Your monthly guide to the happenings in The Shoals.May, June, July, August | 2020 Since setting up shop in the former Tee-Jays manufacturing building (more on the history of The Factory here) on Lane Drive in Florence in 2008, Alabama Chanin has prided itself on being part of, and contributing to, our local community. To foster… Read on

Your monthly guide to the happenings in The Shoals. January, February, March, April | 2020 Since setting up shop in the former Tee-Jays manufacturing building (more on the history of The Factory here) on Lane Drive in Florence in 2008, Alabama Chanin has prided itself on being part of, and contributing to, our local community. To… Read on

The Shoals is an area rich in folklore, dating back to the 1800s. And this time of year, that folklore comes alive in tales of souls haunting historic homes and spaces. Fifteen years ago, local historian and author Debra Glass was inspired to create a ghost tour that would tell some of the forgotten stories… Read on

As our new travel series expands, we realized that we have never laid the groundwork by adequately defining and describing the community that we call “The Shoals.” Since Alabama Chanin’s inception, love of community has been the cornerstone of our inspiration, design philosophies, and production practices. Shared stories of our region’s history, our neighbors, and… Read on

Flags or Fences Shreveport, Louisiana; Lexington, Kentucky; Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; Austin, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Corbin, Kentucky; Knoxville, Tennessee; Oxford, Mississippi; or The Shoals, Alabama. No matter where Phillip March Jones finds himself, he takes photographs of the extraordinary ordinary, the peculiar still life: unusual signs, unfinished fence projects, garden rails, giant farm… 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

In my memory, I’m sitting next to Renita Green and we are best of friends. We share giant SweeTarts, a favorite treat we both love, by breaking them in half—or quarters to share with our surrounding classmates. In my memory, my class is racially balanced. However, there I am, fifth row down, with my first-grade smile and thrilled to… Read on

Project Threadways has been in the works for several years. In spring 2019, our team’s planning, learning, researching, and visioning came to life at the inaugural Project Threadways Symposium, held at The Factory. Following the symposium, Project Threadways was officially established as a nonprofit 501(c)(3)—allowing us to further realize its mission of recording, studying, and exploring the history of the… 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

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” ― James Beard Restaurants have been one of the hardest hit industries during this pandemic, and, as their lifeline in the supply chain, many farmers are also deeply affected. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, these eateries and gathering places were the hearts of countless communities across the country…. Read on

Many chefs have a deep relationship with food and music: Bill Smith with his band tees and history at Chapel Hill’s Cat’s Cradle; Cheetie Kumar—rockstar chef of Garland and Birds of Avalon; Sean Brock with his guitar collection and foray into music. These are a few chefs that have graced The Factory Café for our… 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

To immerse our makers into the community that surrounds Alabama Chanin, this year chef John Cartwright of Rivertown Coffee, located in downtown Florence, will be joining us at The Factory to bring his own brand of Southern cooking to each workshop. We recently sat down with John to discuss Rivertown Coffee, the food community in… Read on

Since the fall of 2018, I’ve been doing a (mostly) weekly yoga session with my friend Goode Dethero and Sarah Baxter, our teacher. This is one of the few moments in the week that I make time for myself and self-care. Sarah is a different, irreverent, non-spiritual/spiritual, knowledgeable, strong and gentle teacher and friend—as you’ll… Read on

In this world of disposable things and gifts that don’t last, one of the best, most sustainable, holiday offerings is an experience. After all, what lasts longer than a profound memory? Especially if that memory is accompanied by a one-of-a-kind piece that will last for years and provides the extra satisfaction of having made it yourself.   Our Workshops come in several different… 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

The gift of learning will last a lifetime. Learning skills that can be perfected and expanded upon through the years is sure to bring pleasure and exciting challenges. The School of Making’s sewing workshops in the coming year allows you to gift these joys to the maker in your life. The Intro to Hand-Sewing Workshops… Read on

