Alabama Stitch Book


Book Description

Includes 20 projects to make, designer and author demonstrates how she learned to sew and how she has learned that what she makes is important to the community where she grew up.




The Geometry of Hand-Sewing


Book Description

This sewing guide reveals a breakthrough method to simplify learning stitches of all kinds, with more than 100 stitches from the simple to the fanciful. As makers, we tend to learn different stitches over time without thinking much about how they relate to one another. But when Natalie Chanin and her teams at Alabama Chanin and The School of Making began to look at needlework closely, they realized all stitches are based on geometric grid systems. They also discovered that learning new stitches—even elaborate ones—became simple and easy when using grids as guides. In The Geometry of Hand-Sewing Chanin presents their breakthrough method, featuring illustrated instructions (for both right- and left-handed stitchers) for more than 100 stitches—from the basic straight and chain to complex feather and herringbone. Photos of both right and wrong sides are included, as well as guidelines for modifying stitches to increase one’s repertoire further. The book also offers downloads for two stitching cards with the grids on which every stitch in the book is based. These printable cards can be used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric.




Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns


Book Description

A compendium for Alabama Chanin crafters collects all of the patterns from her first three books on an accompanying CD and offers illustrated instructions and patterns for 12 new skirts, dresses, tops and jackets. 20,000 first printing.




Alabama Studio Style


Book Description

Featuring new techniques and a collection of sewing projects. This is a craft and lifestyle book all in one. Detailed instructions for the hand-sewing, quilting, embroidery, beading and stencilling techniques required to create the featured projects. Over 20 extraordinary couture fashion and home projects.




Embroidery: Threads and Stories from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making


Book Description

Designer Natalie Chanin blends embroidery and hand-sewing techniques with her own personal story in this empowering guide for all who love stitching and handcraft Embroidery: Threads and Stories from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making mixes lessons in sewing, design, and embroidery with Natalie Chanin's engaging, personal story of the evolution of Alabama Chanin and the indelible mark the techniques she pioneered and the company she founded have made on the sewing and fashion industry. Chapters explore design-related themes—craft, technique, relationship, repeat, and color—through images, instruction, and stories from Chanin about her life, Alabama Chanin, and the evolving view of craft and hand-sewing in the modern world. The book also explores how sewing and embroidery relate to wider concerns of sustainability, community, and women’s empowerment. As makers, we tend to learn different stitches over time without thinking much about how they relate to one another. Embroidery challenges us to go deeper by examining the history of a beloved company and cherished pastime.




Stitchin' and Pullin'


Book Description

This collection of poems that tell the story of the quilt-making community in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, is now available as a Dragonfly paperback. For generations, the women of Gee’s Bend have made quilts to keep a family warm, as a pastime accompanied by sharing and singing, or to memorialize loved ones. Today, the same quilts hang on museum walls as modern masterpieces of color and design. Inspired by these quilts and the women who made them, award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack traveled to Alabama to learn their stories. The lyrical rite-of-passage narrative that is the result of her journey seamlessly weaves together the familial, cultural, spiritual, and historical strands of life in this community.




Creepy Cross-Stitch


Book Description

CROSS-STITCH GOES WITCHY WITH DARK AND ELEGANT DESIGNS From spooky skulls to ghoulish graveyards, Lindsay Swearingen of Tusk and Cardinal gives cross-stitch a dark yet whimsical update. Curious creatures like phantom felines, legendary fixtures from folklore like Baba Yaga and all manner of haunted houses make the perfect subjects for these needlework masterpieces. Fun and easy to learn, cross-stitch is an art form that truly anybody can master. Lindsay gives you a crash course in the basics to ensure you have all the materials and techniques you need to start off on the right foot. Then, dive into her incredible patterns and stitch yourself some oddities that range from quirky to downright eerie. Anyone with an appreciation for the macabre will swoon for patterns like Lovers’ Graves, which features twin headstones and a heart-shaped weeping willow. Meanwhile, the ghosts, ghouls and ghastly bats of Trick or Treat and Haunted Wings are perfect pieces to hang on your wall to keep the spirit of Halloween in your home year-round. With moody tones, muted hues and spooky subjects, this collection of bewitching patterns makes it easy to add a little subversive charm to your cross-stitch repertoire.




Modern Fabric Art Bowls


Book Description

Transform fabric into exquisite art bowls Delve into the world of quilts, fabrics, and bowl making! Take quilt blocks and bring them into the three dimensional space as tasteful, modern bowls. Kirsten Fisher shares her unique artistic vision and instructions on how you can take any piece of fabric and reinvent it using the design of your choice. Perfect to forever display a favorite fabric or quilt block, or provide a thoughtful gift to loved ones. Learn step-by-step how to use fabric or quilt blocks to create modern, functional art bowls Show off your stitching artistry with endless decorative opportunities Great way to make use of scrap fabric, they also make great gifts!




The Modern Natural Dyer


Book Description

“Kristine’s book breaks down natural dyeing from both a scientific and creative perspective, making the process feel as approachable as it is beautiful.” —Design*Sponge Thousands of natural materials can produce glorious color—the insect cochineal produces pink, maroon, and purple, and more than 500 species of plants produce indigo blue. In The Modern Natural Dyer expert Kristine Vejar shares the most user-friendly techniques for dyeing yarn, fabric, and finished goods at home with foraged and garden-raised dyestuffs as well as with convenient natural dye extracts. Demystifying the “magic,” Vejar explains in explicit, easy-to-follow detail how to produce consistent, long-lasting color. With stunning photography of the dyes themselves, the dyeing process, and twenty projects for home and wardrobe (some to knit, some to sew, and some just a matter of submerging a finished piece in a prepared bath), The Modern Natural Dyer is a complete resource for aspiring and experienced dye artisans. “A terrific primer for anyone new to the technique. Kristine walks you through the ins and outs of the process, from defining what scouring and mordanting mean to helping you learn how best to achieve desired colors.” —DIY Network “Vejar’s lovely book is very sophisticated and detailed.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Absolutely stunning . . . The projects range from dyeing pre-made items like a slip, silk scarf or tote bag to dyeing yarn to knit a hat, shawl or cardigan . . . exceeded all my high expectations.” —Make Something




Where's Stitch?


Book Description

In Where’s Stitch: When You Feel Like You’ve Lost Your Best Furry Friend, Mark Gregston helps children grieving the loss of a beloved pet and reminds them that even after our pets pass away, they live forever in our hearts. Have you ever lost a beloved pet? Do you ever wonder where they go once they pass away? Stitch loved to run and play and was always up for adventure. Mamaw, Poppa, and all the children would often ask, “Where’s Stitch?” Sometimes she could be found swimming in the pond with the horses, sitting by the fire with Mamaw, or taking a nap on the porch. But then Stitch grew older and became sick. When she passes away, the children wonder where she went. Mamaw and Poppa try to explain. While some people say dogs cross the rainbow bridge or go to doggie heaven, they reassure the children that no matter where Stitch has gone, she left them with memories they will never forget and taught them to be kind, to play, and to always love others. Mark Gregston’s Where’s Stitch? is a beautiful reminder that even after we lose our best furry friends, they live forever in our hearts.