Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hi Makers,

In every blog post that I share a collection with you all, I always encourage people to tag their makes on Instagram with us so we can see it! There is nothing more exciting for us than to see all you talented people create beautiful things with our fabrics. And how can we not share the love?! We dedicate our Mondays to shine a spotlight on those that tag their makes on Instagram using the hashtag #AGFMakerMonday so we can see them and we couldn’t be more grateful for everyone that participates. Not only do you inspire us, but you also inspire everyone in the sewing community! 

With that, I’m thrilled to introduce our first AGF MAKER SPOTLIGHT feature to you, “Elizabeth Bolten”! She is an incredible quilter that keeps pushing the boundaries of modern quilting, and we can’t help to be swooned by the AGF quilts she has shared with us. It’s been a pleasure getting to know the person behind these photos, and I can’t wait for all of you to get to know her a little better and hear her story! 

#rebachristinequilt (Pattern by Elizabeth Bolten) featuring Pacha & Kismet fabric collection and PURE Solids.

#rhythmquilt (Pattern by Brittany from Lo & Behold Stitchery) featuring Sirena fabric collection + PURE Solids.

#nightingalequilt (Pattern by Brittany from Lo & Behold Stitchery) featuring Serenity Fusion & Earthen fabric collection with Decostitch Elements and PURE Solids.

#rebachristinequilt (Pattern by Elizabeth Bolten) featuring Homebody fabric collection and PURE Solids.

#solarflarequilt (Pattern by Amber from Alderwood Studio) featuring PURE Solids and Observer fabric collection.

Hi Elizabeth! Congratulations on being our first "AGF Maker Spotlight" feature! Can you please tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into quilting? 

Thanks so much for having me, it’s an honor! Oh gosh, I grew up with a grandma who was an avid seamstress/quilter her entire life who passed that onto me, and a mom who is an artist. Creativity has always been encouraged and nurtured in our family. I inhaled every art class and medium as a kid/teen and that continued into college. I’m (quite a bit) older now and that still hasn’t changed though I have settled into quilting on a daily basis. I love designing projects and then seeing them come to life. Having a creative outlet is so important. 

What are you inspired by?

Every form of Art. Nature. My kids & husband. The unexpected. Life. I’m so glad we live in the digital age where it’s so easy to capture ideas the moment they happen, take photos of what inspires us, communicate, and create in real-time. It’s amazing to think how difficult it must have been before technology when everything wasn’t truly at our fingertips.

Describe your design style in three words. 

This is a hard one. Hmmm...  Artful. Timeless. Innovative.

Why sew with Art Gallery Fabrics? 

I love this question because I’m smitten. I started out using fabrics from all of the manufacturers, there are just so many to choose from you know? After making several projects I quickly realized AGF stood out from the rest. AGF is so consistent with unique, elegant, and artistic designs, I think that is what first caught my attention. And then... you really can feel the difference and that MATTERS. Every project we make with fabric we touch, use, hold, snuggle up with, so yes that super soft OEKO-TEX certified poplin cotton? It matters! AGF does not fray and this is such a big one for me. The first time I made a quilt top using only AGF I stood there, looking at the back of it dumbfounded, there was literally no-fray! That was the first time I’d experienced that, usually I'd have to trim the "hairs'' on my quilt tops and I don’t miss that at all. I can use all of AGF’s dark colors with confidence that they will not bleed. I used their PURE Solids in “Candied Cherry '' as a background last fall and so many people DM'd me really concerned about my quilt bleeding... I was reassuring everyone for weeks! But I get it, red, dark colors, they bleed with most manufacturers so it can be scary to trust that they won’t. I even tested it once, putting Candied Cherry in scalding water, then got sidetracked and forgot all about it... all day. I came back to it in the evening and the water was still clear. AGF also doesn’t shrink, having experienced how much shrinkage happens with some manufacturers, I’m always happy to know that AGF fabrics don’t and that means my projects stay the size they are meant to be without me having to prewash. AGF PURE Solids are vivid, beautiful hues, shades, and tints... they absolutely sing in projects. Last summer, I started using AGF exclusively for all of these reasons, it’s hard to use anything else now. Since switching to and carrying AGF in our shop I have had the pleasure of connecting with many of the AGF crew who are always amazing to work with, and that is the icing on one very delicious cake. 

How do you stay motivated with your sewing projects?

