

Each year Alabama Chanin hosts a community picnic—a time for employees, artisans, collaborators, supporters, and members of the community to gather and celebrate. It gives us the opportunity to say hello to each of you, spend time together, and give thanks for the beautiful work and support we receive throughout the year. What started at… Read on

The past year has been one in which we’ve continually searched for beauty and hope; undoubtedly, 2017 has been a year unlike any other. As a company, our response to this year has been to look within and search for new meaning in what we do, to seek inspiration in the work of others, and—perhaps… Read on

Going into 2017, we knew there would be a lot in store. We launched a new website, several new collections, and brand new programming (like the Alabama Chanin Core Club). Our Bldg. 14 team really brought it this year, completing production for Alabama Chanin while having other special manufacturing projects under their belts for Patagonia,… Read on

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving. – Khalil Gibran, The Prophet The holiday season is a time when many of us are most mindful of those in need and… Read on

In the past, we have looked to other artists’ personal styles to inspire elements of our Collections—Frida Kahlo, Anni Albers, and Georgia O’Keeffe, to name a few. As part of our most recent Signature | Eveningwear Collection, our design team was drawn to the idea of the artist at work—how artists can combine their media,… Read on

Natalie lived and worked as a stylist and filmmaker at the tail end of the 1990s before landing in New York to begin the great, big adventure that ultimately became Alabama Chanin. If you don’t know about Natalie’s journey, look back at this post, this post, and this post on our Journal and listen to… Read on

Marfa, Texas, has fascinated the American imagination since we saw James Dean cross our wide movie screens in 1956’s Giant. It can seem both stubbornly Texan and confoundingly trendy at times, but it actually holds a great deal of magic for those willing to make the journey. Liz Lambert’s El Cosmico is a campground wonderland… Read on

The Factory opened to the public in November of 2013 with our flagship store and accompanying café. The Slow Food movement has informed much of our work, and so we envisioned a space where the two merge—slow food served fresh and slow design made locally. We hope you’ll be able to visit us in our… Read on

“Nothing is less real than realism ― details are confusing. It is only by selection, by elimination, by emphasis, that we get the real meaning of things.” – Georgia O’Keeffe Georgia O’Keeffe is undoubtedly considered one of America’s greatest and most influential painters. She was a key figure in the emergence and advancement of American modernism… 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

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is the anniversary of Mexican President Benito Juarez’s victory against the French at the attack on Puebla da Los Angeles in 1862. After the Mexican-American War, the country was nearly bankrupt—so President Juarez was forced to default on debts with France, ruled by Napoleon III. Juarez rounded up a force… Read on

There’s more in store this spring, as the current Collection evolves—with the introduction of new styles, a new color, Navy, and a new stencil design. We continue to love Frida, and introduce more embroidered designs in Baby Blue and Concrete colorways. With a bold floral pattern, our newest stencil design complements the delicate Frida embroidery…. Read on

“I remember Bill once telling us that the kitchen, within certain bounds, was a laboratory. Occasionally a tart would be lopsided or the mirepoix was never all exactly the same dice, and I remember him saying one time: We do everything homemade here. Everything is made by hand, so there’s nothing wrong with it looking like… Read on

Natalie has a deep history with Penland School of Crafts where, more than 30 years ago, she first received a studio assistantship—an experience that opened her eyes and mind to the incredible world of design and craft. In 2012, she revisited the North Carolina mountain school to teach a course on hand sewing. Natalie documented… Read on

The days following the Thanksgiving holiday have become inextricably associated with commerce: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday – these are all days to bargain hunt and search for gifts. But over the past five years, a movement has been growing to change the conversation on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, now known as #GivingTuesday…. Read on

In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday as a way to help small businesses gain local attention, and in turn, more customers. Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday—two of the biggest (and busiest) shopping days of the year, occurring at big box retail locations and e-commerce platforms, respectively. The day… Read on

As our home in The Shoals area continues to grow and expand, so does our list of things to do and see. Downtown Florence has been flourishing in the past few years, and new shops are popping up alongside tried-and-true mainstays. Ye Ole General Store, one of those longtime favorite spots, sits at the corner… Read on

Over the years, we’ve shared some of our favorite spots to explore here in The Shoals. We intend to keep expanding on that series, letting you in on local hidden treasures, like the truly unique Rattlesnake Saloon. Located on the outskirts of neighboring Colbert County, the Old West-style bar and restaurant is situated under a… Read on