Born and raised in a strict religious home in Louisiana, Caleb Elliott was discouraged from listening to secular music at home, but that doesn’t mean that music wasn’t an important part of his life. His mother filled their home with spiritual music – and Caleb and his three siblings all played classical instruments in elementary… Read on

“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.” ― Sarah Dessen This past Saturday was the first-ever Shoals Fest here in Alabama, organized by singer and guitarist Jason Isbell. Shoals Fest celebrated the rich musical history of the Shoals area with… Read on

For our final dinner of our 2019 Friends of the Café series, we are excited to announce that Tandy Wilson will be our surprise chef. Chef Tandy Wilson is a true Southern boy with a passion for good food and the humbling ability that it has to bring folks together. Whether Wilson is cooking at… Read on

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” ― Helen Keller One of The Shoals most famous residents was Helen Keller. Blind and deaf, the Tuscumbia native devoted her life to education and improving the lives of the deaf and blind.  She authored numerous books throughout her life and on September 14, 1964 (55 years… Read on

It’s hard to believe, but 2019 is past its half-way mark. The School of Making and The Factory Café is keeping busy with workshops scheduled from August through late Fall. Our workshops are open to makers and cooks, amateurs and skilled alike. We invite you to join us: On August 10th the team will be… 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

In addition to our first dinner by chef Bill Smith, in conjunction with the Project Threadways Symposium, we hosted a second event featuring chef Cheetie Kumar, with small bites by Angie Mosier and dessert from Lisa Donovan. The meal was served in the style of a traditional factory lunch, and included some traditional Southern-style dishes… Read on

It is the time of year when we announce our upcoming workshop schedule, so that you can begin making travel arrangements. Last year our workshops filled up quickly—so we recommend booking your 2020 workshop space as soon as possible. As always, we offer something for sewers of every skill level, from novice to expert. And… Read on

“Bldg. 14 works to preserve [the] history and tell a new story of modern manufacturing in the United States.” ― alabamachanin.com It’s been 5 years since we opened Building 14, the machine manufacturing arm of Alabama Chanin’s Family of Businesses. In those five years, we have ushered in the Core Club and the Clean Tee,… 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

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

Every year it seems that we say what a busy year it has been for us at Alabama Chanin, and every year we mean it. We seem to keep growing as a company and as people and making opportunities that expand our horizons. Look back at the 2018 happenings for The School of Making, Bldg…. Read on

In 2018, the store and café celebrated five years serving our community and the public and is anticipating brand new programming for 2019. Having shared a review of the past year for The School of Making and Bldg. 14, today we look back at The Factory Store + Café. The Factory Store rotated its offerings… Read on

2019 is ushering in exciting new changes for The Factory Café. Our beloved Friends of the Café Dinner Series will continue, as well as an array of new programming. 2018 wrapped up with some great events. Chef Kyle Ogden of the Shoals’ Turtle Point Country Club was featured at our September Supper Club and executed… Read on

We all dream of a homemade Thanksgiving dinner, but sometimes (and these days more often than not) we get swept up in the busyness of life and find ourselves scrambling to put together a last minute meal. For our Shoals community, The Factory Café is offering Thanksgiving Pickup again this year. Our menu includes Thanksgiving… Read on

We are excited to announce that our upcoming Friends of the Café Dinner with Kelly English and Cameron Razavi will be hosted by two members of the Single Lock Records team: Reed Watson and Cedric Burnside. Reed and Cedric are taking over duties for Natalie, who will be unable to attend due to family commitments…. Read on

We are continually looking for quality companies to partner with on Alabama Chanin items and, once again, we are honored to showcase a collaboration with Maine-based operation, Swans Island Company. They have a team of craftspeople who marry old techniques with technology to produce handcrafted pieces. We find a kinship with them because of their… Read on

Project Threadways records, studies, and explores the history of the textile industry in The Shoals community, and the American South. Our goal is to accurately and respectfully retell the story of textiles—from farm to finished product—and the way the act of making textiles shaped the lives of the communities and the individuals of those communities…. 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

