Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hello & Happy Friday!

I will admit I had this post planned before "the dress" went viral. At the same time it helps because I want to talk about colour, and precisely of value.

Some might say "who cares?," but in the world of crafts, colour really influences the mood of our projects.

So let's talk about the new colour trends inspiration for Spring. I have always been for dancing to the rhythm of your own instinct when it comes to creating. Whether it is creating your wardrobe, or the quilts that will define the mood for your home.

What I find fun about having all these channels of communication at hand (insert Instagram and the other million apps and tools to find beautiful things) is that it really blurs the line of what is "trendy" or cool, and it allows for more experimentation without feeling like you are being pointed at (anyway the only one who should be happy about her/his choices is whoever is sporting them!). It is all there and we can pick and choose.

One of the things that is quite noticeable lately is a return for pastel/gelato tones that also have a sense of retro. This time; however, they are not the classic pastels with bows and pearls. Now they have a chalky feel to them and are accompanied by simple silhouettes and minimal styling which create a sense of boldness. In quilting this is very present with a new wave of doing low value quilts with accentuated shapes and angles. It is a way of saying "yes, I like soft, and I feel really strong about it."

It truly is a vintage breeze in a whole new day:

Speaking in AGF terms, Gossamer really pays homage to this new wave. You have pink, yellow, green, and blue together in a place where they harmonise, and what gives them this attribute is the value of each colour.

Based on my avatar >>, you can guess that nor my wardrobe nor my home include these tones, but I find the style so beautiful that I will make a quilt for Sunday morning snuggling (and perhaps another one for a pique-nique Pinterest style with the AGF fam).

For now we made this silky smooth blouse using the Sugar Pop Top pattern from Sew Caroline and the pretty Seed Puffs Tide voile from Gossamer:

So, what mood are you in?

i found the images of both rooms on http://roomed.nl/romantisch-pastel/

Hello Sewers!

Who is ready for spring? I've been working with Gossamer fabric collection designed by Sharon Holland and the soft, pastel colors remind me of the smells of spring, and the warm breeze that it brings! What lovely things do you plan on making with the Gossamer collection. To get inspired take a look at the Gossamer lookbook by clicking here! I was inspired to create a table runner called Vintage Breeze. The use of the solid white fabric helps the main prints of the collection pop and showcase the collections beauty and charm. 

Here is what you will need to get started: 

Fabric Requirements

Fabric A - GSS- 6243 - 1/8 yd.
Fabric B - GSS- 7245 - 1/8 yd.
Fabric C- GSS- 7243 - 1/8 yd.
Fabric D - GSS-7248- 1/8 yd.
Fabric E- GSS-7249 - 1/8 yd.
Fabric F - GSS-7241- 1/8 yd.
Fabric G - GSS-7240 - 1/4 yd.
Fabric H - PE-433 - 1/2 yd.

Backing - GSS- 7246 - 2/3 yd.
Binding - (Fabric G) GSS- 7240 - Included

Cutting Instructions

Three (3) 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” square from Fabrics A-G
Six (6) 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangles from Fabrics A-G
Fourty Two (42) 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” squares from Fabric H
Twenty One (21) 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangle from Fabric H

Table Runner Size 18” x 42”

Assemblying the Block

Sew at 1/4” seam allowance with right sides together. Sew a 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” square from Fabric H to a 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangle from Fabric F. Repeat this step again. Set aside.Now sew a 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” square to a 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangle from Fabric H.(Diagram 1)

Lay you pieces out following diagram 2 and sew. 

You will now have a block that looks like diagram 3. This table runner is made out 21 of these blocks. 

Follow the illustration below to help guide you in how to rotate and place your blocks.

Table Runner Quilting Assembly

Place BACKING FABRIC on a large surface wrong side up. Stretch it with masking tape against that surface. Place batting on top of backing fabric. Place quilt top on top of the batting with right side facing up. Smooth away wrinkles using your hands. Pin all layers together and baste with basting thread, using long stitches. You can also use safety pins to join the layers.

Machine or hand quilt starting at the center and working towards the corners. Remember that quilting motifs are a matter of personal preference. Have fun choosing yours! After you finish, trim excess of any fabric batting, squaring the quilt to proceed to bind it.

Binding

Cut enough strips 1 ½” wide by the width of GSS-7240 to make a final strip of 130” long. Start sewing the binding strip in the middle of one of the sides of the quilt, placing the strip right side down and leaving an approximate 5” tail. Sew with ¼” seam allowance (using straight stitch), aligning the strip’s raw edge with the quilt top’s raw edge.

Stop stitching ¼” before the edge of the quilt (Diagram B1). Clip the threads. Remove the quilt from under the machine presser foot. Fold the strip in a motion of 45 degrees and upward, pressing with your fingers. (Diagram B2) Hold this fold with your finger; bring the strip down in line with the next edge, making a horizontal fold that aligns with the top edge of the quilt (Diagram B3). Start sewing at ½” of the border, stitching all the layers. Do the same in the four corners of the quilt.

Stop stitching before you reach the last 5 or 6 inches. Cut the threads and remove the quilt from under the machine presser foot. Lay the loose ends of the binding flat along the quilt edge, folding the ends back on themselves where they meet. Press them together to form a crease. Using this crease as the stitching line, sew the two open ends of the binding with right sides together (you can help yourself by marking with a pencil if the crease is difficult to see).

