An excerpt from Embroidery: Threads and Stories, by Natalie Chanin. The origin of the word Alabama is still debated. Some believe it is derived from the Choctaw language, translated as “thicket clearer”—hinting at the agriculturally adept tribes that cleared the thicket for cultivation. As a child, I was certain that this was the best interpretation,… Read on

Above: Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour, edited by Michelle Tolini Finamore. Read (or listen) along with us. #AlabamaChaninBookClub(Updated August 21, 2023) Some of the links below contain affiliate links. By purchasing a book or audio recording at these links, Alabama Chanin, The School of Making, and Project Threadways may receive a portion of the purchase… Read on

August. Whirlwind Month. (And we’re only halfway through.)A note from Natalie. I hope this finds you all well. I’m writing from my kitchen, back doors flung open to a cool(er) morning—foreshadowing the change of seasons. I spent the morning making lists, updating my calendar, reminiscing on the last week, and looking forward what lies ahead.  First… Read on

Follow along on Instagram for more inspiration and stories we love.@alabamachanin What We’re Watching (via @swissmiss): Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint from Kino Lorber Films. @kinolorber Learn more and watch the full documentary here. Explore Hilma af Klint’s work and legacy as one Sweden’s most experimental and influential artists. Weekend Digest: “Dealing with Dignity… Read on

Pictured above: A south-bound dirt road leading toward the swampy backwater and hidden landscapes of Mooresville, Alabama, photograph by Abraham Rowe The National Heritage Area program began in the 1980s and includes 55 National Heritage Areas today. The program is funded through the National Park Service and carries their mission outside of park boundaries into… Read on

Dianna Settles was born in Los Alamitos, California in 1989. She grew up in Blue Ridge, Georgia and received her BFA from San Francisco Art Institute in 2014. Settles currently resides on an urban farm in Atlanta, Georgia, where she lives and creates in the company of a large community and co-runs Hi-Lo Press, a… Read on

Follow along on Instagram for more inspiration and stories we love.@alabamachanin Natalie Loves: Emma Thompson in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. #oscarworthy Stream the film on Hulu (and watch for a scene featuring one of our favorite hometown hits, “Always Alright” by the Alabama Shakes).  Read: “Emma Thompson and the Challenge of Baring All… Read on

September 12, 2022 marks Natalie’s 61st birthday, and we’re raising a glass to celebrate this special day for Alabama Chanin’s founder, fearless leader, creative director, jack of all trades, and H.B.I.C. (lovingly proclaimed head b*tch in charge—with the t-shirt to prove it). All of us at Alabama Chanin wish Natalie a beautiful, vibrant, inspiring, celebratory… Read on

There are times when you meet someone and immediately think, “Oh, there you are. I’ve missed you.” You feel as if you’ve known that person forever: dreamed, traveled, laughed, cried, and grown up together. Such was my first conversation with April Gargiulo. Our talk meandered seamlessly between subjects such as the meaning of craft, how… Read on

Follow along on Instagram for more inspiration and stories we love.@alabamachanin Closely Crafted is a newly launched non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing craft in the American fashion industry. By nurturing artisan equity and critical awareness of the craft, Closely Crafted is working to build a sustainable future for our industry and empower the… Read on

Embroidery opens with Natalie Chanin narrating a series of moments from her life: speaking at The Moth, standing dumbstruck on a New York City street corner, dancing in Naples, swimming in Venezuela, screaming into Angry Cove, coming home to Alabama in the middle of the night. Over the course of the book, she connects these… Read on

“Hawkins Bolden: Seated” for Institute 193, January 12 – February 26, 2022. ⁠Scarecrows made from stuffed pairs of work pants—likely worn out after many years in his garden—distinguish Bolden as an epithet for recycled and utilitarian art (Smithsonian American Art Museum).  Phillip March Jones is an artist, writer, and curator. He grew up in Lexington,… Read on

“Everything I do starts in a small black book. I make lists. I draw. I take down notes, memorable quotes, or random thoughts. Things seem to expand out of those pages.”—Phillip March Jones  The covers of our Phillip March Jones Journals, shown below, are printed with vibrant designs from the sketchbooks of artist, writer, and friend, Phillip March… Read on

Twenty.one onward through the liminal wan.der.lust air and love stitches  at the edge of nature freefall  renegade we are always coming home   trails of overgrown memories home.town love the thread catch my soul  scrub me new me together return to rethread aspire homeward  crafting web embellish.life storytelling core to live  and inspire  Created in collaboration with Diana Weymar of Tiny Pricks Project, Alabama Chanin x Tiny Pricks Project is a collection of 21 one-of-a-kind jackets,… Read on

Left: “African Burial Ground”, 2009; right: “Meanderings of an Imaginary River”, 2020 by Valerie S. Goodwin  This Thursday: Exhibition + Opening featuring fiber artist Valerie S. Goodwin | Florence, Alabama   Valerie Goodwin is a mixed media fiber artist, architect, and educator whose fine art works are included in museums and private collections. She has received degrees… Read on

For many of us, September 11th, 2001 is a time stamp—creating a definite threshold of before or after. I have children and grandchildren who were born into a post-9/11 world. Though they will never have a before, they watch the chilling documentaries, see the news coverage each year on its anniversary, and hear our stories. … Read on

Today on the Journal, Rinne shares the history of and process of our collaboration that has created hand-painted designs in the Permission to Wander capsule collection.  From Rinne:  This little collection of garments and treasures is inspired by the idea ‘permission to wander’….many years ago my friend Hope Hilton used this term in relation to a body of her work and… Read on

In the spring of 2021, the League of Outdoor Women, a local organization that helps women build a relationship with the outdoors through education, community, and awareness, hosted a class on orienteering at Wildwood Park—one of my favorite parks in our community. I grew up blocks from this park hearing stories from my grandmother about how her… Read on

Rinne Allen, longtime friend and current collaborator, adopted the phrase “permission to wander” several years ago from her friend, artist Hope Hilton and Hope’s work. As Rinne told The Bitter Southerner, “I think many of us don’t allow ourselves idle time … permission to be idle. We think we have to fill most every hour with productivity. Deciding… Read on

Today, National Nonprofit Day, recognizes the efforts nonprofits and charities put into making an impact in their communities. In 2019, Natalie, CEO and creative director of Alabama Chanin, continued her commitment to textiles and community by founding Project Threadways. Learn more about the organization below and ways to support them here.   Project Threadways is a nonprofit that records,… Read on

“Leave the door open for the unknown…” “…the door into the dark.” “That’s where the most important things come from…” “…where you yourself came from…” “…and where you will go.” —Rebecca Solnit from A Field Guide to Getting Lost Permission to Wander is a capsule collection of hand-painted designs and artisan-made objects to inspire (and… Read on

Left: “Plastic is Forever” by Barbara de Vries; right: “Portrait of Barbara de Vries”. Dutch artist and designer Barbara de Vries experienced what she calls her personal transformation while walking on the beach of Eleuthera in the Bahamas about 15 years ago. She noticed bright flecks of color within the sand and initially thought they were beautiful… Read on

“Cleve Jones and Gert McMullin”, 1987. Photograph by: Deanne Fitzmaurice for the San Francisco Chronicle.  In the early 1980s, Gert McMullin was living in San Francisco, ground zero for a terrifying new disease: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. Her friend David Calgaro contracted the disease, then another friend, Roger Lyon, and then more and more. As an increasing number of friends got sick, McMullin felt she barely… Read on

Swatch of the Month Inspiration: Beads + Sequins; June’s Swatch of the Month featuring Transitional Embroidery; “Shade Card” from Journeys in Natural Dyeing: Techniques for Creating Color at Home by Kristine Vejar and Adrienne Rodriguez (pages 182–183); “Oaks galls used to naturally dye June’s Swatch of the Month Embroidery Floss at the Verb Studio in… Read on

“Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were foreverOnly, nothing is eternal.”  —from American writer, feminist, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist Audre Lorde   Learn more about her life and work and discover her poetry from the Poetry Foundation. Image: “Audre Lorde”, date unknown. Photograph by Elsa Dorfman. Image licensed under Creative Commons Attribution.

We are continually captivated and inspired by the Mexican artist and style icon Frida Kahlo. Frida incorporated personal experiences, relationships, traditional Mexican culture, and political ideologies into her art, and is a representation of fearlessness and authenticity for many in marginalized groups. Frida drew from the deepest emotional elements of her personal life – including her marriage,… Read on

In the vein of our previous posts about The Family of Man and The Family of Woman, we continue our feature series on the books that were published by Jerry Mason and Ridge Press from 1955 to 1979. Family, by Margaret Mead and photographed by Ken Heyman, grew from a student-teacher respect between Mead and Heyman at Columbia University into a twenty-year… Read on

We previously wrote about The Family of Woman—celebrating female life as we lead up to Mother’s Day. This book is one of many in my library which is a well-loved, well-traveled collection of tomes that are an inspiration to the eye and fuel for the mind.  The Family of Woman is part of a series… Read on

As Mother’s Day approaches, we revisit one of our favorite books and a Journal post honoring mothers. Our friends at Dust-to-Digital released Never A Pal Like Mother: Vintage Songs & Photographs of the One Who’s Always True in 2011. The forward is written by friend, mother, Alabama Chanin ambassador, and master lyricist Rosanne Cash.  In May of 2021, The School of Making… Read on

There is no savor more sweet, more salt Than to be glad to be what, woman. –  Denise Levertov  I first purchased The Family of Woman at a used bookstore in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was one of the first photography books, along with The Family of Man, that would become the basis of my now extensive library, moved across the globe with… Read on

Left: “Self Portrait on Geary Street”, 1959 by Imogen Cunningham via the Museum of Modern Art; right: “Magnolia Blossom,” 1925 by Imogen Cunningham via Oklahoma State University Art Collection “I made a lot of mistakes, and I still do. But, I try not to worry about it, because I never will be the perfectionist, and… Read on

The importance of Black women in American life, culture, democracy, and history is undeniable. Even as recent years have brought some recognition, Black women’s contributions remain underappreciated or unspoken.  We still have a long way to go. But these women inspire us to continue the journey toward freedom and equality for all. This month, in… Read on

The holiday season inspires ways that we can show generosity, express gratitude, give back, and support others— oftentimes through charitable giving. Today, on Giving Tuesday, we highlight an organization whose work, like Alabama Chanin, is rooted in textiles: Project Threadways.   Project Threadways is a nonprofit that records, studies, and explores the history of textiles. Through their work, they… Read on

Featured in Made It: The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion exhibition. From top left:  “Gilded Sapphire Celia Tunic”, 2019 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Beaded Facets Coat”, 2006 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Beaded Facets Coat Detail”, 2006 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Sapphire Dot Leighton Skirt”, 2019 by 2019 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, “Sapphire Dot Leighton Skirt Detail” 2019  2019 by Natalie Chanin for Alabama Chanin, and Lee Dress, 2017; Top right:… Read on

The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion: 250 Years of Design, 2020 by Peabody Essex Museum in collaboration with Kunstmuseum Den Haag and Rizzoli Electa, edited by Petra Slinkard.  Fashion was, is, and will likely always be a way to differentiate oneself in a world that often feels most comfortable with sameness and conformity. If clothing is indeed the “armor” that Bill Cunningham firmly believed it… Read on

From top left: “Shots from “Case Study House #8; Eames House”, 1949 by Charles and Ray Eames from Eames: Beautiful Details, 2012 by Eames Demetrios and Charles Eames, edited by Gloria Flower and Steve Crist (pages 374–375); The Willie Top and Celia Florence Skirt from Alabama Chanin; “Embroidery Design”, 1885 by May Morris via the Victoria… Read on

In 2016, Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge, published In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs. In it, she interviews and highlights women from a diverse range of backgrounds, races, ages, and abilities. Natalie was proud to be included among this talented group of entrepreneurs and makers, all of whom… Read on

“My dear friends: Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.” – John Lewis In times when passions and fears run high, it is inevitable that art must emerge; it speaks to our hearts in ways that words may fail us. The… Read on

In the 1960s, the civil rights movement that demanded equality and justice for Black Americans produced a backlash amongst segregationists. In the American South, where Jim Crow laws had been in effect for generations, this commitment to massive resistance and white supremacy was often violent. These were turbulent, tumultuous years. Certainly, no one would have… Read on

In 1993, in what seems a different life, I was going through a very difficult time of great upheaval and deep sorrow. During this time, like today, reading was one of the few things that kept me sane. I’ve had a tendency my entire life to find an author I like and read many, or… Read on

“Mugshot of Jo Ann Robinson in the wake of the Montgomery Bus Boycott”, February 21, 1956, from Montgomery County Archives via the National Museum of African American History & Culture.  Throughout our series, we’ve heard the stories of three courageous women from the state of Alabama: Recy Taylor, Rosa Parks, and Claudette Colvin. Today we write about Jo Ann Robinson for… Read on

“A spider’s—or a painter’s—fleeting stab at perfection is a negligible stitch in an unbounded fabric. Its only significance lies in our own momentary, mortal gaze as we reckon with eternity.”  — Peter Schjeldahl  It is summertime in the early aughts, late evening. I am in New York City, and I’m riding my 1971 Schwinn Stardust bike on… Read on

