In 2017, The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making publishes as a comprehensive guide to hand-stitching and embroidery. Sharing what Natalie has learned through experience and has taught to hundreds of artisans and workshop guests over the years, the book focuses on the stitches themselves rather than projects or garments. It examines over 100 embroidery stitches in seven grid structures, using different geometric systems to present a breakthrough method for learning and preserving embroidery stitches. 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 or used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric.
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Slide 1: Cretan stitch sample swatches from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, 2017, photograph by Abraham Rowe
Slide 2: Assorted stitch sample swatches featured in The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, 2017, photograph by Rinne Allen
Slide 3: Variations on the Herringbone stitch from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, 2017, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 4: Variations on the Algerian Eye stitch from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin with illustrations by Sun Young Park, 2017, photograph by Abraham Rowe
Slide 5: An exploration in shaped stitches from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin with illustrations by Sun Young Park, 2017, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 6: Assorted stitches from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, 2017, photograph by Robert Rausch; Essential notions, tools, and techniques from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making, photograph by Abraham Rowe (shop maker supplies, tools, and notions from The School of Making here)
Slide 7: Variegated Stripe fabric swatch with beading, appliqué, and embroidery and stencil artwork from The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, 2017, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 8: Cover of The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, 2017, photograph by Abraham Rowe
Slide 9: Title page of The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making by Natalie Chanin, 2017, photograph by Abraham Rowe
Slide 10: Title page design development, The Factory, 2016, photograph by Rinne Allen