If you’ve spent any amount of time listening to public radio, you become acquainted with or even attached to the sound of a host’s voice. The introduction to a show or podcast becomes familiar, like memorized lyrics to a song, and the host’s voice becomes as recognizable and comforting as a friend’s. For instance, so… Read on

New Years’ Eve is a big (if quiet) night for me. It’s been a long time since I was that girl that danced until sunrise. These days I’m much more into getting up at sunrise, writing, scheming, drinking coffee, and, on some days, simply cleaning house. That being said, I’ve very often had big changes… Read on

Several years ago, Alabama Chanin hosted our first Weekend Away Workshop in Taos, New Mexico. Around that time, I had recently visited Taos with a friend and when I returned home I found myself thinking about it constantly. I knew I wanted to share that same feeling I had there with others. I dreamt of… Read on

The design world is filled with innovators making products that can impact the human experience for good or for ill. The idea of designing and making with positive, spirited intention is growing far beyond its early influencers like Samuel Mockbee’s Rural Studio or the now defunct Architecture for Humanity—inspired by Mockbee’s project. Today, AIGA—one of… Read on

Early on in the life of Alabama Chanin, Natalie had the opportunity to visit the Ventura, California offices of Patagonia. That visit, along with a copy of founder Yvon Chouinard’s manifesto, Let My People Go Surfing, opened all of our eyes to the fact that it is possible to create a healthy workplace, make products… Read on

Newsletter #32 includes updates on our Alabama on Alabama show at Heath Ceramics’ Boiler Room (extended until September 13th). Other announcements include a sneak peek of our upcoming Collection—and beer and wine service beginning this Friday at The Factory Café . The Café will feature a limited menu and close at 1:00pm this Thursday as we prepare… Read on

The Alabama Chanin, Heath Ceramics, and Boiler Room teams have been working together over the past few months in preparation for our show in San Francisco, which opens tomorrow evening. Needless to say, we are very excited. The show, Alabama on Alabama, is the fourth ever exhibition in Heath Ceramics’ new event space, the Boiler Room. Heath… Read on

Celebrate: v. 1. Publicly acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity. Independence: n. The fact or state of being free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority. We hope that you take time this weekend to soak in the sweetness of independence that we’ve been granted… Read on

In April, I traveled to Chicago to lecture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. While there, I spent some time at the Art Institute and found great inspiration from the works displayed in their galleries. (For someone who has been considering scale and texture quite a bit lately, Elena Manferdini’s exhibition gave… Read on

With the launch of Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns and our updated online Studio Books + Patterns page on Friday—including new garment patterns and stencils offered as downloadable PDFs—we are offering a growing range of designs that require printing, either from a home printer or from wide-format printers found at print shops across the globe. Alabama… Read on

Last Thursday we started shipping our newest book, Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns.  Stacks of books around the office moved quickly into boxes and off into the hands of readers.  Thank you for all your sweet notes of praise and excitement.  We find it equally exciting to move on to this next chapter. Look for our… Read on

Music has always been an integral part of The Shoals. We are placed along the banks of what the native people have long called, “the river that sings.” W.C. Handy, The Father of the Blues, was born here; legendary producer and founder of Sun Records, Sam Phillips, is also from The Shoals. So, perhaps it… Read on

A little musical (and visual) interlude for this cold and snowy Friday—listen to this newly released track from one of our studio favorites, Alabama Shakes. Along with a beautiful video designed by Mario Hugo—half of our husband and wife, New York-based design and web team, Hugo + Marie.

“It is scientifically impossible to leave here unsatisfied.” -Staggs’s Customer Taylor Smith Less than five short miles from The Factory is a diner so well known in the Shoals community, locals simply call is “Staggs”—no elaboration is necessary. It is a place where social and economic barriers are ignored or discarded; everyone eats at Staggs,… Read on

In 1982, Ari Weinzweig and his business partner Paul Saginaw opened Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Today, that institution has evolved into a collection of food specialty businesses (known as the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, or ZCoB) that includes a bakery, mail order operation, a coffee company, candy manufacturer, a barbeque restaurant, creamery, and… Read on

In March of this year, we unexpectedly received an email with the subject line, “Asante Sana (Thank You) from Kenya!” It was sent by a woman named Nirvana, who is part of a team working to empower rural Kenyans with life and entrepreneurial skills. It seems that their goal is to inspire people to challenge… Read on