“Lee Bontecou in her Wooster Street studio”, 1963 by Ugo Mulas.  Lee Bontecou was known to use her art to explore voids she found in society and within herself. She blended sculpture with paintings and drawings, often using unconventional materials and processes she developed for her work. She was known as being meticulous with each step in the creation… Read on

Left: Rosa Parks 7053 Tee, a collaboration between Alabama Chanin and basic. benefitting the Equal Justice Initiative; Right: “Montgomery, Alabama, police photo (mug shot) of Rosa Parks”, February 21, 1956 from Alabama Department of Archives and History.  In the iconic booking photograph of Rosa Parks shown above, taken February 21, 1956, she is recorded as prisoner “7053” after being… Read on

Claudette Colvin, aged 13, in 1953. (Public Domain) In our series honoring the significant contributions of Black women and their interconnectedness—the persistence of their struggle for freedom—we’ve written about Recy Taylor and Rosa Parks. Today we share the story of Claudette Colvin.   Claudette Colvin was thinking about her history class when she changed history. On March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin… Read on

Left: “Ruth Asawa amid her works”, 1954. Photographed by Nat Farbman/Time & Life Pictures via New York Times; right: “Untitled (S.270)”, 1954–1958 by Ruth Asawa via Whitney Museum of American Art  NOTE: At the same time we were working on this post, a New York Times article titled “The Japanese-American Sculptor Who, Despite Persecution, Made Her Mark” published on July 20,2020. It’s wonderful and timely… Read on

Rosa Parks being fingerprinted on February 22, 1956, by Lieutenant D.H. Lackey as one of the people indicted as leaders of the Montgomery bus boycott from Associated Press; restored by Adam Cuerden.   We continue to honor not only the significant contributions of Black women, but also their interconnectedness—the persistence of their struggle for freedom. We previously shared the… Read on

In 2017 and on a trip to New York City, I visited the Brooklyn Museum to view Georgia O’Keeffe: Living Modern. It was a beautiful spring day and before the thought of social distancing would come to rule our world. I was with a friend; we weren’t in a hurry.  As I passed the entrance… Read on

Mrs. Recy Taylor, 1944, credit: The Rape of Recy Taylor; From The People’s World/Daily Worker and Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University Over the coming weeks and months, we will honor the significant contributions of four Black women and their interconnectedness—the persistence of their struggle for freedom. We are going to tell… Read on

Left: Kady Vandeurs and Marsha P. Johnson at gay rights rally at City Hall, 1973. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. Right: A photograph of the Stonewall Inn, famed and widely recognized after the events of June 28, 1969, which would change the public conception of LGBTQ peoples in the United States; Diana Davies, copyright owned by… Read on

Initially, Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown, authors of the book We Are Everywhere: Power, Protest, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation did not know much about gay history.  But as the couple began collecting queer periodicals and photographs, they became entranced by what they found and set out to visually document the historical fight for… Read on

This post was originally published on our Journal in January 2014. We reshare it today, on Juneteenth, as an expression of our support for Black Lives Matter and honor to the heroines and heroes that came before those who are fighting for justice and equality today. Georgia Gilmore (about whom we have written before), is… Read on

The fabric tells a story. In the careful stitches, the colors, the pieces, a narrative takes shape. The blue water, the bright sun overhead, the American flag. In the center, a black fist holds a red lightning bolt. Harnessing power, and powerful itself.   This fabric is a quilt, designed by Ruth Clement Bond, one of six so-called… Read on

In my memory, I’m sitting next to Renita Green and we are best of friends. We share giant SweeTarts, a favorite but rare treat we both loved, 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… Read on

“Consciously living life and making slower choices—whether it’s for food, clothing, or shelter—can change everything.”   We look back at 20 years of Natalie creating a sustainable life and business in her hometown of Florence, Alabama, where our Alabama Chanin family of businesses is proudly located. Read back on the Journal (which encompasses over 14 years of storytelling)… Read on

“She was the first to ever love me.”  We have the deepest appreciation for the women and mothers who birthed us, nurture us, and continue to care for and love us. We look up to them every day, and today, we share stories and works of art that celebrate them:   Never a Pal Like Mother:… Read on

Though their new single released today, friends Rosanne Cash and John Paul White co-wrote “We’re All in This Together Now” last year. It couldn’t be more timely.  Thank you, Rosanne and John Paul, for giving us hope and for making us feel a little less alone. Read more about their collaboration over at Single Lock… Read on

Earth Day has arrived; and in north Alabama, we find ourselves outside more, taking neighborhood walks (socially distant, of course), and watching flowers bloom.   We have written about Earth Day before and explored its history. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and, perhaps appropriately, we are watching and learning how the Earth and its natural… Read on

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” – Brené Brown  2020 looks a lot different than it began. Earlier in the year, we set the intention to focus on a practice of retreat and self-care; in the most unexpected way, we find ourselves digging deeper and deeper into… Read on

Building 14 is Alabama Chanin’s machine-made design and manufacturing division. It is a callback to the early days of our region within the history of American textile manufacturing.  Building 14 machine manufacturing, officially born in 2013, is a natural expansion of our hand-sewn ethos and part of the Alabama Chanin Family of Businesses. The concept is… Read on

On Sunday, Dana Thomas, author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, hosted a discussion with Natalie on Instagram. Dana, in the South of France, and Natalie, in her kitchen in Florence, Alabama, shared their thoughts and experiences about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting day-to-day life and the fashion… Read on

As we work through the COVID-19 pandemic day by day, we can look to history and see that the planet survived, even thrived, after a world secluded themselves for the sake of safety. In 1918, the “Spanish” flu virus targeted about one-third of the Earth’s population. The world emerged to a flourishing arts scene that presented new… Read on

Nothing in our lives has prepared us for what we are living and navigating right now. Every day is filled with constant change alongside inertia. We find ourselves constantly having to make decisions while monitoring COVID-19, as we would a tornado or hurricane headed toward our community at a snail’s pace. So, we plan and do… Read on

As part of The School of Making’s Year of Color, we are looking at some of the mechanics behind exploration and creativity and how inspiration emerges. One recent standout is Brooklyn’s BLUE: The TATTER Textile Library. As its name explains, the space is a soothing collage of blue, with fabrics draped across shelves and cabinets…. Read on

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” – Rumi Explore the links below to discover who, what, and where we love. Love yourself. Love your family, friends, and neighbors.   Love good company.   Love your team. Love the planet. Love good food.   Love to travel. Love to create.  … Read on

Since 2012 and in January of each year, the team at Alabama Chanin, The School of Making, Building 14, and our Family of Businesses undertakes strategic planning for the year. This process was learned from our dear friend Ari at the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses and ZingTrain. Over the years, our process has changed and… Read on

This past month, we’ve been exploring ways to retreat and practice self-care. Following this theme (and after many requests), we’re hosting the second installment of our No Bullshit Breakfast: Enneagram. This second event takes place on Thursday, March 5th at The Factory; guests will receive an enneagram test code (see more below), light breakfast provided… 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

Warm beverages are often associated with comfort and relaxation: chamomile tea, homemade chicken soup, hot toddies, mulled cider. Because of its caffeine content, coffee isn’t always thought of as relaxing, but for many people it can be – and it can also be an essential part of a daily self-care routine. Natalie has always been an… 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

What do we mean when we talk about “self-care”? There are many ways to nurture oneself, but self-care focuses on a few different areas – our physical self, our work self, our emotional self, our spiritual self, our mental self, and more. In essence, our whole selves. Though we may think of the concept as… Read on

In her book, Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, author Dana Thomas explores the heart of the modern fashion world – exposing a fundamentally broken system, while also highlighting those who are developing solutions to deep-seated problems, and offering options for consumers on how to improve their shopping habits.   Thomas writes in… Read on

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen The dictionary defines “retreat” as a verb, “to withdraw to a quiet or secluded place.” With a daily life that is full of commitments to others,… Read on

This year – 2020 – will mark the 20th year of the company now called Alabama Chanin. While we have changed and grown over the years, our purpose has largely remained the same. Our values are steadfast. What began as a kind of experiment has grown into a company and a way of life that… 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

“Every great architect is – necessarily – a great poet. He must be a great original interpreter of his time, his day, his age.” ― Frank Lloyd Wright Located in downtown Florence and a short drive from The Factory is the Rosenbaum House – designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, it one of only 26… Read on

Today we celebrate our friends and collaborators at Heath Ceramics for their feature in the in The New York Times Style Magazine. The article, from the One Good Meal series, which focuses on road trips, good food, and the Heath aesthetic, also features the Camellia Etched Serving Platter, shown in the photo above. This beautiful… Read on

Since ancient times makers have adorned their most precious pieces with gold.  Egyptians overlaid their sarcophagi with gold leaf. The Chinese enveloped pottery and textiles in gold. Greeks and Romans embellished their marble and wood with this precious metal. The age-old craft of gilding has been practiced for centuries and it is these works, partnered… Read on

Most of us learned in grade school that our Earth orbits around the sun on a tilted access. For this reason, the period March through September gets more direct exposure to the sun each day. For the remainder of the year, the southern hemisphere gets more sun. The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words… Read on

The Moth Radio Hour, founded in 1997, has a belief that listening to the stories of others can build community and widen our perspective, helping us realize what we have in common. Their podcast and live events provide platforms for these stories. Their recently released book, Occasional Magic: True Stories About Defying the Impossible, offers… 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

Pat Hammond has an incredible kite collection; she has assembled a group of hundreds of kites over the last couple of decades. They have been gathered from all over the world and showcased in the Smithsonian and the Museum of Modern Art. Author Christopher Ornelas discovered Hammond’s work and documented her process and collections in… Read on

American conceptual artist Jenny Holzer finds her outlet in words. She started out making large-scale public installations, pasting signs in public spaces, guerrilla style. She has used billboards, t-shirts, books, video, and—notably—LED signs to get her messages across. Her focus is exploring the power of language and how it helps us communicate, but also to… 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

Judith Winfrey is an Atlanta native with a deep connection to the land and an extensive knowledge of farming. Her work with various organizations in Georgia has created a great impact on the state’s slow food culture. Judith was co-founder of Community Farmers Markets—developed to create a local food infrastructure to impact the community in… 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

We’ve been partnering with friend and fellow Alabamian Gina Locklear of Little River Sock Mill for four years to create a line of Made in the USA, organic cotton socks that complement our collections. Our most recent designs (stripe shortie, crew, and tall) launched alongside the Leisure Collection last month and match the quality and… Read on

“TO VOTE IS TO EXIST” American graphic designer Milton Glaser’s 2016 “Get Out The Vote” poster More from the AIGA Design for Democracy #getoutandvote

Cedric Burnside’s love for music was born in a juke joint, alongside his grandfather, legendary singer, songwriter, and guitarist R.L. Burnside. Though Cedric seeks to pay tribute to the man he calls “Big Daddy” and his own father, blues drummer Calvin Jackson, he blends elements of their styles with his own contemporary vibe. He played… Read on

In the late 1830s, English Botanist Anna Atkins likely was not too interested in the specifics of photography. Atkins was formally trained as a botanist and, at the time, was studying algae. Through her practice, she was looking for a way to document the delicate elements of each specimen. She learned of the process of… Read on

If you are a long-time reader of our Journal, you might be familiar with Phillip March Jones and Institute 193. Phillip is a friend and collaborator who founded the non-profit gallery, venue, and publishing house, Institute193 located in Lexington, Kentucky. He is also an artist, photographer, and author—and most recently opened a collaborative project space in New… Read on

During the Great Depression, millions of people across the world faced abject poverty after the stock market crash of 1929. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright was impacted by the sight of his fellow Americans living hand-to-mouth and was determined to find a way for people to live more simply and with more affordable housing, particularly middle-class… Read on

The Dead of September 11 Toni Morrison Some have God’s words; others have songs of comfort for the bereaved. If I can pluck courage here, I would like to speak directly to the dead–the September dead. Those children of ancestors born in every continent on the planet: Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas…; born of ancestors… Read on

When she began her art career, Swoon (born Caledonia Dance Curry) never tagged her art, opting to leave her pieces anonymous. She came up with the “street” name in a dream and began to use the tag which, because it is not gender-specific, led many observers to think the artist was a man—an unexpected advantage… Read on

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from contributing Journal writer, artist, and founder of Institute 193, Phillip March Jones. He’s taking a hiatus from the New York heat this summer to spend time on his family farm in Kentucky. He’s used the summer to grow vegetables, make photographs, and organize exhibitions. Follow his Instagram to… Read on

Graffiti has probably been around since the earliest days of man. Seriously. Paintings inside the Lascaux Caves in France date to prehistoric times—and graffiti was actually found in the Italian archaeological site of Pompeii, where some man proudly scribbled, “Gaius Pumidius Diphilus was here.” While those might have been the original graffiti artists, graffiti as… Read on

