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April 28, 2026
A BETTER WAY TO MAKE CLOTHING

"This is the work of many hands."
— Natalie Chanin
 
With access to rapidly-produced goods at our fingertips, the domestic arts are becoming lost in the hustle, and fashion is becoming disposable.
 
We're offering a different way.
 
Alabama Chanin believes in slow, thoughtful design that uses sustainable materials and hand-craft to create garments unparalleled in both beauty and quality.
 
Read more about our organic fabric, supply chain, and artisan process below. To hear from artisans firsthand, watch our short videos featuring Luda and Corey from the production team. Explore the Collection.

 

Organic cotton is grown using natural biological cycles and without harmful chemicals that can negatively affect wildlife and people. It accounts for roughly 1-2% of cotton worldwide, with only a fraction of production occurring in the United States. Since 2004, we’ve partnered with the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (a USDA- and GOTS-certified collective) to create our signature jersey and waffle fabrics.
 
From Texas, where the cotton is also ginned, it goes to North Carolina to be spun into yarn. Then it’s on to South Carolina for knitting, where it’s received by a fourth-generation, family-owned company that’s been in operation since 1938. The fabric is dyed in South Carolina, as well, using cold-process, environmentally-friendly dyes. The finished fabric then arrives at The Factory.
 
Garments begin to take shape in our cutting department, where each piece is cut by hand using in-house patterns. If a design calls for it, pieces are hand-painted with custom stencils before moving on to sewing. Hand-sewn styles are sent out with local artisans, while machine-sewn styles go to the sewing department. Once assembled, each piece is washed, carefully inspected, and shipped.
 
Every step takes place in the U.S., with people and planet at the forefront.

Pieces in the Collection are crafted from 100% organic cotton by artisans at The Factory and around northwest Alabama. Every garment is made to order, a lean-method manufacturing approach that reduces waste and honors artisan craftsmanship.

Shop ready-to-ship garments from our partners at Santa Fe Dry Goods.
 
Experience the Collection in person at The Factory in Florence and at 2202 Community Studio in Birmingham. Email studio@projectthreadways.org to reserve an appointment.
 
Explore more made-to-order styles and hand-crafted fabrics in Collection #72 and Organic Core Essentials. 
IN THE PHOTOS
 
Top: (clockwise from top left) fabric swatch featuring the Perianth design in backstitch negative reverse appliqué from Collection 72; artisan Iona Gonsalves paints fabric yardage; spools of cotton yarn await shipment at Hill Spinning in North Carolina; organic cotton bolls in West Texas; Katie wears the Quartz Dress; collection styles and swatches on a board in the design studio; Luda Matmuratova sews a garment by hand; a “Made in the USA” stamp from Alabama Chanin’s early days; a farmer surveys an organic cotton field in Texas; cutting a made-to-order garment by hand; Katie and Gracie wear the Palmer Jacket, Orson Pant, Martens Skirt, and Heron Top; fabric swatch featuring the Fields design in assorted appliqué from Collection 72.
 
Center: fabric swatch featuring the Fields design with beading and embroidery from Collection 72.
 
Bottom: a member of the production team lays out pattern pieces in the cutting department.
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