The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making (Alabama Studio)

As makers, we tend to learn different stitches over time without thinking much about how they relate to one another. But when Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams began to look at needlework closely, they realized all stitches are based on geometric grid systems?and by using grids as guides, they could make learning stitches, even seemingly elaborate ones, as easy as child's play. ? In The Geometry of Hand-Sewing Chanin presents their breakthrough method, featuring illustrated instructions (for both right- and left-handed stitchers) for more than 100 stitches?from the most basic straight and chain to the more fanciful feather and herringbone; photos of both right and wrong sides; and guidelines for modifying stitches to increase one's repertoire further. To simplify learning, the book also offers downloads for two stitching cards with the grids on which every stitch in the book is based. These printable cards can be used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric In The Geometry of Hand-Sewing , Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams present their breakthrough method, featuring illustrated instructions (for both right- and left-handed stitchers) for more than 100 stitches. Their lessons range from the most basic straight and chain to the more fanciful feather and herringbone; photos of both right and wrong sides; and guidelines for modifying stitches to further increase ones repertoire. As makers, we tend to learn different stitches over time without thinking much about how they relate to one another. But when Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams began to look at needlework closely, they realized all stitches are based on geometric grid systemsand by using grids as guides, they could make learning stitches, even seemingly elaborate ones, as easy as childs play. Chapters There is also an Index of Design Choices and a Stitch Index. To simplify learning, the book includes two plastic stitching cards die-cut with the grids on which every stitch in the book is based. These reusable cards can be stitched through for practicing (just as children use lacing cards to learn to tie shoes) or used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric. Chanin writes in her introduction, The art of making can change your life, help you become a more informed consumer, and aid you in passing on important knowledge to the next generation. I know that I am my best self when I am making and sharing. I hope the lessons in this book will instill you with confidence, deepen your love for the arts of hand sewing and embroidery, and inspire you to share your love of making with others. This sewing guide reveals a breakthrough method to simplify learning stitches of all kinds, with more than 100 stitches from the simple to the fanciful. As makers, we tend to learn different stitches over time without thinking much about how they relate to one another. But when Natalie Chanin and her teams at Alabama Chanin and The School of Making began to look at needlework closely, they realized all stitches are based on geometric grid systems. They also discovered that learning new stitches—even elaborate ones—became simple and easy when using grids as guides. In The Geometry of Hand-Sewing Chanin presents their breakthrough method, featuring illustrated instructions (for both right- and left-handed stitchers) for more than 100 stitches—from the basic straight and chain to complex feather and herringbone. Photos of both right and wrong sides are included, as well as guidelines for modifying stitches to increase one’s repertoire further. The book also offers downloads for two stitching cards with the grids on which every stitch in the book is based. These printable cards can be used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric. As makers, we tend to learn different stitches over time without thinking much about how they relate to one another. But when Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams began to look at needlework closely, they realized all stitches are based on geometric grid systems--and by using grids as guides, they could make learning stitches, even seemingly elaborate ones, as easy as child's play. In The Geometry of Hand-Sewing, Chanin presents their breakthrough method, featuring illustrated instructions (for both right- and left-handed stitchers) for more than 100 stitches--from the most basic straight and chain to the more fanciful feather and herringbone; photos of both right and wrong sides; and guidelines for modifying stitches to increase one's repertoire further. To simplify learning, the book also includes two plastic stitching cards die-cut with the grids on which every stitch in the book is based. These reusable cards can be stitched through for practicing (just as children use lacing cards to learn to tie shoes) or used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric. As Makers, We Tend To Learn Different Stitches Over Time Without Thinking Much About How They Relate To One Another. But When Natalie Chanin And Her Alabama Chanin And The School Of Making Teams Began To Look At Needlework Closely, They Realized All Stitches Are Based On Geometric Grid Systems--and By Using Grids As Guides, They Could Make Learning Stitches, Even Seemingly Elaborate Ones, As Easy As Child's Play. In The Geometry Of Hand-sewing Chanin Presents Their Breakthrough Method, Featuring Illustrated Instructions (for Both Right- And Left-handed Stitchers) For More Than 100 Stitches--from The Most Basic Straight And Chain To The More Fanciful Feather And Herringbone; Photos Of Both Right And Wrong Sides; And Guidelines For Modifying Stitches To Increase One's Repertoire Further. To Simplify Learning, The Book Also Includes Two Plastic Stitching Cards Die-cut With The Grids On Which Every Stitch In The Book Is Based. These Reusable Cards Can Be Stitched Through For Practice (just As Children Use Lacing Cards To Learn To Tie Shoes) Or Used As Stencils For Transferring Grids To Fabric. An empowering guide to the art of embroidery and hand stitching the Alabama Chanin way, from sewing powerhouse Natalie Chanin