Trim seam to ¼” and press open. Complete the sewing. Turn binding to back of the quilt, turn raw edge inside and stitch by hand using blind stitch.

I hope you enjoy working with this beautiful fabric collection! Make sure to share your creations with us! 

Happy Sewing,

Melissa 

​Hello fabric ​l​overs, and happy Monday!

If you remember not so long ago, we were posting about the new AGF collaboration with Fat Quarter Shop for their YouTube channel "Stitched with Kimberly” here. The moment has come, and we are oh so excited! to finally bring you the first quilt tutorial in an video you are going to love! It features Hello, Bear (Bonnie Christine newest collection) in a beautiful quilt Kimberly will teach you to make step by step. The Birchen quilt is modern and trendy, yet so simple to make!

Ready? Click below to watch the video. 

If you love it as much as we do, Fat Quarter Shop will be selling the complete kit so you can make it at home… Yay! Click here to get yours.

Share this project with all your quilting friends and let us know what you thought of the Birchen quilt. Stay tuned for the next video tutorial… it’s coming soon!

Until next time,

Gabs.

With drawing at the heart of her creative process, Pat Bravo crafts a collection that captures the ethnic expression trend through a medley of etchings. Floral motifs are created with bold brush strokes, and energized geometrics combine with artistic patterning. Win a fat quarter bundle from this collection.( details below) 

Find inspirational projects in this lookbook we have put together for you!

Share this Quilt pattern "Soulful Windows" with all your friends.

Win a fat quarter bundle from the Etno Collection, contest rules below!
 | Giveaway Closed |  

CONGRATULATIONS to "Lindsay S" on your Etno Bundle!  

Here is how to enter the giveaway: browse through the Etno lookbook then comment with the project you'd most like to make.

• Giveaway ends February 25^th at 4 pm EST.
• Winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this very post. 

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Happy Sewing,

Gabs

Hello fabric lovers,

What's on your to sew list this year? Well I got another fun and easy project for you to add to your list! This Teddy Bear Zippy Bag is featuring fabric from the Hello Bear Fabric Collection by Bonnie Christine. Check out the lookbook by clicking here to find more fun projects using this fabric collection.  

Click here for pattern templates to make the Teddy Bear Zippy Bag! 

Things you will need: 

Fabric A - HBR-5438- 1/4 yd.
Fabric B- PE-429 - 1/4 yd.
Fabric C - PE-435- Scraps

Two (2) Zippy Bag Templates from Fabric A (Exterior) and C (Lining)
Four (4) Outer Ear Templates from Fabric A
Two (2) Inner Ear Templates from Fabric B
Two (2) Eye Templates in Fabric B
One (1) Nose Template in Fabric B

Interfacing Pieces: - Quilting Interfacing Fleece 987F

Two (2) Zippy Bag Templates
Two (2) Outer Ear Templates

Other Materials Needed: 
9” All Purpose Zipper
Steam A Seam

 Step 1:

Fuse both zippy bag fusible pieces to both zippy bag pattern pieces
cut in Fabric C. (Fuse to wrong side of fabric) Fuse both Outer Ear fusible pieces to two Outer Ear pieces cut from Fabric A. Apply steam a seam on back of Inner Ear pattern piece and iron to the right side of the outer ear piece. (Diagram 1.1) Leave as is or stitch around inner ear piece. Now sew this piece right sides together to another Outer Ear piece with fusible. (Diagram 1.2) Flip ear right side out and press. Repeat steps with remaining ear pieces to make other ear.

Step 2: 

Pin ears about 1” in on each side of the zippy bag pattern cut from Fabric A following diagram 2.1. Stitch ears down as close to the edge as possible. Sandwich zipper inbetween the lining and the exterior of the bag with right sides together. Sew zipper in place with zipper foot. (Diagram 2.2)

Step 3: 

Flip fabrics wrong sides together and press. (Diagram 3.1) Repeat same process on other side of zipper with the remaining lining and exterior pieces. Press (Diagram 3.2)

Step 4: 

Add your eyes and nose pieces to the front of your teddy bear zippy bag using steam a seam. Stitch around pieces if desired. Flip right sides of exterior of bag together and right sides of lining together. Sew all the way around following diagram 4.2. Leave a 4” unsewn hole to pull right sides of bag through. Flip bag through hole and hand sew hole shut.

Have fun making these adorable bags perfect for storing kids snacks, crayons and so much more! What will you use your Teddy Bear Zippy Bag for?  

Til Next Time,

Melissa 

A collection named after Bonnie Christine's son, Bear, inspired all to see the outdoors through a new set of eyes. Illustrated with woodsy tones like pastel moss, conifer and bark, Hello Bear invites all young at heart explorers to frolic and listen to the playful sounds of the wilderness. Win a fat quarter bundle from this collection.( details below) 

Find inspirational projects in this lookbook we have put together for you!

Share this Quilt pattern "Hi(bear)nate" with all your friends.

Win a fat quarter bundle from the Hello Bear Collection, contest rules below!

| Giveaway Closed |  

CONGRATULATIONS to "Rachel B" on your Hello, Bear Bundle!  

Here is how to enter the giveaway: browse through the Hello Bear lookbook then comment with the project you'd most like to make.

• Giveaway ends February 17^th at 12pm EST.
• Winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this very post. 

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Happy Sewing,

Gabs