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

2017 welcomed exciting changes, friends and collaborators, and community involvement to The Factory Café. In July we welcomed new head chef, and Florence native, Ray Nichols. Our menu saw exciting changes with the addition of Antipasti Mondays, The Factory Burger, house made pastrami, and seasonal grit bowls on the brunch menu. We continued the tradition… 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

“Unto this wood I came as to a nest; dreaming that sylvan peace offered the harrowed ease—Nature a soft release from men’s unrest.” – Thomas Hardy Sylvan: of the woods; bucolic; idyllic; a mythical spirit of the forest Deriving from Medieval Latin, Sylvanus—one who frequents the woods. Sylvanus is a Roman god of the woods… Read on

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” – Mark Twain We’ve got spring fever – and the Alabama Chanin Collection… Read on

We previously introduced you to Muletown Roasted Coffee, creators of our house coffee, The Factory Blend. Co-owners Chris Weninegar and Matt Johnson, who originally met here in the Shoals, established their roasting and retail facility on the main square in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. Two years have passed since we last spoke with them, and for… Read on

There is a lot you can say about Scott Peacock: James Beard Award-winning chef, engaging storyteller, companion to Edna Lewis, budding farmer, writer/filmmaker, experimenter with indigo—yes, you got that right, indigo. Several weekends ago, my daughter Maggie and I took a road trip to meet Scott at his home in Marion, Alabama. We were joined… 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

Over the past year, we’ve shared music from our friends at Single Lock Records—including a growing roster of talented local artists like Donnie Fritts, Dylan Leblanc, The Bear, Belle Adair, and The Pollies. After a much-anticipated wait, singer-songwriter and co-founder of Single Lock John Paul White has announced that his new record, Beulah, will be… Read on

If you’ve attended some of our past Friends of the Café Dinner events, you may have seen Adam Evans’ face in our kitchen, working beside both Frank Stitt and Rob McDaniel. A constant student of his craft, he was quoted as saying, “Any time you get a chance to work with someone who is the… Read on

We often speak of collaboration and of creating a community of artists to share ideas. This philosophy is central to our artisan-based way of making. And when we stock our stores online and at The Factory, we offer a carefully curated selection of items that complement our own—always made by other artisans who follow a… Read on

There is an abundance of things to see and do right here in The Shoals, but as our travel series expands, so does our list of nearby attractions—nearby meaning within driving distance from The Factory. We’ve previously highlighted Birmingham, the city about 2 hours south of here that was built around the iron and steel… Read on

You may remember that back in 2013 we spoke with the trio behind Single Lock Records, when they were newly established. Single Lock is an independent record label founded by Shoals residents Ben Tanner, Will Trapp, and John Paul White. At that time, they had just released Overseas then Under, by The Bear (still one… Read on

Just two hours north of The Shoals lies Nashville, Tennessee—also known as “Music City”. Travelers visiting The Factory often fly into larger nearby airports (like Nashville or Birmingham) and make the drive to Florence. Lately, perhaps in part due to the eponymous television show, Nashville has blossomed as a tourist friendly city—one that we recommend… Read on

My initial introduction to up-and-coming Alabama chef Rob McDaniel came through my son, Zach. Years ago, Zach was traveling home from a Doo-Nanny celebration and stopped for brunch at a restaurant along Lake Martin in south Alabama. The unimposing atmosphere and spectacular meal he found at the SpringHouse restaurant had him hooked. He raved for… Read on

The Alabama Chanin Journal was unofficially launched back in 2006. In those early days, there was no editorial staff (or much staff at all). There was just Natalie and a couple of friends who pitched in here and there. The early blog posts had little in the way of structured format or consistent subject matter…. Read on

Two years ago, Cathy Bailey and her son Jasper came to visit Maggie and me in The Shoals via train. It was Jasper’s spring break and they boarded the California Zephyr to Birmingham by way of Washington D.C., and traversed the entire country to spend time in North Alabama. Needless to say, Jasper and Maggie… Read on

