https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:48:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-560441 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:33:23 +0000 Diana 560441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a cool technique! I want to try it now. </p> <p>Actually I have been tempted to buy the Alabama Chainin books in the past, but refrained from doing so because I need another fiber-related hobby like I need a hole in the head. Still, in principle, this one does not necessarily require the acquisition/hoarding of large amounts of fabric, since it's all about reusing used fabrics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-560412 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:06:42 +0000 ironkurtin 560412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure! I like to do craft projects while "my shows" are on. It's how almost all of my daughter's doll clothes got made. It works better if you treat TV like a radio, I will admit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-560407 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:05:12 +0000 Inge 560407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, I need to go lie down for a moment now. You can do this AND watch TV at the same time!?-) You are awesome!</p> <p>(I absolutely do remember lightboards.) </p> <p>Thank you for explaining this so clearly! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-560405 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:00:52 +0000 ironkurtin 560405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure!</p> <p>Inge, it's really very simple - and much easier if you have a stencil or a lightboard (like for what people used to use when looking a slides - remember those?).</p> <p>Chanin has a number of instructions in the books (including different stitches!) but here's my shorthand:</p> <p>Trace a pattern you like onto the clothing item using washable markers (they have them in the kiddo section of every grocery store here). If you want the color to be permanent, use fabric markers or fabric paints. </p> <p>Then thread a needle with craft thread - it has to be thick to show. Follow the pen marks and make even stitches, stitching the fabric you want to (ultimately) show through to the BACK of the item. The idea is to make it RATE so make sure you knot on the FRONT of the item - it adds visual interest and texture. </p> <p>Once the piece is stitched, use embroidery or other sharp scissors to cut out the shape inside the stitches - from the FRONT of the item. </p> <p>Viola.</p> <p>You can get a lot more complex than that, but that's the basic.</p> <p>Like I said, I've used this approach to salvage a number of items which would otherwise be "ruined." It's an excellent thing to do while watching Downton Abbey... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-560386 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:41:25 +0000 Inge 560386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for indulging my curiosity, IK! I love the idea of reusing garments with beautiful textures. I also love the pale pink and ivory with the white, I wouldn't even know where to start with such an intricate pattern (well, I wouldn't know where to start at all:-)</p> <p>Keep us posted about your next project? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-559151 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:34:09 +0000 rachylou 559151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh. I need to check this out... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-558858 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:31:58 +0000 mrseccentric 558858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>**** passes out from sheer admiration **** </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-558855 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:29:19 +0000 mrseccentric 558855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>oh how fun! i love looking through her books for inspiration and plain old enjoyment!</p> <p>yes, we want to see pics IK! heehee, get yourself some linen jersey and you could make some awe-inspiring summer pieces......steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-558820 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:50:08 +0000 Isabel 558820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is great !! I just told my daughter this weekend that we ought to learn how to sew...at least minimally. My mom is a fabulous seamstress and I had no interest growing up. DIY is such a dying art. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-558817 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:46:26 +0000 ironkurtin 558817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Inge!</p> <p>First two pics are of a cashmere sweater where I doctored the holes. I have one more little hole to go. I used white fine cotton underneath for a texture contrast and black thread to show the design elements. With very fine knits you want to make sure you aren't adding bulk as much as you can, so I save old tshirts etc. with beautiful textures to cut up later (or to use for doll clothes for the peanut's collection).</p> <p>The second two are of a tank I wanted to salvage. I wanted very low contrast to the white so I went with very pale pink and pale ivory thread. This one took a long time but I think it was worth it.</p> <p>Reverse intarsia is super fun - the biggest challenge is making sure your pattern is correct in scale and shape. I made an entire vest for my sister but didn't vary the scale enough and it looked a little bit grandma. Oh well, live and learn... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-558740 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:35:56 +0000 Inge 558740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've seen lots of great reviews about the two previous books, and this one looks wonderful too.<br /> IK: I'd love to see a pic of your artfully salvaged sweaters;-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-558593 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:59:03 +0000 fern 558593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want to make one of the corset T-shirts. Love her stuff &amp; her attitude! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/alabama-chanin---new-book-out#post-558067 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:33:24 +0000 ironkurtin 558067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alabama-Studio-Sewing-Design-Hand-Sewing/dp/158479920X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1330979666&#038;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Alabama-.....038;sr=8-1</a></p> <p>So excited - own her other two. This one has a maxiskirt pattern! And - for those of you on the beetle thread - the second book has a longer tank pattern. I love this approach for saving items that have holes; I've salvaged several cashmere sweaters this way. I even bought some decorative pattern books to use as inspiration. </p>