When I discovered the School of Making, Alabama Chanin books and online classes of Natalie Chanin, I was so inspired! "Natalie Chanin strives to achieve complete sustainability at every stage of the manufacturing process - from materials and processes, to cultural sustainability in the form of preserving hand-sewing skills." (Ref.)
This soft-spoken fashion designer uses organic cotton jersey as the base fabric, prefering simple patterns for her garments. Creating designs using a stencil. The beauty lies in the embroidery she adds to her clothes, through appliqué, reverse appliqué…, giving stunning results!
As I became more familiar with her work, I saw the possibility to use her technique in upcycling and visible mending!
The first upcycled project I took on was repurposing a good quality t-shirt I found in the thriftstore. The t-shirt was sizes bigger then I needed to make the tunic I had in mind. The extra cotton jersey fabric that was left, I cut in half inch strips, gently pulling on them, creating a robe. After drawing the designs I wanted, using a stencil, I couched the robe around the drawings, using a whipstitch.
The first upcycled project I took on was repurposing a good quality t-shirt I found in the thriftstore. The t-shirt was sizes bigger then I needed to make the tunic I had in mind. The extra cotton jersey fabric that was left, I cut in half inch strips, gently pulling on them, creating a robe. After drawing the designs I wanted, using a stencil, I couched the robe around the drawings, using a whipstitch.
Another day I came across two t-shirts which colors, I felt, would work well together. Using the technique explained in Natalie Chanin’s class. I followed her instructions. This cardigan is the result.
This bright orange dress I made from vintage wool knit fabric. After drawing the design on the fabric, I hand embroidered the pattern on it, using a matching embroidery thread. One day I discovered a nasty stain. It wouldn’t disappear in the laundry.
After much consideration I decided to use an embroidered appliqué leave to cover the stain. The dress can shine again!
You have those lucky time, finding nice fabric in the thriftstore. These punta di roma fabrics quickly got their destination! I would use the Alabama Chanin technique to make a cardigan, combining the two fabrics.The part of the airbrushing, I didn’t apply, since I don’t have such a devise. Here I cut away the top layer using Natalie Chanins reverse appliqué technique in some parts of the designs and used appliqué on other area’s. It is a long process, especially if you embroider the whole garment. The result is so rewarding!
One thing you should take into consideration; use quality garments or fabrics medium weight to work on! It takes hours, even weeks to finish one project. And yes, these can be found in the thriftstore!
The garments of ‘Alabama Chanin’ are pieces of art in themselves. I’m very thankful Natalie Chanin shares her techniques through books and classes. Yes, even discarded garments can be upcycled to become gems.
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