Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hello Everyone,

How is summer treating you all? It's been extremely hot down here in South Florida! Summer days like these call for a beach day or soaking up the sun by the pool. Of course we need a tote to carry all of our things in, such as our sunscreen, beach towel, bottle of water etc. This  inspired me to make a tote bag called Sunset Ride featuring Anna Elise Fabrics designed by Bari J. The Sunset Ride tote is also reversible so you can chose which side you want to use. Make sure to check out the Anna Elise Fabric Project Catalog for more fun projects made with Anna Elise Fabrics. 

Here is what you need to get started: 

Fabric Requirements

Fabric A- ANE-77502 5/8 yd.
Fabric B- ANE-77504 1/4 yd.
Fabric C- ANE-77509- 1/4 yd.
Fabric D- PE-433 - 1/6 yd.
Fabric E- Denim -1 5/8 yds.

Cutting Directions

All pieces have 1/4" seam allowance.

Eight (8) 3 1/2” x 3 1/2“ squares from Fabric A
Ten (10) 3 7/8” x 3 7/8“ squares from Fabric A and D
Eight (8) 3 1/2” x 6 1/2” strips from Fabric B
Two (2) 6 1/2” x 6 1/2” squares from Fabric C
One (1) 12 1/2” x 12 1/2” square from Fabric E
Four (4) 5” x 18 1/2” strips from Fabric E
Two (2) 5” x 27” strips from Fabric E

*Important you will cut your back bag and back and front lining in Diagram 7. You will use your front bag as a template. 

Half Square Triangle Construction

To create two half square triangles with Fabric A and Fabric D, take a 3 7/8” x 3 7/8” square from both fabrics. (Diagram 1.1) Place on top with right sides together! Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other. * Important - Since Fabric A is a directional print you will need to draw your diagonal from the bottom right corner to the top left corner for 10 of your HST’s
For the other 10 draw your diagonal line from the bottom left corner of your square to the top right corner. Sew on each side of the line you drew at 1 /4”. (Diagram 1.2)  Cut on your diagonal line. Press seams open (Diagram 1.3) You will need a total of 20 A/D HST’s.

Sew the following rows together. Follow Diagram 2 for fabric placement.

Row 1: Sew a A/D HST to a 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” square from A to a A/D HST to another A/D HST to a 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” square from Fabric A to a A/D HST.
Row 2: Sew a 3 1/2“ x 3 1/2” square from Fabric A to a A/D HST to 3 1/2“ x 6 1/2” strip from Fabric B to a A/D HST to a 3 1/2“ x 3 1/2” square from Fabric A
Row 3: Sew a 3 1/2“ x 3 1/2” square from Fabric A to a A/D HST to 3 1/2“ x 6 1/2” strip from Fabric B to a A/D HST to a 3 1/2“ x 3 1/2” square from Fabric A
Row 4: Sew a A/D HST to a 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” square from A to a A/D HST to another A/D HST to a 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” square from Fabric A to a A/D HST.

Next sew row 1 and 2 together. (set aside) Sew row 3 and 4 together. (set aside)

Sew two A/D HST’s together following Diagram 3.1. Sew this piece to a 3 1/2” x 6 1/2” strip from Fabric B. Repeat steps in Diagram 3.1 to get a total of two pieces that look like Diagram 3.2.

Take the two pieces you created in Diagram 3.1 and sew to each side of a 6 1/2 x 6 1/2”  square from Fabric C. (Diagram 4)  

Sew the two pieces created in Diagram 2 to each side of the piece created in Diagram 4. You have now completed the front of your bag.

To create the handles for your bag sew one 5” x 18 1/2” strip from Fabric E to a 5” x 27” strip from Fabric E to a 5” x 18 1/2” strip from Fabric E. Press seams. Fold in half with right sides touching sew at 1/4” seam allowance. With a safety pin pull right side of strap through. Repeat this step again to create the other strap.

To get the the back of you bag use your front bag as a template. Cut out back of bag with Fabric A. To cut your lining pieces use your front bag as a template use Fabric E. Cut two pieces. To attach the handles to the bag place each end of the strap at the bottom of the bag 3 1/4” in. Top-stitch handles down on each side of straps. (Diagram 7) Repeat this step for the back of the bag. Sew front and back of bag right sides together, sewing right, bottom and left side of you bag.