 I plan out every project before I begin, sometimes in my head, sometimes on "paper", from start to finish. What design elements I’m after, what palette of colors, prints, and textures will best bring the idea to life, what the pattern should look like, if its a quilt what FMQ or panto design will best speak to the overall aesthetic, where the finished quilt should be photographed, and the meaning/feeling I’d like it to evoke. I keep making revisions until I’m level 10 excited about it, then I can't wait to get started and that energy stays until it’s complete. I’ve learned not to start anything that I’m not level 10 about because those... well, they never get finished! 

Any words of advice to those new to quilting or who are interested in starting? 

Best advice: 1. Learn the basics but don’t ever feel like there is only one right way to something. The right way is whatever way works best for YOU and that is different for each of us. It’s ok if what/how you do things is different than others. Honestly, in a social media world where there is so much sameness, it’s better. Lean into YOU and enjoy every moment without worry that you aren’t doing it right. You are. 2. Enjoy the process of learning and keep pushing your boundaries every time you start to get comfortable. 3. Know what inspires you and create from that place. Try not to get pulled into the influence of what is trending (it’s hard!). This community needs your unique perspective, and creativity can’t thrive when following. 

What’s next on your sewing list? 

Ahhh...  I mean, what isn’t?! I have new design ideas spilling out for all of these new collections AND I equally love playing with the AGF book of existing prints. It really is the very best playground! 

5 things you can’t live without. 

Family. Daily creative time. Being outdoors/traveling/camping. Differing perspectives. Plants. COFFEE. Good food. That is more than 5, isn’t it... 

Where can other makers find your work? 

IG: @elizabethboltenstudio  

Web: elizabethboltenstudio.com  

Come hang out!

Thank you so much Elizabeth for allowing us to share your story and your beautiful makes! Please show some love in the comments below and make sure you follow her on Instagram for more quilty goodness. To everyone who has been posting under the hashtag, THANK YOU!

Until next time,

Happy sewing!

-Jannelle  

Entering the year with a new attitude and ready to tackle any challenges that come our way! Welcome back makers, with the first blog post of 2021 and I’m happy to be writing to you all about the new AGF collections for this year. Although life continues, there is something about a new year that feels so refreshing! With so many new ideas on the table, I’m excited to be a part of it and even more excited that I get to be the one you get to see it from! As we come up with fresh designs and inspiring projects for our Lookbooks, today is a special day because we are releasing Maureen Cracknell’s latest collection HOMEBODY! Talk about starting the year with a bang!

Homebody celebrates the unspoken magic of being home. Find yourself surrounded by cheerful florals, cozy feathers, and soft textures that encapsulate a calm, peaceful space that nourishes and comforts you.

*Available in 16 quilting cotton prints

There is something about this color palette that is so calming! It reminds me of a sunset on a chilly night, where I can wrap myself around a quilt and watch movies. I also really enjoy Maureen’s style, there is always a little boho flair that hits a special place in my heart. It makes me want to make quilty wall-art, boho tote bags, and garments too! 

*Featuring prints: Homelike Wishes, Domestic Charm Birch, and Crafted Blooms Vanilla. 

The beauty of every collection is that there will always be the perfect balance between scale, color, and design. The prints shown above display a variety of scale offered in this collection, from small florals to medium-scaled elements and larger flowers! With this always in mind, there are certain prints you can take advantage of because of their design, whether you use “Crafter Blooms Vanilla” as the focal point or fussy cut all the elements in “Domestic Charm Birch.” The print “Homelike Wishes” is also a great example of the diversity of projects you can create because it can be used alone, work well with the larger prints, or cut it in any direction without ruining the pattern. 

*Rayon print in Homelike Greetings 

*Knit print in Domestic Charm Birch 

Hurrah, we have new substrates to add along with the collection! Available in one knit and one rayon, the possibilities for projects just got bigger. Blankets, scarves, dresses, bedsheets- you name it and there is a substrate for you. 

This collection has a large variety of prints, but if you’re still looking for more matching blenders, check out these suggested Elements:

*Featuring PURE Solids in Grapefruit, Raw Gold, and Golden Bronze. Decostitch Elements in Blue Minerale and Floral Elements in Ballerina.  

More matching PURE Solids not pictured: Nocturnal, Toasty Walnut, Miami Sunset, Weathered Brick, Crystalline, Blushing, and Terracotta Tile.

Take a look at all the projects made with this collection by checking out the lookbook below for tons of sewing content! 

Prepare to be swooned by our “Sanctuary” free quilt pattern below!