Summer is now officially in full swing. As adults, we rarely get to indulge in a full-scale month of vacation—as our children often do. But, in July I like to take a few extra days to enjoy summer with my family and friends. Maggie absolutely loves July (and July 4th festivities are some of her… Read on

Those traveling to The Shoals often ask for the best routes into and out of the area. I’m not sure what your definition of “best” may be, but I personally love to travel visually interesting routes, when time allows. For those that have the time and inclination for a scenic drive, I always recommend taking… Read on

Part of the excitement of living in The Shoals is seeing how the area has changed over the years. Though we have such an impressive collection of musicians in the area—musicians who have been an important part of the American musical landscape—when I was young, it was difficult to find a place to hear live… Read on

Two hours south x southeast of The Shoals lies the metropolis of Birmingham—that’s how I have it in my childhood memory. It was the 1960s and 70s and we rarely made the trip. At that time, it was a place of strife, and violence, and steel, and, for a small child, the great unknown.  It… Read on

February is technically a short month, but it was so fast and furious that I had to make conscious efforts to be mindful AND productive. March looks to be just as busy, but in the best way—full of things I want to do and people I want to see. It is National Women’s History month,… Read on

“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

“Organic buildings are the strength and lightness of the spiders’ spinning, buildings qualified by light, bred by native character to environment, married to the ground.” — Frank Lloyd Wright When visiting the Shoals area, or anywhere in Alabama for that matter, you should take time to visit the Rosenbaum House in Florence, Alabama. Nestled among otherwise… Read on

I’d wager that every native, and recent guest, to The Shoals would urge future visitors to set aside time for lunch at Trowbridge’s Ice Cream Parlor and Sandwich Shop. The universally beloved local eatery is a backdrop for so many of our memories, and it has managed to serve up simple, delicious food for decades,… Read on

About two hours south of The Shoals is Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city. It is a city built on railroad industries and iron and steel production. Birmingham has been called “The Iron City” and “The Magic City,” and it has a contentious past as a central player in our nation’s civil rights struggle. But today’s Birmingham… Read on

This post is the first of our new travel series; look for side trips (and side bars) on your way to and from The Factory—and from here to there. With this series, you’ll find some history, a bit of folk art, good diners, great bars and splendid adventures. Pack your bag, plan your road trip,… Read on

The music that flows through our community is nothing short of amazing. I’ve written many times about the rich musical history of The Shoals area—and I’m proud of all the up and coming artists, producers, and managers that strive to create great music in our hometown (including members of the Alabama Chanin staff). Our graphic designer, Maggie,… Read on

Alabama Chanin’s Friends of the Café Piggy Bank Dinner for Southern Foodways Alliance, featuring Ashley Christensen, was a singing success last Thursday. Not only did the ingredients sing on the plate, but our diners have adopted the habit of singing to our featured chefs. This time, Ashley Christensen was serenaded with a round of Happy… Read on

Last year, I was introduced to Inez Holden over a glass of dry white wine at a fundraising event in our community. Mrs. Holden’s story, told with humor and passion, reminded me that the fashion industry runs deep here in our community. Before Alabama Chanin and Billy Reid, there was Bubbles Ltd. As Alabama Chanin… Read on

“Where the Tennessee River, like a silver snake, winds her way through the red clay hills of Alabama, sits high on these hills my hometown, Florence.”–W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues We have written many times of our community’s rich musical legacy. The Shoals has a very notable place in modern music history; but, that… Read on

For April’s playlist, we’ve gathered some of our favorite songs to share with you. These artists are on constant rotation at the studio (and in the store and café), and serve as daily inspiration for us as we work. We believe these musicians are producing beautiful work and we know you will love them as… 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 love for cake, from traditional layer cakes to simple pound cakes, has been well documented over the years. While I delight in the homemade sweets of the South, one of my favorite cakes comes from a local bakery here in the Shoals called Sugarbakers. The family owned-and-operated bakery opened over twenty years ago in… 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

