Alabama love.

 

 

EDITED:  Please note this blog has moved.  Find more creative inspiration at www.ginasekelsky.com/blog.

 

I think of this as my "winter olympics" skirt...although I started it in January, I was able to stitch up quite a bit of the reverse applique while watching the competition (er, listening to the competition).  As luck (or fate?) would have it, I stumbled on an online contest for Alabama Chanin - inspired projects on burdastyle.  Grand prize is a trip to Natalie Chanin's "factory" in Alabama for a weekend workshop.  SWOON.  Pretty please take a peek!  Also check out the awesome handbag, the beret, and the golden yellow dress.  Win or lose, I'm inspired.  Note the contest only runs through Tuesday, March 2nd.

 I started by freehand painting the quote:

Then I stitched around the letters by hand.

I ran out of black buttonhole thread about 2/3 of the way through, but adhered to my cliched motto of "necessity is the mother of invention" by switching to the dark grey thread I had on hand.  Turns out I loved the look, but the thread itself was a nightmare.  So I eventually switched back to black.  And I love that too.

 
Before constructing the skirt (also by hand), I trimmed out the center of each letter, revealing the black jersey underneath.  I get an inordinate amount of pleasure from the slow, thoughtful steps in the process.

March will be a month of quotations...possibly starting with the one on my skirt. 

EDIT:  After I won the contest, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Natalie Chanin, and you can read the interview here.

Comments

[Angie F]

LOVE your skirt! WOW!!

[chel]

This is SO amazing. WOW. I adore this so much I can't been begin to describe it!

[Leigh]

LOVE this!

[chel]

BTW- here's a direct link to Gina's entry so you can vote, like I did. I did look at them all and honestly, this skirt is such an amazing, personal twist on the design concept.

http://www.burdastyle.com/albums/143/images?page=24&size=small

[jen]

WOW ... that is incredible! Your patience alone (never mind your creativity, handwriting, and everything else) is an amazing gift!

[catherine s.]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this skirt. I am already a fan of your handwriting...you've just made me an uber fan. Nicely done! I hope you win :)

[Rachel]

oh WOW! This is so beautiful! Amazing job. I saw this on 30days and totally zoned out staring at it.

[Anne]

this skirt is FABULOUS!!! I'd love to feature it out on Craft Gossip Sewing with a link back to your blog. Would it be okay for me to use a photo? --Anne

[Korie B.]

Oh my good gravy, that's breathtaking!

[Lori C]

Wonderful idea and skirt! You got my vote! Thanks for the link!I guess I might have to actually learn to sew.....

[Kristin]

beautiful!

[Deann]

wow! I absolutely love this skirt! Beautiful work

[Chanda]

Sooooo fantastic. BRAVO!

[Laura]

Great job on the skirt! I was also really struck by your shirt--do you remember where you got it?

[Melissa]

This is absolutely breath taking. I love it!!!! So many ideas!!

[molly]

man, alabama chanin is in the air right now! but your skirt is by far the most outstanding thing i've seen! love love love. i'm completely inspired.

[joi (stereoette)]

my mind = totally blown. i so absolutely love this!!!

[Emily]

How unique and beautiful!!! Did you just use fabric paint?

[Rachel]

AMAZING skirt! I'm sure it took you forever to complete. Good work!

[sally]

*sigh* you are my hero!!! I'll be stalking your blog big time!! thanks for all of the inspiration!!

[cloth.paper.string]

congratulations on a fantastic and inspiring project, and too, on winner the trip to the factory!!

[Denise]

WOW!!! THat is just absolutely stunning and cool and awesome and inspiring!!
Did you use an embroidery hoop as you stitched? I might experiment with this once my current knitting project is done.. the possibilities are endless! WOW!

[Regina]

Stunning skirt! So glad you won!! Congrats!

[Elizabeth]

I love this. Congrats!!!

[jess]

Great Skirt!
I saw you on the Treadle Flickr group and I am definitely a fan!