We are so excited to bring you a new competition. It’s perfect for every skill level, and we encourage you all to enter! This one is all about taking inspiration from Natalie Chanin’s new book, Alabama Studio Style.
From her studio in Florence, Alabama, Natalie Chanin, founder and creative director of the acclaimed fashion and lifestyle company Alabama Chanin, works with local artisans to create handmade organic cotton-jersey clothing sought by connoisseurs of beauty and sustainable style worldwide. In Alabama Studio Style, a follow-up to the celebrated Alabama Stitch Book, Chanin takes her fans on another compelling journey of creativity, technique, and inspiration, this time sharing many more of her beautiful stenciling, stitching, and beading methods, and a collection of over 20 projects, including her award-winning dresses and skirts. You may remember that last year we did a two-part series on Natalie’s amazing work and philosophy, which you can read here
We invite you to make or reinvent any article of clothing, inspired by Alabama Studio Style. Visit this sneak peek of the book to get inspired, and create a project in keeping with Natalie’s ideas about fashion, sustainability, and community:
“Alabama Studio Style is…my home, my work, my love, my people. It is a way of looking at the world that, consequently, defines how the world looks. It is food, clothing, and shelter sewn together into a harmonious pattern that enriches our lives every day.”
This is a quick contest; you have until the 24th to email a photo in to submissions [at] burdastyle.com with “Alabama Studio Style” in the subject line along with your username, the garment title, and the link to your uploaded project on BurdaStyle in the body of the email. 50 entries will be featured in a slide show for you, the community to vote on.
Natalie will be choosing the lucky winners from the top 5 vote getters.
1st Prize: Win a weekend workshop with the Alabama Chanin team at The Factory (Value of $1125; travel and lodging not included) OR a a copy of Alabama Studio Style from STC Craft PLUS a kit to create the amazing DIY Inked & Quilted Camisole Dress featured in Alabama Studio Style. (Value of $375 + Alabama Studio Style)
2nd Prize: A copy of Alabama Studio Style from STC Craft PLUS a DIY kit the create the beautiful Angie’s Fall Scarf (featured in Alabama Studio Style) OR A copy of Alabama Stitch Book from STC Craft PLUS a DIY Bandana Kit featured in the Alabama Stitch Book. (Value of $105 + Alabama Studio Style)
3rd Prize: A copy of Alabama Studio Style from STC Craft. (Value of $35)
Get your own copy of Alabama Studio Style here
This contest is open to everyone worldwide (as long as it’s not prohibited) and all ages as long as you have consent from a legal guardian. You can submit as many entries as you’d like. Good luck and we can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Feb 9, 2010, 06.56 AMby mlssfshn
OH BOY !!!!! CAN"T Wait to start………….but have to. EDIT: I may have something from my photo shoot that will work…..I’m sewing with Aluminum……
Feb 9, 2010, 10.01 AMby loyl8
really excited, lets see what I can do!!! lots of inspiration.
Feb 9, 2010, 01.56 PMby sewella
This is so exciting! Compliments for launching such a great contest!
Feb 9, 2010, 07.12 PMby buttonsonicecream
I really love this designer’s work, it’s so inspiring to see that you can make a living for yourself and others with nothing more than a needle and thread and cloth…Loveliness!
Feb 9, 2010, 07.40 PMby sassycrafter
Holy crap! This is an amazing contest! I’ve been dreaming of attending one of Natalie’s weekend workshops. Looks like I better get started on a piece to enter!
Feb 9, 2010, 08.24 PMby Leslie Henkel
You can get even more inspiration by following Natalie on her blog tour! http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/news/2010/2/8/alabama-studio-style-blog-tour.html
Enter to win any STC Craft book!
Feb 9, 2010, 08.28 PMby thinker
I only recently learned about Chanin’s work and love it. I’ve been fantasizing about making beautiful things like that while walking to work. This contest feels like more than a coincidence, but of course it’s just because she’s getting a bunch of press… Anyway, I’m now planning to make something by the 24th!
Feb 9, 2010, 08.30 PMby staceycland
WOW, $7000 coat. I am inspired, How about I just applique Benjamin Franklin’s face all over the fabric!!
Feb 9, 2010, 10.26 PMby duckieugling
OMG! that is so awesome!!!! i’ve gotta come up with something totally fabulous….eek!