The t-shirts for Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q read, “You can smell our butts for miles”. This was certainly the case on Friday, October 10, as their giant meat smoker nestled up to Alabama Chanin’s front entry and sent out the signal for our final “Friends of the Cafe” dinner of 2014, featuring chef Drew Robinson… Read on

Alabama Chanin will host our final “Friends of the Café” Dinner of the 2014 season next Friday evening. The creative team from Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q, including Nicholas Pikakis and Drew Robinson, will be on hand to direct the menu. I find it amazing that Jim ‘N Nick’s currently operates over 30 restaurants across… Read on

Quite a few years ago, I loaded up the car with scissors, needles, and an array of other sewing supplies and took a trip with a group of friends and fellow stitchers to a women’s prison facility (at their invitation, of course). My friend Kyes had organized this meeting in the hopes of developing a… Read on

Join us at The Factory on October 10th for the last “Friends of the Café” Dinner of the year, a fundraiser for the Fatback Collective’s Fatback Fund, featuring Drew Robinson and Nicholas Pihakis of Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q. The evening will include cocktails and a four-course meal with craft beer pairings. The menu features regionally and sustainably-sourced fare, like Pickled Gulf Shrimp, Fatback Pig… Read on

My love for barbeque is no secret. Though I might be partial to our local fixings, I can honestly say most of the barbeque I’ve experienced throughout Alabama and the South is both distinctive and delicious. Each region and territory has its own unique recipes and tastes. One of the most well-known barbeque establishments from… Read on

One Saturday morning in the mid-1930s, Mancey Massengill, a wife and mother of two, saw people having their pictures made in a dime store photo booth in Batesville, Arkansas. According to her son Lance, “she watched close, and got the name off the camera, then wrote to the company and ordered the lens. She got… Read on

Last Friday night, we hosted our second “Friends of the Café” dinner, which also served as our first Piggy Bank Dinner fundraiser for the Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA). Chef Vivian Howard of Chef & the Farmer restaurant and the Peabody-award winning television series A Chef’s Life traveled to The Factory from North Carolina for an evening of delicious food, cocktails, much… Read on

We are in New York City this week for our third year of the MAKESHIFT initiative. MAKESHIFT is, at its core, a conversation about the intersections of fashion, design, craft, and food, and how each discipline can better work together to elevate those principles. Alabama Chanin has set up shop at our friend Lisa Fox’s… Read on

Foraging is the act of searching for and gathering wild food. Perhaps you remember learning about nomadic hunters and gatherers in grade school—these early societies moved from place to place, following animals, fruits, and vegetables in order to sustain life. Modern humans followed this way of life until about ten thousand years ago, when agriculture… Read on

As most of you know, Alabama Chanin strives to support local farmers whenever possible—especially now that we’ve opened The Factory Café and are sourcing local and organic ingredients for all of our dishes. Our kitchen manager, Arron, has built a strong relationship with our friends Steve and Connie Carpenter, who operate nearby Jack-O-Lantern Farm. Each… Read on

My mornings always start with coffee. Like many of you, the act of drinking coffee has long been a part of my daily routine. So, I was excited when approached with the idea of crafting my own blend. If you’ve visited The Factory lately, you’ve probably enjoyed a cup of our house coffee, which is… Read on

Thank you to everyone who graciously showed their support for Alabama Chanin over the last few weeks. Your purchases, emails, and love are the things that keep us going. It has been an incredible year and we appreciate your amazing show of kindness and loyalty as we move towards the holidays and the end of… Read on

I’ve written before about our Fabric Library, a collection of sample blocks and swatches that our company has created over the years. Each swatch starts out the same way, as a basic 10” x 16” rectangle of our organic cotton jersey. Then each one is embellished with embroidery, stencils, beading, and/or appliqué. These sample blocks,… Read on

Thank you to everyone who came to our Grand Opening yesterday – it was great to see all of our old friends, and make some new ones. We are overcome by the outpouring of support from our community (and beyond) for our new venture.

