Alabama Studio sewing patterns A guide to customizing a hand-stitched Alabama Chanin wardrobe

Chanin's (Alabama Studio Style) latest focuses on helping sewists alter and customize her patterns for better fit or to make their dream garments. The author includes helpful information about how to measure one's body accurately, how to adapt a commercial pattern to create Alabama Chanin-style garments, and how to find a bra that fits well, which will make home-sewn garments look and fit better. She includes directions for altering a garment's waistline, using and moving darts, creating a fuller sweep in a skirt, raising or lowering a neckline, and changing the shape of the sleeves, among others. A chapter on technique and embellishment is clearly illustrated and will be useful to anyone interested in exploring Chanin's style of embroidery or garment construction. The included CD contains all of the patterns from her earlier books as well as three new ones. Unfortunately, the files are only available as oversized PDFs that must be printed professionally on large-format printers. -VERDICT The information contained here will be welcomed with open arms by Chanin's many fans. Unfortunately, not being able to print the patterns at home or at the library will be an impediment to their use for many people.-Stephanie Klose, Library Journal © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.