Today I finished the “fitted tunic” from the lovely and wonderful third book in a series from Natalie Chanin, the woman behind Alabama Chanin.
The other two books are also real treats to even just look at. They contain recipes, stories, small projects and a few clothes, whereas the one above is really exclusively about sewing beautiful dresses, skirts, tops and some accessories.
All the garments, and that includes anything you might buy from Alabama Chanin as a design label, are hand-sewn! Not only hand-embellished to perfection, but the actual seams are hand-sewn. So amazing – I love the slow and meticulous handwork, the patience, the unhurried process that doesn’t just focus on the end product. When I was 16 my dream was to sew a historic turn-of-the-century (around 1900, that is) outfit all by hand. I never did it, but this reminds me of this vision.
I wanted to test the fit of one of the garments to gauge how the patterns would work for me, so I started with the fitted tunic in a lively fabric (no elaborate appliqué just yet). Nice layout of patterns and instructions.
Buttonhole thread for all the seams, nice flowing running stitch.
And the fit was perfect. That was all I needed, now I can go and make clothes from more of their patterns. Eventually I would like to dare and sew something really fancy, with appliqué all over and lots of beadwork!
While I am at it, I also finished my Wiksten Tank Top two days ago.
Again, a wonderful fit (with just one tiny adjustment). I am bound to make a few more in all kinds of fabrics. Works as a dress, too, which is what I cut out and started sewing today. Next in line after the tank dress is the Wiksten Tova Dress, the pattern is already waiting to be traced.
I am happy that my search for some go-to patterns that I can blindly make, knowing they will always fit, is bearing fruit.