Graffiti is a form of expression, a way to state things (i.e. funny, political, or otherwise), and can be found in any place. We’re using our graffiti in defense of clean cotton, safe fashion, and a healthy environment. Wear it alone. Mix it with other graffiti. Layer it. Tie your hair back with it. Belt… 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

Gloria Steinem was born in 1934, the daughter of a traveling salesman and the granddaughter of activist Pauline Steinem. Pauline was chairwoman to the educational committee of the National Woman Suffrage Association, a delegate to the 1908 International Council of Women, and the first woman to be elected to the Toledo Board of Education. She… Read on

African-American journalist Ethel Payne was born in 1911, the granddaughter of slaves and the fifth daughter in a large family. Her father, who worked in a stockyard and was a Pullman porter, died when Ethel was 46 and Ethel’s mother became a domestic worker to support the family. There was little money for education so after high school, Payne began… Read on

Even in today’s relatively progressive world, female journalists often face discrimination or are corralled into writing or producing material that is meant to appeal to the so-called feminine point-of-view. As we recently highlighted, there are those like Christiane Amanpour who have worked hard to challenge the status quo. But for every Amanpour, there is another… Read on

Margaret Bourke-White, born in the Bronx in 1904, was one of the earliest prominent female photographers – working for a number of notable publications, primarily LIFE magazine. Though she studied photography in college, she was uninterested in pursuing it as a profession until long out of school. Eventually, she formed her own company, with Otis… Read on

The newsroom has traditionally been a “boys’ club”—and we are just beginning to see a shift in this mindset, both on cable and network news. For decades, Christiane Amanpour has been challenging that norm as a prominent news correspondent and a leader and role model for women (and all journalists) all over the world. Growing… Read on

Tanzila Khan was born in Sialkot, Pakistan, and a physical disability has confined her to a wheelchair since birth. Her activism began early in her life, as she was on the receiving end of discriminatory practices. In Pakistan, those with disabilities are often relegated to a lower status and their needs and desires are rarely… Read on

In August 2016, Wagatwe Wanjuki live streamed herself burning her once-loved Tufts University sweatshirt on Facebook Live. She held up the shirt bearing the name of her former college, one she bought in high school when she was accepted to Tufts. “I was very proud to claim Tufts as my school and my alma mater,”… Read on

First Lady Elizabeth Anna (aka “Betty”) Ford served alongside her husband, Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, from 1974 until 1977. Unlike many First Ladies before her, Betty was outspoken and approachable, tackling many thorny issues of the time. Born Elizabeth Bloomer in 1918, Ford studied dance with, among other instructors, the… Read on

Iona Gonsalves moved to Savannah, Georgia, from India in 2008 to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with a focus on textiles. She relocated to Florence last year to begin her work at Alabama Chanin and her life here in Florence. She is learning about… Read on

There is an incredible number of social and environmental issues being poorly addressed in America, perhaps few so serious as the current water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Activist Melissa Mays has been a loud voice amid the chaos, one sometimes inconvenient to government officials. But with her family and her community at risk amid one… Read on

Victoria McCoy grew up and was home-schooled in Huntsville, a city in northern Alabama located near Florence. She moved to Florence in 2010 to go to college where she received her degree in psychology from the University of North Alabama. Victoria uses her sewing skills to create costumes for local theater groups and is also… Read on

Luda Matmurtova has been a member of our production team since 2013. She moved to our community from Uzbekistan nine years ago and has incredible hand sewing and embroidery skills. Luda loves to bake cakes and meat pies, and we often find a freshly made dessert in our staff kitchen from her. She is an… Read on

Did you know that (per the Indian Law Resource Center) more than 4 out of 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence, and more than 50% have experienced sexual violence? Were you aware that, according to the Center for Disease Control, the third-leading cause of death for Native American and Alaska Native… Read on

In the late 1950s, Jane Goodall visited Kenya at the urging of a friend, not knowing that her life’s work lay just ahead. She fostered a love for all animals since early childhood and, while there, summoned the courage to reach out to famous anthropologist Louis Leakey, whose fossil discoveries documented that modern man’s origins… Read on

Photograph © Condé Nast: “Rachel Carson, Washington, D.C., 1951” by Irving Penn Rachel Carson’s childhood was spent in a smoky suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, far from the seas and oceans that would one day capture her heart. Her home was near the local glue factory, where she would watch slaughtered horses fed by conveyor belt… Read on

“All black art is political. I think our very presence is political. Anyone that is able to establish a voice and a consistent presence and put their voice forth is doing something radical and political with their very presence.” – Ava DuVernay Filmmaker Ava DuVernay was born in 1972 in Long Beach, California, and raised… Read on

“What does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?” – Sophie Scholl These were the words of Sophie Scholl, a 21-year old leader of an Anti-Nazi rebellion movement in the 1940s. Sophie, her brother Hans, and their friend Christoph Probst, were executed by Nazi party officials in 1943,… Read on

Champion of women’s suffrage, Emmeline Pankhurst was born in 1858 in Manchester, England, to radical politically active parents. When she was 14 years old, they opened her eyes to women who were fighting for the right to vote – a cause she immediately took up and advocated for the rest of her life. When Emmeline… Read on

Born a slave in Holly Springs, Mississippi, in 1862, Ida Wells was the child of politically active parents, and her life was an example of that influence. Her father James, after being freed from a lifetime of slavery, was involved in the Freedman’s Aid Society, and he helped found and served on the first board… Read on

In Norwich Castle Museum in England, you can find several textiles made by a woman named Lorina Bulwer—embroideries that might be seen as messages of protest or anger. Of the three wool and cotton-scrap pieces, two are square images of arguing men, and the others are scrolls made of scraps, heavily embroidered with stream-of-consciousness-like text…. Read on

“We presented Southern white racists with a new option: kill us or desegregate.” “Who the hell is Diane Nash?” Robert Kennedy Jr. asked his then-special assistant John Seigenthaler in 1961. At the time, Nash was helping to coordinate the legendary Freedom Rides, filling buses with black and white activists protesting the lack of desegregation enforcement…. Read on

American artist Louise Nevelson has been an inspiration for several elements of our style aesthetic for some time now. The textural and stylistic elements of her sculpture have found their way into our collection a few times, particularly with the Tweed fabric design in our Bridal + Eveningwear Collection. Its sculptural qualities can find parentage… Read on

Paradise Under Reconstruction in the Aesthetic of Funk—that is the name of fiber artist Xenobia Bailey’s ongoing cultural art project. It’s colorful, challenging, multi-disciplinary, and incredibly difficult (if not impossible) to categorize. Bailey’s primary media are yarn and fabric and most of her pieces are crochet or knitted. She often uses concentric circles or repeating… Read on

“Remember, this is your day and your world.” —Amelia Boynton One of the most famous photographs taken of “Bloody Sunday”, when state troopers brutally assaulted civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama, shows an unconscious woman—dressed in heels, gloves, and a formal hat—being cradled and protected by a fellow marcher. That woman was Amelia Boynton, an… Read on

As part of Black History Month, we are highlighting several women with connections to our region who made—and are making—significant contributions to the modern Civil Rights movement.

If you are a member of the Southern Foodways Alliance or a fan of the Bitter Southerner, as we are, you likely already know the work of Pableaux Johnson. During the 2015 SFA Symposium, he shared a short film about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath and celebrated the city’s resilience with a helping of red… Read on

First published in 1965, Anni Albers’ seminal book, On Weaving, is both a thoughtful meditation on the art of weaving and a beautiful photographic collection of historical craftsmanship. Albers, who we have written about in the past (and used as inspiration for some of our own work) was part of the Bauhaus movement and one… Read on

Our Collections feature new garment styles, including different varieties of smocks—inspired in part by the workwear of seminal female artists like Lee Bontecou, Louise Bourgeois, and Barbara Hepworth. Hepworth particularly kept to a distinctive style of work garments like aprons, hooded jackets, and the beloved smock. Hepworth was a British sculptor whose career spanned five decades,… Read on

This post has been updated from the original post on October 17, 2017. We’re revisiting our love of Lee Bontecou as our most recent Marine update is inspired by the words and life of Zora Neale Hurston, and the artistry of Vija Celmins (more coming soon), and Bontecou. Lee Bontecou has always been difficult to categorize, as her work reflects elements of Minimalism, Abstract Expressionism, and Feminist art. She was a true pioneer in the… 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

If you attended or read about any of our Makeshift events, you already know how much we respect and admire designer Maria Cornejo. She has been both conscious and vocal about fashion’s impact on the environment for many years—certainly before “sustainability” became a buzz word. Much of her design approach focuses on efficiency, and so… 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

Alabama artist Mose Tolliver was known primarily for his paintings of birds, frogs, flowers, and erotic figures. An exhibition at Institute 193 in Lexington, Kentucky, earlier this spring shed much deserved light on an often overlooked segment of his output—his self portraits. Tolliver was born one of twelve children to tenant farmers in the Pike… Read on

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it; it is in one word, effective.” – Irving Penn. Best known for his fashion photography and portraiture, Irving Penn spent over six decades perfecting a unique style, with painstaking attention to detail and… Read on

In 1971, Robert Tharsing moved to Lexington to work as a painting instructor at the University of Kentucky. Geographically, he was thousands of miles from his home state of California; culturally he was perhaps even further removed. On the West Coast, he had grown up near Los Angeles and later studied painting at UC Berkeley… Read on

Anni Albers challenged artists to reject “recipes” and repetition and the safety of what they know will work. She encouraged artists to step away from formulaic making strategies, replacing them “with the adventure of new exploring.” Her life and work are a mirror for finding rich complexity and diversity within simplicity. The photograph of Anni… Read on

Rinne Allen, collaborator and inspiration behind our most recent capsule collection, is the creator of a series of photo essays titled “Harvest”, a number of which have been published by T Magazine, of The New York Times. The Harvest Series is a first-person look at our regional agricultural systems, examining the individuals who work in… Read on

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” — Audre Lorde March 8th is International Women’s Day, and the global community is embracing this day more enthusiastically every year. Groups of women and men are coming together around the world to celebrate the social, economic,… Read on

We are continually intrigued by artists who conceive new ways to create old-fashioned arts. Cross stitch, which is one of the oldest forms of embroidery, was originally used to embroider textiles in ancient Egypt and China. Today, it is often used as a way to decorate clothing and fabric with flowers or patterns. Recently, Spanish… Read on

We start each week on the Journal with The Factory | This Week, which begins with an inspirational quote from an artist, visionary, or change maker. This week’s quote is, fittingly, from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism… 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

“Of all the pitfalls in our paths and the tremendous delays and wanderings off the track, I want to say that they are not what they seem to be. I want to say that all that seems like fantastic mistakes are not mistakes; all that seems like error is not error. And it all has… 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

“The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know… Read on

As a female business owner, Natalie is constantly asked questions about what it is like to be a woman AND entrepreneur, what it takes to start a company from scratch, and how to “have it all.” I hope that we have been able to dispel the “having it all” myth, but even now—after a decade… Read on

“Clothes are for real live women…They are made to be worn, to be lived in.” – Claire McCardell Claire McCardell is effectively the founder of American ready-to-wear fashion. Working from the 1930s through the 50s, McCardell was innovative because she designed clothing that was fashionable but also allowed women to move, breathe, and generally live… Read on

John Paul White spent years of his life on the road. Formerly one-half of the prolific duo The Civil Wars, it was not unusual for him to spend 300-plus days a year on tour. Once that project came to an end, White returned home to Florence and began a period of centering himself, settling in… Read on

“He who knows how to appreciate color relationships, the influence of one color on another, their contrasts and dissonances, is promised an infinitely diverse imagery.” – Sonia Delaunay Sonia Delaunay (1885 – 1979), alongside her husband and fellow artist Robert Delaunay, co-founded the Orphism art movement, an offshoot of the Cubist style that focused on… Read on

Alison Saar, contemporary sculptor and mixed-media artist, was born to acclaimed assemblage artist Betye Saar and Richard Saar, a painter and conservator. In her work, Betye (now 90-years old) often addresses the journey and identity of the African American woman—concepts that Alison has built upon as she explores her own family and racial identity through… 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

Emile-Allain (E.A.) Séguy was an artist and designer who worked in early 20th-century France, and one of the few to successfully combine both Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. He produced 11 albums of illustrations, most of them focusing on elements from the natural world, like flowers, foliage, animals, and insects. His patterns were intricate… Read on

“The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms. Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him.” – Auguste Rodin Inspired by both the organic and geometric, artists of the Art Nouveau movement… Read on

As with Mother’s Day, there are celebrations of fathers found throughout history. In fact, an ancient “Father’s Day” message was found carved into a card made of clay in the ruins of Babylon. Some historians say that the first Father’s Day in America was held in West Virginia in 1908, when a Methodist church held… Read on

Some time ago, I started following Daily Overview on Instagram and have loved watching the patterns of our planet unfold. Daily Overview isn’t our first opportunity to view Earth from above, but it does make me stop (if only for a second) every day to think about a bigger picture. There is a phenomenon called… Read on

It has been said that holidays like Mother’s Day are manufactured celebrations, created to sell cards and gifts. It is not really true that Mother’s Day was created to boost commerce, but that’s not to say that the evolution didn’t cause a commotion, especially by its own creator. Holidays like our American Mother’s Day have… Read on