The Factory @ Alabama Chanin Join us for the grand opening of The Factory Live Music + Cocktails + Shopping Monday, November 18th, 2013 5pm – 9pm Alabama Chanin store + 2013 Holiday Market November 19th – December 23rd Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm Café Open Weekdays 8am – 4pm For more information, visit: www.alabamachanin.com… Read on

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be heading up to Chattanooga, Tennessee for an Alabama Chanin One-Day Workshop, a trunk show, and an exhibit of BBQ’ed Dresses. Yes, we put a few of our handmade garments into the smoker. Last fall, for the Southern Foodways Alliance 15th Annual Symposium, we BBQ’ed a few Alabama Chanin… Read on

As our conversation about Real Women continues, we’ve collected another story from the male point for view, this one from our friend Jeff Moerchen, who has contributed to our blog before and whose book Ligonier we sell in our online store. WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL: The coffee shop that I routinely visit employs a female barista… Read on

Makers and doers Kerry Diamond and Claudia Wu, two friends and former Harper’s Bazaar colleagues, have teamed up to produce the first indie food magazine to celebrate women in the food world. Beautifully designed and expertly curated, Issue #1 – The Tastemaker Issue – will be released in May. I’ve just contributed to their Kickstarter… Read on

It’s been a busy past few months for Alabama Chanin. Shortly after our cotton picking party and field day came our biggest Black Friday sale, then the holidays, our Garage Sale, Craftsy launch, travels to Los Angeles, the Texas Playboys visit to Florence, and much more in between. All the while, we’ve been making headway… Read on

Last weekend we hosted the Texas Playboys from Austin, Texas. The baseball club made up of artists, architects, musicians, photographers and entrepreneurs joined us for a weekend of great music, food, cocktails, and baseball. We were thrilled and honored they voted to visit Florence, Alabama for this year’s travel game (see ballot above) and flattered they challenged… Read on

As most of our readers know, we have a deep love and admiration for our friend – and collaborator – Anna Maria Horner. She is an artist, fluent in more than one creative medium. She not only creates bold and unique fabrics, some of which we have adapted into Alabama Chanin garments, but she also… Read on

It’s no secret that we (heart) Heath Ceramics. And we are fortunate enough to have one HEATH collaboration under our belt (with a new design coming in May). Our collaboration plates and dishes are a daily treasure in my home. My daughter sighs, “I want to eat on the star plate this morning.”  “Star plate… Read on

It’s the time of year when most of us start to look back at the past year to take stock and plan for the next. As a company, Alabama Chanin is no different. With a lot of help from our friends, we’ve brought the year to a (BIG) close with our first online Garage Sale…. Read on

I have to note that we started writing holiday posts about wreath making before the tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday morning.  It is incomprehensible for all of us to understand how that community will make it through the upcoming holiday season and beyond.  For me, senseless tragedy can rarely be fully… Read on

We often hear that you have to see an Alabama Chanin garment in person to really appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship that goes into every piece. We sincerely believe that our upcoming website is the next best thing. As our brand continues to grow, and our interests and projects become more diverse, we rely more… Read on

Our BBQed dresses have been carefully hung along side the stunning photographs of Landon Nordeman and the smell of barbeque fills the room. We are en route to a weekend of storytelling and out-of-this-world food (and spirits).   Join us tonight in Oxford, Mississippi, for Punch, Pictures, and ‘Cue Couture, as part of the Southern Foodways Alliance’s 15th Annual Symposium, Barbecue:… Read on

During the peak of New York Fashion Week, we played host to numerous events, presenting the pieces of our newest collection at meetings and trunk shows all across Manhattan. We had the joy of meeting with customers to showcase our latest pieces and help them design one-of-a-kind garments of their own. Thanks to the generosity… Read on

When you are raised in a community with a large farming population, the seasons take on a deeper meaning than a simple change in temperature. It is true that for agriculture, to everything there is a season –every vegetable has a growing season, every time of the year has beautiful moments and challenges to overcome…. Read on

—–Original Message—– Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 8:58 AM Subject: Re: cotton field photos I was thinking of you this morning and took a few pictures at the cotton field so you can feel like you are here this morning.  My photos are nothing to these that you have sent, but perhaps you will like… Read on

A combination of hand and manmade dyes are used for our fabric selection (over 45 colors and growing) at Alabama Chanin. Today we share some information on the natural dye processes, which we use for four of our fabrics: our current Coral and Indigo, Light Golden, and Goldenrod. Our organic cotton jersey is dyed at… Read on

Alabama Chanin is a celebration of deep Southern roots merged with contemporary style. As a company, we strive to connect to those roots by integrating age-old skills and techniques into our current work. Along the way, we have made new connections, created relationships with friends and pieces  that play a role in our story. There… Read on

Last Friday, before we left for New York for an inspiring week of MAKESHIFT, we received wonderful news: the cotton seed had been planted. The week before, Jimmy, K.P., and I met early in the morning at the site of the cotton field, prepared to spend the day planting. However, the soil needed to be… Read on

