Sonia Beaded Scarf: Virtual Workshop with Natalie Chanin

You are purchasing the video recording of a live virtual workshop with Natalie Chanin. Your order confirmation email will include a PDF download with a link to the recording and other information, including a handout from The School of Making.  Important: To get the most out of this workshop, you will need a Sonia Scarf kit from The School of Making. The kit is not included with this recorded workshop. Finished dimensions of the Sonia Scarf: The width is approximately 32 inches on the long top edge; length from top edge to point at center front is approximately 16 inches. In this class, we’ll be making the Sonia Scarf, a bead-embellished design that Natalie developed especially for MDK, using The School of Making’s Sonia stencil. What We’ll Learn In this three-hour virtual workshop on Zoom, we will be making a foray into beaded embellishments, a signature of Natalie Chanin’s designs for Alabama Chanin and The School of Making. Everybody wants to learn the beads—so we’re doing the beads!  Our hands-on project will be an approachable and exquisite accessory: the Sonia Scarf, designed by Natalie exclusively for this workshop. The Sonia Scarf is tailor-made to teach fundamental beading techniques used by Alabama Chanin artisans. You will learn how to do Natalie’s style of beading, and apply your new skills to create an accessory that will instantly lift your spirits and any outfit. In addition, we’ll learn the ins and outs of  backstitch reverse appliqué, the embroidery technique used for Sonia Scarf and a defining element of Natalie’s clothing designs. We’ll learn the zero-waste version of this technique,  in which individual stencil motifs are backed with small cuts of fabric. After backstitching around the motif, the top layer is cut away, revealing the color beneath. This technique not only spares materials—it gives lightness and drape to the finished scarf. This workshop is meant for sewists who are comfortable with hand-stitching in the Alabama Chanin style. Although some fundamentals are addressed as we go, Natalie will not cover in detail beginner lessons such as needle-threading, loving the thread, etc. You are purchasing the video recording of the workshop only. Your purchase does not include the kit. We are showing the kit here for information purposes only. If you order or already have purchased your kit from The School of Making, it includes these essentials for the workshop: Sonia Scarf precut from hand-painted and stenciled organic cotton jersey Cuts of organic cotton jersey in Peacock, Verdant, and Wax for reverse appliqué 1 Spool of Embroidery Floss in Navy 2 Spools of  Button Craft Thread in Navy and Dogwood The fabulous new MDK Disco Ball bead mix Needle Sampler (Sewing, Embroidery, and Beading Needles) A label from The School of Making plus a practice swatch of stenciled jersey The only thing you need to bring: a pair of small, sharp scissors and a pincushion or thimble if desired. Our Workshop Leader Natalie Chanin is the founder and creative director of Alabama Chanin. External Link. Opens in new window., a clothing company based in her home town of Florence, Alabama, along with its related companies, The School of Making and Project Threadways. In a move that astonished the fashion design world, Natalie open-sourced the company’s handmade couture in a series of landmark books: Alabama Stitch Book. External Link. Opens in new window., Alabama Studio Style. External Link. Opens in new window., Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. External Link. Opens in new window., and Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns.. External Link. Opens in new window. When paired with The School of Making’s DIY kits or your own materials, these books enable home stitchers to create a stunning, sturdy, and sustainable wardrobe—every stitch by hand. At the company’s Factory in Florence, Alabama, and around the world, Natalie leads workshops where she teaches techniques, tells stories, and makes people fall in love with hand sewing. Natalie’s latest beautiful book is Embroidery: Threads and Stories. To hear Natalie’s story in her own words, we recommend this beautiful video portrait by Gael Towey.. External Link. Opens in new window.. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Is this class suitable for beginning stitchers?  While the skills taught are approachable to those with the basics in hand, this workshop is not for absolute beginners. It’s perfect for those who have taken one of our previous School of Making workshops with Natalie, or other introductory School of Making classes. If you have some embroidery or hand-sewing experience, this workshop will be fine for you. Can I take the class without the kit? We do not recommend taking this class without the kit. That said, if you’re adventurous and already familiar with the materials needed for projects from The School of Making, it’s an excellent class about beading and backstitch reverse appliqué. How do I get the link to the recording?  Your order confirmation email will include a PDF d0wnload with the link to the recording.  How should I get ready for the workshop? Gather the things you’ll need: your kit and scissors. Any small, sharp scissors will work fine.  What’s the format? With Natalie’s instruction and an overhead camera focused on her hands, we’ll learn the techniques used on the Sonia Scarf.  How long is the recording available?  The recording will  be available to you indefinitely; we won’t take it down. However, life and the internet are uncertain so we encourage you to watch the class soon.