Daytripping: Columbia & Florence & the Alabama Chanin Workshop

Hey, y'all! :)

Today, my mom and I embarked on an adventure. It involved waking up at 6:15 in the morning, before the sun even rose, and later involved a Pumpkin Spice latte and starting a sewing project in another state.

This is the story of that day trip. And these are some Instagrams from Mom and I.

Part 1: Columbia

The reason why Mom and I got up so early was so that we would have the time to try out a coffee place we'd never visited before. It's called Muletown, and it's a really fun little coffee shop. If you're in the area, I recommend stopping by here for a latte and a blueberry muffin. Plus, it's across the street from the Puckett's down there!

Part 2: The Alabama Chanin Workshop @ Florence

After we stopped by Muletown, we drove the next hour and twenty minutes all the way to Florence, Alabama to the Alabama Chanin studio. It's a beautiful drive from Middle Tennessee across the Alabama state line.

Once we got to the studio, we got to learn - from Natalie Chanin,  the founder and seamstress behind the studio and great handmade clothes - how to sew "reverse applique" style, where you sew outside a pre-painted guide into two layers of fabric, then cut a hole in the top layer to reveal the fabric underneath. Alabama Chanin clothes are very well known (in fact, Rosanne Cash loves her pieces!).

We learned the sewing techniques to get us started on our respective kits/projects (I started on an infinity scarf, and Mom got a t-shirt kit), and then, it was time for an amazing lunch. The Alabama Chanin studio also doubles as a restaurant, and I had the best fried bologna sandwich with habanero chips. 

Oh, and beverages were served in mason jars. I drank sweet tea out of mine. Yes, I am from the South. ;)

And then Mom and I sang along and air-guitared to Green Day and Journey all the way home. :) Great memories all around.

Mom, Natalie Chanin, and I

I hope y'all enjoyed reading about this little adventure! :)