MEMORABLE PIECES

Styles constantly evolve, as does the standout clothing in Julie Maeseele’s collection. Each of the garments hanging in her studio is stunning, but some have especially caught her eye recently.

One of Julie’s favorite pieces she’s worked on is a zero-waste crop top made with surplus waffle knit cotton from Alabama Chanin. The handmade, relaxed-fit tops come in a variety of patterns and are the perfect statement piece for any occasion.

“Every top is different like a piece of abstract art,” Julie says. She also has a series of unique corsets for the spring and summer that can be worn as a top or layered with a T-shirt. Some of them have custom embroidery details to really set them apart and tie into her love for Western wear.

Her bestselling item has been the linen pant suit, which comes in black or white with piping details. Customers can find the pattern for those pants on her workshop page, along with an online sewing course on how to create the garment. She also offers in-person sewing classes at her studio to create pieces like linen joggers, which participates can take home with them.

the wall.

Inspired by European minimalism and vintage Western wear, Julie says she’s always been interested in the timeless—yet modern—style of Western shirts with a lot of piping details. From classic Western shirts to scarves and cropped fringe jackets, her garments have a distinct style.

Each piece is hand-cut and machine-sewn, seamlessly combining old and new techniques with a contemporary attitude, she says.

“Garments can be seen as ‘soft sculptures,’ and they should be fascinating to look at,” Julie says.

This mom of three crafts pieces for women with clean lines and bold designs—perfect for a range of occasions. She uses surplus fabric and recycled materials for her garments, aiming to reduce the amount of waste to create sustainable pieces that will last for years to come.

The one-woman show occasionally works with freelance artists for collaborations and branding. Each piece has “Made in Alabama” on the tag, along with the name of the person who sewed the piece.

“I chose to serve my community but also have made garments for people all over the country,” she says.

Customers can buy one-of-a-kind or limited-edition garments off of the rack. They can get an existing style custom-made for them by choosing a different fabric, adjusting the size or other minor details, Julie says.

“Once they have found a style they like, they usually come back for another version of it,” she says.

Whether she’s dreaming up a new design or sitting at the sewing machine in her home studio, Julie pours her creativity, experiences and skills into each thoughtful garment.

“Fashion has the power to communicate heritage, culture and history, and it is an important tool to express our interests, morals and beliefs to one another,” Julie says. “I think that fashion is incredibly fascinating.”

To view and shop her clothing, workshops or to learn more about her story, visit juliemaeseele.com. Julie’s garments can also be found at A Basic Shop in downtown Birmingham.