🧵 Sewing + Design for Alabama Studio: Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe Review

I received my pre-order for Alabama Studio Sewing + Design this afternoon and I have to say I'm amazed by both Natalie Chanin's creativity and her generosity - because she there is so much involved in this book! I have her previous two books and love them very much, but I think this new one will be my favorite. The first two books are more technical tutorials: how to sew knitwear by hand, how to embroider with beads, how to apply a template with several templates and templates. Alabama Studio…

I was hesitant to buy this book. I wasn't a big fan of the Panama on the cover, I had never heard of Alabama Chanin and looking at some pictures of the clothing line I didn't see myself wearing it. I decided to buy because of the focus on hand sewing, embroidery, fashion applique and beading. This might be the best sewing book purchase I've made in the last 12 months (and I've made quite a few). This is a truly outstanding book from start to finish for several reasons: 1.) Seam diagrams are…

Invaluable hand embroidery text! I've only tried one pattern, a sleeveless tunic dress, and I don't like it. First, the size is VERY small. I'm on the small side and had to use the big one for this template. Secondly, it fit so strangely that it pulled out of shape after the first two wears. I'm not sure what body type this was for, but I think a larger back and shoulders like mine would have helped if the armholes are stretched and hanging down and out. I found the neckline too wide (so I…