For the 2023 Project Threadways Symposium, Dr. Katie Knowles delivered a keynote presentation at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts in downtown Florence. Titled “Assembling a Life: Sarah Tate’s Things,” the presentation centers on a collection of items that once belonged to a woman named Sarah Tate, who was born enslaved and died in 1915…. Read on

The Winter Trees. Natalie’s Garden.Thank you.  A Note from Natalie: I’m sending this note while en route to Paris with Collection #67: Natalie’s Garden in tow, headed for the spring presentations. While these forty-eight new styles travel to their unveiling at the Palais-Royal, Collection #66: The Winter Trees launched online this past Tuesday. The ever-unfolding succession of… Read on

Two years ago—at the big 6-0—I requested that, in lieu of birthday gifts, anyone who felt called to honor me with presents would instead donate to causes that are near and dear to my heart. In 2021 I started a design scholarship at my alma mater, North Carolina State University College of Design, because I… Read on

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

Collaborations. Collections. Embroidery.A note from Natalie. I’m sending this out from Salem, Massachusetts—where fall is approximately 566 miles north of home. When packing for the trip, I began thinking about the idea of seasons traveling at approximately 15 miles per day or 100 miles per week with the rotating axis of the earth. This puts Salem approximately… Read on

Our workshops are designed for flexible and personalized learning. No matter where you are in your hand-sewing journey, we can provide assistance and recommendations for the next (or first) step. Here’s an outline based on experience level: Beginner:Three-Day WorkshopVirtual: Intro to Hand-SewingVirtual: Embroidery Techniques Intermediate:Three-Day WorkshopClassic Studio WeekVirtual: Intermediate Hand-SewingVirtual: Embroidery Techniques with BeadsVirtual: Embroidery… 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

Fabric.It’s our most important asset. Introducing our new Scrap Project—a sustainable and creative initiative that adds to the maker experience. Beginning today, every DIY Kit order will include not only all the materials you need to create a project, but we’re also including the cutting scraps from the process of creating each kit. We believe… Read on

View our full schedule details here (and add an extra day or two to your travel plans for adventure). The Factory: Daily ToursEvery Monday – Friday @ 2:00pm CST ______ 2023 July 21 – November 26, 2023New Orleans: Fashioning American Exhibit @ NOMA ______ September 2023Alabama Chanin will be in Paris with a new Spring… Read on

Natalie and the teams from The School of Making are heading to Nashville, Tennessee, for a One-Day Embroidery Workshop at Modern Daily Knitting. Guests will learn everything there is to know about embroidery and stitches from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing and how to create and embellish a Striped Scarf Kit from The School of Making…. Read on

At The School of Making, we use the term appliqué for a variety of techniques used in combination with organic cotton jersey. For some designs, we construct our garments or projects first and apply appliqué and other embellishments afterwards.  Find instructions for applying appliqué before construction of the garment or project here. APPLIQUÉ INSTRUCTIONS |… Read on

Appliqué /ap·pli·qué/  noundecorative needlework in which pieces of fabric are sewn or attached onto the top of another piece of fabric to form patterns and/or pictures verbthe act of decorating a garment or fabric with pieces of fabric sewn or attached to form patterns and/or pictures At The School of Making, we use the term… Read on

Above: from The Quilts of Gee’s Bend by William Arnett, Alivia Wardlaw, Jane Livingston, and John Beardsley; quilts by Loretta Pettway. Photograph by Abraham Rowe. The 2023 Project Threadways Symposium will be held April 20-22 in Florence, Alabama. In-person and virtual tickets are available—purchase yours here. ORIGINS AND VOICE OF THE 2023 PROJECT THREADWAYS SYMPOSIUM… Read on

Above: from Embroidery: Threads and Stories by Natalie Chanin, page 106-107; photo by Cliff Billingsley The April issue of Southern Living magazine includes an essay by Natalie titled, “How The Singing River Inspires The South’s Creativity.” Read the full article below, explore our #travel series on the Journal for more on The Shoals, and find… Read on

Pictured above, Embroidery: Threads and Stories, pages 74-75: (from left to right) Piney Creek, Tennessee River backwater, Limestone County, Alabama, photo by Abraham Rowe. Spiral screen print design, photo by Robert Rausch. County Road, Limestone County, Alabama, photo by Abraham Rowe. The Tennessee River has shaped the human experience in northwest Alabama for over 12,000… Read on

From top, left to right: Fabric swatch of the Fiorire paint design on organic canvas; menu for the Friends of the Café Dinner for Project Threadways, featuring Chef Nicole Mills; The Nieve Skirt in Wax; The Noto Bandana; A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit; Alabama Chanin Core Club in Navy and Natural…. Read on

Photo above from Embroidery: Threads and Stories, pages 104-105 From Embroidery: Threads and Stories, by Natalie Chanin, page 102: The Tennessee River cuts a path right through the center of The Shoals—splitting Florence from the cities of Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. Before the construction of Wilson Dam as part of the National Defense Act… Read on

Project Threadways and Alabama Chanin are excited to present the 2023 Friends of the Café Dinner featuring chef Nicole Mills, the Chef de Cuisine at Pêche in New Orleans, where she focuses on working with local fisherman and farmers who harvest sustainably. All proceeds will benefit Project Threadways. Tickets are $250 per person for an… Read on

Introducing Virtual Workshops, a remote learning series for beginners and experienced makers alike. Taught by The School of Making instructor Sunne Meyer, each two-hour workshop focuses on the physics of hand-sewing, embroidery, and construction. Once enrolled, guests receive workshop information and a form to choose a DIY Kit and/or materials for the class. As the… Read on

Outerwear DIY Kits from The School of Making: #memade appliqué and embroidery for everyday.Explore the styles below and browse new colorway options. _________ Join one of our virtual workshops, and apply those skills to crafting the perfect coat, jacket, skirt, and everything in between. Intermediate Hand-Sewing | April 7, 2023 Advanced Construction Techniques | October… Read on

Pictured above: Detail of The Shoals Area; map via AllTrails In her book, First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety, Sarah Wilson explains how walking helps calm her anxiety and balances the nervous system. In the chapter titled “Slow…” her declaration, “I’m also a mad hiker,” appeals to my heart and… Read on

Pictured above: Kinlock Falls, photographed by Abraham Rowe The landscape of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area (MSNHA) moves from the flat valley floor of the Tennessee River to the hills of the Highland Rim and the Cumberland Plateau, creating a variety of hiking experiences. Many of our favorite sites—such as Bankhead National Forest—have rich… Read on

THE COLLECTIVE: TEXTILES AS COMMUNITY In 2019, and after 20+ years of planning and work, Natalie and the Alabama Chanin team officially formed Project Threadways as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to record, study, and interpret history, community, and power through the lens of fashion and textiles. That year also marked the inaugural Project Threadways Symposium, now an annual… 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

Arriving soon to alabamachanin.com. Join our mailing list for exclusive previews and updates.