Long-time friend and artist Jack Sanders is also an architect, filmmaker, and baseball enthusiast. He is the founder of Design Build Adventure, a full-service “design, build, and adventure company” that focuses on collaboration. I first met Jack when he was a student of Samuel “Sambo” Mockbee of the Rural Studio.  I sent him a box… Read on

As a Southerner and a cook, I often find myself included in lively debates about regional cuisine, long-winded discussions of the dozens of types of barbecue preparations, cornbread recipe swaps, or conversations on the perfect biscuit dough. Those of us who love food treasure the dishes we were raised eating and love to swap recipes… Read on

Alabama Chanin recently partnered with our friend Gina Locklear of Little River Sock Mill (and Zkano) to create a line of Made in the USA, organic cotton socks as part of our new collection. We’ve written before about the textile and manufacturing history of the Shoals, and our current strides towards revitalizing manufacturing within our… Read on

In case you aren’t familiar, St. Paul and The Broken Bones is a band packed full of make-you-feel-good soul. Their recent single, “Call Me”, is on constant rotation here at the studio. Although based in Birmingham, Alabama, the group has ties to the Shoals – lead guitarist Browan Lollar is a Shoals native, and the… Read on

Looking back at what we have accomplished this year at Alabama Chanin, I feel nothing short of overwhelmed. With the help of many friends, Alabama Chanin has grown in ways I only imagined. Our company is the best it has ever been, and will only get better. Over the summer, and on the heels of… Read on

Scout By Two is a collaboration of two artists, via Alabama and New York. Marisa Keris and Constance Sepulveda met while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, and their shared aspiration to design and make products they’d use themselves led them to launch Scout By Two earlier this year. “Our mission is to… Read on

If you visit our studio here in Alabama, you will arrive to find that we are housed in a sturdy, industrial-style, metal building which we call “The Factory.” Our community was, for generations, home to textile mills that employed an incredible number of area residents. This industrial building where we work and spend hours of… Read on

Fellow designer and neighbor, William “Billy” Reid (“Nobody calls me William,” he says), and his business partners, Katy and K.P. McNeill, have been friends to Alabama Chanin for over a decade. We’ve watched each other grow our businesses and our community. We’ve worked together on countless projects and events over the years, including our favorite… Read on

Friend and native son Ben Tanner grew up in the Shoals. He graduated from Muscle Shoals High School, and after a few years living in Memphis, Tennessee, and Paris, France, returned to the area to work at FAME Studios with the hope of gaining some valuable experience. That stint was supposed to be a “brief… Read on

In Closing: The Life and Death of an American Factory, Cathy N. Davidson writes: “When the last worker passed through the doors of White Furniture Company in May of 1993, hardly anyone beyond the city limits of Mebane, North Carolina, noticed. In national terms, it made little difference that 203 men and women were out… Read on

We have written before about the rich manufacturing and textile history present in our community. The Shoals area and surrounding communities were working fabric and textile materials beginning in the late 1800’s. Those earlier years were often unkind to the mill workers and their families who worked long hours, lived in factory-owned apartments, and shopped… Read on

The music industry as we once knew it has been forced to evolve rapidly in recent years, as technology has grown faster than established business models. Major record labels struggle to maintain control of the radio waves, music sales, artist development, and our ears; meanwhile, established artists like Radiohead and Beck have embraced the Internet,… 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

These days, you don’t think twice about hearing a woman’s voice on the radio. There are surely female deejays or journalists on your local station. NPR broadcasts the voices and stories of women like The Kitchen Sisters or Terry Gross among others. Alabama Chanin favorite, Elizabeth Cook has her own show, “Apron Strings,” on Sirius… Read on

The musical legacy of our community is rather incredible; you don’t have to look hard or far to find a wealth of talent in the Shoals. Dive bars, back porches, and BBQs are all likely places for impromptu jam sessions. If you were living here during the 60’s or 70’s you probably have a story… Read on