To create the pocket on the lining of the bag sew the remain HST’s , the 3 1/2” x 6 1/2” strips from Fabric B and the 6 1/2” x 6 1/2” square from Fabric C. To create a piece that looks like Diagram 8.1. Next take the piece you made in Diagram 8.1 and sew to a 12 1/2” x 12 1/2” square from Fabric E right sides together on all four sides but leave a 4” unsewn portion in the bottom to flip right side of pocket through. Flip pocket and press seam flat. Top-stitch 1/2” on top of pocket.

Press under unsewn portion and pin in place. Place the pocket in the center middle of your front lining piece. Top-stitch pocket down starting from the left top corner all the way to the top right corner. Sew front and back lining right sides together. Sew right, bottom and left sides of you bag. Leave a small unsewn portion at bottom of bag to pull right sides of the bag through. Place front of bag into lining with right sides touching. Make sure straps are out of the way when sewing the top of the bag. Sew exterior and lining of bag together. Flip right side of bag through the unsewn portion of your lining. Hand stitch or machine stitch closed.

Hope you all have a fabulous summer and find time to head to the pool, beach or to complete some of the items on your to sew list! I am always coming up with new projects so stay tuned on the blog and to our Fabric Project Catalogs! We hope to keep inspiring you to design, create and sew!

Til Next Time,

Melissa  

Hello fabric lovers, 

It's a new week and it's also time to present a NEW COLLECTION!! We know you have been waiting very patiently for this one, so without further ado.... We present Bari J.'s sixth collection with Art Gallery: Anna Elise. This collection was inspired by Bari's daughter Anna. She is a kind-hearted, artsy and free-spirited. She takes joy in the world around her which is filled with vivid colors, sweet tunes, and her imagination. 

Most of our collections have a theme and a color scheme. Through these, the artist is trying to tell a story and inspire you with a message... Anna Elise encourages you to let your imagination run free, take joy in your surroundings with all their color and music. (you can interpret the message however you want :)) 

This collection is so playful and is suitable for both adults and little ones. Enjoy this magical and inspirational lookbook, remember most of the projects have links to patterns and free projects so... ENJOY!  

And because we love quilts as much as we love fabric (and we know you do too!!) Here is a FREE quilt pattern for you and all of your quilty friends. 

These are some Elements to blend, mix and\or match with this colorful collection:

 {Insert drum roll here}

| Giveaway Closed |  

CONGRATULATIONS to "Margaret" on your Anna Elise Bundle! 
Check your email. 

You can enter the give away by simply: 

• Browsing the Anna Elise lookbook. 
• Leaving a comment below with the project you would like to make.

Giveaways ends July 1st at 3 pm EST. and the winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this very post. 

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Happy Sewing,

Gabs

Hello Everyone, 

Hope you are enjoying our new Happy Home lookbook featuring fabrics by Sew Caroline. Her collection is playful, cheery and include heartwarming prints that are perfect for adding in your home. I was inspired to make a table runner with this collection called X's and O's. This table runner consists of HST's and squares and is a fun project that is fast and easy yet will add a happy mood to any room in your home. Here is what you need to get started! 

Fabric Requirements 

Fabric A - HAH-14402- 1/8 yd.
Fabric B - HAH- 14408- 1/4 yd.
Fabric C- HAH- 14401- 3/8 yd.
Fabric D- HAH-24402- 1/4 yd.
Fabric E- HAH- 24401- 1/8 yd.
Fabric F- HAH-14409- 1/4 yd.
Fabric G- PE-433- 1/3 yd.
Binding-HAH-14401-Fabric C -(Included) 130” long - 4 strips
Backing-HAH-24405 - 1 1/2 yd. (suggested)

Cutting Directions

Fourteen (14) 3 3/8” x 3 3/8“ square from Fabrics B,D, and F
Ten (10) 3 3/8” x 3 3/8“ square from Fabrics A,C, and E
Twenty Four (24) 3 3/8” x 3 3/8“ squares from Fabric G
Twelve (12) 3” x 3” squares from Fabric G

Block Assembly

To create two half square triangles with Fabric B and Fabric G take 3 3/8” x 3 3/8” square from both fabrics. (Diagram 1.1) Place on top with right sides together! Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other. Sew on each side of the line you drew at 1 /4”. (Diagram 1.2) Cut on your diagonal line. Press seams open (Diagram 1.3)
You will need a total of the following HST fabric combinations.
-Twelve (12) F/G,B/G, and D/G
-Sixteen (16) E/F,C/D, and A/B
-Four (4) E/G, C/D and A/G

Sew the following rows together following Diagram 2.
1. Sew a 3” x 3 “ square from Fabric G to a B/G HST, to a A/B HST, to another A/B HST to a B/G HST to a 3” x 3” square from Fabric G.
2. Sew a B/G HST to another B/G HST to a A/B HST, to another A/B HST, to a B/G HST to another B/G HST.
3. Sew a A/B HST to another A/B HST, to a A/G HST to another A/G HST to a A/B HST, to another A/B HST.
4. Sew a A/B HST to another A/B HST, to a A/G HST to another A/G HST to a A/B HST, to another A/B HST.
5. Sew a B/G HST to another B/G HST to a A/B HST, to another A/B HST, to a B/G HST to another B/G HST
6. Sew a 3” x 3 “ square from Fabric G to a B/G HST, to a A/B HST, to another A/B HST to a B/G HST to a 3” x 3” square from Fabric G.

