Beyond Knitting
Bedazzled and Hypnotized
PSA! Use the code MDKFREESHIPPING at checkout on the AlabamaChanin.com. External Link. Opens in new window. School of Making website.
Dear Kay,
What’s got me right now is a skirt. I’m back at this one because we just announced a new August 11 workshop in Nashville starring Natalie Chanin, the brilliant designer who started a movement when she founded Alabama Chanin. And I want to have this thing ready to wear.
When knitting is one’s day job, one needs a hobby. So for me, these hand-stitched projects are a perfect pause from knitting while at the same time giving me the hypnotic meditation that I love.
These projects are so good, Kay. I know you know this, so I guess today I’m here to encourage everybody who’s watched our endless parade of Alabama Chanin and thought, Nice, but too hard for me.
I used to think that too. But in the same way knitting starts out easy and sinks its grip into you, this Alabama Chanin stitching is equally simple to learn, yet endlessly deep.
Current example: a skirt I thought I had finished making. This is the Swing Skirt. I’ve made four now.
At the Shakerag Knitting Getaway shop, a table of Alabama Chanin stuff drew my eye over and over. This jar of beads in particular was merciless: “It’s me! Hi! I’m the solution. It’s me!”
It cost $28, this jar of beads. And it’s worth every bit of that, because it set me off on a new beading adventure that has entertained me for weeks now.
If you’re a knitter, you know that beautiful materials are a big part of the game. These kits are built by hand-stenciling and hand-cutting fabric, one at a time, the opposite of mass production.
I sat down on a bench outside at the Knitting Getaway and started embellishing while wearing my skirt.
The tricky part is threading the needle; the easy part is watching this incredible carpet of shine and luster emerge. Natalie’s Mix, indeed.
I’m going to use every last bead.
If you’re looking for a visit to Nashville, where you’ll see $28 worth of Natalie’s Mix on my person, August 11 is going to be a beautiful day of listening to Natalie tell stories, show us her magic, and let us discover, once again, how the simple act of stitching with beautiful materials can send us off on an endless journey. Details and registration are here. My first class with Natalie changed my life; hope you can join us here in Nashville.
Love,
Ann
I saw my first Alabama Chanin skirts at the Knitting Getaways and thought the same thing: Nice, but I could never finish one. Then I went to Natalie’s workshop at MDK in January and became addicted. I finished my swing skirt in May and it gives me so much joy every time I wear it! I’m not ready for beads, but there are definitely more Alabama Chanin stitching projects in my future!
Where do I start?
I’m knitting a sweater with beads placed on the yoke. It’s so fun to add some glitter to my life. Your skirt is beautiful!
I love love that you started beading the skirt while you were wearing it. That’s perfect! (And yes, those needles are a nightmare to thread. Anybody have any tips? )
Use the needle threader ?
I’ve had zero luck threading beading needles with a threader. The eye is so tiny, and the thread is thick…..
Dang Ann, you keep upping the ante on the swing skirts. First a few beads and now tons of beads and it looks beautiful and sparkly.
Anyone who has fear of AC sewing, don’t fear the needle or the hand sewing. Take the class, read the book and learn the method, practice on some inexpensive ts or dresses from Target (or those event shirts we all have) then do the kit. You’ll de amazed at yourself. And then your daughter starts looking envious at what you’ve done and begins converting your scarf and it all stats over.
Happy 4th.
This skirt is a stunner! A work of art. (I super hope to make it to Nashville for this.)
Love this! You’re sending me back to my AC stitching and now I am pondering all the beads!
I agree, a work of art that happens to be wearable. Beautiful Ann! I think I first saw AC garments here on MDK, then ordered a Tee Shirt Kit last year when I couldn’t go to Shakerag due to covid. I just finished it recently and love it. I’m definitely thinking of my next piece.
I am on my second AC swing skirt! I am enamored with these beads. I know a third skirt will be in my future, and the beads too!
cool!
Two years ago, we moved to Florence. Alabama Chanin was first on my list of places to go. I just finished a dress made with their lovely fabric, with my own twists, which is what this whole thing is about. It’s a lovely place to o visit, if you get the chance.
I think this looks very interesting and a lot of fun but all the kits are quite pricey. I would take a class but there are none close. Any suggestions to get started? And I love knitting, is it a craft I could enjoy as an alternative?
Thank you for all the information!
Thank you for asking this! Now I’ve learned that my library not only has a bunch of books, but also the Craftsy skirt video streaming on Hoopla!
There are classes on both Craftsy and Creativebug. I’d suggest a combo of class and book. You can experiment on old tshirts to begin with. I had made a corset top out of an Adidas tee and still love it. Pick one of the books with patterns that appeal and go from therem
Hold the phone! I had no idea there were AC classes on Craftsy–I’m going to have to stop deleting their emails without reading them. I’ve been so sad that the August workshop (plus travel etc) is out of my budget. Suddenly I feel a surge of energy…
Hi Gail! I recommend starting with Natalie Chanin’s books. They explain every technique, with the most gorgeous photographs, a total rabbit hole of inspiration. And as a knitter, you’ll very likely find this sort of stitching very addicting—it’s just a relaxing thing to do, similar to knitting.
To make skirts and such like this, does it require a machine? I DO NOT have room for a machine, but I’m a pretty good hand sewer!
All by hand! I am not much of a stitcher, yet this comes very easily for me. If you enjoy seeing by hand, this is really fun.
I do enjoy it but I rarely get to do it!
I really want to love doing this. I ordered the scarf kit and find it nearly impossible to get the needle thru the fabric. I then ordered an assortment of AC needles, thinking I needed to step up my hodgepodge of hand sewing needles. No improvement. I figure it must be the fabric and the paint. I do have decent crewel embroidery skills, so it is not that. I am bummed and hate to sink any more $ into a project I can not work on, but can see so much potential for. I have two well worn jersey skirts I may sacrifice for the cause. Could pre-washing the scarf fabric make a difference?
Hmm. I’m curious about your scarf kit. Have you called AC Customer Care? Maybe see if you can exchange the kit? I just took the AC virtual embroidery class and am working the swatch sample piece in white with silver pearl paint. This paint seems to have a much stickier resistance to the needle than the softer matte paint on the peacock AC scarf from MDK that I finished and love.
I’ve tried all the stitches, etc on the sample piece, so I don’t think I can return.
I may end up machine sewing and will try the hand sewing in other fabric. Thanks for responding.
I’ve found that ball point hand sewing needles work really well with AC cotton knit. Singer makes some and Dritz too, I think. I find them easy to thread too. With some AC projects you will sometimes find yourself pushing a needle through several layers of fabric which makes for some slow sewing. A good metal thimble and needle nose pliers are useful in those situations. Good luck!
Thanks for the ball point needle suggestion. I’lll try that. Needle nose pliers would add new meaning to slow making. I would be using them for every stitch. 🙂
A leather thimble can be a great help when hand sewing. My favorite is made of goat leather and conforms quickly to the finger that pushes the needle.
Stunning!