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

Follow along on Instagram for more inspiration and stories we love. @alabamachanin “Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.” —Yoko Ono Summer Living: The Poe Dress | $1,498 The Poe Dress offers a feminine silhouette with a v-neckline, a double tie closure, a fitted bust, and a gentle flare through the body. This sleeveless wrap dress… Read on

Frame 1 (clockwise): 100% Organic and Extra-Long Staple Cotton Jersey in Camel, White, Natural, Navy, and Ballet (featured in Studio Bundle #2); The Classic Coat in New Leaves Camel/Camel with Backstitch Reverse Appliqué; The A-Line Pattern envelope; Fabric Swatch in Navy Facets with Slate textile paint; Passementerie Swing Skirt kit contents; Natalie’s Dream A-Line Top… Read on

For over a decade, we’ve had the joy of collaborating with Cathy Bailey and Robin Petravic, the visionary husband-and-wife duo behind Heath Ceramics. For the newest Heath Ceramics x Alabama Chanin collection, Natalie, Cathy, and Robin set out to create two new hand-etched designs that represent each company’s heritage and work in the preservation and… Read on

2021 marks the tenth year of our annual review, looking back on the highlights, and accomplishments, of the past year.   We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love for another year—being stewards of sustainability, sharing inspiration, creating designs and experiences with our family, friends, colleagues, and guests. We recognize that many of… Read on

“Okra flower and okra” from Root to Leaf: A Southern Chef Cooks through the Seasons by Steven Satterfield.   “Let things taste of what they are.” —Alice Waters  August produces an abundance of fresh vegetables from the garden, at farmers markets, and on the menu at local eateries. Popular in our community this season are corn, tomatoes,… Read on

 “A word after a word after a word is power.” – Margaret Atwood  Today, National Book Lovers’ Day, celebrates a love of reading and literature. It encourages us to put down our phones and settle in with a good book. To mark this celebration, Natalie (a self-proclaimed lover of books) shares her current summer reading… Read on

“Deciding to give myself permission to wander — without a set outcome, destination, or expectation — has been a turning point in my creative process and in my role as a mother of young children. It is now a vital part of my seasonal rhythm.”  – Rinne Allen for The Bitter Southerner  Rinne Allen is a… Read on

“Summer has filled her veins with light and her heart is washed with noon.” —C. Day Lewis  Long days and short nights, travel and adventure, rest and relaxation, summertime connects us with the natural world, inspires exploration, and delivers bountiful gardens, fresh vegetables, and our beloved tomato sandwich. Follow these links to find readings and resources for… Read on

The Summer of Love collection highlights our Love Tee—a nod to sharing with those we love. Explore inspirations from the 1967 Summer of Love movement that reflected a longing for peace and love and represents a time unlike any other in American history:   The Summer of Love Experience: Art, Fashion, and Rock & Roll — the de… Read on

From Beauty Everyday by Rinne Allen, Rebecca Wood, and Kristen Bach (page 117).  “As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”—Henry David Thoreau  Born on this day in 1817, poet, author, philosopher, and naturalist Henry David Thoreau was an advocate of living a simple life. Today, National Simplicity Day, honors his life and… Read on

“Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them.” — Marc Jacobs  Not only is a T-shirt the foundation of so many wardrobes, but it is a foundation of Alabama Chanin. Nearly two decades ago Natalie cut up her first T-shirt, sewed it back together, and set herself on the path towards Alabama Chanin. This summer… Read on

“For the artisan, craft is an end in itself. For you, the artist, craft is the vehicle for expressing your vision. Craft is the visible edge of art.” — David Paul Bayles  At Alabama Chanin, we have enlisted the craftsmanship of skilled artisans for two decades. These artisans, who are independent contractors, craft our heirloom-quality Collection garments utilizing hand-sewing skills. As we celebrate Natalie’s… Read on

Each moment is just what it is. It might be the only moment of our life; it might be the only strawberry we’ll ever eat. – Pema Chödrön  June brings the Summer Solstice on June 20th, and its full moon, the Strawberry Moon on June 24th—honoring the berry synonymous with summer.  That summertime staple, the strawberry,… Read on

Left: “Plate 110. Wall hanging, Jacquard weaving”, 1925; right: “Plate 111. Wall hanging, three-ply weave”, 1926 by Anni Albers from Anni Albers: On Weaving (New Expanded Edition) by Anni Albers with afterword by Nicholas Fox Weber and essays by Manuel Cirauqui and T’ai Smith. “Most of our lives we live closed up in ourselves, with… Read on

Left: “Untitled”; Right: “Buds”, 1959 by Agnes Martin. From Agnes Martin, 2015 edited by Frances Morris and Tiffany Bell (pages 50–51).  “Beauty is the mystery of life. It is not in the eye, it is in the mind.” — Agnes Martin As we usher in June, we’re happy to celebrate Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community. This week… Read on

“All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer… one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends, and delightful doing, come as near perfection as anything can come in this world.” — from Anne’s House of Dreams by Lucy Maud Montgomery  As the world starts to awaken, this summer is a time for… Read on

The earliest days of Alabama Chanin’s website mostly consisted of Natalie teaching herself web-publishing in her (almost nonexistent) free time. She saw it as a way to express elements of who Alabama Chanin was without literally stitching it onto a garment – though we actually did that, too. Because of this tinkering and self-teaching, Alabama Chanin stepped into the e-commerce world in… Read on

After winning the CFDA/Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge in 2013, Natalie shared that “part of the appeal of being a designer, for me, is the act of bringing not only products but also systems of making to life.”  It’s not about the end, but rather, the entire. Under Natalie’s creative direction, the Alabama Chanin production, design, and… Read on

Lead image from Beauty Everyday, 2013 by Rinne Allen, Kristen Bach, and Rebecca Wood (page 59)    “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ― Aesop  Winter finally made it to Alabama last week, with snow and ice blanketing The Shoals. Prioritizing our team’s safety, Alabama Chanin made the decision to close The Factory for the week. This winter… Read on

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

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

Thank you to Laird Borrelli-Persson and Vogue for including Alabama Chanin in their recent article, The United States of Fashion. Read the excerpt below and view the entire story here.   “Twenty years ago, Natalie Chanin returned home to Florence, Alabama, to reconnect with her roots and the hand-makers there for what was to be a one-off project. She never… Read on

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

new/n(y)oo/ adjective  Made or discovered recently or now for the first time.  In an interview on our Journal, our friend Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses quoted Emma Goldman who said, “One to whom the making of a table, the building of a house, or the tilling of the soil, is what the painting is… Read on

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

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

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu  Wishing you peace, love, and light this holiday season.  From All of us at Alabama Chanin  P.S.: Enjoy this free downloadable printout of our Florence Collection fabric design, shown above. Sized to print on 8.5” x 11” paper, the PDF… Read on

Our gift certificates are the perfect way to share sustainable, beautifully crafted products with someone you love. Choose a digital version, and we’ll send the recipient a styled email with a special note or message. Or select our printable option, and we’ll email you a styled PDF that you can print, wrap, and gift yourself. Purchase a… Read on

Find last-minute, in-stock gifts from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making. We are accepting orders until 12:30pm CT today for overnight delivery. Happy Holidays from all of us at Alabama Chanin.

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

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

While we are celebrating differently this year, we are reflecting on what to be thankful for during this holiday season.  At Alabama Chanin, we are grateful to each one of you who has supported our business during this trying year and also supported the work that has shaped our company over the last 20 years. We… 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

Clockwise from left: The Baby Doll Corset Bundle in Bloomers Dove from The School of Making; Appliqué Rose Stencil Design and Facets Camisole Dress featured in Textile Futures: Fashion, Design, and Technology, 2010 by Bradley Quinn; Embroidery, Appliqué, and Reverse Appliqué Bloomers Fabric Swatch from The School of Making. From page 57 of Alabama Studio… Read on

Legendary photographer Bill Cunningham once said, “The wider world that perceives fashion as a frivolity, as something that should be done away with…fashion, you know, point of fact, it’s the armor to survive the reality of everyday life. I don’t think you could do away with it. It would be like doing away with civilization.”  Of course,… Read on

In 2011, on the 10th anniversary of September 11th, Natalie shared her personal story recounting the day. And in 2013, as our team was in New York on the anniversary, we were in remembrance: For most of us, this day will remain very personal for the rest of our lives. And yet, a dozen years is time… Read on

A warm “thank you” to Laird Borrelli-Persson and Vogue for interviewing Natalie and including Alabama Chanin in their recent article, “How the #WFH Movement Could Reshape Fashion.” Read excerpts below and view the entire story here. Also big love to Vogue for uniting all 26 global magazine editions with a forward-looking theme of ‘hope’. (If… Read on

“Veiled in this fragile filigree of wax is the essence of sunshine, golden and limpid, tasting of grassy meadows, mountain wildflowers, lavishly blooming orange trees, or scrubby desert weeds. Honey, even more than wine, is a reflection of place. If the process of grape to glass is alchemy, then the trail from blossom to bottle… Read on

