Natalie Chanin

Alabama Chanin · Florence, Alabama

Natalie Chanin is the founder and creative director of Alabama Chanin, a clothing company based in her home town of Florence, Alabama. She has open-sourced the company’s handmade couture in three books, Alabama Stitch Book, Alabama Studio Style, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, and Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns. Together with the School of Making’s collection of DIY kits, these books enable home stitchers to create a stunning, sturdy and sustainable Alabama Chanin wardrobe. At the company’s Factory building in Florence and elsewhere in the world, Natalie leads workshops where she teaches techniques, tells stories and makes people fall in love with hand sewing. Natalie’s latest book is The Geometry of Hand-Sewing, a breakthrough approach to embroidery stitches that is sure to become a classic.

To hear Natalie’s story in her own words, we recommend this beautiful video portrait by Gael Towey (scroll down).

Natalie Chanin's Networks:

Contributions From Natalie Chanin

Alabama Studio Sewing + Design

This impeccably illustrated, beautifully photographed book teaches the foundations of Natalie Chanin's groundbreaking style of hand-sewn garments. With Natalie's guidance in Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, even a beginner stitcher holds the keys to a stunning and sustainable handmade garments. The book includes printed paper patterns for garments that will build the foundation of your own collection. See below for a table of contents. Books will ship in early November.

Sonia Beaded Scarf: Virtual Workshop with Natalie Chanin

Everybody wanted to learn the beads—so we're doing the beads! If you're ready to add beading to your hand-sewing skill set, here's an incredible opportunity. On January 23, 2026 we're hosting a virtual workshop with the one and only Natalie Chanin. We'll be making the cutest beaded triangle scarf, designed by Natalie for MDK: the Sonia Scarf. Read all about it below.

The School of Making (And a Contest!)

Two lucky readers will win the latest DIY kit from Alabama Chanin's marvelous School of Making. Enter today!