Alabama Stitch Book: Projects and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style by Natalie Chanin, Stacie Stukin
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Book Reviews of Alabama Stitch Book: Projects and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style
Book Review: nicely presented, low in content
Summary: 2 Stars
A really well presented coffee table book. This book would be suitable for an absolute beginner sewer, however for a creative and experienced sewer you may find it uninspiring and repetitive. The projects are easy to follow , but I did not buy it with the intention of following instructions but rather hoping to see some new ideas and be inspired, so was rather disappointed. Book Review: Best new craft book on the market,,,,with glaring problem,,
Summary: 3 Stars
When I opened this book I was absolutely astounded with the beauty of the pieces in the book,,, and what could be made lovely again out of something old.
This woman has real talent , an incredible sense of seeing beauty out of ashes,,,, and need I say ~I did salute her for bringing her company home to her roots, and beginning to employee people that have lost their jobs since they have been shipped overseas.
The book is INCREDIBLE, filled with projects that will simply *STUN* you, and keep you busy thinking,,,hm,,,,could I do something with THAT??
or how 'bout that??
The creative juices just flow and flow,,,
I have to say this would have probably been one of my most used needlework books out of all of mine ~ and that's saying a LOT because I have a LOT of books and used to order many books.
I absolutely love books~ (Hubby and I have a little library of our own~)
In particular, I love books that inspire the creative part of me, and this one does in a way that makes some of the recent( and not so recent )recycled t- shirt books look like kindergarden scissor cutting,,, sitting next to absolutely elegant work!
Truly,,,, THAT is how much I like this book!
SO,,,,why only the 3 star rating when I would really would love to give this book a whopping 10 stars if I could??
Hypocrisy , that is why.
If the author had not mentioned this in her book it would NOT be an issue but since she did,,, then it becomes fair game.
The author talks very seriously about how many people have lost their jobs , the cotton that THEY once grew ...and worked in the mills processing ( into garments etc), basically how sad those times were when those jobs were sent overseas ( to China) ~ the very cotton that they grow in the South (!),,,,,and goes on to talk about the NAFTA act , etc.
I am taking no political sides here, but I am one person who tries their hardest to buy( as much as possible) goods that are made in the USA.
I am willing to pay the extra dollars just to do so ~ I look at the back of fabric I sew, yarn I buy,,, or greeting cards~ and most recently a coffee pot made totally in the USA.
I also wish to support US business' such as the authors,,, vs "imported" clothing.
It IS possible to do this,, if you take the time to look and be careful about your purchases ~ (that is,,,if you feel strongly about US jobs.)
My husband worked in the printing industry and traveled a lot to service the large machines that cut and bind books, and so on.
He has seen shop after shop close its doors to jobs being transferred to where else??
China.
On to the reason I am writing this, as it is part of the beginning of the book,, and the authors writings should anyone care to read it.
While she encourages us to buy organic cotton,( which is good) I believe some is actually processed in Texas so its a great resource.
I took a look at the back of the book,,,,and where was is published???
CHINA!!
SO,,,,,while she lays claim that she is coming home to her roots( Alabama) and supposedly trying to help re- employee those around her,,,,, Why oh why,,,, not choose a US printer to print her first book???
( Cook books I purchase such as "Every Day Pasta" etc. and many more are published in the USA... so its not impossible!)
I love the book , and I DO think its worth its weight in gold in ideas and creative projects, but I had to add this because this is the truth.
I Love the book, but hate the hypocrisy~ so my book is going to be returned.
I received it as a gift,( I wouldn't have ordered it)
I have done these exact same types of applique and stenciling years ago~ so I am very familiar with it therefore it would not be easy for me to figure it out on my own if I chose to do so.
You can pretty much judge values by how a person handles their business dealings.
Talk to us about families that have worked in the cotton mills for several generations and then became jobless,,,,,,yet send the book off to China to be printed and bound.
The author may very well be a lovely and kind person~ but,this is a large part of the beginning of the book.
Had she not written about it so much well,,,,neither would I.
Book Review: I just can't stop stitching now!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book on a whim a few months back, admired the photos, and then stuck it on the shelf and sort of forgot I had it. I took it out again a couple of weeks ago and decided to try one of the simpler projects - a reverse appliqued book cover. I'm hooked! The instructions were clear, the results were beautiful, and the book itself is inspiring. Since that book cover, I've made myself 2 t-shirts, a beaded headband, and have started another t-shirt and a skirt. Nothing has been difficult to do, and the simpler projects can be finished in just a few hours. The finished items are really striking, and look like you must have spent a fortune in some little boutique. Book Review: Stitching for everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
I stumbled upon this book, not at all familiar with Natalie Chanin or her work. The gorgeous photography and the style of the projects convinced me to buy it. I'm glad I did because I've enjoyed it tremendously. From the history of cotton to the down home recipes to the clearly written patterns, this book is a treat for the reader. It is inspiring and inspired. The work is lovely and most important - doable for the average stitcher. No machine required, no special skills required, just the basic stitches and the willingness to craft something by hand. I'm so glad I found this so I can craft some gifts for my family that are lovely and infinitely practical. Book Review: Lovely and Inspiring
Summary: 5 Stars
I checked this book out on a whim from our library and promptly fell in love with it even though I'm not much of a seamstress. I love the author's use of lots of different techniques in varying combinations. I've never seen anything quite like the design choices and techniques used in this book. My only complaint: the clothing pattern sizes are limited. Normally I find it insulting when a designer ignores anyone over a size 14 but this book was so full of inspiration that I let that slide in the hope that I can adapt for my slightly fuller figure. Even if I never make a single project in this book I know I'll spend many hours soaking up the colors and textures.