Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Welcome back to the AGF Blog! Today, we dive into the art of fabric pairing in the world of textiles, where colors and textures come alive, and possibilities are endless. Discover how different fabrics complement one another, especially when blending various collections. This has become a wellspring of inspiration for sewists and quilters everywhere. 

Join me as we explore our Checkered Elements Blenders, which offer the perfect texture and pop of color. They are a classic yet trendy blender that can be used in countless ways! To inspire your creativity, I'd like to share three different ways you can incorporate this blender to cater to your style. Whether you prefer a modern, low-volume aesthetic or a more traditional look, our Houndstooth and Tweed prints are sure to bring your projects together.⁠

Here we Go!

1. Modern: Embracing the Contemporary Aesthetic

Let's begin with the modern style. We envision geometric patterns, shapes, and straight lines when we think of modernism. Sleek curves and a bold color palette are also key elements. I have chosen eight exquisite Art Gallery Fabrics that perfectly embody the modern look. Each fabric has been meticulously selected to inspire your creativity and elevate your projects to new heights. Before starting any project, it’s important to pinpoint our color scheme. I’ve incorporated teal, black, and a touch of gold, adding vibrancy and sophistication. 

Next are your main prints, Visions Woodblock and Tinted Blooms from our  Luna & Laurel collection; these larger-scaled prints bring boldness. To complement these fabrics, we have included our Checkered Elements Blenders, which are the ideal companions, creating a striking contrast and adding texture that captures the eye. 

Lastly, our PURE Solids bring balance and harmony to our group of fabrics. This curated assortment is now ready for creating unique quilts, fashion-forward garments, or edgy accessories. Let your imagination run wild as you infuse your projects with a modern flair that is bound to turn heads.

2. Low Volume: Subtle Elegance 

Low volume fabrics have gained immense popularity, particularly amongst the modern quilt movement. This style can be described as basically in subtle white, cream, neutral, or pale-colored print fabrics, often with a delicate self-colored pattern or subtle design, and they are selected to offset the much brighter color palettes. If you appreciate refined, soft, and tonal aesthetics, the low volume style is for you! I have chosen eight beautiful Art Gallery Fabrics that perfectly embody the low-volume look. I went with a warm color scheme in this fabric pull and added my main small-scaled prints: Brushed Fibers from our collection Soften the Volume, Castle Keys from the Willow Collection, and Sashiko Mending Tan from our All is Well Collection. You could use low volume prints where the effect of using a solid fabric is desired, particularly in modern quilts. 

Next are our blenders, this is where they shine! Featured blenders are Checkered Elements & Oval Elements. These blenders add sophistication and texture that magically blends together without overpowering each other.

Finally, I’ve added a touch of our PURE Solids, and Voilà! Your Low Volume Fabric selection is ready for creating dreamy quilts, soft and flowing garments, or refined home decor.

3. Traditional: Embracing Classic Charm 

The Traditional style stands the test of time, remaining beautiful year after year, making them timeless. If you're drawn to the timeless charm of traditional designs, I have curated a special fabric assortment just for you. The color scheme I've chosen embraces nostalgic hues of red and blue with a touch of gold.

Next, I wanted to go with classic florals and some geometrics for our main prints to stay with the nostalgia theme - Fabrics are Botanist’s Essay Two & French Sampler Two from Garden of Opulence. Let’s add some Checkered Elements, Oval Elements, and Floral Elements blenders to add texture and redefine this group. This fabric pull is perfect for traditional quilt projects, apparel, or crafting unique accessories. These blenders will beautifully tie your projects together.

We hope these three different approaches to using our Checkered Elements Blenders have sparked your inspiration and ignited a desire to experiment with fabric pairing. Let us know your favorite by leaving a comment below! 

To view the full collection, click here: Checkered Elements 

Let’s make the most of your fabric pulls! Unleash your creativity with these FREE Projects from our Checkered Elements Lookbook:

Flora Blocks

Checkered Pillows 

Our AGF Blog is your go-to resource for all things fabric-related, so stay tuned for more exciting tips, tutorials, and inspiration. Stay connected by following us on Instagram! Get the inside scoop on our latest AGF News and interact with fellow makers. 

Happy sewing and quilting!

Until next time, 

-Juana

Greetings to all fabric enthusiasts and aficionados! My name is Juana, and I'm thrilled to introduce myself as the newest member of the amazing AGF Team. As a fellow lover of all things fabric, I'm delighted to be a part of this wonderful community.

Having the opportunity to work with talented and kind individuals has been amazing. Access to a diverse selection of prints from the AGF warehouse will spark inspiration for a fresh selection of fabrics for your next project.
AGF has given me insight into the process of creating a collection from start to finish. Through “Auditioning Fabrics,” I’ve learned valuable tips and tricks about how fabrics can complement each other, especially when it comes to mixing various collections. When making a fabric pull, it’s important to consider color palettes, scale, blenders, and solids to achieve a perfect balance in sewing projects. I’m thrilled to introduce our new collection of Blenders, ‘Checkered Elements’ and demonstrate how to incorporate them into your fabric pull. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to create something beautiful the next time you dive into your fabric stash.

Let's Get Started!

1. Start with one collection of prints. 

Begin by selecting one print collection to guide your next steps. For this fabric pull, we will use prints from Hazelwood, featuring beautiful trendy greens and terracotta colors that complement any project. From the collection, I've chosen three prints that balance in scale.