Left: Image of Natelie’s card from her spring 2017 visit to the We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965 – 85 exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. Pictured: Faith Ringgold (right) and Michele Wallace (middle) at Art Workers Coalition Protest, Whitney Museum, 1971. Digital C-print. Photographed by Jan van Raay.  Right: “Free, White and 21”,… Read on

Image: Black Mountain College via OurState.com  “But most important to one’s own growth is to see oneself leave the safe ground of accepted conventions and to find oneself alone and self-dependent. It is an adventure which can permeate one’s whole being. Self-confidence can grow. And a longing for excitement can be satisfied without external means,… Read on

“Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight…” — Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God Our most beloved essentials, re-imagined. Explore the assortment of evergreen and everyday garments designed in the spirit… Read on

“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.” ― Nelson Mandela  Celebrated every year on his birthday, Nelson Mandela International Day “celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and… Read on

“Reproductive freedom is critical to a whole range of issues. If we can’t take charge of this most personal aspect of our lives, we can’t take care of anything. It should not be seen as a privilege or as a benefit, but a fundamental human right.” ― Faye Wattleton This Saturday, July 11th, is World… Read on

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

Image: Vitamin T: Threads and Textiles in Contemporary Art by Jenelle Porter. This spread features “Black, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink” installation by Shinique Smith  “I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act.” ― Janet Mock  The Stonewall uprising took place in June of 1969 and… Read on

“Harriet Tubman Mural” by Aaron Douglas, c. 1931, commissioned by Alfred K. Stern of  Chicago for Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, North Carolina  “If the cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. Because the goal of America is freedom, abused and scorned tho’ we may be, our destiny is tied… Read on

“This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.” ― Robert Kennedy  Young people across the nation and the world have, for… Read on

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”  ― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963  It is clear that this is a time of great tumult. Each day brings news of more unrest: COVID-19, economic uncertainty,… Read on

Like many of you, all of us at Alabama Chanin are deeply angry and gut-wrenchingly grieved about the unrest in our nation and the racism towards our brothers and sisters. However, this time is not about us; this is a time to dig in and learn to do better. We’ve worked for almost 20 years… Read on

“But there is another South, the one that we know: a South that is full of people who do things that honor genuinely honorable traditions. Drinking. Cooking. Reading. Writing. Singing. Playing. Making things. It’s also full of people who face our region’s contradictions and are determined to throw our dishonorable traditions out the window.” ―… Read on

We have long turned to Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. when making our custom cocktails at home and for our Friends of the Café dinner series at The Factory. Jack Rudy was founded by Brooks Reitz (husband to our designer Erin Reitz) in 2010. Since that time, Brooks has slowly grown a small food and beverage empire that continues to… Read on

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt  Celebrating the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day brings cookouts, beach trips, and an extra day off from work for many. The holiday has a deeper, and much more important, meaning:… Read on

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

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

One garment. One sewer. One piece at a time. The acts of making and manufacturing have a rich history in our community, and at Alabama Chanin we are carrying on those traditions by creating our heirloom garments locally. Utilizing our American-made organic fabrics, our team of skilled sewers carefully crafts each garment, with one sewer… Read on

Founded last year as a non-profit, Project Threadways examines, documents, and records the history of textiles. In preparation for our next symposium, we have been researching textile history over millennia and the broader arc of time (look for updates next week). As we think ahead to the future, we can’t help but question how COVID-19 will forever… Read on

“We first started talking about slow fashion as a derivative of the slow food movement. I think in many ways that industry is light years ahead of where the fashion is. People started looking at the ways things were planted and grown much sooner than we did with textiles. I think a lot of what’s… Read on

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” ― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities  Activist, journalist, and writer Jane Jacobs’ was instrumental in paving the way for urban planning in American cities and grass-roots organizing. Her work and writings focused on urban studies, sociology, and economic theory and often addressed controversial… Read on

Melanie Falick has been a friend of Alabama Chanin and The School of Making since our earliest days and, through her former imprint at Abrams Books, edited five of our Studio Books. Her dedication to crafting by hand and sharing the importance of doing so made us compatible and complementary partners throughout the years. As part of her most recent… 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

In this time of COVID-19 and great unrest, we’ve been looking for projects that are easy to execute with on-hand materials. String Quilting is an age-old technique that uses scraps and leftovers to create something new. We’re sharing here the instructions for String Quilting and the String-Quilted Pillow project from Alabama Studio Style, which is soon to be retired. (If you don’t yet… Read on

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

As we write this post our national food and beverage industry is in free-fall. Restaurants and bars, shuttered in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, have laid off an unknown number of staff and servers across the country. We feel deeply what our friend Brooks Reitz wrote yesterday, “Uncharted waters. We have been gut punched,… Read on

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

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

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” – Maya AngelouJoin us today in celebration of International Women’s Day and explore our #THOSEWHOINSPIRE series on the Journal.

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

A big “thank you” to Laird Borrelli-Persson and Vogue for sharing a preview of our upcoming Collection. They recently spoke with Natalie about her work and 20 years of defining sustainability. You can find the story online here along with a lookbook of the upcoming Collection or read below:Fall 2020 Ready-to-WearAlabama ChaninVogue, February 29, 2020 “We’ve… Read on

“Mardi Gras is the love of life. It is the harmonic convergence of our food, our music, our creativity, our eccentricity, our neighbors, and our joy of living. All at once.” ― Chris Rose Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday! Though Mardi Gras has been celebrated for the past few weeks, official Mardi Gras Day is February… Read on

“Alabama Chanin as a business was founded on the idea of a quilting stitch. And although it took me months to realize that I was actually quilting as I pieced together those first cut up t-shirts, the knowledge of those quilting stitches came from my most elemental childhood experiences. Growing up in the South, at… 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

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

“We are all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love. True love.” ― Robert Fulghum This week is all about Valentine’s Day. From a bit of history on… Read on

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

“I like trains. I like their rhythm, and I like the freedom of being suspended between two places, all anxieties of purpose taken care: for this moment I know where I am going.” ― Anna Funder, Stasiland On February 5, 1883, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed its Sunset Route, a continuous rail line from New… Read on

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

“I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty, or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other; for no man should take me alive; I should fight for my liberty as long as my strength lasted, and when the… Read on

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

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

Vitamin T: Threads and Textiles in Contemporary Art is the latest in the series of noted Vitamin books, each of which focuses on different type of visual art and various media. Every volume includes short essays by critics, curators, and art historians, who focus on specific artists within a chosen area. Vitamin T takes an in-depth look at fiber work, textiles, and thread, created by over 100 artists from across… Read on

Published in 2015, Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns: A Guide to Customizing a Hand-Stitched Alabama Chanin Wardrobe is the fourth in our Studio Book series and, because our maker community has embraced the idea of sustainable customization, has become one of our most popular books. As part of our 10-year celebration of Alabama Stitch Book, we… Read on

“Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you.” ― Louis L’Amour Winter is in full swing with nightfall beginning early and weather that forces you to stay indoors out of the cold. This week we share a reading list with some of our favorite books featured… Read on

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

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

“I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.” ― Zora Neale Hurston Author, anthropologist, and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7th, 1891 (129 years ago this Tuesday) in Notasulga, Alabama. In honor of her… 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

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.”  – T. S. Elliot As we mark the start of a new decade, we hope you will join us as Alabama Chanin’s journey on the road of sustainability, community,… Read on

“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.”― Meister Eckhart 2020 ushers in a new decade as well as the 20th anniversary of Alabama Chanin. As we prepare for the year ahead and celebrate Natalie’s two decades of commitment to sustainability, we wanted to take this opportunity… Read on

“And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent…” ― Taylor Caldwell With Christmas just two days away, today we wish you and yours a very happy holiday and share a few of our favorite holiday memories… Read on

“This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!” – D.M. Dellinger As you celebrate this holiday week, relishing the days spent with family and friends and looking back on… Read on

“Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.” ― W.J. Tucker  Christmas, more so than many other holidays, has foods and treats that are synonymous with the holiday. From candy canes to gingerbread houses, to the infamous fruitcake, these foods only fill our homes during Christmastime. This week, we share the histories… Read on

“In a world where news of inhumanity bombards our sensibilities, where grasping for things goes so far beyond our needs, where time is squandered in busyness, it is a pleasure and a privilege to pause for a look at handiwork, to see beauty amidst utility, and to know that craft traditions begun so long ago… Read on

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

“Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.” ― Valentine Davis, Miracle on 34th Street  Whether Christmas decorating starts after Thanksgiving dinner or a few days before December 25th, decorating for the holiday is a tradition for countless homes every year. This week we share a few of our favorite DIY Christmas decorations.   DIY Tree Skirt   Pomander Balls  … Read on

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” —John F. Kennedy The Oxford Dictionary defines grateful as “feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness.” Being thankful is a feeling; being grateful is an action. And while they are often used interchangeably,… Read on

We began our popular Build a Wardrobe subscription program in December of 2015 and, since then, have introduced over 20 patterns in a wide range of patterns. Each year, we add new silhouettes to help you expand a wardrobe, keeping individual styles in mind. This year, we featured four patterns: the Fractal Dress, the Jumpsuit,… Read on

Twenty-five years ago, Diane von Furstenberg popularized the now-iconic wrap dress. Originally patterned after ballerina sweaters, the garment wraps around the torso, crosses at the chest, and cinches at the waist. The primary appeal of the wrap was that it flattered almost every body style and was worn by everyday women and celebrities alike. With… Read on

“If you really are thankful, what do you do? You share.” ― W. Clement Stone Thanksgiving is this Thursday; a time for family, friends, good food, and reflection on the things we are most grateful for in our lives. In that spirit of thankfulness and fellowship, we were inspired this week to find and share… Read on

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” ― Maya Angelou Next Thursday is Thanksgiving for us and our readers in the U.S.A., and we are already looking forward to a day spent with family and friends. In anticipation of the delicious food that accompanies this yearly gathering, this week we share Thanksgiving-table-worthy… Read on

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

Our waffle knit styles have become some of our year-round, best-selling pieces. They can be styled for any season and are available in a range of colors to suit your preference. Waffle knit garments are comfortable enough to be worn for a cozy day at home and stylish enough to be worn to many events…. Read on

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

“That’s the secret of entertaining. You make your guests feel welcome and at home. If you do that honestly, the rest takes care of itself.” ― Barbara Hall Holidays are just around the corner and now is the perfect time to prepare for the family and friends sure to gather around your table in the… Read on

Join us for a morning of self-discovery during the No Bullshit Breakfast: Enneagram on Wednesday, November 6th. The Enneagram is a powerful personality typing system that illuminates our walk in this world and how we as individuals experience our journey. After completing a specialty designed online questionnaire, the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator, each person will… Read on

“Anyone could see that the wind was a special wind this night, and the darkness took on a special feel because it was All Hallows’ Eve. Everything seemed cut from soft black velvet or gold or orange velvet. Smoke panted up out of a thousand chimneys like the plumes of funeral parades. From kitchen windows… 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

“We must have pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.” ― David Mamet Today, October 14th, is National Dessert Day. In honor of this scrumptious holiday, this week we share some of our favorite dessert recipes from the Journal and the histories behind a few of the most famous and well-loved Southern… Read on

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

“What’s more important than recipes is how we think about food, and a good cookbook should open up a new way of doing just that.” ― Michael Symon October is National Cookbook Month. In observance, this week we share just a few of our favorite contemporary cookbooks. We hope that they will encourage you to… Read on

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all.” ― Stanley Horowitz Autumn begings today in the North Hemisphere with the arrival of the Fall Equinox. The cool, crisp weather ushers in some of our favorite outdoor activities. This week we share a few of those,… Read on

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

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

 [Photographs by Kristin-Lee Moolman. Styled by Suzanne Koller, for The New York Times. (Left) JW Anderson windowpane wrap cape, $2,050, circular paneled jersey turtleneck, $290, wide-legged wool gabardine trousers, $950, wide-waist belt, $350, and sandals with tulle ties, price on request. (Right) Loewe pearl sweater, price on request.] In her article for The New York Times Style… Read on

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

“The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their stories for them.” ― Czeslaw Milosz   2019 marks the eighteenth year since the September 11th attacks. Remembering the victims – their lives and their courage – has kept their memories alive in the years since the tragedies of that day. This week we share our own memories, tributes from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum,… Read on

“Canning is a whole world of a thing to do. It requires that you get out of your head. It’s a Zen thing.” ― Debby Bull, Blue Jelly: Lost Love & the Lessons of Canning This year was the first time The Factory Café offered a series of Canning Workshops, teaching all attendees the heritage-skill of… 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

Growing up in South Carolina, chef Sean Brock was surrounded by family gardens and people living off the land. As he says in his cookbook Heritage, published in 2013, “If you grow up like I did, you learn to appreciate food on a different level. You see firsthand the work that goes into getting the… Read on

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

“Be passionate and be involved in what you believe in, and do it as thoroughly and honestly and fearlessly as you can.”  ― Marie Colvin On this day, August 19th, 100 years ago, Donna Allen was born in Petosky, Michigan. Allen would go on to found the Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press in… Read on

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It’s about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.”  ― Shauna Niequist, Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table Summer is a great time for entertaining. Longer days and warm… 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

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” ― Ruth Bader Ginsburg This Saturday, August 10th, marks the 26th anniversary of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice – at the time only the second woman in United State’s history to have achieved that… Read on

“Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.” ― Mary Ann Evans (under the pen name George Eliot), The Mill on the Floss For us, a relaxed summer evening spent at home, listening to music, in comfy clothes, with a favorite cocktail, sounds just about perfect. For some stay-home inspiration… Read on

“Summers had a logic all their own and they always brought something out in me. Summer was supposed to be about freedom and youth and no school and possibilities and adventure and exploration. Summer was a book of hope.” ― Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe With plenty of warm… Read on

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela On this Independence Day I’m reminded that not every human is afforded the rights, freedoms, and equality that many of us in the United States take… Read on

“A nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Then it is done, no matter how brave its warriors nor how strong their weapons.” ― Cheyenne proverb, found in the book Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog In the wake of the anti-abortion bill that was signed into law… 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

We are constantly singing the praises of our home state—its natural beauty, its historical musical past, its food culture, and its people. Our people: Alabama’s greatest treasure. In this Travel + Leisure article, author Kevin West winds his way across the state observing our inspiration and witnessing as we try to reckon with our ghosts…. Read on

“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” ― Rosa Parks At the heart of the crusades for equality and justice that African-Americans have fought decades for are the activists and organizers, and often those vital roles were undertaken by women. The third post in our series honoring Black… Read on

“The artist creates the material that we look back upon as part of history. ” ― Roy DeCarava As Black History Month continues, we explore some of the supremely talented women who have, across the decades, created beautiful, thought-provoking, and enduring works of art through the mediums of painting, quilting, sculpture, performance art, and photography…. 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

“History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” ― Michelle Obama February 1st ushered in Black History Month in the United States. In celebration, each week this month we will be focusing on inspiring African-American women in the realms of art, education, and activism…. Read on

“Society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, responsibility, advancement, and remuneration based on ability.” ― Sandra Day O’Connor On January 29th, 1926 Violette Anderson became the first African-American woman to practice law before the Supreme Court. To… Read on

“How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long, you shall reap what you sow… How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” ― Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We have written extensively about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. over… Read on

To set the tone of our new Collection release, we explore our color theme: blue. And not just any blue—it’s a vibrant possibility of the color. The color blue: A history from Egypt to now On the Journal: Anna Atkins + Cyanotypes Two hundred years of blue from Brainpickings Blue highways 10 artists and their… Read on

It has been five years since we began our Friends of the Café dinner series here at Alabama Chanin. Take a look back on our Journal for a look at the experiences created by the generous chefs who donated their time for these fundraising events. This year’s events will certainly be as special and we… Read on

