Mine is sewing.
I learned to sew when I was four old from a Grandmother exasperated with my attempts to fashion doll clothes with scraps from the rag drawer and scotch tape. My first “garment” was a pillow case “dress”, cut to add neck and arm openings then embellished with tucks and gathers to make it fitted. I sewed all through high school, college and my 20′s though recently knitting has taken over. I recently found my self with a week between commitments and in anticipation of the publication of the Alabama Chanin‘s new book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, I thought I might see just how much I could accomplish from books 1 & 2.
4 Panel Alabama Swing Skirt, Book 1:
Rose Stencil Reverse Applique, organic cotton jersey in brown and black. I don’t consider this one really finished, when I look at it I feel like it needs ‘something’ and so I’m thinking I will add some embroidery around the hem, sort of like this.
6 Panel Alabama Swing Skirt, Book 2:
Bright red organic cotton jersey with herringbone stitch on the exposed seams
I still haven’t finished trimming the loose threads… Because Book three arrived today, and I am over the moon in love.
Ahhh- mine too! Another reason to like you
Haven’t done much with the machine at all in the past years, but I know the day will come.
This is all hand sewn, I miss my sewing machine too, but it just isn’t realistic with a 4yr old who puts his fingers everywhere!
I love Natalie Chanin’s books! I love your skirts (especially the red one)! Which reminds me that I need to finish the skirt I’ve been working on for the last year. Now, to find some foldover elastic……
Ooo! Which skirt are you making MJ!?
I love Alabama Chanin! I have the first two books but haven’t made anything yet. I bought some yucky jersey from Jo-Ann to practice on before investing in the good stuff, but I didn’t like how the paint turned out so I abandoned it. I keep meaning to try again but then I get distracted by knitting projects. Love how your skirts turned out!
I did that too! With the same result, then found some mid-priced organic cotton jersey by doing a google search- it was worth it to spend a little more for better fabric I think. These are both ‘muslins’ to test the fit and practice before starting on the good stuff.
oh muslins are such a good idea. Last year, I made myself a lined A-line skirt out of fabric that I had splurged on (without doing a muslin first) and it didn’t fit. Such a disappointment. Part of what appeals to me so much about Alabama Chanin designs is that they’re made out of stretchy jersey–my favorite!
gorgeous, Gorgeous! I love the reverse applique and I’ve never tried anything like it! Also your herringbone stitch is so perfect, you did that by hand?
I cut threads impulsively. I was a little more careless about them once, but my costume design professor docked points for EACH missed thread on a finished item…
All handsewn! The herringbone isn’t at all perfect, but the camera angle is! I’d get in a lot of trouble if I lost points for every loose untrimmed thread…
. . . i remember those doll clothes were adorable ;-}