Alabama Chanin followers and Journal readers are likely familiar with Phillip March Jones—artist, photographer, author, curator, Makeshift participant, and a frequent collaborator of ours. He grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, attended Emory University, the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Auburn University. Phillip founded and runs the non-profit gallery space, venue, and small-scale publishing house, Institute193… Read on

The month of April is known as the beginning of spring, with warmer weather, blooming buds, and refreshing rain showers, but it also brings about the holiday of pranksters: April Fools’ Day (which has more to do with springtime than one might think). And while I’m not one to play practical jokes on others, my… Read on

Some subjects are so polarizing that almost any discussion of them is fraught with tension or awkwardness. And so it is with the topic of gun violence. No matter what your stance is, whenever we are faced with a tragic mass-shooting incident, many of us feel powerless; we respond with anger or by shutting the… Read on

Earlier this year, we caught up with Single Lock records and observed how they have grown in the short time since the label was founded. Since our very first meeting, the label has more than doubled its roster and continues to be a resource, helping artists grow in a way that best suits the artist’s… Read on

There are really only three ways to approach Valentine’s Day: embrace it and fall in love with all things love, scorn it and attribute it to false sentiment, or ignore it completely—which is a tactic that I tend to employ most often. But, as I have been known to do when I have been sitting… Read on

The story of my coming home to Alabama in the year 2000 is one that has been told many times. My journey home started in the spring of 2000 on the corner of 38th Street and 8th Avenue in New York City. It was there that the call to adventure hit me squarely on the… Read on

I’m going to ask for forgiveness in advance as this post is going to ramble. There is a lot to say and, at face value, parts of the story don’t seem to have any relevance to one another. Bear with me—I need to let the story unfold. I’ve numbered the facts to help you follow… 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

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 years since we met Rosanne Cash, we have grown from giddy fans, to dedicated admirers, to proud and honored friends. It is no secret how much we are inspired by Rosanne—as a supporter, an artist, and a beautiful person. We’ve done our best to express our admiration whenever the opportunity arises. We are… 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

Over the years, I’ve managed to amass quite a library of design, photography, and art books alongside my treasured cookbooks, novels, and random printed matter that continues to inspire. The shelf that Sara first organized has become four packed-to-the-top rolling shelves that now inspire an entire company. We were recently discussing the best way to… Read on

I’ve been carrying this book around with me for weeks—which is no small feat. In a bag that is already oversized and overloaded, a three-pound book is quite an addition.  But every time I take it out to leave on my home studio table, I reconsider, put it back in my bag and take it… Read on

Rinne’s Light Drawings remind me of leaves floating on the surface of still water, in shades of blue and indigo. And we’ve just added more of her ethereal drawings to our online selection.  Stop by The Factory Store in Florence, where they are on display and available for purchase. Call us with any questions: +1.256.760.1090 the… Read on

If you had only seen his most recent paintings, currently on view at Workshop (Christian Berst), you might assume that Robert Tharsing’s idea of paradise resembles a lush and colorful landscape full of palms, ferns, and the occasional volcano. In reality, the artist has contented himself with simpler pleasures: a decent sized room with access… Read on

Rinne Allen and Alabama Chanin first crossed paths almost a decade ago, when Rinne attended one of Natalie’s early “Alabama Adventure” weekends—which included picnics, short workshops, music and storytelling. (Those early weekends became what is now our annual company picnic + workshop weekend.) After that, it seemed that we began to cross paths more frequently—at… Read on

Over the last five years, our work with Cathy Bailey and Robin Petravic has been some of the most productive, exciting, and meaningful work that we’ve had the opportunity to do. Robin and Cathy are husband and wife, parents to Jasper, writers of the new book, Tile Makes the Room, and the owners and operators… Read on

It’s no secret that we at Alabama Chanin have long been admirers of Heath Ceramics—their work, their approach to responsible manufacturing, and their embrace of beautiful, sustainable design sets them apart from so many companies today. We have also been honored (and excited) to collaborate with them on several projects, including a line of dinnerware,… Read on

When I was a little girl, I started a postcard collection. Postcards were then—and are now—a low cost memento of a trip (and a low stakes investment for a parent to make on a souvenir). I don’t remember how old I was when I started accumulating these paper treasures, nor can I identify the first… Read on

This week, we take another look at the lives our clothes have led and the memories forever linked with them. For some reason, we associate memories with objects—or in this case, clothing. Every time I look inside, I think that my closet is, in a small way, some sort of prism through which I see… Read on

Indigo – electric, deep, light, or tropical Indigo can be bright, violet-blue, midnight blue. Electric indigo represents the sixth chakra—the Anja—that includes the third eye. It is the color of intuition and self-awareness. Today, the New Leaves stencil + layers of indigo of the Indigo Shell Top made me think of this: A creation of… Read on

Once our garments are born and leave the nest, they have rich lives. At least that is what we hope—what we believe. We work hard to design and construct pieces that will last for many years and become heirlooms, passed down from one generation to the next. For owners of Alabama Chanin garments, it’s common… 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

This year, friends and fellow designers were honored in two separate categories of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards (see more about the awards below):

Love this shot of the Peasant Top from our last shoot with Rinne Allen. Be on the lookout for new additions to our current collection in the coming month…  

For many of us who call ourselves “mother”, there are two types of children in our lives: those that are born to us and those that come into our lives and become “ours” for life. For me, this was the case with Agatha Whitechapel, daughter of my dear friend (who I commonly refer to as,… Read on

I first heard of Jones Valley Teaching Farm around 2003. The farm was still a small plot of land located close to The Garage, in Birmingham, Alabama. I drove down one cold winter day to have lunch with (then director) Edwin Marty. There was one hoop house, and running water, and not much else—yet. It… Read on

Dust-to-to-Digital is a unique recording company that serves to combine rare recordings with historical images and descriptive texts, resulting in cultural artifacts. We have previously written about several of their collections that resonate so well with our brand. We believe in preserving traditions, and Dust-to-Digital truly speaks to that with their historically rich albums. We revisit… Read on

As part of our On Design and Makeshift conversation and event series, we have led discussions on various design movements and schools of thought (like Bauhaus, Arts and Crafts, and Memphis), the business of artisan craftwork, and designers like Charles and Ray Eames. This week’s discussion takes a turn toward a new design arena—Biophilic Design… Read on

I originally wrote the post below for the Etsy Seller Handbook. It ran on September 14 of 2011—just before my lecture at Hello Etsy. I ran across these “truths” recently while writing this post on The Business of Fashion’s “How To Set Up A Fashion Business”  and still find them true today. xoNatalie From the Etsy… Read on

In our week-long profile of designers Charles and Ray Eames, we studied their design aesthetic and philosophy and talked about the various media they used to forward those philosophies. They made hundreds of explorations into film, for varied purposes. Produced in 1977, Powers of Ten is perhaps their best-known film—and includes a book version. In… Read on

“Take your pleasure seriously.” ― Charles Eames All of us, at one time or another, have associated the idea of work with a sense of dread. We’ve all had a job we thought was boring, repetitive, mindless, stressful; we’d zone out or procrastinate because, in our hearts, we weren’t invested. In such a situation, we were taught… Read on

Over the years, and despite the fact that public speaking doesn’t come to me naturally, I’ve lectured at conferences and universities across the country and around the world. Invariably, during the question and answer section at the end of each talk, someone raises their hand and says, “I want to have a collection. What should… Read on

On May 21,2009, Matthew B. Crawford published an article in The New York Times Magazine titled, “The Case for Working With Your Hands.” Later that month, Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work arrived on my desk at work. Three paragraphs down in the New York Times piece, Crawford describes our situation:… Read on

“From a scientific point of view, it can be said he [Thoreau] documented for the first time how ecological succession works … The mechanism was animals and weather. Squirrels carry acorns so oak trees replace pine when the pines are cut down. And pine seeds blow over to replace the oak.” – Richard T. Forman I started… 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.

Roman Alonso, Steven Johanknecht, Pamela Shamshiri, and Ramin Shamshiri are Commune—an inter-disciplinary collective of artists that work in the design realm. Commune is a design firm, but they are also much more than that; they invent moods and spaces for residential clients and for public space, design graphics and branding concepts, and create products that… Read on

In 2011, and just before my 50th birthday, I publicly—on this Journal—declared a detox. I don’t really like to write much about my private life, as Alabama Chanin has grown into something so much bigger than me. And, truth-be-told, I am a rather shy and private person. However, I forged ahead and wrote in the… Read on

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and we are honoring his legacy and observing the holiday through service to our community. In the past few weeks, the Civil Rights Movement along with the work of Dr. King has received much media attention, due in part to the film Selma. The film, directed by Ava… Read on

Give the gift of membership to the Southern Foodways Alliance and give the gift of Gravy (plus so much more). And download the new Gravy podcast (for free) for your own weekly goodness. INSCRIPTION FOR AIR by Jake Adam York —excerpted from Gravy 53: Food and Social Justice, page 42  John Earl Reese, shot while dancing in a café in Mayflower,… Read on

Harald Stoffers has been writing letters every day for over twenty years. Long ones. Short ones. Tall ones. Skinny ones. Some of them measure over ten feet high; others are only a few inches tall. Occasionally, he tears them apart. Most of them are addressed to his mother with the loving words, “Liebe Mutti” (Dear… Read on

#givingtuesday and #gratitude Today, December 2, 2014, is the second annual #GivingTuesday. “It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company, or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join us and be a part of a global… Read on

It’s been an inspiring few months (and a most amazing year). Thank you for making this journey with us. We are grateful one and all… Happy days to you and yours, Natalie and all of us @ Alabama Chanin

Over the past months, we have been exploring heirlooms through ongoing Journal posts. Our intention is to look at the things we hold dear and examine how we find meaning in our personal heirlooms and mementos—even if those things don’t necessarily have great monetary value. The Heirloom series is meant to celebrate things that last… Read on

Do you remember your first day of school? I don’t remember the actual day, but I do have photos of myself, standing outside my first grade classroom, smiling, wearing a plaid dress and knee socks. I do remember my children’s first school days—the nervous excitement they showed and the bittersweet pride I felt at witnessing… Read on

Not quite terra cotta red; not exactly pinkish; not really coral, but really red. Pinkish: an adjective meaning somewhat pink. Coral: also an adjective meaning a reddish yellow; light yellowish red; pinkish yellow.

On a recent outing scavenging local thrift and antique stores, I stumbled upon a set of children’s encyclopedias, titled Childcraft: The How and Why Library. Although an incomplete collection, the books were in good shape and decently priced so I happily acquired the lot. (I am a known collector—hoarder, lover, gatherer—of books.) While modern encyclopedias… Read on

Here at Alabama Chanin, we continue to be drawn to the distinct and historical Dust-to-Digital catalog. Dust-to-Digital is a unique recording company that serves to combine rare recordings with historical images and descriptive texts, resulting in cultural artifacts. We have previously written about several of their collections that resonate so well with our brand. We… Read on

Where does inspiration come from? Do ideas spring from a single stimulus? Or are they generated by a creative environment fostered over time? Of course, we know the answer is both – and many more sources. My daughter, Maggie, is obsessed with Minecraft, which (if you don’t already know) is an open-ended game that relies… Read on

Written by Ted Ownby and Becca Walton Situated at the intersection of necessity and creativity, southern fashion lets us ask questions about place and historical context, power, and identity. Every garment has a designer, maker, wearer, and viewer, and we can study all of them. We can tell local stories about designers and seamstresses, farmers… Read on

In 2005, photographer Leslie Williamson made a wish list of all the houses that she hoped to visit in her lifetime. The homes belonged mostly to her favorite architects and designers, who had offered her creative inspiration throughout her career as a photographer. She was curious to learn what inspired them in their home and… Read on

Over the past thirty-five years, public radio producer Jay Allison has accumulated a wealth of inspiration in his extensive audio archive of human experience. A personal hero of mine, he has brought innovative storytelling to the forefront of radio journalism. His new project, Transom.org, won the first Peabody Award ever given exclusively to a website…. 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

Through our Journal’s Heirloom series, we’ve been exploring the things we value and why we hold them dear. Each story reveals the value of tradition and honors possessions that were made to last. While these items may not be valuable to the world-at-large, to the owner they are priceless. This week, Kasey, our Production Coordinator… Read on

Eight years ago, and three months after Maggie was born, I stood in the wings on a stage in New York City, waiting to go on and tell the story of Alabama Chanin. I was nervous and jittery, waiting my turn while a woman named Jill Dumain talked about the sustainability work of the company… Read on

I picked up the TIME magazine pictured above at an airport kiosk some time ago.  While traveling that day, I lingered over this inspiring—and disturbing—story about Kym Worthy. It is true that some leaders find their calling early and some crusaders know their mission almost from birth. Others come to leadership by accident or they… Read on

Him and Her Phillip March Jones says, “Seeing is everything. But it takes practice.” Expanding our collaboration with Phillip, we asked him to take a look around our studio as part of a new and ongoing travel series—and an extension of his daily photo blog Pictures Take You Places. Shop Show “During my last trip… Read on

