The Rose Shawl

It's finished!

A month ago I purchased this cotton jersey from Alabama Chanin's garage sale. I ended up with this marbled, tie dye fabric with pinks, blues, grays, and browns. I had no idea what I was going to do with it until I saw this shawl pattern in the stitch book. 

Appliquéing with cotton jersey is so different from cotton fabric, and I'm really starting to appreciate the versatility of cotton jersey.

Chau,

Linda

Taking The Time

This is the next project I want to attempt from the Alabama Stitch Book. I have pictures of the rose shawl coming soon.

 I want to make sure I get my size right, so I'm taking the time to make a sample corset first. This is a huge inconvenience for me since I'm the type of person that wants to dive right in.

Recycling some old t-shirts, of course.

Nothing like some good tunes and the calming rhythm of a needle gliding through fabric.

Rose Appliqued Shawl

Ever since I discovered Alabama Chanin, I have become obsessed. I know that is not a good thing, but I can't help myself.

I have always felt very comfortable wearing t-shirts. In fact, my favorite outfit is a t-shirt and jeans. Who doesn't feel more comfortable wearing cotton jersey fabric? 

I believe this is the first book of three, but it is my second book.

Natalie Chanin has inspired me to look at cotton jersey fabric in a whole different way. Not to mention, she has given me the ability to customize with style.

I am currently working on this shawl from the book. The base layer is cotton jersey I purchased from Alabama Chanin, and I'm appliquéing
 the rose pattern using my daughter's gently used t-shirts.

Thank you, Natalie!

Stitched Headband

 I've been playing with Alabama Chanin's sewing techniques and trying a few projects from her book.

 I cut up a couple old t-shirts. 

 I used a sponge heart shape to stencil with.

The only fabric paint I have on hand is Lumiere. I've never tried washing this fabric paint, so I'm not sure how well it will hold up, but 

I was anxious to get started.

 I outlined the hearts with beads and cut away the top fabric. 

Then added decorative stitching along the side seams to finish it up.

I really like the color combination, and jersey cotton is always comfortable to wear.

Alabama Chanin T-Shirt, part 2

I made my second t-shirt sample to check for size, because my first one was too tight.

 I was keeping my fingers crossed the entire time that this t-shirt would fit.

It does!

It's form fitting, but it fits.

Next up is a skirt.

Alabama Chanin

I first learned about Alabama Chanin on Rice Freeman Zachery's blog. I immediately fell in love with Natalie's style, so I bought one of her books.

This is a fabulous book where Natalie graciously shares some of her stitching techniques.
I purchased some of her fabric to see what this "organic cotton jersey" felt like.

I expected it to be soft and flimsy like the cotton jersey t-shirts I usually wear, but it's not!
Natalie suggests making a sample t-shirt to check for size, so I did.

While I was hand sewing, I hand time to really feel the quality of the cotton, then I started to picture the beautiful clothing made from this cloth. 

I am excited about the possibilities!

Unfortunately........

My sample t-shirt is too small!

 Oh well! I enjoyed every minute of it, and tomorrow, I will start sewing the next size up.