Feb 10, 2010, 06.49 AMby bridgeovermurray
I am from Alice Springs Australia and if I win the 1st prize I will have to come up with some crazy idea to go on a fantastic, inspiring journey to the factory!!!!
Feb 10, 2010, 03.33 PMby dupcodeb
This comment was deleted by the author.
1 Reply
Feb 10, 2010, 10.56 PMby Alden
Nope enter as many times as you’d like!
Feb 10, 2010, 05.16 PMby Leslie Henkel
You can get even more inspiration by following Natalie on her blog tour!
http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/news/2010/2/8/alabama-studio-style-blog-tour.html
Enter to win any STC Craft book!
Feb 12, 2010, 11.12 AMby Cafe.Couture
This is something I’ve never seen before, really marvellous work and the looks are so inspiring, I’m trying to make some of the designs on a felted wallet and it is so great to work this technique…
Feb 12, 2010, 07.30 PMby flowergirl22
oohhhh wow,, lets get going girls,,
Feb 13, 2010, 10.32 AMby flowergirl22
how do I enter? where do i send the pictures
1 Reply
Feb 15, 2010, 02.26 AMby duckieugling
This is a quick contest; you have until the 24th to email a photo in to submissions [at] burdastyle.com with “Alabama Studio Style” in the subject line along with your username, the garment title, and the link to your uploaded project on BurdaStyle in the body of the email. 50 entries will be featured in a slide show for you, the community to vote on.
Feb 15, 2010, 07.01 PMby flowergirl22
hi,, yes, done it,, thanks for that..
nicky
Feb 17, 2010, 08.17 AMby bubbley74
Please help i have NEVER HEARD OF THIS DESINER SO, NOT FAMILIEAR WITH HER WORK.Can SOME ONE GIVE ME A BREIF OUT LINE WHAT IS EXPECTED FOR THIS COMP AS I AM NOT SURE,IS IT NATURE ?
1 Reply
Feb 18, 2010, 12.23 AMby amarie
bubbley74,
Natalie Chanin is famous for bringing the quilting traditions of the South into mainstream couture fashion. She moved back to Florence, Alabama and founded a clothing company that emphasizes old world craftsmanship. She is most-known for hand-sewn, reverse-appliqued corsets and skirts. She believes in sustainability so she encourages the use of recycled materials or materials from organic sources. You can find more here. So I guess the contest is to make clothes that are inspired by her work. She recently shared the stencils on her blog for all of you interested. Hope this helps.
Feb 18, 2010, 04.51 PMby PonyGirl93
Wow, I would love to enter… But I’m not sure I have time to crank out something by then that would be worthy to be called inspired by her ;)
Feb 20, 2010, 06.13 PMby Momsgotanewhobby
I love the clothes, beautiful. If you haven’t yet please visit her site! I am inspired and feel a dress (or 2?) coming on…
Feb 21, 2010, 11.04 PMby michelle ><><><
Unsure about how to enter projects, could you give me more detailed info on how to? first time entering, Michelle
Feb 22, 2010, 01.28 PMby Passiona Cottee
Quick Q: “you have until the 24th”. Does that mean by the end of the day on the 24th?
Feb 22, 2010, 01.40 PMby manati
So I decided yesterday to enter the contest. Not much time left. But I have the same question that Passiona Cottee has. THanks
1 Reply
Feb 24, 2010, 01.27 AMby Passiona Cottee
I guess you have now seen the daily email that confirmed 11:59pm on the 24th.
Good times!
Feb 23, 2010, 03.03 PMby Regina Moore
This contest will be tons of fun! I look forward to seeing all the entries. I am totally enamored by Natalie Chanin’s designs! The workmanship is absolutely gorgeous!
Feb 24, 2010, 04.46 PMby flowergirl22
hi all, yes well I entered , took me an amazing 30seconds to decide what to use as revamp. i then just needet to decide on how to do the design,, which i asked my kids to do for me, and whopppeeeeeee at the end of the day the new desin was done.
its a lilac blouse with flowers on , keep an eye out and vote for it.
Feb 24, 2010, 08.03 PMby lettergirl
I have been inspired since I saw the spring 2008 collection at Barney’s in New York. Two years later and my heart is still racing just thinking about all the possibilities. No idea how I stumbled on this contest, but now I am excited to see all the entries. Good luck everyone!
Feb 25, 2010, 01.57 AMby purpleglow
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… I wish I could any of my projects I’m working on finished in time. :(