Handmade Elevated

If you're a fan of anything handmade you will love the books of Natalie Chanin. She is a fashion designer out of Alabama that is changing the scene in the fashion industry. I remember flipping through her first book, Alabama Stitch Book, while sitting on the floor at Barnes and Noble. It was beautiful, but not something I would have attempted. I just didn't get it.

Then somewhere I read an article about Natalie and her "slow fashion" philosophy.

Every stitch of her clothing line is hand sewn by women in the surrounding area of Florence, Alabama. They are made with a combination of new, organic and recycled materials. The company focuses on creating products focusing on slow design and sustainability. Her clothing is one-of-a-kind and signed by the artisan that made it.

Her clothing is very, very expensive. Basically it's couture clothing. That is why she wrote her books. She makes the instructions, patterns and fabrics available to anyone who wants to attempt these beautiful garments. She has a new book out called Alabama Studio Style. Check out the garments and books at her website here.

I love this quote from her:

However, the most important revelation was the realization that making something with my own two hands added substantially to the value of that object in my life. It had been so long since I had made – and taken care of – the objects that filled my life. In essence, I re-learned that making brings added meaning.

*thanks Erin for sharing the link to Anna Maria Horner's post about Natalie Chanin recently. You can find it here.