Alabama Chanin The School of Making Workshops Product Page

Founded on the ideas of cultural preservation of education, The School of Making® is our platform for an open exchange of ideas, maker skills, supply chain transparency, and education. We invite you to be a part of the growing movement and join us at one of our workshops at The Factory or away—for a unique learning experience with our team.

INTRO TO HAND-SEWING: Our Intro to Hand-Sewing Workshop includes a discussion of the physics of sewing, reverse appliqué, and an overview of garment construction and other techniques from The School of Making. This workshop is suited to beginners and experienced sewers alike. Work with The School of Making team to create a hand-sewn project from a selection of custom kits.

ONE-DAY EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP: Our Embroidery Workshop includes a discussion of the physics of sewing, embroidery stitches, and an overview of garment construction and other sewing techniques. The kit selections will focus on variegated striped kits that focus on exploring various embroidery techniques. Participants will learn to use the die-cut grids in The Geometry of Hand-Sewing to practice and develop your embroideries. These reusable cards can be stitched through for practicing or used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric.

THREE-DAY WORKSHOP: Our popular Classic Weekend Workshop is reintroduced as our Three-Day Workshop in a new and improved format. This workshop opens our studio doors at The Factory in Florence, Alabama, and allows participants to work with Natalie, our in-house team, a selection of our most loved DIY garment patterns, and our extensive DIY stencil library. Participants create a customized, hand-sewn garment or project of their choice from Alabama Stitch Book, Alabama Studio Style, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, or Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns. We offer a range of options that can be tailored to any skill level. The three-day schedule also includes a Swampette tour of the Shoals music scene, history of Alabama Chanin with Natalie, and a studio tour.

CLASSIC STUDIO WEEK: This week-long event invites participants into The School of Making’s expanded studio for a total immersion into our philosophies, methods, materials, and products. Participants will experiment with several different techniques in hand sewing and will be guided through each step in the process of creating a garment from The School of Making. Techniques include design basics and the physics of sewing, stencil design and creation, airbrush and stenciling of garments, fit and pattern alterations, discussion, and critique. This Monday through Friday event includes yoga sessions, time for sight-seeing, and some delicious, locally-sourced meals with optional time Saturday for any last minute studio time, packing up, and checking out.

INDIVIDUAL STUDIO DAY: Spend the day designing with and learning from the Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams at The Factory at your own personal workshop, which can be tailored to your interests. Work one-on-one with Master Seamstress, Diane Hall, to cut, paint, pack, and prepare a garment and/or DIY project of your choice. The cost includes materials, instruction, lunch, studio tour, and allows special, select access to the The School of Making DIY garment pattern and stencil libraries.

INDIVIDUAL STENCILING DAY: Spend the day stenciling with and learning from the Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams at The Factory at your own personal workshop. Explore our unique stenciling process, from beginning to end. Work one-on-one with our stenciling team and get hands-on experience in Alabama Chanin's methods and materials, including the airbrush gun, textile paint, and mylar stencils. The cost includes materials, instruction, lunch, and studio tour.