Perhaps the most common advice given to any writer: write what you know. Fabric designer, crafter, illustrator, writer, friend, and heroine Heather Ross manages to do just that in her newest publication, How to Catch a Frog: And Other Stories of Family, Love, Dysfunction, Survival, and DIY. In the book, Heather shares wisdom, heartfelt stories,… Read on

Nashville-based duo Great Peacock, formed by Alabama native Blount Floyd and Mississippi-born Andrew Nelson, combine rock and roll guitars with country influences and a heavy dose of harmony. The result is what Nelson calls “pop, with folk tendencies.” In the past year, they have tackled a heavy touring schedule, making appearances on Paste’s South by… Read on

At Alabama Chanin, we’ve spent years working with textiles to find the perfect medium for our techniques and products: 100% organic cotton jersey. We are drawn to artists who utilize what some might call ordinary materials and tools to create extraordinary work. Dana Barnes has done just that; she has taken familiar techniques like crochet and… 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

James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Anne Quatrano is enthusiastic about food and community—passions I admire and write about often here on our Journal. Around her home-base of Atlanta, Georgia, she is referred to “Queen Anne” and is the city’s “undisputed Grande dame” of the farm-to-table movement according to The Local Palate. It makes sense;… 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

I have known many storytellers in my life. Some have a natural and unrehearsed style that feels captivating and immediate; some present new or unfamiliar points of view; others are quite deliberate and thoughtful in approach; all of them are enthralling to me. As a storyteller born into a family of storytellers, I find master… Read on

I’ve written many times about my friend and multi-talented musician Tift Merritt. She is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and creative spirit. Her podcast The Spark with Tift Merritt is a conversation about integrity and process, and features some of the most creative minds of our age, including Rosanne Cash, Andrew Bird, and Kiki Smith (among… Read on

Thank you to the Southern Foodways Alliance for allowing us to share “I Fell Hard for Buford Highway” by John T. Edge. From Gravy #52: I grew up in the country. On fourteen acres of red Georgia clay, cut by gullies and skirted by cedars. I grew up fishtailing down gravel roads in pick-up trucks…. Read on

We continuously strive for a healthy work/play balance here at Alabama Chanin. And so we found ourselves charmed by The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, by Suzanne Pollak and Lee Manigault, which manages to combine elements of work, domestic pursuits, and modern living. Pollak and Manigault created the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits (located in… Read on

Maria Popova is the founder of Brain Pickings, a website designed to introduce you to a broad variety of subjects that feed one’s mind and inspire creativity.  Since founding Brain Pickings, Maria has spent countless hours researching and writing – hours that have taught her many life lessons. In honor of the website’s 7th birthday… Read on

We at Alabama Chanin have long been obsessed with and inspired by Maira Kalman. She has a rich and singular voice – as a visual artist, author, illustrator, and storyteller – that imbues people, objects, and words with knowing wit and humanity. Maira has written and illustrated 18 children’s books, all of which have been… Read on

For the past few years, I have essentially worked as a roving curator seeking out new artists and projects for Institute 193 and occasionally finding time for my personal work. I am on the road constantly: crisscrossing the Southern United States, meeting people, visiting artists, and making pictures. Things happen along the way. This past… 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

In collaboration with Maxine Payne and contributor Phillip March Jones, Alabama Chanin has invited a number of artists, writers, musicians, chefs, and creatives to offer up their own interpretation of the Massengill photographs in a series of posts for our Journal.  The posts give voice to the images of the sometimes anonymous figures that appear… Read on

Allison Moorer is a friend, fellow stitcher, and a songbird. While recently visiting with her in New York during Makeshift, she mentioned that “playing DJ” is one of her favorite things to do. So, when I asked if she would create a summer playlist for us, she happily agreed. “Summertime makes me think of vacation… Read on

As part of our ongoing Heirloom series that focuses on the precious things we treasure – even though they might not be considered valuable by the rest of the world – we continue to tell stories of items that have been passed down through families, from one generation to the next. Today, we hear from… Read on

“Train-Track Hopscotch” Your hair is clay, mine is water, and as we smile into the camera, cotton flowers—all gray— Drape still behind us. Now, there is no color— only black and white— so, after the flash, we play.  You bring the bottle Caps (Nu-Grape and Dr. Nutt), and I pull teacher’s chalk from my gingham… Read on

I have been a fan of the lovely Tift Merritt ever since I first heard her 2002 debut album, Bramble Rose. Since then, I have been lucky enough to meet and work with Tift as part of our MAKESHIFT initiative. One of my heroes, Emmylou Harris, once said that Tift “stood out like a diamond… Read on

From Gravy #51: “Canning Memories” By Frank X Walker Indian Summer meant Saturday morning courtyards and door screens opened and waiting for urban signs of harvest. No new moons or first frosts, just the welcome staccato and horn of an old flatbed truck, overalls and mud-caked boots. Grandmothers who still clicked their tongues and called… Read on

For several years now, Alabama Chanin has drawn ideals from the Slow Food movement (Slow Design is rooted in the tenets of the movement)—a philosophy we share with Blackberry Farm. We are currently featuring some of their goods and recipes on our café menu and are excited to be holding a Weekend Away Workshop there… Read on

“Don’t throw anything away. Away is not far from you.” The quote above hangs in our studio as a reminder that each action we take (no matter how big or small) impacts our environment. Designed by our friend Robert Rausch a few years ago, the simple quote was stamped on an event invite as a means… Read on

Our Heirloom series highlights personal items or mementos that hold a special meaning, regardless of monetary value. Our hope is to reveal the incredible value of family, memory, and things that last. This week Erin, our Director of Media Services and Special Projects, shares the story of her grandmother’s kerchief. From Erin: My grandma, Nancy… 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

“In visual perception a color is almost never seen as it really is – as it physically is. This fact makes color the most relative medium in art.” –Josef Albers Color, as we see it, results from our eyes and brains working together to make sense of the light around us. Since as early as… Read on

My Life in Mobile Homes by John T. Edge Where I grew up, singlewide trailers were as common as clapboard shotguns. On the far end of my Georgia town, near where the seg academy floundered, the mothers and fathers of my grade school friends worked at the mobile home factory, bending aluminum and punching rivets,… Read on

Our newest Journal series highlights our personal heirlooms – things that hold special value and meaning to us personally, regardless of their monetary value. Alabama Chanin wants to honor things that last and things that we choose to keep in our lives and our homes as reminders of family, friends, or important moments. This week,… Read on

Last year, we began a series called “Real Women,” an exploration of the real women in our lives (and throughout history) that have made a difference—one way or another—in our world. Today, we are finishing a chapter of that series: real women as seen by men. Here you find a tribute from son to mother,… Read on

Alabama Chanin’s first-ever sewing workshop took place in 2008 alongside a seminar on Southern cooking, organized and presented by our friend and collaborator, Angie Mosier. While the sewing participants stitched and chatted, the food preparers fried up some chicken, steamed collard greens and made pot likker, then baked the most delicious Lane Cake. At each… Read on

Illustrator and author Maira Kalman has long been a personal hero of mine. She visited The Factory a couple of years ago, along with Rosanne Cash and Gael Towey, for a two-day sewing workshop and some adventure. It was then that I learned Maira is not only a talented illustrator, but also an avid embroidery… Read on

Alabama Chanin has always aimed to make products that will last a lifetime – even multiple lifetimes. We create things that are both beautiful and durable and we embrace the ideas of Slow Design. But, once upon a time, Slow Design did not exist as a theory or a process; rather, it was simply how… Read on

Thank you to the Southern Foodways Alliance for allowing us to share “She Spoke, and I Listened” as told to oral historian Sara Wood by Haylene Green. From Gravy Issue #50: The evening I met Haylene Green, an urban farmer in Atlanta, Georgia, rain mercilessly poured on midtown Atlanta—and on me. I squeaked across the… 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

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

Lance and Evelyn Massengill In 2008, Maxine Payne, an Arkansas-based artist, self-published a book of photographs titled Making Pictures: Three For A Dime. She catalogued the work of the Massengill family who worked from 1937 to 1941 as itinerant photographers in rural Arkansas documenting farmers, young couples, babies, and anyone else who had a few… Read on

The Civil Rights Movement gained national attention in the early 1960s. The many protests, marches, and stands for equality were sustained by freedom songs and music from musicians-turned-activists. The setbacks, hardships, failures, and successes of the movement for racial equality can be told through song.

It was over 50 years ago when Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the march on Washington D.C. It was a moment that changed America, and the world. But, the line was almost excluded from the speech. One of King’s aides encouraged him not to use the line,… Read on

This week on the Journal we are dedicating a series of posts to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his philosophy, and legacy. Today, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, is the only federal holiday also recognized as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” So, throughout your day, in the… Read on

Musician, author, and dear friend Rosanne Cash was born in Tennessee to a family soon to become Southern music royalty, but has lived for over 20 years in New York City. Still, her Southern heritage played and continues to play a role in shaping who she is as an artist, a traveler, and a citizen… Read on

Alabama Chanin friend and inspiration, Rosanne Cash, has lived in New York for over 20 years, but her link to the South remains deep and undeniable. Her mother, Vivian Liberto, was born in Texas and her father, Johnny Cash, was an Arkansas native. Rosanne was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised for much of her… Read on

Many of you know that we at Alabama Chanin hold a strong admiration for lyricist, musician, vocal Twitter user, and writer (among other things) Rosanne Cash. I was a fan and supporter many years before we actually met and became friends. The more that I get to know this incredible woman, the more I respect… Read on

Exploration of the extensive Dust-to-Digital catalog continues to reveal compilations that strongly resonate. We have previously written about the moving collections: I Listen to the Wind, Never a Pal Like Mother, Keeping a Record Of It, and Goodbye, Babylon. Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890-1950 is a powerful… Read on

Alabama Chanin has a long-standing relationship with Heath Ceramics and we see their artisans as constant sources of inspiration. Their Los Angeles Studio Director, Adam Silverman, has compiled a volume of his beautiful, experimental pottery, called Adam Silverman Ceramics. 

As seasons change and the holiday rush begins in full force, Christmas carols seem to appear earlier and earlier each year. Once upon a time, Thanksgiving was considered the unofficial date when radio stations began to play holiday music. This year, I heard my first Christmas carol when picking up Halloween candy at the grocery… Read on

December’s Desktop of the Month highlights an elaborate modification of a traditional embroidery technique, negative reverse appliqué. Negative reverse appliqué looks much like traditional appliqué, but is worked slightly differently. Here, we stencil the top layer of fabric, then place it on top of the backing fabric. We then use a straight stitch to attach… Read on

It’s hard to believe that this month is almost over. There is so much to be thankful for – and so much to look forward to. Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season. xoNatalie  

Windows, New York, New York We asked contributor Phillip March Jones to share the process and inspiration behind his daily photo project, Pictures Take You Places. Seeing is everything. But it takes practice. Modern Antiquity, Atlanta, Georgia La Plage, Trouville, France For the past couple of years I have been traveling almost constantly for various projects… Read on

Musician and Alabama Chanin friend Jake Fussell grew up in Columbus, Georgia, and was exposed to traditional roots music while accompanying his father, folklorist and writer Fred Fussell, on numerous documentary fieldwork trips throughout the South. Through these journeys, Jake became a guitar student of the late Georgia blueswoman, Precious Bryant, and honed his skills… Read on

A former business partner of mine once wrote a press release that stated our company “came from nowhere.” When I read that “came from nowhere” years ago, my stomach began to turn and, honestly I was a little angry and my feelings were a bit hurt. That sentence seemed to imply that our work was… Read on

We are devout believers in Dust-to-Digital, April and Lance Ledbetter’s acclaimed record label. Their first release, Goodbye, Babylon, is a testament to the Dust-to-Digital mission of archiving, producing, and reproducing high-quality, cultural artifacts. Lance spent several years researching and compiling the collection of 135 rare gospel songs, dating from 1902 to 1960, and 25 sermons,… Read on

For nearly 25 years, Mike Goodlett has lived and worked in a house near Wilmore, Kentucky, that originally belonged his grandparents. Over the years, he has embellished the house’s interior and even its structure with artwork of his own creation in a sort of visual call and response. Paper flowers bloom from cracks in the… Read on

Pumpkin carving has a deep-rooted history in American culture. As a child, my family always used the butcher knife/three-triangles-and-a-mouth method. Today, there are specialized carving tools available from a range of sources. Martha Stewart, a lover of all things Halloween, has brought pumpkin carving to a new level, offering creative designs and techniques. Meanwhile, Maggie’s dad, Butch,… Read on

I met photographer Rinne Allen years ago, through mutual friend Angie Mosier, and have adored her ever since. Her work inspires me over and over again as it is always stunning and captures intimate aspects of life that many overlook. Rinne’s love for gardening, travel, and all things handmade makes her the ideal Alabama Chanin… Read on

In 1939, Eugene Von Bruenchenhein met a 19-year-old girl named Eveline Kalke, whom he nicknamed “Marie,” at a state fair in Wisconsin. The two married in 1943, and settled into their daily lives in Milwaukee where Eugene worked as a baker. Unlike most bakers, Eugene spent his free time composing poems on the subjects of… Read on

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

Ben Sollee recording in the Mosquito Hut. Prospect, Kentucky. 2013. Photo:PMJ Ben Sollee spent a few days this past summer trying to capture the songs and sounds that influence his life and music. The makeshift recording studio, a small house nestled in a hollow near Prospect, Kentucky, provided the backdrop for the project, a covers… Read on

Cemetery Shadow, 2012 Contributor Phillip March Jones, introduces us to artist and photographer Lina Tharsing, who currently has an exhibition of her paintings on display at Poem 88 in Atlanta through October 19, 2013. A few years ago, Walgreens launched a clever promotion for a reusable film camera in a world full of digital devices…. Read on

Friend (and heroine) Makalé Faber-Cullen is a storyteller and anthropologist who has worked with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Festival of American Folklife, for which we collaborated on some t-shirts with Makalé a few years ago. She served as the first U.S. Director of Programs for Slow Food, where she co-launched and… 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

Yesterday, we shared a post by contributor Phillip March Jones on self-taught musician, song writer, and artist Lonnie Holley. Holley’s second album, Keeping A Record of It, was just released by the Dust-to-Digital label in Atlanta, Georgia. Find more information on the Dust-to-Digital site.  