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

2019 marks the fourth time The School of Making welcomes the new year with an inaugural Build a Wardrobe pattern debut. With its modern style and relaxed, yet tailored fit, The Fractal Dress is flattering to a full range of body types. Made up of expertly designed panels, The Fractal Dress allows the maker the… Read on

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier.’” ― Alfred Lord Tennyson The eve of 2019 has inspired us to explore food traditions from around the world that are said to bring prosperity and luck to all those who partake on New Year’s Day. Soba noodles bid goodbye… Read on

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

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

Next in our “year in review” series is a look at 2018 for Bldg. 14, Alabama Chanin’s Design & Manufacturing division. Bldg. 14 began the year developing and making machine-sewn styles for the Alabama Chanin Collection—a practice that has been in effect since its inception in 2013. The team in Bldg. 14 worked to develop… Read on

On the Journal, as in life, we like to take an annual look back on our accomplishments as we head into a new year. This year we’re reviewing each of our Family of Businesses, starting with The School of Making today. Look for Bldg. 14, The Factory Store + Café, and Alabama Chanin in the… Read on

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.” “A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)” ― Clement Clarke… Read on

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.” ― Bob Hope The signs of a Christmas season in full swing are all around us: homes and Christmas trees are decorated with colorful lights, dinner menus are underway, presents are wrapped, suitcases are packed, and guest rooms are ready for family… 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

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Theresa We’re two weeks away from Christmas and everything is a buzz at Alabama Chanin. Our Bldg. 14 team is humming along on the sewing machines. Our artisans are steadily working out in the field. Our fulfillment department is… Read on

Toast the season with a Christmas cocktail (or two). WHITE CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL 1 ounce Jack Rudy Elderflower Tonic 4 ounces Prosecco Fresh rosemary Fill a cocktail glass with Jack Rudy Elderflower Tonic and top with Prosecco – garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

“The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing others’ loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” ― W. C. Jones The holiday season is officially upon us. Cultures and religions across the United States and the world celebrate their own holidays… Read on

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

Our seven-year long collaboration with Heath Ceramics began in 2011 with hand-etched dinnerware ceramics. Founded in 1948 by Edith Heath, Heath Ceramics is run by Cathy Bailey and Robin Petravic, who both have a deep background in design. While our collaboration has been ongoing, it’s been a few years since we worked deeply with Heath… Read on

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca In a world where the news is filled daily with tragedies, injustices, and strife of one kind or another, we tend to forget the enormous impact that even the smallest act of kindness can have. In celebrating World… 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

“The attractions of ceramics lie partly in its contradictions. It is both difficult and easy, with an element beyond our control. It is both extremely fragile and durable.” ― Isamu Noguchi Founded in 1948 by Edith Heath and her husband Brian, San Francisco-based Heath Ceramics have long been creators of functional and beautiful tableware and… Read on

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

Since 2014, we have worked with Patagonia on a beautiful circular design project, the Reclaimed Down Scarf. The goal of circular design is for every product to reflect sustainability from the beginning of life as a raw material, through design, manufacturing, active life, and end-of-life processes. Garments that reach the end of their lives become… Read on

“The reason why we won’t face up to our problems with the environment is that we are the problem. It’s not the corporations out there, it’s not the governments, it’s us. We’re the ones telling the corporations to make more stuff, and make it as cheap and as disposable as possible. We’re not citizens anymore…. Read on

“Any time one or more things are consciously put together in a way that they can accomplish something better than they could have accomplished individually, this is an act of design.” – Charles Eames Our collaborations and partnerships have spanned many years and have created deep connections with like-minded companies allowing us to grow, be… Read on

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

“We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh The Leisure Collection gets an update tomorrow, so this week we explore the scientific and holistic benefits of relaxation and… Read on

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

Recently, we were honored to have longtime friend Rosanne Cash approach us to collaborate on a special project. She worked with Bldg. 14 to print and produce t-shirts dedicated to her album, “The River and the Thread.” As you know, Alabama Chanin has a special relationship with this record and its message. Rosanne has served… Read on

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

Jessica Ullom is the founder and brains behind Hawks and Doves (named after her favorite Neil Young album), a fabric and leather goods company based out of North Carolina. It first began when Jessica (or Jess) started crafting goods inspired by items found at flea markets. As a collector (or “borderline hoarder”, as she describes… Read on

“Above all, don’t fear difficult moments. The best comes from them.” — Rita Levi-Montalcini, Nobel Prize-winning neurobiologist As October ushers in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are inspired to look back over the decades to the female doctors, chemists, biologists, and researchers who devoted their educations and careers to research and discoveries that have advanced… Read on

“Wild is the music of the autumnal winds amongst the faded woods.” — William Wordsworth This past Saturday, September 22nd, brought the Autumn Equinox to all of us in the northern hemisphere. Though it doesn’t quite feel like Fall here in Alabama yet (almost), the changing of the seasons has us looking forward to savory… Read on

“This ‘ethical fashion,’ this ‘sustainable fashion,’ that complies to what fashion really is, that is borne out of passion, skills, heritage, artistry, and bravery, is fashion. “ — Orsola De Castro Alabama Chanin returned to New York Fashion Week this year with a private showing at the Bowery Hotel. This return inspired us to looks… Read on

“At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you are a healer.” — Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen Art can be as haunting as it is beautiful. It can be a reprieve from fears and traumas or the catalyst that forces you to… Read on

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” — Dolores Huerta From the right to vote to equal pay, women have never shied away from fighting for the rights inherently owed to them. Whether it’s worker safety, job protection during and after a pregnancy,… Read on

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

“Being creative is not so much the desire to do something as the listening to that which wants to be done: the dictation of the materials.” — Anni Albers To mark the 10th anniversary of the release of Natalie’s Alabama Stitch Book, this week we focus on exceptional women in the world of handcrafts. Thursday… Read on

“I know nothing of man’s rights, or woman’s rights; human rights are all that I recognize.” — Sarah Moore Grimké On August 18, 1920, women were granted the right to vote in the United States. This past Saturday marked the 98th anniversary of that momentous shift in American culture, politics, and society. This week we… Read on

“Alabama Chanin has evolved into a community… a company of farmers, fabric makers, artisans and our customers who support what we do.” — Natalie Chanin from the archives: W Magazine, 2011 With the excitement of a new Collection at the forefront of our minds, this week we take a few moments to reflect on all… Read on

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” — Malala Yousafzai With the first day of school just a few days away here in Alabama, our minds have turned toward inspiring teachers, optimistic students, and to the opportunities provided by a quality education. This week we decided to explore some of… Read on

North Carolina-based wine importer Eric Solomon started his career in spirits as a bartender in Great Britain. The rock and roll drummer was a quick study and was sponsored by the Institute of Masters of Wine, excelling in their rigorous coursework until his UK student visa expired. Once back in the states, he found work… Read on

“Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend.” — Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson Unlike relationships we are born with, like parents, siblings, and cousins, our friends are completely of our own choosing. Without any pretense or obligation, they are the people we choose to share our life… Read on

Renowned chef John Currence was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, but has become a veritable institution in his adopted hometown of Oxford, Mississippi. John currently runs City Grocery—which he opened when he was 26—and three other restaurants: the “upscale downhome” Boure, French bistro-meets-Mississippi café Snackbar, and his homage to the most important meal… Read on

“Cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy.” — Julia Child The bountiful harvests of summer make simple, fresh dishes, made from in-season vegetables and fruits, possible. Pair these with staple meats and seafood and summertime is sure to be delicious. In honor of this warm weather fare, this week is all about summer-eats. Blackberry Farm’s Green… Read on

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

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

“I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.” — Susan B. Anthony On the heels of Saudi Arabian women’s newly attained right to drive and just a few days away from the United States’ Fourth of… Read on

Created in 1934 by Mary Hambidge, the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts & Sciences is an artist community and sustainable farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, founded in memory of artist Jay Hambidge—Mary’s partner who introduced her to her life’s work, weaving. After retiring from work as a popular vaudeville whistler (with her… Read on

