Thursday, August 11, 2011
Alabama Chanin’s Textile Techniques
You can learn more about Alabama Chanin's fascinating fabric techniques in her book, Alabama Stitch Book. There is a lot that we knitters can learn from her.
The Alabama Stitch Book is a very detailed explanation of how Alabama Chanin works her fabrics, from the initial stage of choosing them to the final finishing touches.
Her basic approach is to take a cotton jersey fabric (a cotton T-shirt, in fact) and begin to cut it into shapes for the construction of the garment. Then she takes the individual pieces and cuts shapes within the surface of the fabric itself. The shapes are taken from a series of stencils that she has made.
She has developed a technique called "reverse applique" where the applied shape is inserted below the fabric, giving definition to the cut-out shape above it. The stitching that is done is very simple: a running stitch with the knots showing on the outside.
It can then be adapted for use in all kinds of clothing, like shirts, jackets, even dresses and skirts.
I can see this approach working together with openwork in knitting--lace stitches with large double yarn overs laid over a solid, stockinette fabric underneath.
Or individual knitted shapes applied to the surface of a knitted fabric. It could be a new take on intarsia knitting. Lots of colourwork interest without the hassle of simultaneously manipulating different colours of yarn.
The possibilities for texturing and layering are endless.
Thank you, Alabama!
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