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Visiting Artist Series with Faythe Levine. It proved to be a fantastic evening of crafting, conversation, and Old-Fashioneds. In addition to the interactive crafting that ensued, Faythe held a seminar where she lectured on ‘Craftivism’, her work and travels (examples include urban camping in Detroit and a… Read on

Living in a community that has an abundance of farmland and agriculture, one might not think that ‘guerrilla gardening’ is exactly required. However, like any community, The Shoals is dotted with the occasional abandoned lot and neglected space in our downtown area. And we are of the opinion that most any space can benefit from… Read on

As Alabama Chanin has grown and evolved, we have built a business model that I strongly believe in. Many of you have been with us from the beginning, and many of you have found us along the way. On a daily basis, we receive a bounty of emails, phone calls, and letters. Here we have… Read on

I used to go sit at Tom Hendrix’ wall to think, particularly on days when I thought I couldn’t take running my business anymore. I would ask Mr. Hendrix over and over again, “Where do you find the passion and will to continue creating 25, 26, 27 years into your work?” He would patiently listen… Read on

Most of you who follow this blog know that when I returned to Alabama in 2000, I didn’t have a grand plan to build the company that is now Alabama Chanin. Any plans I may have had seemed to fall away into something far larger than I ever anticipated. It is easy to feel overwhelmed… 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

My friend Jennifer Venditti has been an inspiration to me since our first meeting a decade ago in New York.  She is one of those friends who I don’t talk to every week but when we do, the stories unfold. We have trips to documentary film festivals behind us and many a trip ahead of… Read on

It was a great weekend for music in the Shoals… Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit launched their self-titled CD at the newly remodeled Shoals Theatre in downtown Florence. It was staggering to see this iconic venue from my childhood develop to fantastic music venue. The place was packed with friends, family, fans. Fame Studio, Muscle Shoals… Read on

American Routes takes a trip through the music of the Yellowhammer State–Alabama. Visit the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and find out what’s in the water around “The Shoals” to make it a historic hotbed for R&B hits by Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and more. Also, a trip through Hank Williams‘ childhood home in Georgiana, and… Read on

Martha Hall Foose is coming to town today and I am very excited. Book signing, cooking demonstration and dinner make for a “real” adult evening by anyone’s standards. She sent along this email, story and poem as a sampling of what we have to look forward to: Hey gal! Thrilled about my return to the… Read on

In 2016, Natalie wrote the following on the Alabama Chanin Journal, ”In my design training, we never really spoke directly about the cultural impact of the things (products) we were making. In my memory, conversations tended more towards how the culture impacted us as designers. I learned to make dresses and thought about the manufacturing… Read on

com·mu·ni·ty/kəˈmyo͞onədē/nouna feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. Community has always been an integral part of Alabama Chanin. Nearly two decades ago Natalie moved back to the familiar community of her hometown to begin what has grown into Alabama Chanin’s Family of Businesses. Sewers from the local… Read on

As part of our sixth annual Friends of the Café Dinner Series, we are excited to round out the year’s slate of star chefs. Both are familiar faces who continue to surprise us with their culinary evolutions, and their food lends itself to the comfort and sense of community that these café dinners always offer. … Read on

The Florence and Muscle Shoals areas are steeped in history – from music like the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and W. C. Handy’s Jazz Fest, to Helen Keller’s birthplace at Ivy Green, to architecture like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House (which is featured in our new Leisure collection). Alabama Chanin constantly draws inspiration from our… Read on

Each year the holiday season renews our sense of thankfulness and fellowship. Thankful for the abundance of love and support in our own lives, we are inspired to give back to the community that nourishes us. This year we focus on Project Threadways. Working in partnership with the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and the… Read on

For the final dinner of our 2019 Friends of the Café series, we hosted James Beard Award-winning chef Tandy Wilson for a special evening that combined savory with sweet and included personal touches to each dish. Benefitting Project Threadways, the evening featured a brief discussion of Project Threadways by Carolyn Barske, director of the Muscle… 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