“She read books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.” – Annie Dillard, The Living With summer underway and warm evenings, relaxing weekends, and long-awaited vacations offering the perfect opportunities to slow down and catch up on reading, this week we share a summer reading list—filled with classic works by native Alabamians…. Read on

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees…I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby The summer solstice (or equinox) in the northern hemisphere brings the longest day and shortest night of the entire year…. Read on

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

“The white T-shirt is like a blank canvas – eternally versatile.” ­ Edward Enninful Whether stark white and paired with jeans for the epitome of cool or emblazoned with a bold political statement, the t-shirt has held a special place in the hearts of most since Marlon Brando donned one in1951’s A Streetcar Named Desire…. Read on

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James The (unofficial) start of summer is here, especially in Alabama where we have already seen days that top 90 degrees. To help you get a head start on your summer plans, this week we… Read on

We couldn’t have asked for a livelier kick-off to our 2018 Friends of the Café Dinner Series. James Beard award-winning chef Steven Satterfield joined us in house and created a flawless meal. Steven started the night out with rye biscuits topped with sweet butter and country ham, radishes with whipped feta and a pesto drizzle,… Read on

“The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and satisfaction. A person cooking is a person giving: Even the simplest food is a gift.” – Laurie Colwin Last week, The James Beard Foundation held their annual awards ceremony (it’s like the Oscar’s for the food world)…. Read on

“I think it’s so vitally important that all people in this world are involved in the process of discovery.” – Mae Jemison From the United States’ first manned space shuttle mission in 1961 to today’s exploration of Mars, outer space has always been a place of fascination and discovery. To honor the May 5th anniversary… Read on

“Motherhood is the biggest gamble in the world. It is the glorious life force. It’s huge and scary —it’s an act of infinite optimism.” – Gilda Radner From primordial goddesses to present day working moms, the roles of mothers and society’s expectations of her have experienced a myriad of changes. With Mother’s Day fast approaching,… Read on

Virginia Willis is a longtime friend of Alabama Chanin, as we both share a love of Southern food and culture, locally sourced ingredients and sustainability, the Southern Foodways Alliance, and real, honest storytelling. The Georgia-born chef has thrived both on television and in the cookbook industry, appearing on shows like the Food Network’s “Chopped” and… Read on

“The fair maid who, the first of May, Goes to the fields at break of day, And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree, Will ever after handsome be.” – Mother Goose nursery rhyme from The Children’s Mother Goose From its beginnings as an ancient Celtic ritual to modern day parades, festivals, and workers’ right… Read on

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

“Demand quality, not just in the products you buy, but in the life of the person who made it.” – Orsola de Castro, co-founder of Fashion Revolution Loss of life and destruction of natural resources have been the tolls paid by society for its reckless and exorbitant consumerism. “Fast fashion” and its lack of consideration… Read on

“We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.” – Barbara Shelley Earth Day, which has been celebrated in the United States on April 22nd for the past 48 years, serves as a reminder to us to treat all aspects of the Earth—water, land,… Read on

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

“I think the degree of a nation’s civilization may be measured by the degree of enlightenment of its women.” – Helen Keller, “My Future as I See It,” Metropolitan Magazine, 1904 Throughout history women have been leaders, organizers, and advocates against injustices of many forms; from voting rights to racial and gender equality. As the… Read on

We’ve long been admirers of Liz Pape and her team at Elizabeth Suzann. The Nashville-based company holds quality clothing and mindful consumption at its heart—paying strict attention to detail, respecting the people they work with, their company culture, and the environment. The garments that Elizabeth Suzann produces are cut and sewn locally (sound familiar?) out… Read on

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

In 2018, we will mark our fourth year of our Friends of the Café charity dinner series. A look back at our Journal reveals the incredible chefs that have generously donated their time and resources to raise money and awareness for important causes. Our first dinner of 2018 is scheduled for April 12th and is… Read on

For many people, New Year’s Day is about resolutions and setting goals, which can sometimes be a positive thing. You feel hope and a renewed sense of purpose, and view the end of the year as a reset button. We thought about writing a post about our own resolutions and suggestions for our readers, as… Read on

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

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

It’s been a busy year for The School of Making—new packaging, new products, workshops at The Factory (and away), new patterns through Build a Wardrobe, a new website, a Craftsy course (with 2 more in the works), and our brand-new book—The Geometry of Hand-Sewing. We’ve shared it all along the way with our maker community… Read on

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

Bldg.14 was created during the summer of 2013, with our machine-sewn line officially launching in 2014. (Some of you might remember that it was originally called A. Chanin.) Our organic machine-sewn styles are still being produced in-house by Bldg. 14 and can be found in the current Collection. Bldg. 14 offers organic fabrics and American-made options… Read on

In fashion, graphic design, art, architecture, and other creative mediums, designs evolve and change with time. The same is true for website design (and technology)—and with that idea in mind, today we are over-the-moon to announce the launch of the newly designed AlabamaChanin.com. What began as a conversation about AlabamaChanin.com over a year and half… Read on

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

#alabamachanincoreclub #knowyourbasics #ownknitdressing

Last week, we added our  2016 Build a Wardrobe silhouettes to Custom DIY. These new projects are not included in our Alabama Studio books, so we are providing instructions for each project on our Journal over the next few weeks. Last week, we shared instructions for the Maggie Dress and variations with you, and this week, we… Read on

Some years fly by and others seem to drag on forever; 2016 kept us at a steady pace at Alabama Chanin. We have been able to focus on refining our methods and more deeply developing our different avenues of work—from the design team to workshops to collections and collaborations. It is possible that 2017 could… Read on

This year was a busy and productive year for all of our divisions at Alabama Chanin. The School of Making and The Factory teams worked hard to introduce new and expanded programming for our customers. Our design team launched new home items and Collection #30, which produced some of our most intricate and beautiful garments… Read on

Happy holidays from all of us @ Alabama Chanin  

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

Congratulations to the winners and runners-up of Garden & Gun’s 7th Annual Made in the South Awards—from home to food, drink, outdoors, style, and crafts—all applicants showcased a true spirit of creativity and quality of craftsmanship that makes us proud to call the South home. P.S.: Thanks for including Natalie and Alabama Chanin in your… Read on

Thank you to Lauren Vespoli and Amtrak’s The National magazine for highlighting the importance of community and American-made manufacturing and for including Alabama Chanin in your Made In America feature­. “There is a deep history in every community, and I think that in the age that we live in those communities are being cracked wide open,”… Read on

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

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been revisiting thoughts from the late Civil Rights activist Vincent Harding, who was recently featured on one of our favorite podcasts, On Being with Krista Tippett. Their conversation, “Is America Possible?” touched on so many feelings we’ve been struggling to corral recently. It reintroduced us to the idea… Read on

The words ‘Rabbit Rabbit’, spoken on the first day of the month, are believed to bring you good luck for the rest of that month. The idea is to say it on the first of every month, so you’ll always have good luck. This old English superstition was picked up in the United States in… Read on

One of the challenges of running a company dedicated to sustainability is adjusting to the ebbs and flows of other small businesses in our supply chain—businesses that are devoted to sustainable practices themselves. Sadly for us, one of those companies has closed its doors after almost 20 years of operation. North Carolina-based Tumbling Colors, our… Read on

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

I’ve been reading Pattern Recognition (2003) by William Gibson as a sort of “digital book club” with a friend of mine who lives in another state. I’ve never been a huge fan of science fiction—and had, honestly, never heard of William Gibson but managed to get lost in the book—equal parts thriller and exposé on… Read on

If you don’t yet know The Bitter Southerner, you should. They’ve been telling good stories since 2013, strong stories; stories that make you laugh, and stories that make you cry. There is so much that I love about what they are doing, but I especially love the description below from their “About” page by editor… Read on

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

Looking back on 2015, it’s clear that this was the year of collaboration for Alabama Chanin. We expanded upon work that we have been creating with others for many years, added major new initiatives with new partners, and built upon our partnerships across all parts of our business. Partnership has always meant growth for Alabama… Read on

2015 was a year full of making, partnerships, learning, and growth. We truly appreciate each and every one of you and the love and support you show for us every day. We are excited to see what 2016 holds for us and hope that you’ll follow along. Happy New Year to you and yours. P.S…. Read on

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P.S.: Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram.