DOWNLOAD HERE

In our latest YouTube segment “Let’s Talk Fabric”, you will experience the warmth and comfort that this collection encapsulates through every print as if the fabric was right in front of you! Be inspired by the cheerful florals, cozy feathers, and all the sewing projects you can create. Click play, relax, and enjoy!

I can’t think of a better way to start the year than a giveaway! For a chance to win a Fat Quarter bundle of Homebody, CLICK HERE, and enter your information. The giveaway ends on Friday, January 15, and the winner will be emailed and announced right here on the blog! 

THE GIVEAWAY WINNER IS JENNI HUNT! CONGRATS, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL TO REDEEM YOUR PRIZE!

For all of you that have been reading these blog posts all of 2020, I am sending you a big thank you! I am ready to start this new year with familiar faces and ready to welcome new ones with open arms. Every day I am shocked by the amount of creativity I see online, and all the stunning projects people create with AGF on Instagram under the hashtag #artgalleryfabrics and if you’re using this collection: #AGFHomebody I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with using Homebody fabrics, and I would love to know your favorite print in the comments below.

Until next time,

Happy Sewing!

-Jannelle 

Welcome back fabric friends, I hope everyone had a nice and safe Christmas! Who else is ready to have a fresh start? 2021 is in a few days and I am looking forward to all the new adventures we will go through together. Today, we are finally wrapping up the year with the last lookbook launch of 2020, Little Forester Fusion! This is a new Fusion collection from AGF, meaning we grab a couple of iconic prints from your favorite designers, and then we recolor them to create a new exciting group. Little Forester Fusion is an all-cotton collection, which means extra fun for all you quilters out there!

Trail through the forest wilderness, breathe in fresh pine-scented air, and discover curious creatures along the way, filled with soft teals, deep amber, and blues that will unleash your little one’s adventurous hearts.

*Available in 10 quilting cotton prints

So many fun textures and animals happening in this collection! Plus, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you know I’m a sucker for those mustard yellows. Although this would be a great collection to sew for the kids, I feel you can use these fabrics for any nature lover! Use your favorite print for an adorable pet bandana or use the blenders of the collection to make fun accessories like scrunchies and coin purses.

*Featuring prints: Among The Pines Forester, Rooted Forester, and Bumble Forester. 

I wanted to break down the prints a little more, so I want to start with this fantastic fussy cut trio featured in the picture above. Each design has plenty of space in between so you can cut out almost any shape around them without affecting the pattern. It’s prints like these that would be great to fussy cut and use as a focal point in your patchwork and applique projects.

*Featuring prints: Dew’s Cloth-Line Forester, Wavelength Forester, and Wildwood Forester.  

Next up, we have another fantastic trio- the blenders! With minimal designs, you can take advantage of these fabrics when sewing with fussy cut prints and large prints because it won’t distract the viewer from the main designs. These fabrics are best used when you are working with small pieces or heavy patchwork patterns because you won’t be losing the focus on all those cute forest critters.

This collection has a large variety of prints, but if you’re still looking for more matching blenders, check out these suggested Elements:

*Featuring PURE Solids in Raw Gold, Crystalline, and Grapefruit & Prisma Elements in Dusk Zircon and Pagoda Gem.

More matching PURE Solids not pictured: Tile Blue, Nocturnal, Peach Sherbet, Spruce, Denim Blue, Gentle Feather, and Ocean Fog. 

Take a look at all the playful projects made with this collection by checking out the lookbook below for tons of sewing content! 

Have fun cutting tons of HSTs with our “Wilderness” free quilt pattern below!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Take a closer look at the latest Fusion collection, Little Forester! In this Let’s Talk Fabric video, you’ll get to see a fresh and inviting color palette that features buzzing bumblebees, furry forest critters, and how you can use these fabrics for fun sewing projects. Just click play, relax, and enjoy!

Who is ready to start the new year with a fresh new collection?! For a chance to win a Fat Quarter bundle of Little Forester Fusion, CLICK HERE, and enter your information. The giveaway ends on Wednesday, January 6, and the winner will be emailed and announced right here on the blog! 

THE WINNER IS GEOFF SCHELL, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL TO REDEEM YOUR PRIZE! 

Happy Sewing! The next time we see each other will be next year, so I’m wishing you the happiest New Year and that you spend the last few days of 2020 with loved ones and some alone time with your fabric stash, haha! Please let me know your sewing plans for the upcoming year in the comments below and I look forward to looking at all your makes on Instagram under the hashtag #artgalleryfabrics! And until next year...

-Jannelle