Sew row 1-6 together following Diagram 3. You should get a finished block that looks like Diagram 4.Repeat steps in Diagram 1 -3 with the remaining fabric pieces to create two more blocks. Sew three blocks together following the table runner illustration as a guide.

Happy Home Fabrics transforms a room and creates a fun-loving environment that is sure to make for a happy household. For more fun projects please check out the the Happy Home Lookbook! 

Til Next Time,

Melissa 

Hello fabric lovers, 

We are oh so, excited for all the new collections! We hope you are ready for all the things we have in store for you this season!! Can you believe we were debuting Happy Home by Caroline Hulse, last month during Quilt Market and it's already in stores!!!

I love this collection! It might be because of the simplicity of it, or just because Caroline has a little one on the way and I can imagine her sewing cute little things for her peanut. This collection is filled with swirling and blissful designs mixed with vibrant hues. As the name suggest "Happy Home" was inspired by what we define as "Home" in this case, it was Caroline's family, friends, Sammie (of course) & her passion for creating.

The possibilities are endless, and with a myriad of designs to choose from... Enjoy all the inspirational projects we have created in this lookbook, remember some projects have patterns + instructions and feel free to share your projects with us WE LOVE TO SEE THEM!  

Share this FREE quilt pattern "Home Sweet Home" with all your quilting friends, and click here to find all of our free quilting projects.

In case you need to blend, mix and match this Happy collection, here are a few elements to help you with that...

Win this fat quarter bundle !!!

| Giveaway Closed |  

CONGRATULATIONS to "Jen B" on your Cultivate Bundle! 
Check your email. 

You can enter the give away by simply: 

• Browse the Happy Home lookbook. 
• Leave us a comment with the the project you would like to make.

Giveaways ends June 22nd at 4 pm EST. and the winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this very post. 

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Happy Sewing,

Gabs

Hey Everyone!

My name is Stephanie and I am the newest addition to the AGF family.  I’m super excited to be one of the contributors on the blog! You probably already saw my first post about Stash Fabrics and wondered “who is this girl?”.  So, let's get to know each other since you'll be hearing a lot from me in the upcoming months. 

First things first, is that I am an EXTREME art enthusiast. If you would like to know anything about artists, museums, mediums, and art history, I am your gal. I love creating artwork of my own and I love making. I can say I live by the quote “If you can make it, why buy it.” For this reason I’m attracted to all the fun projects all of you make with fabrics.

I also enjoy meeting people from different places, cooking, fashion, and traveling. So I'll admit it, I’m a culture junkie; and now, thanks to AGF I will have a new obsession on my list…fabrics! I already sew a little bit, but I know being here will strengthen my skills, so I am also excited about that.

I love working with passionate people and sharing experiences. For this reason, I hope to bring you tons of fun blog posts and if there is anything new you would like to see, I’m open to ideas. We shall meet again my fellow fabric lovers! Thanks for inspiring.

XoXo,

Stephanie

Hello Everyone!

How have you all been doing? Today I would love to share with you a way to spruce up your home just by adding a few throw pillows. I designed a pillow called In Bloom featuring fabrics from Cultivate, a fabric collection designed by Bonnie Christine. This collection inspires you to get back to nature and to slow down and smell the roses! I have two different fabric options to choose from! Which one is your favorite? Here is what you will need to get started. 

Fabric Requirements

Option #1

Fabric A- CUL-8678 - 1/8 yd.
Fabric B- CUL-9671- 1/8 yd.
Fabric C- CUL-9673- 1/3 yd.
Fabric D- PE-426 - 1/8 yd.
Fabric E- PE-436- 1/2 yd.

Option #2 

Fabric A- CUL-9678 - 1/8 yd.
Fabric B- CUL-8671- 1/8 yd.
Fabric C- CUL-8673- 1/3 yd.
Fabric D- PE-445- 1/8 yd.
Fabric E- PE-436- 1/2 yd.