Keeping a Record of It (Harmful Music), 1986, Lonnie Holley, Salvaged phonograph top, phonograph record, animal skull 13 3/4 x 15 3/4 x 9 inches, Courtesy of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation. Photo: Steve Pitkin Lonnie Holley, at the age of 63, is finally getting his proverbial moment in the sun. The artist’s second album,… Read on

Amos Kennedy became an artist in an unusual way. At age 40, he left his corporate, white-collar job and secure middle class life to pursue a passion for printing, took to wearing overalls, and learned to live on an artist’s salary. He prints posters for The People, keeping the message clear and the price affordable…. Read on

Last year at MAKESHIFT 2012, one of our gatherings revolved around “Worn Stories,” an idea based on the blog, Sentimental Value, by Emily Spivack, friend of Jessamyn Hatcher. Spivack’s blog – and book, titled Worn Stories – shares the stories of garments purchased from Ebay. Those anecdotes were written by each item’s respective seller and,… Read on

We recently shared a few thoughts and memories of the library, collected from friends and neighbors, about the role libraries have played and continue to play in our lives. The draw of the library is foremost, the books. It is a democratic place to learn, escape, and relax. For many of us, the library conjures… Read on

We are pleased to welcome back friend and writer, Phillip March Jones, who we have convinced to join us as a regular contributor to this Journal. Phillip will be writing about art, visual design, music, food, and travel. This week, Phillip shares a photo essay of (and a delicious recipe from) his new favorite restaurant,… Read on

We have long written stories and profiles of real women; however, on January 15, 2013, we began an official series that we call, “Real Women.” Here you find the latest in this series, written by Bill Simpson, our friend and father to confidante and editor, Sara Martin.  Please welcome Bill and savor his story of real women across three generations…. 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

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

I told someone the other day, “Books saved my life when I was growing up.”  And they did. I have spent days/weeks/years with my nose in books and, consequently, in libraries. As a designer, I find inspiration, and sometimes escape, inside of a library; as a business owner, I find critical information that has helped… Read on

Louisa Murray is the face of one of our favorite local bands, The Bear. She shares the stage with her husband, Nathan Pitts, each of them writing and performing their own respective songs, and the two are backed by a talented band. Their newest album, Overseas Then Under was produced by local indie label, Single… Read on

We’ve written about our friend Phillip March Jones. Institute 193 in Lexington, Kentucky, is his gallery, a music venue, and multi-faceted publisher, which recently released a compilation of recordings from artists who have performed in the space. Phillip joins us as a contributor to the journal, with an introduction to 193 SOUND. Sound is a… Read on

“A Carafe, that is a blind glass.  A kind in glass and a cousin, a spectacle and nothing strange a simple hurt color and an arrangement in a system to pointing. All this and not ordinary, not unordered in not resembling. The difference is spreading.” This is how Gertrude Stein begins her Cubist experiment in… Read on

Here is a bit of information that may surprise you: not all cotton is white cotton. If you are like me, you may not have always known that natural cotton comes in plenty of hues. In fact, there were originally shades of cotton that ranged from many tones of brown, to dark green, to brown,… Read on

The practice of numbering houses supposedly began in Paris in the 1500’s. Having a house number is something we don’t give a second thought to these days, but they have not always been used and they certainly have not always been popular. Some countries have numbered zones, requirements for the number of digits, double sets… Read on

Poster by our friend Amos Kennedy.

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

This week, we highlight the Finnish design company, Marimekko. As a long-standing leader in the fashion and design worlds, Marimekko has created timeless and colorful prints for over 60 years. I’ve followed the company from my days at NC State University and, as a designer, I have deep admiration and respect for Armi Ratia, the… Read on

This year, as we celebrate Real Women and what they mean in our lives, we thought it essential to include the perspectives of both men and women. So, beginning today, we will be offering stories, thoughts, and remembrances from men of the great women in their lives. AUNT SNOONIE When I was a kid in… Read on

Last  week  we wrote about Dust-to-Digital’s Drop on Down in Florida, a 2 CD release highlighting African American music traditions in Florida, paired with a 224-page hardcover book. Dust-to-Digital is a unique recording company: part archivist, part celebrator of cultural artifacts. We will be talking about several of these awesome (by the original definition) releases… Read on

Writer, artist, and curator Phillip March Jones’s latest book, Points of Departure, is a collection of roadside memorial Polaroids depicting scenes of reality, often stark eulogies on road sides, highways, and Interstates, that we routinely speed by in our busy lives. The collection demonstrates an irony between our hurried motion and the absoluteness of departure… Read on

Husband and wife team Lance and April Ledbetter are protecting the sounds of our past with their highly acclaimed label, Dust-to-Digital. Founded by Lance a little over a decade ago, Dust-to-Digital is home to a growing catalogue of important cultural works from the United States and around the globe. I’ve been vie­wing their line-up for… Read on

Leslie Williamson’s beautiful first book, Handcrafted Modern, captures several homes and interiors of some of the mid-twentieth century’s most loved architects and designers. The photos and essays blew us away and left us wanting for more. With a little more support for her Kickstarter campaign, we just might get to see her second book, Handcrafted Modern… Read on

From far away, Ghanaian artist El Anatsui’s large-scale artworks take on the appearance of textiles and tapestries with patterns resembling those a master weaver might create. But upon closer inspection, the poignant pieces are actually constructed with simple bottle tops connected by copper wire.  Flattened then stitched, their unique assembly allows the works to move,… Read on

“Change the pen and change the ink. Change the way you talk and think.” – #37 of 50:  a love letter to change came in the mail from our friend, builder, and artist A.J. Mason. P.S.: The quote is part of a lyric from “Changing World” from the New Multitudes recordings by Jay Farrar and Jim… Read on

I don’t want to overstate the obvious, but most of you would know that I am neither a New Yorker nor a fashion expert. While I enjoy style and design and I’m somewhat awed by the city, it’s clear to any observer that I’m native to neither. But, there’s something about Bill Cunningham that makes… Read on

In his classic tome on two-dimensional design, Wucius Wong indicates that it takes at least three elements for something to be considered repeating. Repeating elements is one of the first theories you learn as a textile designer. I spent an entire semester discussing the theory of words and their meanings in design language. We were… Read on

Once there was nothing but paper and pen. Not so long ago (a little over a decade), before the email, the text, the tweet, or the Facebook post, there was simply paper and pen. Think about how special it feels when you get an actual hand-written note in the mail. When you were a child… Read on

I’ve written a couple of times about what happens when your heroes and heroines become friends. For me, it brings about a feeling of connection to the ever-expanding universe; all things are possible.  A girl from the countryside in Alabama can dine with royalty (in all its meanings).  The picture above is proof. When I look… Read on

Schools, government offices, and many businesses are closed today to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We are closing our studio a few hours early and to take part in MLK’s Day of Service.  In the spirit of King’s Beloved Community, we will take some time today to serve others, while reflecting on our theme for the… Read on

I’m going to admit something that might seem a little pedestrian to some of you, perhaps a little familiar to others: I watch a lot of television, all kinds. I’m simultaneously a television snob and a consumer of frivolous content. I’m not sure how I rationalize all of that, but to quote Whitman in a… Read on

In 2008, to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the peace symbol, National Geographic published Peace: the Biography of a Symbol, by Ken Kolsbun with Michael S. Sweeney. The book documents the symbol, from its creation in 1958, through its usage in the folk scene of the 1960s, its very visible presence in the 1970s… Read on

You know how we at Alabama Chanin feel about open sourcing. We offer our techniques and the information necessary to recreate our products, should you decide that you want to do-it-yourself. After three books, countless DIY Kits, and an amazing array of workshops, we have learned some important things: people will take your ideas and… Read on

A (brilliant) film by (new daddy) Joe York – first seen at the 2012 Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium. I am already planning my next SFA adventure.  

AND GOODWILL TO ALL… From all of us @ Alabama Chanin (Until we return on December 26th) *Illustration from our friend Eva Whitechapel

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

A privilege. A civic duty. An honor. You are not powerless.

There’s a cluster of Polaroids in our production office that never fail to captivate our visitors, and even though they’ve been there for the better part of a decade we still find ourselves staring. They’re so beautiful. It’s hard to look away. Those Polaroids are from our first fashion show— 8 years ago—a cast of… Read on

BBQ, Barbeque, Bar-B-Que, Bar-B-Q.  However you spell it, we are awash in this delicious madness here in North Alabama.  Mention barbecue and you will have an instant conversation starter: “Mustard based sauce!” “Are you kidding me? No way! Ketchup!” “What!  Please don’t tell me you are putting mayonnaise on that meat?” These are the ingredients that… Read on

On set today @ GAS Design Center. Look for new collection pieces AND our new website. Coming November 2012.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, to view “Creation Story: Gee’s Bend Quilts and the Art of Thornton Dial.” I spent forever moving from one quilt to the next – leaning as closely in as I could without being reprimanded. No matter how many… Read on

I recently read a NYTimes article about the comeback of curvy body shapes among the Y- generation.  It seems that an increasing number of women in their 20s and 30s are finding the “calendar girl” silhouette appealing. Along with a curvaceous silhouette, the look includes Betty Page style bangs, swing skirts, and bright red lips…. Read on

There are certain places you must see for yourself to have better understanding of a culture and people. Through his Kodachrome images, photographer William Christenberry is somehow able to take you to places you’ve never been and give you insight on people you’ve never encountered. He tells beautiful (sometimes forlorn) tales spanning five decades in… Read on

Please take a moment of silence at noon to celebrate #peaceday. “There can be no sustainable future without a sustainable peace. Sustainable peace must be built on sustainable development.” Visit here to learn more about the International Day of Peace, and how you can help build a more sustainable future. Photo Credit: United Nations

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

In 1972, I gave my father a first edition of The Foxfire Book as a Christmas present.  It came from the local bookstore on Court Street in downtown Florence, where now the Billy Reid store serves as a fashion anchor for our little town.  It was common in those days for us kids to be… Read on

We are in the city this week for trunk shows, New York Fashion Week, appointments, and, it seems, a constant moving from one side of the city to the other. However, today we think not first of the week’s events, but of eleven years ago; a day that will always be remembered. It feels surreal… Read on

Yesterday morning, as we headed out the door to school, my daughter Maggie asked for a sweater. It feels like summer is quickly fading, and it’s time to break out light sweaters, ponchos, and scarves. Many of you have asked how we at Alabama Chanin wear our Organic Cotton Scarf, so we’ve compiled a few of our… Read on

From Eye Magazine: H: So, what are you thinking right now (aside from ‘what an idiotic question’)? Is there anything at this moment, or this day, that makes you want to go out and make art? K: I was out walking the dear dog (who is a sweet meal ticket – two books about him,… Read on

I have become slightly obsessed with the obsessive use of the exclamation mark in today’s casual correspondence. In fact, last week, I had to ask someone in the studio, “When IS it OK to use this (highly over rated) punctuation mark?” From The Elements of Style: Do not attempt to emphasize simple statements by using a… Read on

1. A decorative design, as for fabrics, wallpaper, china, or rugs. 2. Decoration or ornament having a design. 3. A natural or chance marking, or design: patterns of flowers on a fabric. Moving through the Penland studios, you see patterns emerge everywhere.

While searching for historic parade images in our local library, we came across these beautiful photographs of fireworks. Taken in 1976, they capture a quality of ephemeral beauty and celebration that sweeps our nation (and backyard celebrations) each year. As a child, I was fascinated with fireworks for their patterns and colors. I watched in… Read on

Donna Karan New York by Ingrid Sischy Stunning images with a wonderful foreword and interview. See our Donna Karan DIY Dress and more about Donna Karan here.  

