Fitted Tunic/ Mini Dress Alabama Chanin Style

My finished Fitted Tunic/ Mini Dress in Alabama Chanin Style. The pattern is from the book 'Alabama Studio Sewing & Design'. I highly recommend it if you like this style and hand stitching. 

I made the basic version without any embellishment. Just a double layer of pink cotton interlock jersey from my stash. I am doing some serious stash busting here. It is a test version to check the size and fit. This is a size M in tunic length, but I think it works just fine as summer dress.

I am not sure if the wrinkles in the front seam are caused by using too much tension in the seam. Well, it is still wearable.

The same is going on on the lower end of the side seam. Practice, practice, practice!

It was surprisingly fast to assemble this tunic. Not much to say about the pattern. I have read some reviews of the Alabama Chanin pattern where people complain about the low neckline. That doesn't apply to me. I see no problem there. I must have some lucky build. I hardly ever have to change any pattern.

My cretan stitch to attach the binding is getting more even, so yay!

Here another close up of the binding. 

Pattern Description:

Fitted top in different lengths - shirt, tunic, mini dress, long dress.
From the book 'Alabama Chanin Studio Sewing & Design'
 

Pattern Sizing:

S, M, L, XL
I made a size M
 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes
 

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The book give very clear instructions. All the techniques are explained very clear and thoroughly.
 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love all the patterns from the book. Some people complain about the low neckline, I don't.
 

Fabric Used:

Cotton Interlock Jersey
 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

No changes
 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

This is a test version without any embellishments. I will sew this again with stenciling etc. I recommend it.

Reverse applique corset a la Alabama Chanin

I finally finished my first Alabama Chanin piece while on Christmas vacation. I used some jersey cotton from my stash. It is a very intense red and purple. It was initially only planned to try out the techniques, but as it turns out I really love the color combination.

If you haven't heard of Alabama Chanin yet make sure you go and check out the website. I absolutely love the designs, and if I could afford it my whole wardrobe would be Alabama Chanin Style. 

This corset is from the book "Alabama Chanin Stitch Book"

So far I have two of the three books, but the third one is high up on my wishlist.

This corset is completely hand stitched. 

I love that the designer, Natalie Chanin, shares the how-to for her designs with everyone not only through her books, but also offers the original supplies in her online store. And beyond that offers workshops at her factory in Alabama. I wish I could attend one someday! (I don't get paid to write this, I am just a huge fan obsessed with her designs :)

Anyway, back to my corset. I didn't have any spray paint to transfer the stencil design on the fabric. Instead I used a Sharpie marker. For my next project I will use the stenciling technique from the book.

 The reverse applique was fun to work with. It took quite a while until I had all pattern pieces ready to be assembled. The actual construction was surprisingly fast. A really nice project to do in front of the TV.

For the reverse applique the pattern pieces have to be cut out twice, once in each color. Then the pieces are layered upon each other. The stencil should be applied to the top layer before cutting. After the pattern pieces are layered it is to be stitched around the shapes of the applied stencil, and after that one has to cut out the top layer fabric 1/8 inch away from the stitching line so the second layer shows. Once all pattern pieces are embellished this way the top can be constructed.

I used the cretan stitch to sew the binding on. I still have to work on more even stitches, but I love how it turned out. 

Alabama Chanin

I remember seeing the Alabama Chanin books at Barnes & Noble and looking at them briefly. Afterwards I went on their website and was enchanted by the style. But it wasn't until about three weeks ago that I finally ordered my first book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Now my mind is set on one day making one of the gorgeous dresses myself. 

But first I have to practice on some smaller projects. I bought a second book and the basic needed tools and started with a little project from Alabama Stitch Book.

I ordered the two scissors at Amazon.com (it was a bit cheaper), the thread and needles are from the Alabama Chanin website. I really like that she doesn't keep it a secret how to copy her wonderful designs. And even more, offering on her website the exact same high quality tools she is using to create these wonderful garments. 

My first project were these gloves. It was a nice way to try out the stitching technique. I used some cotton jersey from my stash. I want to practice a bit before I buy the fabric from the website.

Here a close up of the embroidery stitches on the gloves. I used to do some cross-stitch embroidery when I was younger and have quite a bit leftover embroidery thread. 

The first two panels from the next project, the Reverse-Applique Corset. The outer layer is the same cotton jersey as the gloves. The underlayer is also from my stash. I didn't think these two colors would work that well together, but I really like the effect.

Here a closeup of the Reverse Applique. I am still practicing :-)

I don't have a paintbrush gun or any fabric paint (yet?), so my stenciling technique was a Sharpie marker.