Alabama Chanin Bandana Complete

Done! In a house with two young kids, projects such as these can stretch out for a l--o--n--g time. I have learned in my early parenthood that the journey is the destination. I find I enjoy the process much more when it's not focused on completion. I've also learned that projects do get finished, they just take a long time. What that bandana doesn't show, is all the pauses to play in the dirt, admire bees, study leaves and build houses out of cardboard boxes and tape. Lots of tape.

Planting Seeds

Camp Ramshackle had a bountiful oak acorn season this year. Eric harvested bags of them, shelled, ground, and leached out the tanic acid from them. His hard work yielded a delicious pancake breakfast. We hope for another one soon.


Even with the copious acorn harvest, many volunteers found a spot, shot out roots and set to grow up. Perhaps to become like their parent tree, which can grow up to 85 feet in height. Quercus agrifolia is beautiful.

We start so small, like the majestic oak, we grow bit by bit.

With small steps, stitch by stitch.

Alabama Chanin Sewing Workshop

On Saturday, Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin hosted a sewing workshop at Fred Segal Flair in Santa Monica. She and Alabama Stitch Book co-author Stacie Stukin signed books. Natalie graciously offered hands on tutorials for the projects in her book, patiently answered questions and shared her exquisite swatch books.


Sewer novices and veterans sat at a long table surrounded by couture Alabama Chanin. Bandana and t-shirt kits were available for purchase and can be found online at Alabama Chanin. I picked up a bandana kit and set to work. Sewers were also welcome to bring their own projects.


I don't remember how I first heard of Natalie Chanin's earlier company Project Alabama. All I know is that I became quickly obsessed. Truly obsessed. I would stalk eBay auctions and pray to stumble upon a chance low-priced auction.


When I saw the Alabama Stitch Book was to be published, I was thrilled. The book shares patterns of the trademark stitched corset and skirt among other projects.


So in the meantime, while you save your pennies for your own Alabama Chanin couture jacket, you can make your own ensemble. That's what I plan to do, starting right here with this bandana.


See more photos from the event, swatch detail and selections from the Alabama Chanin line at Ramshackle Solid's flickr account.