Natalie Chanin’s sixth book, Embroidery: Threads and Stories, is published on October 18, 2022. Natalie and our team set out on a book tour to host events, workshops, and book signings across the nation starting in the fall of 2022 and continuing into 2023.
Purchase a signed copy of Embroidery: Threads and Stories here.
Explore our full event schedule here, including upcoming events in your city and in our own community of The Shoals.
If you’ve had an itch to plan a road trip to The Shoals, explore our #Travel series on the Journal for must-see spots along the way.
We hope you’ll join us.
With gratitude, we acknowledge all who contributed to the publication of Embroidery, and those whose support over the last two decades have made this work possible:
Thank you.
The Alabama Chanin artisans and team members who have been there across time and space. Without the deep talent, ceaseless commitment, and sense of humor, this work would never have been possible. I’m grateful to one and all—past, present, and future.
All of our guests of Alabama Chanin and The School of Making who have entrusted us with their wardrobes, workshops, dinners, weekends, and thousands of adventures along the way.
Shawna Mullen, who encouraged me to proceed with this work through many complications, delays, Covid-19, and, as the great writer, teacher, and humorist Anne Lamott might whisper, some “shitty first drafts.” Editors make all the difference in the world.
Abrams, the publisher of this book and many of the most beautiful books I own in my massive and growing library. I’m grateful for accepted delays, and format changes, and that they have believed in this work across a collection of, now, six books.
Ansley Quiros, my wise, beautiful, thoughtful friend, neighbor, and fellow walker, fellow traveler, and collaborator. This book is a better read because of Ansley’s whip-smart intellect, deep understanding of the history of all things, and kind way of always telling the truth. She is a treasure.
My mother, Myra Brown, the brilliant mathematician, lover of geometry, knitter, maker, and traveler, who, during the process of writing this book, slipped into dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and, in many ways, showed me a new understanding of life. And to Jim Brown, who is by her side.
Thank you to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America—who helped me see that life, and end of life, can be lived with honesty, honor, and humor. You never understand the important work of this organization until you need the organization. Their twenty-four- hour helpline number: (866) 232-8484.
And an enormous thank-you to my Al-Anon friends and family—you helped (and are still helping) me learn how to live with honesty, honor, and humor. Keep showing up.
To Zach and Maggie Chanin, my children and my heart. It’s never easy, always full. I love you both to the moon and back again. (And again.)
And to Stella Ruth Chanin, who keeps me laughing, dreaming, designing, and making biscuits. I love you, my sweet, designing granddaughter. May all your drawings come true.
To Billy and Sherry Smith: none of this without you.
To the Kitchen Sisters, Catherine Burns, and The Moth. Thank you for listening, teaching, and giving so much.
I’m so eternally grateful to Nelly, the people of Venezuela, and all the travelers who shared my time in Los Roques and across Venezuela—and yes, grateful for birds and barracuda too.
To Tim Buie for conversations about color, design, and vocabulary—forever fascinating.
These people have touched my life in the most wonderful ways, making this work possible: Rinne Allen, Cathy Bailey, Carrie Barske-Crawford, Rosanne Cash, Chandra Cox, Erin Dailey, Goode and Brad Dethero, John T. Edge, Melanie Falick, Sissi Farassat, Lisa Fox, Barbara Frasier, Kay Gardiner, Jakob Glatz, Paul Graves, Diane Hall, Carol and Paul Jiganti, Charles Joyner, Maira Kalman, Enrico Marone-Cinzano, Birgit Mitterbauer, Angie Mosier, Bonnie Mudler, Igor Orovac, Sun Young Park, Michael Pause, Elaine and Buddy Poorman, Jennifer Rausch, Erin Reitz, Steven Smith, Gael Towey, Jess Turner, Eva Whitechapel, and Judith Winfrey.
—Natalie Chanin, October 2022
Slide 1: Cover of Embroidery: Threads and Stories from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, with fabric swatch, Tony in Black, Peacock, and Ochre, double outside reverse appliqué, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 2: Pages 6-7, Fabric swatch, Abstract in Verdant and Natural, reverse appliqué; Title page, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 3: Pages 2-3, Fabric swatch Spirals in Blue Slate, appliqué; “Embroidery” definition, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 4: Pages 70-71, Chapter 2: Creative Process; Hand-sewn label detail from the back, Gilded Gold, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 5: Pages 216-217, Fabric swatch, “Chunky Rib,” reverse appliqué with quote by Natalie Chanin; Fabric swatch, “Minis” in Mixed Grey, appliqué, photograph by Robert Rausch