I’ve always been a little obsessed with parades. I scoured the internet trying to find out where parades originated, or why. What I’ve found is this: nobody knows. There are cave drawings from over ten thousand years ago that depict prehistoric men marching wild game home to cook in a wild and celebratory manner. Perhaps… Read on

Today I received a beautifully packaged CD from the talented Tift Merritt. The CD features many of her new songs that will certainly be heard during our work days in the studio. We had the pleasure of hearing Tift’s amazing voice at her performance for the opening of our pop-up shop at the Billy Reid store in New… Read on

It’s a mouthful. But then, as people (and especially Southerners) do have an undying love for the complexity of words, stories, and the beauty of textiles. Last Tuesday night at The Standard, East Village, we were riveted by Jessamyn Hatcher’s stories of processing unwanted clothing in a clinic format. Today in New York City, you… Read on

Our sewing circle at The Standard, East Village was a rich mixture of folk from a range of professions and diverse lives. Cathy Davidson, one of our first time sewers, has written the most beautiful essay about her time with us and created a fantastic example of Reverse Appliqué as metaphor: Reverse Appliqué @alabamachanin or… Read on

We had the best intentions of posting lots of pictures and stories from our Makeshift event yesterday and the day just got away from us. There IS so much more to come and to write about, but for the meantime, here some great pictures of the making process at The Standard East Village on Tuesday… Read on

We had such an amazing west coast journey. The words above, found in the bathroom at PNCA + OCAC, say it all. I especially love the short paragraph at the bottom: “Helvetica, one of the world’s most ubiquitous typefaces was released in the same year as the publication of this essay. It was chosen to… 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

I have on my desk a small, simple book: Ceremonials of Common Days, by Abbie Graham. It has been there for several months. The little antique volume was given to me as gift from one of our very sweet Weekend Workshop guests. Published by The Womans Press in the 1920s, it smells the way an… Read on

When I returned to Alabama over a decade ago to start the project that has become Alabama Chanin, I had NO IDEA that this simple project would surround me with stories of cotton, mill work, and, quite honestly, the history of the small community where I grew up. This blog is proof to the fact… Read on

I feel so honored and happy to introduce Jessamyn Hatcher as a new contributor to this blog (soon we will add a face to the name). Jessamyn has been a source of inspiration for me as I continue to learn how to frame the work that is so easy for me to DO, but so… Read on

“Last winter, I came into possession of the papers of an émigré psychiatrist who practiced in New York in the late 1940s and 1950s,” Janet Malcolm explains in an article in the New York Review of Books. Malcolm is describing a set of papers she found and used as both inspiration and materials for her… 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

I have had a love for the Amish people and art since I was a little girl growing up in Alabama. In fact, there is a small Amish community just north of my town that has fascinated me my whole life.

As Alabama Chanin has grown, part of the beauty of this growth has been my ability to watch our employees and families spread their wings, grow, and find their voices. A few months back, June started to use her voice to tell our stories through her own experiences. Today, Sara Martin makes that same leap and stretches… 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

The most beautiful package came through the mail from our friend (and sometimes collaborator) Rinne Allen and (yes, idol) Susan Hable. How did they know that I have a big love for little books?

Grow – verb: To increase by natural development: Our collection continues to grow. To arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source: Our friendship grew from common interests. To increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand: Over the coming weeks and months, the collection will… 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

My latest post for EcoSalon is about how good things – like good design – take time. Take time to have a read: Give The Story Time To Unfold And then let us know what you think… xoNatalie GIVE THE STORY TIME TO UNFOLD I found a letter that I wrote some years ago.  It… Read on

When introducing guests to our office staff, I always have to stop and take a breath at Diane Hall.  Over the years, she has just become so much to me and to all of our staff.  Like Steven, she has held just about every imaginable job and done or touched just about every task we… Read on

Krista Tippett’s podcast, On Being, has spurred many conversations and thoughtful moments in my life. I listened to the episode, Civility, History & Hope – Vincent Harding in conversation with Krista Tippett – in August and I just can’t seem to get it out of my mind. On my recent trips, I listened to it… 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

In 2006, Leslie Hoffman asked me to write a short paper for inclusion in their Future Fashion White Papers.   I recently came across the volume while browsing my library and the essay stirred up so many memories from that time.  As the last of my tomatoes drop to the ground, I wanted to (re)share my… Read on

About a year after beginning my work with what is now Alabama Chanin, I was managing the company operations in Alabama with one employee, Abbie (after whom our “Abbie’s Flower” stencil is named). We were still working in the little three bedroom brick ranch house at Lovelace Crossroads.  I was actually living in one side… Read on

I made it!  50 years old and going strong. On my daughter Maggie’s birthday each year, I send (or do my best to send) an invitation to celebrate that includes the following text. Today, the invitation is for me: “Join us in celebrating 50 years of life. No presents please, plant a flower or a… Read on

In honor of 9/11, print out the PeaceBuilder Pledge below and post it in your place of business, community, kitchen, office, local bar, post office, coffee shop, hair salon, and place of worship.  Print it as a post card, send it out, and make it your social media status. Send us pictures from your actions… Read on

We left the Hotel Chelsea in New York City that morning on my 1970’s era Schwinn “Stardust” bike – white with the beautiful banana seat. Our plan was to head down to Pastis in the Meat Packing District to meet a dear friend for his birthday breakfast.  Another dear friend from Vienna was visiting, without… Read on

If you are in New York for Fashion Week, mark your calendar for the opening of YIELD on September 10th at the Textile Arts Center. Thanks to Holly McQuillan and Timo Rissanen for including our work in this important installation. And learn more about zero waste in Subtraction Cutting School, by Julian Roberts.  

The newest issue of KYUR8_Webzine, created and curated by my friend RUDJ, launches today. Guest Editor: Natalie Chanin Have a look and spread the word: KYUR8_Webzine

Biographies, philosophy, design, recipes, and all the subjects in-between are the stuff of my dreams. I would venture to say that I’ve found a treasure beginning with most library call numbers, and, of course, do my best not to judge any book by its cover. To say my love affair with reading is an important… Read on

This is my first installment of a new bi-weekly fashion column for EcoSalon. Material Witness will offers my perspective on the fashion industry, textile history and what happens when love for community trumps all. From EcoSalon – August 12, 2011 ONE WOMAN’S TESTAMENT TO THREAD AND NEEDLE As a designer and entrepreneur in the fashion… Read on

Some things are said a thousand times. Sometimes we still need reminding. Or maybe not. Great new content from commune design.

It is hard for me to believe that I am almost finished with my third book, now titled Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Had someone asked a decade ago where I saw myself in ten years, it certainly would not be lying in bed, reviewing and making notes on a “pass” (publishing lingo for a… Read on

If you’d like to be a success in business, start working! If you’d like to be a success as a housewife, start cooking! If you’d like to be a social success, start smiling! If you’d like to get married, start looking! I am sitting down with Miss Head’s reissued manual after a long morning (it… Read on

Azzedine Alaïa Interview written by Eric Waroll: “I was having breakfast with a legend of fashion, yet I witnessed his respectful humanity.”

Every once in a while, a book comes along that makes you smile and laugh and sigh all at the same time. My Mom, Style Icon, by Piper Weiss – published by Chronicle – is just that book. (While I didn’t get this posted in time for Mother’s Day, every day is Mother’s Day around… Read on

I own a lot of books on pattern design but British Textiles – published by V&A – is one of the loveliest I have seen for a long time. (It was at the bottom of the pile yesterday but is on top today.) The book highlights woven and printed fabric (embroidery is planned for an… Read on

–Joseph Campbell

Jenny Holzer:  Changing beliefs every day. Jenny Holzer Truisms: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE CAN GO A LONG WAY A LOT OF PROFESSIONALS ARE CRACKPOTS A MAN CAN’T KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE A MOTHER A NAME MEANS A LOT JUST BY ITSELF

I struggle these days – not with what to do but – with how to do things the right way. I find myself sitting up at night, rolling through ideas, and questioning action. Visiting 2 or 3 Things I Know , I was reminded of Juan Ignacio Moralejo. I adore his way of looking at… Read on

Back in the studio today after almost a month of working from home, the holidays, an amazing trip to Taste of the South and a few (beautiful) snow days.  It was a great luxury to have some time to read over the holidays and I have savored many a volume (both trash and treasure). Wild… Read on

One day a small and unassuming envelope arrived at the office addressed to me. Inside was a card with the words “a year of gratefulness” beautifully embossed into white card stock. On the back, a small typewritten note was affixed: “this is my year of gratefulness. I am writing two letters a month, one to… Read on

I ran across this article by Erica Jong on the madness of modern motherhood through another favorite author: Elizabeth Wurtzel. The article made me sit back in my chair and I have been thinking of it randomly for weeks.  Perhaps because I am raising two children across two very different decades, or perhaps because I… Read on

Last night, I finally saw Luca Guadagnino’s I Am Love.  The cinematography of Yorick Le Sau  is extraordinary. And Tilda Swinton is stunning… Manohla Dargis wrote an interesting review for the New York Times.  I love this last paragraph: “The chase ends in a sylvan perch, where Antonio and Emma make love amid a cacophony… Read on

I am a few years late since the book was published in 2006.  In my defense, there is a pile of books that move from bedside to coffee table to the office and back again on a regular basis.  Do you know that feeling? While I am an avid reader, there is a little problem… Read on

Outline and (most) first drafts for book number three submitted and approved – check. (Thank you Melanie – celebrate tonight!) Plan workshops for 2011 – check. (Spots are filling up fast – reserve one today and join us.) Holiday gifts made and wrapped – check. Sign out early, pick Maggie up from school, make gumbo,… Read on

My four-year-old daughter Maggie this morning while looking at the laundry hamper:  “Mama, you REALLY need to do the laundry. I’m just saying…” Some days you just need to be running down the halls of the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.  I’m just saying… *Photo from my friends @  Le Deux Garcons – taken sometime… Read on

Listening:  The Inner Landscape of Beauty Looking:  Dorothea Lange”s Ireland

For a decade, my work at Alabama Chanin has been made possible by our artisans.  Without them and our amazing staff, there would be no Alabama Chanin. Many of the artisans working with us today are the very same women who sewed those first deconstructed t-shirts.  I want to express my deep gratitude.  Wielding needle… Read on

Many of my regular readers know a bit about my history… but to sum it up for those of you that are new: In the year 1999, I took (what I thought to be) a four month sabbatical from my life and loves in Vienna, Austria. Beginning on an island off the northern coast of… Read on

Thanks to Thom Driver for sending over this beautiful image – a lovely way to start the week. Ian Hundley’s work reminds me of The Map as Art. I resolve to  follow more unknown roads in the next year…

My daughter Maggie was digging around in a drawer the other day and found a deck of cards from New Orleans that my son, Zach, bought over fifteen years ago.  They were purchased at the gift shop of a paddle boat on the Mississippi River. It was New Year’s Day and I remember that we… Read on

Maggie’s new school is hosting their annual Fall Festival tomorrow and each of the classes was asked to make a project to donate to a silent auction.  The Class Moms are asked to help organize this and (as I am one of the two responsible) I, of course, suggested that we make a quilt. To… Read on

According to friends, I might be the only person in North Alabama still harvesting tomatoes.  I was angry at myself for not getting them in the ground earlier this year; however, it seems that my busy life made the perfect storm for a great harvest.  One of Zach’s friends gave me a load of heirloom… Read on

Tune into PBS on MONDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 9PM CST (AFTER HISTORY DETECTIVES) for the National Broadcast of CITIZEN ARCHITECT: SAMUEL MOCKBEE AND THE RURAL STUDIO If you can not tune in, check out the website / or facebook page for theatrical screening updates / or buy the DVD online: http://www.citizenarchitectfilm.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/CITIZEN-ARCHITECT-FILM/285692586601?ref=ts Bravo to our friends Sam… Read on

One of the most amazing books on typography that I have come across in a long, long time… In Fraktur Mon Amour, Judith Schalansky has made a love letter to the (sometimes outcast) Blackletter or Gothic script. Judith’s collection of fonts is stunning – CD included. All 150 fonts included in Fraktur Mon Amour are accompanied by elaborate and beautiful… Read on

I am headed to the mountains of Chattanooga today for a weekend of stitching, cooking and playing with high school girlfriends. Maggie has her bags packed with loads of books for the trip and I have my sewing kit and a book ready for a girls (and kids) sewing weekend with wine, food, reading and… Read on

I have been obsessed by maps recently. Perhaps I am searching for something? Princeton Architectural Press has found another little treasure (map) with Kris Harzinski and the Hand Drawn Map Association: From Here to There: A Curious Collection from the Hand Drawn Map Association And get lost here: Hand Drawn Map Association

Just as I am designing the new collection, a treasure of a book arrives on my desk from Princeton Architectural Press. I have always been a fan of You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination. And now Katharine Harmon has compiled the most beautiful collection of images and ideas in her… Read on

Thank you to everyone at the New York Public Library for having me ‘round for the Handmade Crafternoon back in May. And thanks to Jessica for this inspired reading list; I would like to have each and every one of the books she selected.

We picked blackberries this morning as the sun was coming up over the trees. This calls for Cottage Cheese Pancakes from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook to pair with our morning harvest.