We hope to see you @ The Factory this Friday and Saturday for our Open House + Mother’s Day Market. The Open House includes a sample sale with the perfect selection of garments and gifts, Two-Hour Workshops with our Studio Team, and lots of laughter and stories. Friday, May 4, 2012 Noon – 5 pm Saturday, May 5, 2012 10… Read on

Thanks to Ari Weinzweig at Zingerman’s, I have been working on a “Vision of Greatness” for Alabama Chanin over the last few months (well, closer to a year to be more exact).  However, over the last few weeks, I feel that I made real progress and worked out a growth chart and mission statement that… Read on

In anticipation of our Visiting Artist Series with Faythe Levine, I’ve been reading through a weaving book that was re-discovered on our newly organized book shelves. Weaving Without a Loom is the kind of book that summarizes a ‘living art’ that has periodically made appearances in stages of my life. (Sewing has had a constant… Read on

Our Visiting Artist Series with Faythe Levine—co-author and director of Handmade Nation, is quickly approaching- and we still have a few open spots for the Friday seminar. Register here + find out more information about Faythe on our Workshop Resources page. Event Details: Open to all. Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 7pm-9pm Anyone Can Craft:… Read on

It is no secret that I feel a commitment to my community; it is equally evident the role that growing up in Florence, Alabama, had on my development as a designer.  Textiles – the growing, picking, spinning, knitting, cutting, and sewing – were a part of the vernacular of small southern towns from the late… Read on

From what I’ve gathered, Taos is a Magical Place. Natalie made a trip there not so long ago and came home breathless with tales of beauty and enlightenment. She was especially enthralled with the story of Mabel Dodge Luhan and the Mabel Dodge Luhan House. Her experience inspired a new series of workshops called Weekend… Read on

This text – some of our most important sewing tips at Alabama Chanin – is an excerpt from Chapter 3 of Alabama Studio Sewing + Design (which we plan to receive and start shipping around the 15th of this month). It is important to us at Alabama Chanin that we as a humanity (women and… Read on

On the 18th of November last year, Natalie held a Facebook Chat about Design Process + Manufacturing as part of her EcoSalon Post titled: From Field to Fashion. Here is a synopsis of the conversation that unfolded.  Keep the conversation going in the comments section of this post and come back each week to read… Read on

In follow-up to our EcoSalon post last Friday on Punks + Pirates, Alabama Chanin (AC) held a Facebook chat with Richard McCarthy (RM) of Market Umbrella to explore his interesting perspective on cultural assets, punks, pirates and the Spanish Armada.  I was first made aware of Richard’s work at the Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium last… Read on

Thanks to everyone who reached out about and/or shared my post on organic cotton last Friday on @EcoSalon. For the sake of making a plea for organic cotton, here it is again… spread the word. xoNatalie Pound for Pound: I am pissed. It doesn’t happen often, but, it does happen. I grew up in cotton… Read on

(Re)Detox – Day 7 – and I have to say that it is so much better to detox with friends than alone. We have been sharing lunches, telling stories, laughing, and, at times, commiserating.  This round has been easier for me (although I had a little slip on Friday night that involved a bottle of… Read on

After my daughter’s first day at school, Will, a parent from her class called and cried, “We have one in the books!”  I had never heard that saying but now know that after the first full week of kindergarten, we have truly put one in the books.  It was a week of highs and lows,… Read on

The book Clean, by Alejandro Junger, has been sitting on my nightstand since December of last year. Over the last months, I have read parts of it and “toyed” with some of the recommended practices (eliminating aluminum pans from the kitchen, drinking clean water, etc.), but it has taken some time for me to actually… Read on

Thank you to everyone who came to our studio in Florence last weekend to participate in the Weekend Workshop.  What a great group… the stories, fellowship, sewing, and laughter were perfect. A special thanks to Amy for sharing the sewing of her beautiful wedding dress.  What a special way to start a lifetime of beauty… Read on

California to Oregon and back to Alabama again. The travels, the people, the trees, the forests and the ocean were amazing. But then again, there is no place like home. Thank you to everyone at RedBird for making us feel at home, the Edible Schoolyard (coming to Alabama soon!) for hosting us, Alice Waters and all… Read on

Okay – before I start – I have to say – JOIN THE SOUTHERN FOODWAYS ALLIANCE… good? I made it through the snow and ice in Arctic temperatures to Walland, Tennessee. My trip to Blackberry Farm might be one of the most extraordinary trips I have ever taken – anywhere. I know that is saying a lot… Read on