*Featuring fabrics: Wild Flora Sunlight, Hidden Land Moss, Underwood Sprouts Pale from Hazelwood by AGF Studio

2. Select your blenders, in this case, it’s Checkered Elements. 

Next comes our favorite fabric category, BLENDERS, featuring our latest collection, Checkered Elements. These classic yet modern designs will blend effortlessly into your next sewing project. The Houndstooth and Tweed Editions come in various colors and add a textured look. When selecting the "blending" fabrics, I chose neutral and golden tones to complement the main prints. I looked for these common tones and then chose the blenders that best matched those hues.

*Featuring Fabrics: Tweed Vanilla, Tweed Saffron, Houndstooth Solar from Checkered Elements by AGF Studio

3. Add Solids to Give a Pop of Color and Balance. 

Our Pure Solids collection is the perfect way to add a pop of color and balance to your sewing projects. Adding solids can make your project more visually appealing by breaking up patterns and prints. By using a solid color that complements the main prints, you can create a balanced and cohesive look in your creation. Our solids collection offers a wide variety of hues to choose from, ensuring that you will find the perfect color to enhance your project. 

*Featuring Fabrics: Pure Solids

4. You have prepared a selection of fabrics for your next project. 

Now that you have assembled a fabric collection, it is time to let your creative juices flow and start creating something unique. You can use these steps to assemble a group of fabrics to create something beautiful and unique that will stand out from the crowd. Whether you are making a beautiful quilt, apparel, home decor items, or something else entirely, you can use these steps to make sure that your project is one of a kind. Let your creativity guide you as you take your project to the next level!

That is all I have for you today! I hope that these tips will be of great help to you as you search for fabrics to bring your creations to life. These can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your finished product, so it's important to choose them wisely. 

Let us know what you would create with this stunning fabric pull by leaving a comment below!

Until next time,

Happy sewing! 

-Juana

To borrow a phrase from Miracle on 34^th Street, “Quiltmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.” Even though we’ve already shared all the blocks from the 2022 Quiltmas Spectacular, we’re celebrating Quiltmas all month long.

Haven’t heard of Quiltmas? Twelve pattern designers come together to create 12 free quilt blocks celebrating the holiday season! Every day between December 1^st and 12^th, the Quiltmas elves delivered a new, free block pattern. Stitch up every block for a holiday celebration quilt or choose your favorite to turn into pillows or wall hangings. All you need is some fabric from your stash and some Quiltmas cheer!

This is the fourth year of the Quiltmas Spectacular, and the third year that the Elves have partnered with Art Gallery Fabrics – and it’s definitely our favorite holiday tradition! See this year’s jubilation and past years' fun by looking through the hashtag #quiltmasspectacular! I loved designing a block to celebrate all things wintery and cheerful! And I love seeing the magic that each Quiltmas Elf stitches up. Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than seeing each Elf’s holiday designs come to life. This year was the most cheerful, most colorful year since we got to work with the most charming solids from the PURE Solids collection from Art Gallery Fabrics. Picked to coordinate with the Christmas In The City holiday line, these colors are sweeter than sugar plums and brighter than my twinkle lights!

To stay in the Quiltmas frame of mind, let’s ring our jingle bells in appreciation for the 2022 Quiltmas Team!

On the first day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Christine from Tessellate Textiles brought us a festive block, Paper Packages.

On the second day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Ben from Ben Millett brought us a jolly block, Fire Glow.

On the third day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Tiffany from Village Bound Quilts brought us a joyful block, Classic Cardinal.

On the fourth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Fran from Cotton and Joy brought us a merry block, Merry Mantle.

On the fifth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Lynett from Lyns Avenue brought us a magical block, Starmental.

On the sixth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Jemima from Tied With a Ribbon brought us a dashing block, Snowflake.

On the seventh day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Shannon from Shannon Fraser Designs brought us a delightful block, Refracted Star.

On the eighth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Julie from Running Stitch Quilts brought us a sparkling block, Winter Garden.

On the ninth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Claire from Made Just Sew brought us a wintry block, Seeking Santa.

On the tenth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Amanda from Broadcloth Studio brought us a playful block, Ski Season.

On the eleventh day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Laurel from Porcupine Sews Thread brought us a cheerful block, StarBurst.

On the twelfth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Erin from Mija Handmade brought us a whimsical block, Jubilation Station.

If you’ve made one or all of the blocks, or if this is your first peek at the Quiltmas Spectacular, we hope these blocks bring you all the Quiltmas joy! If you didn’t sign up for the Quiltmas Spectacular, there’s still time! You can get all the 12 inch blocks delivered to your inbox, for FREE! Just sign up here. Make sure you sign up and download the patterns before December 31^st! That’s when we close the Quiltmas workshop for the year and take down the patterns. The 2022 Quiltmas Workshop is closed. Thanks for joining us everyone!

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED** Please reply within 7 days to claim your prize (check your email by December 28!) If we don’t receive a reply, we will have to choose another winner as we’d like to be fair with all participants, and pass the opportunity to another contestant. Thank you!
THE WINNER IS EMILY YADON! PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL TO REDEEM YOUR PRIZE!

We’re not done with Quiltmas yet! CLICK HERE for a chance to win a Fat Quarter Bundle of PURE Solids in 14 cheery colors: London Red, Flamingo, Cherry Lipgloss, Festival Fuchsia, Sweet Pink, Quartz Pink, Crystal Pink, White Linen, Raw Gold, Turmeric, Icy Mint, Mirage Blue, Secret Lagoon, and Zambia Stone. The giveaway ends on December 20th and the winner will be emailed by AGF and announced here on the blog. If you’ve already signed up for Quiltmas, you’re automatically entered in the giveaway. You can sign up again at the link above for a second chance to win!

By signing up for the Quiltmas Spectacular, you agree to subscribe to the Art Gallery Fabrics newsletter as well as the newsletters of the Quiltmas Elves. We promise not to spam you, sell your email or do anything Scrooge-like. And of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.