bucket list....#8....check!

Do you have a bucket list?  I admit, mine is a tad sketchy, but I most definitely have one.  Years ago when we were in Costa Rica I was able to check off one thing, probably sitting at around #4 on 'the list'....siting the resplendent quetzal.  Since then, nada.  Until yesterday.

 

A hint...

Yep.  I took a class.

 

More hints...

There was a trunk show....as if I needed any more inspiration.

 

If you are at all into the Slow Clothing movement, you are most likely squealing and jumping around just like I was (figuratively, not literally---I tried real hard to compose myself, like the adult I occasionally try to be), because I was in the presence of the Queen of the Slow Sewing movement.....Natalie Chanin.

Yes. 

That is NATALIE CHANIN, herself, teaching the class!   (I was SURE we were going to just have a staff person.  WHEEEEEEEEE!)

 

Maybe when I put 'a class with Natalie Chanin' on my bucket list, I might have had in mind the weeklong class in Florence, Alabama at the Factory (at $3,000!!!! eeep.  I think not!) or maybe the weekend one ($1250!!!!  EEEEEEP!  Nope, not that one either.).  But, I was very very very happy with the reasonably priced 2 hour class this weekend in Nashville at Craft South (owned by Anna Marie Horner---two 'brushes with fame' in one afternoon!)

The one thing I've always admired about Natalie's philsophy....her art is something she has always been willing to share.  She has 4 books that detail her slow stitching process---and she leaves nothing out.  You could easily replicate any of her garments.  There are no secrets withheld.

For those of you NOT in the know....Alabama Chanin works are 100% organic, using 100% locally grown and processed materials, and 100% hand stitched.  No machine.  My kind of sewing.  

Each item is unique.  Each is lovely.  And if you want to buy a finished garment you must have very deep pockets.  A dress will set you back several thousand dollars.

There were 20 of us (from as far away as Michigan and Iowa!!!) around a big table; each of us with our own pre-chosen, pre-stenciled project in the colour of our choice.

I chose a scarf/cowl.....in grey!  (surprise!!!)  The brightly colored swatch was our practice piece.

She brought all her inspiration swatch books (you can join the swatch of the month club on her website, which she failed to even mention.)

There was a book signing after class...and a little wine and cheese party.

 

It was a perfect afternoon.

And I have hours of fun ahead of me!

 

Comments

[Amber]

Oh, that looks so fun. I love her stuff. I keep planning to get her books, taking her class would be so amazing. Glad you got to do this.

[krugthethinker]

That is so awesome! I haven't heard of slow stitching, but I will look it up. So gorgeous!

[Katrine]

You are the epitome of creative!! Always exploring something new and an inspiration for us all! Can't wait to see your grey (of course!) scarf. So glad you got to do this. How do you stay so plugged in to find out about these things? Happy day,
k

[Dknits]

This is so exciting! Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Thank you for sharing about slow stitching. I had never heard about it before.

[Anya]

The closest I've gotten is her wonderful Craftsy class. You are such a lucky duck! :)

[Amy at love made my home]

How wonderful! It sounds like great fun and a great cross off of your list! What could be better. xx

[Jody]

I have two of her books...SO JEALOUS! But then again, practice a lot cuz I will be looking for a lesson in MAY!!!

[Alina]

So happy your dream came true!

[Tracey]

All hand sewn?!!! Okay, I think I need to redo my list. I am so happy for you Steph and inspired!

[Caroline]

Oh my..... I so badly want to learn how to make my own clothes and I adore hand stitching. This must go onto my bucket list as well. Your scarf is going to be stunning and in the most perfect colour :-)

[Ann Denton]

You do the most terrific things!

[karen]

I have never heard of this but what a fun class and a unique opportunity to sit and listen to someone else's crafts and philosophy!!

[Sara]

Stephanieeeeee! Why don't you live closer to me? We could play so well together! I adore Natalie Chanin and just whipped up a dress for myself and a skirt for my daughter last week! Of course, when I say "whipped" I mean that I cheated and used a machine on the seams because we needed them quickly. I embellished my seams by hand, but my daughter wants her's plain. My dress isn't finished (are they ever?) because I still need to trim out the top and then I'm going to applique it, but I was able to wear it a couple of times, already. I'm dying to take that class.

[Juliann]

My library has her books and I would love to use her ideas to jazz up a little skirt in my closet. What a fun afternoon.

[Jennifer Miller]

I would love to see the finished project you're working on. From someone who can't really sew, that sounds a little painstaking.

[Kat]

Oh wow, how much fun! That must have been an amazing experience :D I can't wait to see how your finished cowl turns out-I'm loving the different greys!

[Donna]

Slow sewing.... I may be able to do that. I actually bought a Craftsy class on sewing this past weekend. Sewing is on my bucket list although I keep swearing I will never do it. I think I may be tempted now....

[Jan Doss]

I lived in Florence for a few years (my daughter and her family still live there), but that was before Natalie had risen to her current "fame". I have her books and have made several pieces. Wish I could afford one of her classes to improve my skill set...mine didn't look as good as hers. I think the necessary tools are patience and attention to detail. Of course, her excellent (and expensive) materials don't hurt! My jersey came from thrift store tee shirts!

[Caffeine Girl]

I have never heard of slow sewing, but I love the idea. I am terrible with a machine so I must check out this woman. I love the photos of the stenciled fabric. What a fun workshop that must have been!

[Anne at Shintangle Studio]

oh!Oh!!OH!!! I thought I'd used up my exclamation point allotment for a month in my comment on your Scottish photos but find I must dip into the well for more. How wonderful!! Natalie Chanin herself!! Right there!!! She is one of my very top picks for inspiration, for everything from the way she's conceived and executed her business to the astonishing loveliness of the fabrics her company creates and the clothes made from them. I am so glad that you share my admiration of all things Alabama Chanin. I live so far away from Alabama that I can't imagine ever getting to a class, much less paying for it; I'm so glad you were given an affordable if short chance to learn from Natalie. Can't wait to see your finished cowl. Actually, of course I can wait, this is slow sewing after all. But I'm definitely looking forward to the big reveal. Perhaps I'll get started on something from one of her books in the near future . . .

[Lisa]

I've never even heard of the slow sewing movement or your instructor...but I like it! So happy for you, Steph. You inspire me, dear lady. :)

[Debby]

Congratulations on another tick. But I'm very envious. I hadn't heard of Natalie Chanin or slow sewing but it sounds just my cup of tea. I don't have much patience for sewing machines but I love hand sewing and like knitting find it to be the most therapeutic pastime. I'm going to research her now. Thanks for sharing this and directing us to the movement.
I'll be busy for a while now...
thank you.
dx

[autumngeisha]

You lucky lady you! I have all of Natalie Chanin's books and love to flip through them for inspiration. The lady has unbelievable style. One day I will slow stitch the skirt of my dreams. Also, I bet Craft South was pretty neat.

[Tahnee]

I don't really have a bucket list, but this certainly seems like a fantastic thing to put on there. Sounds like it was a fantastic experience!