Famed photographer Charles Moore changed the course of American history the only way he knew: with his camera. We celebrate the life of our friend, hero, and neighbor, Charles Moore. Powerful Days indeed… *Photograph by Charles Moore – March 1931 to March 2010

We made a road trip yesterday – for Mother’s Day – into the Florida Panhandle. Backroads all the way, the drive was like traveling through page after page of John Margolies Roadside America. If you ever get the chance to ride Route 29 – down through Alabama and into Florida; be sure to go. READYMADES:… Read on

Celebrate – verb: To observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities: Today we celebrate Earth Day and the joy of life. To make known publicly; proclaim: The newspaper celebrated the beauty of her life. To perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize:  We will celebrate the light that her life brought… Read on

I lived in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina for almost 10 years of my life. In fact, I lived at one time or the other in just about every one of the cities and my son, Zach, was born 28 years ago when I lived in Durham. Shortly before Zach’s arrival and in… Read on

Don’t miss this lovely interview with Maira Kalman at papermag.com. I know that I have written about her before (and before that too); BUT, Maggie and I still enjoy her company every day and night. I am planning my trip to the Institute of Contemporary Art.

And while we are on the subject of all things food related coming back to John T. Edge… All of the pictures – taken by dear friend Angie Mosier – for Truck Food Nation have been posted. Our friends have elevated truck food culture to white tablecloth – amazingly beautiful and inspiring. I can’t wait… Read on

Not that cleaning house is very exciting (or sexy as I have remarked before)… unless you choose to do it in a feather boa as my friend Whitechapel suggests. BUT, I did have a nice childhood memory today of Saturday morning cleaning sprees. I got ambitious (or drank too much coffee) and tried out some cleaning… Read on

I love this story from Penelope Green: “A Veritable Vision in Five-Inch Heels“, New York Times, February 3, 2010: NEAR dusk on a recent winter Sunday, in a glossy and compact one-bedroom in Hell’s Kitchen, Michael Lisbona was drying the toe box of a Louis-style mule with a blow dryer. The upper part of the… Read on

These days I am feeling underwater – breathtaking. Wayne Levin via Lee Cerre

Word of the Day: Collect. Today I am collecting my thoughts. Collect –verb.: 1.    To come to a collected attitude: She collected her thoughts. 2.    To gather; assemble: The studio staff collected together. 3.    To accumulate: Rain water collected in the barrel. 4.    To regain control: She took a day to collect herself. 5.    To make… Read on

Maggie’s favorite poem/book of the decade (well…moment). She says to me this morning, “I like a scary movie.” Life Doesn’t Frighten Me By Maya Angelou with paintings by Jean Michelle Basquiat Shadows on the wall Noises down the hail Life doesn’t frighten me at all Bad dogs barking loud Big ghosts in a cloud Life… Read on

The island of Los Roques is attached to an archipelago of approximately 250 islands and is the second largest living organism on the planet – second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef. The island itself is of volcanic origin and has small rock mountains (really hills) on the Atlantic side while the archipelago… Read on

In 1999, at the tail end of the last decade, I chose to leave my life in Vienna, Austria, to spend what I deemed a “sabbatical” on an island off the northern coast of Venezuela called Los Roques. How I got there is a story for another day. What had drawn me there was a… Read on

In the next decade, I will sit at my table more often and think. In the next decade, I will sit at my table more often. In the next decade, I will sit… SIT : obs. 3d pers. sing. pres. of Sit, for sitteth. To rest upon the haunches, or the lower extremity of the… Read on

I have been thinking a lot these last weeks about Maira Kalman. First off, I am reading The Elements of Style, which is illustrated by Maira. While Maggie is now addicted to What Pete Ate – which means daily readings. You see, I have been sitting with Maira now day and night for weeks. Secondly,… Read on

Looking forward to my issue on December 1st: Oxford American: Eleventh Annual Southern Music Issue *Photograph: “Record Player” by Haley Jane Samuelson, from her series Another Room (2009), courtesy of Hous Projects, NYC.

Very inspired to meet Mark and Sara Schiller from Wooster Collective this evening during our Bureau of Friends event at Partners & Spade. *Image via Wooster Collective

Partners & Spade, Manhattan “Setting the Table,” from Maria @ Bureau of Friends: Have you ever noticed that most of the real action at conferences takes place in the lounges and walkways outside of the Main Halls and presentation rooms? There is absolutely a place and time for sit-and-listen audiences and there’s nothing like a… Read on

It is an amazing thing in life when your heroes become your friends. And so it is with friend Les Blank. I rented Gap-Toothed Women in the 1990’s when I was living in Vienna. And then came Burden of Dreams. A clear addiction to documentary films ensued. Don’t miss this great interview with Les @ Vice Magazine.

It has taken me two years to finally see this film that friend, painter and film buff Judith Eisler recommended so long ago. A fantastic and beautifully made look at the global visual culture that touches our lives every day. One of the best movies I have seen for a very long time. Helvetica: A Documentary Film by… Read on

While looking out over the water from the balcony of a mansion on Shelter Island, Kurt Vonnegut tells his friend, Joseph Heller, that their host makes more money in a single day than Heller will ever earn from his novel, Catch-22. Heller responds, “Yes, but I have something he will never have.” Vonnegut questions, “What’s that?” “Enough.”… Read on

The Quilts of Gee’s Bend Tinwood Media The Drunkard’s Walk:  How Randomness Rules Our Lives **The Random Walk via Wikipedia

Agnes Martin:  The Nineties and Beyond My favorite: “A Little Girl’s Response to Love,” page 97 Agnes Martin at the Dia Agnes Martin (Dia Foundation)

This beautiful story from The New York Times today:  Femininity, Salvaged Lillian Bassman: Women Anais Nin – The Delta of Venus

Lost Labor: Images of American Workers 1900-1980 Shop Class as Soulcraft:  An Inquiry Into the Value of Work

George Dawes Green is a brilliant writer, storyteller and founder of The Moth in New York City. He started The Moth because he “wanted to recreate in New York the feeling of sultry summer evenings on his native St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, where he and a small circle of friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales… Read on

Look Read

Back from the wilds of southern Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida… The trip was too short – as always. Although the weather was not so great, the beaches are white as snow, the Apalachicola River soothing and the shrimp melt in your mouth. There is something about watching rain from a screened veranda that makes… Read on

I think that the first love of my life was a book. I am obsessed by books and once worked at Rizzoli in New York City just that I could get a discount and use my part-time paycheck to buy books. My daughter Maggie started young. Since her birth, she has been obsessed by touching, licking… Read on

In my next life I will be an oral historian and record the stories of my generation. Scott Carrier: Running After Antelope

A few years ago, my friend Sara helped me work on organizing my collection of books into a (very loose) library format. The tomes were divided by a “genre” that I determined by somewhat random method but that made sense to me.   Books on textiles got a red sticker on the spine and books on… Read on

The Museum at The International Center for Photography will be showing the fashion work of Richard Avedon: Avedon Fashion 1944 – 2000. One of my all time favorite books of photography was created by Richard Avedon: In the American West. This genre of photography as story teller has been an inspiration to me since the day I first… Read on

A new favorite place to visit: Beauty Everyday for Southern Beauty, Creativity & Food

Today I am inspired by Alec Soth: Paris Minnesota,  Sleeping by the Mississippi, & Niagara. www.alecsoth.com

Everyone is raving about Bradley Quinn’s new book Textile Designers at the Cutting Edge. And THANK YOU to Bradley for including our work at Alabama Chanin.

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

On Saturday afternoon, I had the honor of touring the Edible Schoolyard and having lunch in the new Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Dining Commons. Alice Waters, the Chez Panisse Foundation and a team of others are working towards changing the way we see the school lunch program in America. The program was inspiring,… Read on

Hi Natalie– Below, I’ve written a little homage to summer break. Jess is already back in school, and I begin teaching the week after next. I may vanish, as I have 95 students and TONS of writing to grade! Cheers! Blair From Blair:

Today I am inspired by families, friends laughing, couples holding, sisters, brothers, lovers, a glimpse of the past, inspiring: http://www.disfarmer.org/index.htm

Occasionally in our lives, a person comes along who changes the course of our destiny and makes us a better person, simply by having touched our lives. One such person in my life was a teacher who believed in me before I knew that one could believe. I came to his studio as a naive,… Read on

This poem is from Kay Ryan, the new US poet laureate. I kept on thinking about it this weekend while we were stitching our beautiful Alabama Chanin clothing. I kept thinking that our strong stitches were going to hold tight as we made our deep tracks. Thank you for including me in such a special… Read on

Hi Natalie– I’m sending photos from summertime in our yard. The Luna moth was drying itself off; it had just peeled out of its cocoon. They don’t live very long because they don’t eat. As a matter of fact, they don’t even have mouths. As beautiful as they are, I’d hate to be a luna… Read on

Dear Sweet Blair, You are a gift to our lives and cake for our souls. I will forever think of you with a pair of pink “granny panties” stuck to your back! I was thinking this week that after 40 (some odd) years, I am just now learning to stand in my own shoes (a… Read on

Blair brought me this beautiful bowl to Atlanta as a present (as if her posts were not present enough). The bowl came wrapped in a pretty box and tied with an orange ribbon that was affixed with masking tape at the bottom (her son Jess’ art material of choice.) As I opened the box, Blair… Read on

My husband, John T, just came home with a pork butt the size of a hippopotamus, so now we have to have a 4th of July event around the smoker. It’s funny because neither John T nor I like this holiday. John T says it feels “forced.” I don’t like this holiday because it makes… Read on

Blair just sent me the email below. I replied to her that “this IS a post.” Enjoy Midsummer Night’s Eve, breathe, look at life and enjoy the moment. From Blair: Below, I copied the transcript from Garrison Keillor’s Writer’s Almanac (NPR). Tonight, to celebrate, I’m going to poach catfish in paper sacks (the method borrowed… Read on

I  love paint chips and the names of colors. I have lived in Cameo, Clementine, Venetian Glass, September Leaf, Cobalt, Aria Ivory, Spice Trader, Rain Mist, and Princess Passion rooms. My husband, John T, and I sleep in a Hickory bedroom trimmed with Sensitive White, and we prepare our family meals within our kitchen’s Walking… Read on

Bless Blair for sending this email just when I thought that there would be no reprieve in my week. We have a potted gardenia in our front garden bed and I have been struggling for one year to decide on its permanent spot. Blair’s post has inspired me to plant it right down by the… Read on

We had more than one request for Blair’s pea-themed love poem to her husband. She willingly plays along and makes me smile that big kind of smile that makes your ears hurt. Falling For My Husband by Blair Hobbs Beanstalk skinny, I cared more about not eating than stirring my dormant tastebuds. Most flavors left… Read on

The other day, I received a voice message from my sweet friend, Lisa. “Blair, I was just at the farmer’s market and saw Lady Peas, and I always think of you when I see Lady Peas, so I left you a bag on your front porch bench.” When I thanked Lisa, I forgot to ask… Read on

This post from Blair Hobbs reminds me of why I love gardening. Just this week, Blair agreed to become one of our regular contributors to share her views on being mother, creator, business person, lover of food, gardener and woman of the new south. I know it’s spring when Mrs. Gary’s field is a snowdrift… Read on

Georgia Gilmore worked at the National Lunch Company in Montgomery, Alabama, cooking her renowned fried chicken for both white and black patrons. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, she brought home-cooked meals to mass meetings. This evolved into what became known as,“The Club from Nowhere,” an underground fund-raising effort built on her delicious cakes… Read on

This lovely story from Blair Hobbs makes me smile: I grew up in Auburn, AL, and Opelika, AL is just a few miles away. It’s the Norma Rae town and has a large textile mill (I’m sure you know this). Anyway, I remember how sparse my elementary school music room was, but there were huge… Read on

Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life is the most beautiful book I have bought in a very long time. It’s big and luscious with amazing colors and beautiful printing. Beguiled by the Wild is also a great place to start learning about the amazing Charley Harper.  

Updated on 07/31/23 VS

I was lucky enough to see this inspiring exhibition Pricked: Extreme Embroidery – at the Museum of Arts & Design this morning… look for the catalog to come soon from their online store. The work is amazing.

Regardless of your politics, religion or gender, this photo is beautifully captured and reminds us that we, as individuals, are part of a larger whole that is this nation. Yes we can. Yes We Can Photo above from Charles Moore.   Charles Moore’s collection of Civil Rights Era photographs are showcased in Powerful Days.

All of us at Alabama Chanin are thankful to the New York Times for including us in this Sunday Magazine article two weeks ago: The Coats (and Dresses and Shirts) of Utopia But today, I am thankful and smiling about a conversation that I had with one of the team members who traveled to our… Read on

This book should be on every bookshelf. The recipes are beautiful and the stories make you laugh and cry. Every time I chop onions, I think of Tita and smile. “Take care to chop the onions fine.” Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

Mother Nature gives us a place to find inspiration each and every day. Living Jewels is a document of a small part of our environment which has a large impact with these beautiful photographs. You will find the most beautiful color references on each page. Get your copy of Living Jewels here.