Newsletter #34 announces our upcoming sale, which begins tonight at midnight. It also highlights the Half Skirt—a new addition to Collection #29, Host a Party (where you can organize your own sewing party with some help from us), and new events and products in store at The Factory. For a dose of all things happening at Alabama… Read on

Way back in 2007, performance artist John Rives put together a light-hearted TED talk meant to tease conspiracy theorists everywhere. I won’t get into the incredible connections he makes between people like country music artist Faron Young, Dame Judi Dench, and Bill Clinton. (I suggest you watch for yourself.) But he manages to connect one… Read on

September kicked off our busy season here at The Factory. We launched a new collection, hosted Patagonia’s Worn Wear Truck at The Factory, and I celebrated my birthday with a specially-made cake from my daughter, Maggie. October brings our Collection and DIY Trunk Show and Two-Hour Workshop this weekend at Craft South, upcoming Friends of the… Read on

Bon Appétit’s October issue hit the stands this past week and featured a big Alabama party—complete with a campfire, Lodge Castiron, and whiskey. Read the full story of our ‘Alabama Getaway’ and find the recipes online here. A HUGE thank you is in order to all the chefs, makers, artists, and friends who drove (and… Read on

Newsletter #33 shares our newest Collection, as well as updates to our Cook + Dine section online. Our design team is also working on new designs for our Basics line—coming soon. We have a series of upcoming events at The Factory, which include our Friends of the Café Dinner on October 24th and an On… Read on

The source of creativity can be confounding. Artists have been famously driven by mystical or divine inspiration, obsessive love, depression, or self-exploration. Some artists are prolific; Picasso supposedly produced over 13,000 paintings and 100,000 prints. Others struggle openly, like author Fran Lebowitz whose writer’s block was so famously long that she called it “writer’s blockade.”… Read on

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

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

July has been a busy month of preparing for (and then traveling to) the Boiler Room in San Francisco for the launch of our month-long show, Alabama on Alabama. Follow along on Instagram to keep up with our time there and mine and Maggie’s train ride back home. P.S.: Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr,… Read on

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

Our first collaboration with Heath Ceramics, launched in 2011, has built a lasting, creatively symbiotic relationship. That joint development was a beautifully intensive design process that blended our techniques with theirs. Our Heath + Alabama Chanin line of dinnerware is made by hand, just like our Alabama Chanin handmade Collection. The artisans at Heath etch… Read on

This week we reach the three-year anniversary (and the 10,000-follower milestone) of our Instagram account. We’ve enjoyed the projects you’ve shared through #theschoolofmaking and the meals you’ve had at The Factory through #alabamachaninfactorycafe. Thanks for all of the ongoing conversations and for following along… xoNatalie P.S. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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

This month, we introduce a new layout for our Newsletter. The new design clearly distinguishes Alabama Chanin, The School of Making, and The Factory—making it easier to find the information that is most important to you. Join our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter and keep up with our latest news, events, and stories featured on… Read on

Our On Design series began in fall 2014 as an extension of our Makeshift conversations and events. The series explores art, design, makers, relationships, and the elevation of craft. Our conversation in January explored William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement. Here are some of Natalie’s thoughts from the presentation. Feel free to share… Read on

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In this month’s cocktail post, contributor Jesse Goldstein goes deep into the margarita well (or pitcher, as it were). Everyone loves a good margarita on Cinco de Mayo—but here are a few options that will carry you through the rest of the summer in high style. From Jesse: I catch myself feeling sorry for inanimate… Read on

With the launch of Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns at the beginning of the month, many of our Journal posts have focused on the book’s features, printing options, and our new School of Making page—now with printable patterns and tiled stencil artwork. We’ve combined all of these new choices into Newsletter #28 as an easy-to-reference resource for… Read on

Ask yourself, “Who made my clothes?” And then, turn your garment inside out and find out.  Take a picture and share with the world. Check out Fashion Revolution and get involved. Save, copy, share, and spread the word… it’s easy.         P.S.: Can a hashtag change the fashion industry?

Like the rest of the world, the fashion industry has widely utilized Instagram (the photo sharing app with over 300 million users) to share insider glimpses into brands and lives, highlight the creative process, and find simple ways to connect to followers. Brands and consumers are sharing personal, visual “moments” in their lives (of course,… Read on

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

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

While writing this post about March and our Swatch of the Month, I mentioned the Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont which I am currently reading in preparation for a new book we are writing (yes, another book) on the tools of handwork. I became curious about the life of Thérèse de Dillmont who… Read on

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The School of Making is firmly in place. Our new collection of DIY Kits is being loved (and completed) by many. The occasional frustration of writing a book is now replaced with the joy and pride of making something new and beautiful. Now, we can hardly believe that the arrival of Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns is just… Read on

2014 has been another year of making, learning, and growing. Thank you for the love and support you show us each and every day. Have a wonderfully happy New Year. P.S. Follow our journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what new and exciting things 2015 holds for us.

With 2014 coming to a close and a brand new year upon us, it is time to reflect on all we’ve accomplished—slow in design, but rapid in growth—during the past year. But first and foremost, we want to thank each and every single one of our supporters, friends, collaborators, partners, and everyone who has made… Read on

At Alabama Chanin, we frequently speak about the concepts of Slow Design and sustainability. We attempt to create a healthy environment so that we can create healthy products. Part of being sustainable means we take great care in the materials that we source to create our products; it also means that the processes we use… Read on

Our Alabama Chanin Candles, with a seasonal Grapefruit + Watercress scent, are the newest addition to Cook + Dine. Hand-poured in Mississippi, the soy candles feature our floral Magdalena pattern and a graphic Diamond design, inspired by vintage glassware that I’ve collected over the years. Once you burn your candle, clean the 6 oz. votive… Read on

As I’ve mentioned before, writing a book is no easy feat. It involves months (often years) of planning, drafting, edits, new designs, reviews, rewrites, photo shoots, patternmaking…basically, equal parts labor and love. So, I honestly surprised myself when I agreed to write another one. While still a work in progress, the end is in sight,… Read on

Today we introduce our newest Alabama Chanin silhouettes like our Marie Pencil Skirt and Garter Dress which have a flattering and feminine shape, alongside our Peasant Top and Factory Dress which offer a more relaxed fit. Classics styles, like our Corset and Long Fitted Skirt, are combined with new stencil designs like ‘Aurora,’ ‘Marie,’ and… Read on

Two years ago this week, we were picking organic Alabama cotton. Today, The New York Times – T Magazine shares that journey. Thank you (and a BIG hug) to Rinne Allen for taking this journey with us. From Rinne: “Two years ago, I found myself knee-deep in a field in rural Alabama, picking organic cotton… Read on

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Last year, we announced with great excitement that Alabama Chanin would be launching a machine-made line called A. Chanin. After months of hard work from our team (and the receipt of the CFDA/Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge award), the inaugural A. Chanin pieces are here. Until now, all Alabama Chanin products have been made by hand, using… Read on

In the tradition of old-time quilting and sewing circles, join us at The Factory the first and third Tuesday of each month to sew and socialize. Spend the morning working on your latest project in the company of fellow sewers, while sharing inspiration, encouragement, fellowship, and maybe even a bit of light-hearted gossip. (It is… Read on

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

Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season. From all of us @ Alabama Chanin

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

At Alabama Chanin, we believe in living and creating a sustainable life—contributing in every way we can to the Slow Design movement, growing and reusing existing cotton, whenever possible. In our continuing efforts to become a better company and commit to ecological sustainability, Alabama Chanin ships UPS packages using carbon neutral shipping. Carbon neutral means… Read on

