Happy last day of September!
Since it was "National Sewing Month," we decided to launch a sewing challenge using our Pure Solids fabrics. All that was required for this challenge was to create something whether it be a quilt, wall hanging, table runner, etc..as long as it involved our Pure Solids, that's all that mattered! The main idea was just to have fun and get creative. 
After seeing some amazing projects submitted by makers, we felt one really stood out...so without further ado, here's our WINNER for our #AGFPureSolids challenge - Lacey Poirier!
While scrolling on Instagram, we came across her scrumptious berry-inspired project she made using the colors "Apricot Crepe, Dark Citron, Ruby, and Caviar." We loved it so much and how she even took the time to style real strawberries in the photo, we just had to make Lacey our winner! We also did fun, little Q + A with her as well.
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Congratulations on winning our #AGFPureSolids challenge, Lacey! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into sewing?
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the #AGFPureSolids challenge! First and foremost, I am a mom to one beautiful little girl who inspires much of my fabric selection and sewing style! I’m also a full-time nurse in a critical access hospital in rural Montana, which allows me to serve others – a genuine dream come true.
Six years ago at 25, I was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disorder. I realized that a major “trigger” for a flare-up, for me personally, was any excessive sun exposure. My mother, a nurse herself, realized before I did that to stay physically healthy and emotionally well, I needed to find hobbies and interests that could be done indoors. Being a sewist herself, she bought me my first “real” sewing machine, my beloved Bernina. The rest is history! I fell in love with discovering quilt patterns, putting together fabric choices and colors, and watching projects come to life. I watched video tutorials, explored internet sites, and then found Instagram – which has provided a wealth of inspiration.
Tell us about your Pure Solids project and why you decided to make it? Which Pure Solids did you use for it?
This Pure Solids project was a true challenge! I had just finished up doing an amazing quilt project utilizing Alexandra Bordallo’s (@alextilalila) debut Art Gallery fabric line called ‘Dew and Moss’ – a gnome quilt based on the pattern ‘Norm and Nanette’ by Elizabeth Hartman. The Pure Solids scraps that I had left from that project included: Apricot Crepe, Dark Citron, Ruby, and Caviar. I specifically decided not to order any additional colors to see what I could come up with. As I was scrolling through Instagram for inspiration, I came across Wendy’s account (@the.weekendquilter) which spotlighted a new, free pattern she created titled ‘Nature’s Window Quilt’. The wheels started turning, and out came this cute table topper utilizing two of her blocks – creating an ‘abstract’ strawberry appearance.
Describe your design style in three words.
Whimsical, vibrant, and cheerful.
What's your favorite thing to sew?
My favorite thing to sew is quilts, hands down...but more specifically, I truly enjoy doing quilt-a-longs and/or sew-a-longs with oodles of talented individuals on Instagram curate! I find that having weekly deadlines (and of course, fabulous prize opportunities) keep me on the path to finishing projects, rather than collecting more UFOs. My last quilt-a-long finish was in coordination with Elizabeth Chappell (@quilters_candy), who happens to be an Art Gallery Fabric Sewcialite and superb pattern designer.
Do you often gravitate towards certain colors for your sewing projects?
I don’t feel I gravitate towards certain colors, per se. I do allow my daughter to be a big part of the fabric showcasing process. As a child, she has such a great imagination. I try to play on that as much as I can. She loves watching the quilting process too!
Name 5 things that inspire you.
My daughter, home décor magazines, Pinterest walls, Instagram designers, and stumbled-upon fabrics and/or upcoming featured collections. I have some Maureen Cracknell's (@maureencracknell) ‘Enchanted Voyage’ fabric ideas rolling through my head as I type this!
What's next on your sewing to-do list?
As I mentioned, I do love a good quilt-a-long, so I have several of those going on at the moment! Being able to flip between projects keeps me from feeling “quilt-fatigued."
Best sewing advice you've ever received?
The best sewing advice I’ve ever received is to enjoy the process. This coordinates with the prior answer, as well. If you start to drift from feeling joy on one project, set it aside and work on something else. Inevitably, I always reach back for it with a fresh perspective. I try to avoid the feeling of “just get it done," as that’s when I begin making mistakes and feel underwhelmed with the finished project.
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A big thank you to Lacey and to everyone else who participated in this challenge! All of us at AGF always love learning about our makers and are always so inspired to see what they create with our fabrics. :)
Keep creating.
Feeling Grateful: Kushukuru Collection