It is the time of year when we announce our upcoming workshop schedule, so that you can begin making travel arrangements. Last year our workshops filled up quickly—so we recommend booking your 2020 workshop space as soon as possible. As always, we offer something for sewers of every skill level, from novice to expert. And this year, we are presenting a new option, an Individual Stenciling Workshop Day at The Factory.
Intro to Hand-Sewing Workshop
March 13, 2020
August 14, 2020
The Intro to Hand-Sewing Workshop is the perfect introduction to sewing, and it makes a great gift for a loved one (or yourself). During this workshop, you’ll learn the physics of sewing, reverse appliqué, and an overview of garment construction and other techniques from The School of Making. Work with our team to create a hand-sewn project from a selection of our most popular kits. Join us in The Factory Café for lunch immediately following the workshop and stay for a free, guided tour of our design and production studios as well as our Building 14 production facility.
Three-Day Workshop
May 21 – 23, 2020
November 5 – 7, 2020
Our popular Classic Weekend Workshop opens our studio doors at The Factory in Florence, Alabama, and allows participants to work with Natalie, our in-house team, a selection of our most loved DIY garment patterns, and our extensive DIY stencil library. Participants create a customized, hand-sewn garment or project of their choice from The School of Making Book Series. We offer a range of options that can be tailored to any skill level. The three-day schedule also includes a Swampette tour of the Shoals music scene, history of Alabama Chanin, and a studio tour.
Classic Studio Week
June 1 – 5, 2020
This week-long event invites participants into The School of Making’s expanded studio for a total immersion into our philosophies, methods, materials, and products.
Pattern Making Weeklong Workshop
June 15 – 19, 2020
We’re reintroducing our popular Pattern Making Weeklong Workshop that highlights Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns and focuses on taking measurements, creating a customized sloper using our T-shirt pattern, making alterations to existing The School of Making patterns, and reviewing how to create and grade garment patterns for cotton jersey. The Physics of Sewing and The School of Making construction lessons help students understand best practices when working with cotton jersey and with The School of Making hand-embroidery techniques. Grading tools and tagboard are available for purchase. Pair this workshop with the weeklong Classic Studio Week for our most comprehensive experience.
One-Day Embroidery Workshop
October 9, 2020
Our Embroidery Workshop includes discussion of the physics of sewing, embroidery stitches, and an overview of garment construction and other sewing techniques. The kit selections will focus on variegated striped kits that focus on exploring various embroidery techniques. Participants will learn to use the die-cut grids in The Geometry of Hand-Sewing to practice and develop your embroideries. These reusable cards can be stitched through for practicing or used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric.
Individual Stenciling Day
Choose your own Date
This workshop explores our unique stenciling process, from beginning to end. Participants will work one-one-one with our stenciling team and get hands-on experience in our methods and materials, including the airbrush gun, textile paint, and mylar stencils. They will be able to stencil their own projects and have full use of our stenciling area and supplies.
Individual Studio Day
Choose your own Date
Spend the day designing with and learning from the Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams at The Factory at your own personal workshop, which can be tailored to your interests. Choose your own date and receive one-on-one instruction.
View our updated workshop schedule here and please feel free to contact us at workshops@alabamachanin.com or call 256-760-1090 with any questions.