Among the upcoming Project Threadways Symposium events is a dinner with chef Cheetie Kumar, with small bites by chef Angie Mosier and dessert from chef Lisa Donovan this Saturday evening at The Factory. Cheetie Kumar is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based chef and sometimes rock star. (She tours with her band Birds of Avalon, and owns… Read on

As the Project Threadways Symposium approaches, we are excitedly finishing up last minute details and getting the final product ready for you to view. These details include completing our exhibition, which will be on display at The Factory. Our documents and oral histories will be presented and include quotes from former textile workers like Sherri… Read on

The work of Project Threadways continues. We’ve been busy planning for the inaugural symposium in the spring and collecting oral history interviews from textile workers in our community. With the expert help of our friends at Nest and support and funding provided The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, we’ve developed a survey to help us… Read on

Our inaugural year of The Factory Supper Club is drawing to a close (with two more left), and it has allowed us to showcase talented, local chefs and provide a unique experience for our guests. In November, The Factory Café is bringing in chef Fatin Russel of Odette, a beautiful dining establishment in downtown Florence… Read on

“One of the greatest pleasures of my life has been that I have never stopped learning about Good Cooking and Good Food.” ― Edna Lewis For the past 20 years the Southern Foodways Alliance, or SFA, has “explor[ed] the diverse food cultures of the changing American South.” Their Fall Symposium, held this weekend in Oxford,… Read on

Penny Sandy joined Bldg. 14 this year and comes to us with a lifetime of sewing experience. She was born and raised in our community, learning to sew from her grandmother at a very young age. And while she moved away for a bit, Penny found her way back home. (That seems to be a… Read on

“A community is made up of intimate relationships among diversified types of individuals—a kinship group, a local group, a neighborhood, a village, a large family.” – Carroll Quigley As we prepare to host friends, family, Shoals locals, guests from afar, and our making community for The Gathering this week, we were inspired to explore our… Read on

We love you all. We love the Fourth of July. We love our staff. We love for our staff to spend time with their families. In celebration of Independence Day this year, The Factory, the Alabama Chanin offices, and our production studios will be closed today, July 4, 2017. Some of our staff will celebrate by… Read on

If you follow along on the Journal, you know that Alabama Chanin is a long-time supporter of the Southern Foodways Alliance. Over the years, we have joined together for countless partnerships, events, and projects: Natalie barbequed dresses for their 2012 Symposium; we created an apron in their honor; we even supplied costumes for their collard… Read on

I spent quite a lot of time over the holiday season digging into some of my favorite cookbooks. This was sparked on by several things: My son, Zach, and I started talking about what we want to accomplish with The Factory Café in 2016 and got side tracked talking (for a very, very long time)… Read on

In March of 2015, The School of Making launched a partnership with Nest—a non-profit that joins together with artisans across the world to bring about positive social impact through sustainable development. Nest works specifically with artisans because they are often community-based businesses or organizations; they collaborate with those artisans to provide tools, training, infrastructure, and… Read on

In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, we asked artist, photographer, and good friend Rinne Allen to share some of her favorite things to give (and receive). We’re all fans of her thoughtfully curated selections. Read on to learn more about each item and why Rinne chose it as one of her favorites. Metalworker Laurel… Read on

In the northwest corner of Alabama it sometimes feels like we are in our own little world (or, perhaps, just in our own little state of mind); we have our own way of doing things. This area boasts a beautiful terrain, unpredictable weather, its own unique musical sound, white barbecue sauce, and, of course, chicken… Read on

We’ve written each month about how quickly this year is FLYING by—and this month is no different. I caught myself telling someone the other day that I’m only going to be away a couple of weekends this coming month; I plan to spend the other weekends at home working in the garden, which could use… Read on

