STUDIO WEEK WORKSHOP: THE FACTORY

Transcription

1 STUDIO WEEK WORKSHOP: THE FACTORY

2 D.I.Y S E WING - COOK ING - COMMUNITY Alabama Studio Week The Factory 462 Lane Drive Florence, Alabama This week-long event invites participants into Alabama Chanin 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 an Alabama Chanin garment. 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 Saturday event includes yoga sessions, time for sight-seeing, and some delicious, locally sourced meals. The cost for the week is $3,000 and includes 6 yards of 100% organic cotton jersey in the color of choice (enough for one or more garments), a thread and embroidery floss sampler, access to airbrush and paint, a selection of garment patterns and stencils available in our Alabama Studio book series, instruction, daily breakfast and weekday lunches, non-alcoholic beverages, studio access daily from 8:00 am 6:30 pm and a few surprises along the way.

3 Week Schedule The following serves as a rough outline of what you can expect during your week in our studio (including a continental breakfast each morning and a locally sourced lunch each weekday). Note that this schedule may change based on availability. MONDAY The day begins at 9:30 am as students meet our studio staff, get settled, and set up their studio spaces. Natalie will introduce some basics of design and sewing and describe the evolution of Alabama Chanin, our business model, and cottage industry today. Students will be given an opportunity to browse our fabric swatch books, which are Alabama Chanin s archives of stitches, stencils, and embroidery techniques. This will be a jumping-off point to brainstorm ideas and begin designing swatches. These basics are the foundation of the experiments and techniques that we develop throughout the week. Each afternoon will provide studio time to explore design, sewing, and techniques.

4 TUESDAY Tuesday morning, we will offer morning yoga* in addition to our continental breakfast. After yoga and breakfast, Olivia, our studio assistant, will discuss the process of making stencils that are both practical and beautiful from a design standpoint. Production manager, Steven, will assist students in creating stencils, and explain the process of producing custom colors by mixing paints. He will instruct attendees on how to use an airbrush to create their designs and demonstrate how to stencil garments using various techniques. Afternoon studio time will be devoted to exploring these techniques.

5 WEDNESDAY After the 8:00 am continental breakfast, Natalie will discuss the physics of sewing and the importance of choosing the right materials when creating your product. Students can join in a question-and-answer session with Natalie and discuss various subjects like design, materials, sustainability, creating your own business, or other relevant topics. Our studio director, Diane, will begin instruction on different sewing and beading techniques. She will cover topics such as stretchable stitches, various methods of appliqué, and different types of garment construction methods. Afternoon studio time will be an exploration of hand-sewing skills.

6 THURSDAY Thursday morning, we will again offer morning yoga* in addition to our usual continental breakfast. The day s instruction will continue with Diane and a discussion on patterns and fit. She will review how to trace patterns, cut fabric according to pattern instructions, and how to best make use of your fabric yardage when cutting out pattern pieces. She will also go over various methods for altering patterns to fit individual taste or body shape (like raising or lowering necklines or altering hem length). The afternoon will be spent cutting out garments and stenciling, using the techniques learned earlier in the week.

7 FRIDAY After the morning breakfast, students will finish any cutting or stenciling and have time for discussion and final questions. The afternoon is open for studio work or exploring local attractions. The group will meet again from 5:00 7:30 pm for an evening critique and cocktails with Natalie and our Alabama Chanin team. SATURDAY A hearty breakfast will be provided at 9:00 am and attendees will pack up their materials and check out. We have plenty of suggestions for where to picnic or find lunch. *Yoga times are subject to change based on instructor schedule.

8 We will have basic supplies like scissors, needles, and pins available for your use. If you have supplies or tools that you prefer to use, we encourage you to bring them. The attire for the Studio Week is casual. You won t be engaging in strenuous activity, but we recommend bringing clothing that is comfortable for sitting, for moving, and for yoga. Many prior workshop students have found it helpful to bring books to use as resources. We think that these are some of many books that will be useful as you experiment and brainstorm: Any or all of the Alabama Studio Books An Eye for Design by Allegra Hicks Anna Maria s Needleworks Notebook by Anna Maria Horner Elegant Stitches by Judith Baker Montano Pantone: The Twentieth Century in Color by Leatrice Eiseman Or any other books from our Reading List.

9 Below is a list of products that you should plan to bring from home [H], items that will be available for purchase [P], and items that will be available for use in the studio [S]: Alabama Studio books [H], [P], [S] Elegant Stitches book [H], [P], [S] Various cotton jersey fabrics [H], [P] Coats & Clark Button Craft thread [H], [P] Stencil paint [H], [P], [S] Stencils [H], [P], [S] Stencil felt [H], [P] X-acto knives [H], [P] Embroidery Scissors (4 or 5 inch) [H], [P], [S] Garment Scissors [H], [P] Sharpie markers [H], [P], [S] Sealable bottles for paint mixing [H], [P], [S] Spray bottles [H], [S] Sponge brushes [H], [S] Rotary cutters [H], [P], [S] Rulers (clear) [H], [P], [S]

10 The cost of the week includes 6 yards of 100% organic cotton jersey (enough for one or more garments), access to airbrush and paint, a selection of garment patterns and stencils available in our Alabama Studio book series, instruction, daily breakfast and weekday lunches, and non-alcoholic beverages. Alabama Chanin fabric and supplies can be purchased at 25% off. Our community offers many varied opportunities for exploration. We hope that you will take advantage of these offerings during some of your down time. Workshop attendees often tell us they wish there was a chance to explore some of these sites. Perhaps with the extra time provided during this week, you can visit some of these special places: The Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Tom Hendrix Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall Helen Keller Birthplace Ivy Green Fame Recording Studios We have included a community guide to help you with lodging, dining, and exploration. If you are interested in learning more about the Studio Week, please contact: workshops (at) alabamachanin.com or call Olivia at M-F from 8:00 am 5:00 pm CST.

11 WORKSHOP REFUNDS We look forward to each workshop, as it gives us an up-close and personal experience with our customers and fellow makers. Because each Alabama Chanin Workshop involves advanced preparation of materials, catering, and instruction, and because there are expenses associated with planning for each guest, we require a written cancellation request be sent at least 4 weeks prior to your workshop. Please plan thoughtfully to avoid any confusion or scheduling conflicts. If you decide to cancel your registration after the 4 week time frame, we will be happy to reschedule your enrollment for another date. If you are unable to reschedule for another workshop, Alabama Chanin is happy to offer you store credit in the amount of the workshop. Please call us at with any questions.