Cutting Directions

Two (2) 2” x 4“ strips from Fabric A
Two(2) 2” x 7 1/2“ strips from Fabric A
One (1) 2” x 8 1/2“ strip from Fabric A
One (3) 2”x 2” squares from Fabric A
Two (2) 2”x 16 1/2” strips from Fabric B
One (1) 2” x 7 1/2” strip from Fabric B
Two (2) 6 1/2” x 8 1/2” rectangles from Fabric C
Two (2) 3 1/2” x 9 1/2” rectangles from Fabric C
Two (2) 2“ x 4 1/2” strips from Fabric C
Two (2) 2“ x 2 1/2” strips from Fabric C
One (1) 2“ x 1 1/2” strip from Fabric C
Two (2) 1 7/8” x 1 7/8” squares from Fabric A and C
Two (2) 1 1/2” x WOF strips from Fabric D
Backing- Fabric E

Assembling the Pillow

Take two 6 1/2” x 8 1/2” rectangles and cut from the left bottom corner diagonally to the right top corner.Cut the the other rectangle starting from the right bottom corner cutting diagonally to the top left corner. Follow Diagram 1.1 and 1.2.

Next take both 2” x 16 1/2” strips from Fabric B. Lay your pieces out following Diagram 2.1 and 2.2. Fold all your pieces in half to mark the midpoint. Pin strip to the triangles made in Diagram 1, matching up the midpoint. Trim your piece to 9” tall and 6 1/2” wide. You should have to pieces that look like Diagram 3. 1 and 3.2

Take two 2” x 2” squares from Fabric A and draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other on the back side of the fabric. Place it right sides together to the right top corner of of the piece you made in Diagram 3.1. Sew on the diagonal line. Press piece and cut the seam allowance to 1/4”. Repeat same process with the other 2” x 2” square from Fabric A and the piece made in Diagram 3.2. This time place piece on the left top corner right sides together.

Sew a 2” x 7 1/2” strip from Fabric B to a 2” x 2” square from Fabric A. (Diagram 5.1) Next sew this piece in between both pieces created in Diagram 4.1-4.2. Follow Diagram 5.2

Now you will need to make two HST’s with Fabric A and C. Since Fabric C is a directional print and for this pillow the direction is horizontal, you need to make two stacks each with one 1 7/8” x 1 7/8” square from Fabric A and C on top of each other with right sides facing up. Cut one stack from the bottom right corner to the left top corner. Cut the other stack from the bottom left corner to the top right corner. (Diagram 6.1 and 6.2)
You need to have two HST’s that looks like Diagram 7.

Sew the following rows:
Row 1: Sew a 2” x 4 1/2” strip from Fabric C to a 2” x 4” strip from Fabric A to a A/C HST.
Row 2: Sew a 2” x 2 1/2” strip from Fabric C to a 2” x 7 1/2” strip from Fabric A.
Row 3: Sew a 2“ x 1 1/2” rectangle from Fabric C to a 8 1/2” strip from Fabric A.
Row 4: Sew a 2“ x 2” x 4 1/2” strip from Fabric C to a 2” x 4” strip from Fabric A to a A/C HST.
Row 5: Sew a 2” x 2 1/2” strip from Fabric C to a 2” x 7 1/2” strip from Fabric A.
Sew row 1-5 together.

Now  sew a 3 1/2” x 9 1/2”  strip from Fabric C  to each side of the piece created in Diagram 8.

Sew the piece created in Diagram 8 to the piece created in Diagram 5.2. 

To sew the border take a 1 1/2” x WOF strip and sew to one side of your pillow top. Cut off excess. Repeat this same step for the other side of your pillow top. Use the remaining pieces for the top and bottom of your pillow.

To create the back piece of your pillow use your pillow top as a template using Fabric E . At this point decide if you want your pillow to be quilted or not. If you decided to quilt it cut out a piece of batting a little bigger then your pillow top and quilt as desired.
Square off pillow top and sew back piece and your pillow top together with right sides together but leave a 4” unsewn portion so you can turn your pillow right side out, stuff your pillow with polyfil and hand sew pillow closed. You can also make a muslin pillow case and stuff polyfil into the case before stuffing it into your pillow to create a smooth less lumpy pillow!

Option #1 

Option #2

Pillows are a great easy and inexpensive way to spruce up a room in your home especially using the fabrics from the Cultivate Collection because it brings fun fresh colors to a room in your home that might need a little brightening up! Be sure to show us what you make with Cultivate fabrics, we love to see all the creative ways you use AGF Fabrics! 

Keep Sewing,

Melissa