When we opened our Bldg. 14 manufacturing facility in the summer of 2013, we knew that we had to commit to learning about the ever-changing manufacturing industry—and that the learning curve would be steep. But as we began to educate ourselves, we found that no manual or set of rules existed for us to consult…. Read on

Each week, as the Factory Café staff puts together our menu, they take into consideration the produce and meats available to them from our local farms and merchants. We have developed long-time relationships with growers like Jack-O-Lantern Farms, who provide us with homegrown, seasonal vegetables—using no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic nutrients. In recent months, we… Read on

In December of 2012, songwriter and musician Beck released an “album” called Song Reader that challenged modern recording industry standards and the traditional definition of what an album should be. With Song Reader Beck took a unique approach by releasing 20 songs in sheet music format and asking artists to interpret and record them as… Read on

We often speak about our home, our state, and our community that provides an incredible amount of inspiration for our work. We are not alone: friend and occasional collaborator, Billy Reid, also headquarters in the same community. It has been mentioned (and is remarkable) that Alabama has the third largest membership in the Council of… Read on

Doc Dailey is a longtime friend of Alabama Chanin and a talented musician making music right here in our community. He and his band mates weave together music that has a universal appeal, with the distinct flavor of Muscle Shoals. Below, he shares some of his favorite summertime pastimes and songs. AC: When did you… Read on

Each morning, when the rising sun (or my daughter) wakes me and I open my eyes, I begin to go over my plan for the day. This is a treasured time. Some days, I can’t wait to get going and the day’s tasks are joyous and fruitful; other days, work just feels like…work. Last summer,… Read on

My love of books is no secret. I still have a decades-old public library card, probably obtained when I was about 8 or 9, printed on card stock and housed in a small, paper envelope. It was one of my most prized possessions as a child. Today’s library cards can be scanned and swiped, but… Read on

At Alabama Chanin, we are proud of our home’s musical legacy. As we have written before, we are also proud to be surrounded by an impressive group of local, up-and-coming musicians. The Bear and Belle Adair are just two of a growing list of our favorite local bands. Both bands have released records under local,… 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.

Belle Adair. Photo: Ashton Lance Name: Matthew Green Band: Belle Adair Instrument(s) you play: Guitar and bass Place of Birth/Hometown: Muscle Shoals, Alabama Presently residing: Tuscumbia, Alabama

Shoals resident, friend, and artist Marisa Keris and her college friend Constance Sepulveda are making beautiful hand-stitched bags and accessories from canvas and Italian leather under the label Scout by Two. Inspired by vintage goods, American style and tradition, the artists combine wood-burned details with simple geometry and natural elements to create original designs with… Read on

The Local Playlist is a new feature on the Alabama Chanin Journal. There’s a rich musical history – and presence – in our community, which you’ve likely read about before. So, we thought, instead of just telling you how great the music is, we’d give you a chance to listen.  We’ll share a new playlist every… Read on

It’s been nearly three years since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, and the repercussions still linger. Tar balls continue to wash up on shore as we wait patiently to learn how much BP will pay in restitution. But the fishing, shrimping, and oyster industries have rebounded in strides, as… Read on

Rivertown Coffee Co. has been a staple in our community for almost 10 years. In this video series called MadeInTheShoals, owner John Cartwright talks about how he experiences coffee, the importance of community, and what it’s like to own a business.

This post – part of our new “Real Women” series – is dedicated to two of the most “real” women I know: Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva of The Kitchen Sisters.  Without their dedication to telling the “real” story, I would not be the designer, or the person, I am today. Lost and Found Sound… Read on

At the Factory, we play music to help set an inspiring tone for our work environment, and sometimes to just get us through the day. At any given time, you will hear a range of genres including folk, classical, rock, country, and independent artists. We don’t usually pick favorites, but The Civil Wars’ sounds are… 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

One of our favorite places to visit – Refueled – has a beautiful new look. (And we are thrilled to be shown as a sponsor at the bottom of the page.)  While we were working on a project last month, I had a chance to catch up with Chris Brown – Refueled’s creator and creative… 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