We're thrilled to announce Natalie Chanin's new book, Alabama Studio Style published by our friends at STC Craft|Melanie Falick Books.  Natalie Chanin is the designer and creative mind behind a truly unique and innovative company, Alabama Chanin which produces beautiful clothing and home products crafted by artisans in Florence, Alabama. They follow a slow design model, much like the "slow food" movement, and have built the company "on  handcraft, commitment to the community, and respect for the environment. Good, clean, fair- that is the motto."

In addition to being socially conscious, Alabama Chanin also produces some absolutely gorgeous pieces. I was recently at Barney's in New York City and I saw a rack of Alabama Chanin dresses much like the Inked and Quilted Camisole Dress above (which is featured on page 118 of Alabama Studio Style) and they were simply stunning; wearable, flattering, and totally special all at the same time. I was so happy when we got in this book and realized that I could make one for myself!

There are so many great projects in this book, ranging from large (but worthwhile!) undertakings like the Camisole Dress, to this lovely little Eyelet Doily (p. 138) which I think would make a perfect housewarming present! Best of all, the patterns and techniques are clearly and simply explained.

Natalie Chanin

Recently we had the privilage of talking to Natalie about a subject that is near and dear to our hearts, Quilts! While her books don't feature any quilt patterns per se, Natalie's sense of style and craftsmanship owe a lot to quilting so we thought it would be interesting to hear what she had to say on the subject. So here is Natalie in her own words:

Quilts that tell a story

I always make the joke that I am a filmmaker who is posing as a fashion designer – smile.  I did work in the film industry for ten years prior to starting my work with Alabama Chanin and in this time, I fell in love with documentary films and films that tell stories.  I guess that really I am a story teller at heart.

At the beginning of my career as a designer, I produced a short documentary film, Stitch, which focused on traditional quilt-making in the south. It includes stories told by those who stitched and were warmed by those quilts. Each “character” in the film has a unique story; each quilt told the tale of the joys and hardships, the friendships and family bonds of a specific time and place.

Many of the women interviewed for Stitch were former seamstresses or textile workers left unemployed when Alabama’s textile industry was outsourced. The work of filming Stitch and building my business here along with inspiration from The Southern Foodways Alliance, prompted me to start a collection of Oral Histories based around Textile Workers – this included cotton farmers, farm wives, textile plant employees, owners and a bevy of folks who have been touched by the rise and fall of that industry here in my community.

These stories were collected and today, we use quotes from these histories to embroider on upcycled quilts from the community.  I like to think of it as a story, telling a story, telling a story.

At the same time, every quilt that a family possesses has a story that goes along with that family.  I LOVE the idea of families collecting their own oral histories, embroidering their histories onto their own quilts and passing them on to the next generation who can then add to the stories.

-- Natalie Chanin

If you'd like to pre-order your own copy of Alabama Studio Style you can do so at this link.  The book will begin shipping out on March 2, 2010. 

If you'd like to learn more about Alabama Chanin or the new book you can follow Natalie's Alabama Studio Style Blog Tour.  Find the dates and links to all of the participating sites at Melanie Falick Books by clicking here.

Thank You Natalie!  -- Molly