In anticipation of tomorrow evening’s opening exhibit of our BBQ’ed Dresses Collection at Warehouse Row in Chattanooga, Tennessee, we mixed up a celebratory cocktail. Our friend Brooks Reitz of the Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. sent us a few more bottles of his Small Batch Tonic for the event, and the Chattanooga Whiskey Co. is providing… Read on

Next week, as part of the Crafted by Southern Hands event and workshop, our Barbeque-inspired Collection will be on display at Warehouse Row, a historic, old stone fort turned community retail center in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. The couture dresses were originally a part of the 15th Annual Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium’s Punch, Pictures, and ‘Cue… Read on

At Alabama Chanin, we practice Slow Design, which focuses on producing goods in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. The intent is to design clothing and home goods that are made from sustainable raw materials using environmentally sound methods, resulting in beautiful, healthy, and long-lasting products. We want to create connections with our customers and… Read on

Some of us fell in love with Mark Twain the first time we read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and some of us understood his genius much later on, when we were finally old enough to appreciate his humor and satiric commentary on humanity. Twain’s polished use of irony is ever-present throughout the brief book,… Read on

I think it is pretty safe to say that midwifery is one of the first DIY skills in human existence. Certainly, the human body knows instinctively what to do when the time comes to birth a child. Still, I can’t imagine that we would have gotten very far as a species without someone learning how… Read on

As readers of our journal, many of you have read about our attempts to grow organic cotton here in Alabama. While researching the process and details of what it means to grow organic cotton, we discovered, to our surprise, that only a small amount of the world’s organic cotton is grown in the United States…. Read on

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

In 2005, I was inducted into The Council of Fashion Designers of America.  Long before that time (and during my days as a stylist in Europe), I didn’t really know what the CFDA was (or did). However, the organization was founded in 1962 by Eleanor Lambert as a not-for-profit trade organization to support American womenswear,… Read on

We (HEART) this story in the newest NO’ALA Magazine (on pages 110-117) about our custom made Bridal gowns: It takes a village: “Once the elements of the gown are chosen, Diane, the master seamstress, measures the bride and Carra-Ellen cuts the fabric and prepares the pattern. Steven, the production manager, applies the stencil to the… Read on

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

Those of you who are frequent visitors to our blog may have read about the incredible Tom Hendrix and his beautiful tribute to his great-grandmother, The Wichahpi Commemorative Wall (known around here as simply, The Wall). Tom not only built an incredible monument for his great-grandmother, but he also took the time to tell her… Read on

While part of our Alabama Chanin crew is working in New York, our cotton continues to grow in Trinity, Alabama.

Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 6:58 AM Subject: It will be alright Soggy, sopping wet Cocker Spaniels. That is what the cotton looks like right now. It is droopy and matted and dirty with rainwater and splashed mud from the storms we had.  When I was a little girl my dearest friend was a Cocker… Read on

Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 6:47 AM Subject: Dayum (Georgia word for Damn) Rain The rain and storms yesterday evening continued to send rain until this morning.  About 5:00 am the rain was coming in waves and it sounded like the ocean.  It is odd to me that Mother Nature that gives us so much… Read on

Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 11:04 AM Subject: Our first cotton angel Hi Everyone, I was at the cotton field this morning when a car pulled up and a tiny young lady got out and put on her work gloves and went to work!!  She is still there working!!!  I sent a photo from my… Read on

I’m almost certain she’s the coolest person I’ve never met. Several pieces of evidence have led me to this conclusion; the first is this article from the NY Times and the second was probably the conference call that spurred our upcoming Visiting Artist event. Natalie and I were hunched over the speaker phone in my… Read on

Thanks @ Stephanie LaCava for this lovely piece in the New York Times today: “I may be their most passionate member,” says the snow-white-haired designer Natalie Chanin of the Southern Foodways Alliance (S.F.A.), a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the culinary heritage of the American South. For years, it’s been Chanin’s calling to preserve the textile… Read on

It seems unbelievable to me that 2011 is coming to a close.  The Alabama Chanin journal has covered so many topics over the 2011 year and we have been so grateful for the opportunity to share our thoughts, travels, milestones and inspirations with you. As the year’s end approaches, we thought we would recap some… Read on

…from our dear friend Eva Whitechapel and all of us @ Alabama Chanin

Thanks to all the HEATH Ceramics team for this lovely piece on Alabama Chanin in their November Newsletter: Slowing Down (and Sitting Down) with Alabama Chanin Stitch and clay intersect to create modern heirlooms in our newest collection Slow down. This may feel like an impossible pursuit, particularly in this season, but when Heath Ceramics… Read on

While I was away having fun at the Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium last weekend, my daughter Maggie was working hard at eating doughnuts and designing t-shirts for our new children’s line. The top design features a glass of “sweet tea” on the t-shirt front – not iced tea as it “has to be sweet to… Read on

It’s officially launched. From the HEATH website: “The point of intersection between stitch and clay. A collaboration between Natalie Chanin and Heath Ceramics yields an anthology of carefully crafted modern heirlooms in a new and permanent dinnerware line. This collection celebrates texture and a range of layering possibilities in thoughtfully curated place settings, plates and… Read on

So excited about our collaboration with HEATH Ceramics. Look for the entire collection to launch next week. Until then, a little sneak preview via the New York Times… xoNatalie

Plan your adventure and join us (along with Patty Griffin, Barbara Lynn, Ben Kweller, The Black Angels, Amy Cook,  Imogene + Willie, and a slew of others) in Marfa, Texas – September 22 – 25. Learn more about El Cosmico and the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music & Love here. Adventure awaits…

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.  

*Illustration by Eva Whitechapel

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

New Look.  New Decade. December 23rd marks 10 years Alabama. Help us celebrate: Receive 20% on all orders over $150 from our online stores with the code HAPPYHOLIDAYS20 and also receive a 100% organic cotton Alabama Chanin tote (with our new label) as our way of saying THANK YOU for an amazing decade. Happy Holidays… Read on

This year marks a decade on my journey to Alabama Chanin. Looking at where we started, where we have been and where we are headed has been an amazing and beautiful process. What a time of laughter, tears, exploration, and, well, growing up. To celebrate our growing up, we will be launching several exciting collaborations… 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

The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum has announced their upcoming National Design Triennial series for spring 2010. “Why Design Now?” will be on view from May 14 through January 9, 2011, and will explore the work of designers addressing human and environmental problems across many fields of design from architecture and product design to fashion,… Read on

After lofty plans to post each day about the last decade – and the next, my computer slipped from my hands last Tuesday morning and crashed (literally) to the floor and shattered. Later that afternoon, my Blackberry decided to follow suit.  My deduction was that it was time to take a much needed sabbatical from all… Read on

A Time to Sell Green, Not Greed By SUZY MENKES From the New York Times: September 13, 2009   NEW YORK — “Fashion’s Night Out” — an evening of open-house shopping last week in New York and other major cities around the world — was designed to brace up nervous customers and convince them that… Read on

I am very excited to be included in this seminar and looking forward to visiting Stavanger and seeing The World of Folk exhibition: International Design Seminar – Folk Futures With: Li Edelkoort, Tord Boontje, Natalie Chanin, Dick van Hoff, Hella Jongerius, Peter Marigold, Mike Meiré, Fernando & Humberto Campana. As part of this summer’s A… Read on

I once read this description of Alabama Chanin on a blog which I can no longer locate: “It is a little like southern country meets eco-friendly superstar at a thoroughly modern old fashioned picnic.” Can anyone help me find who wrote this? Thanks! Natalie

The Arts and Crafts in Contemporary Fashion and Textiles William Morris said, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” This is the essence of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Joanne Ingersoll and The Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design have… Read on

After seven years of living, working, laughing, sewing and growing in this house at Lovelace Crossroads, we are moving past “The Crossroads” and on to “The Factory.” Our new building, originally built in 1982 for Tennessee River Mills, sits in the heart of the industrial community that was a hub of textile production from 1976… Read on