Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hey there sewing friends, 

 Have you seen Bari J's new collection yet? Wild Bloom fabrics is just what we need this time of year! I can think of so many thanksgiving sewing projects I could make with this collection. From place mats, to napkins, to a brand new dress for all the get togethers we have during this time of year! I also love this collection for quilts! The Maltese Star block is the new addition to the AGF Quilt Block Collection! I am a color gal so the fabrics I pulled to make this block are making me jump up and down. I added some "Rose Feather" yarn dye to my block to help break up some of the prints and to add some yummy texture to my block!  

Have fun watching the tutorial below! Make sure to share your quilt  blocks made with AGF fabrics on Instagram with the #agfquiltblockcollection to be entered to win our monthly fat quarter bundle giveaway! 

Happy Sewing, 

Meli 

Raise your hand if you're a dog person.

Raise your hand if you're a cat person. 

No fighting please! they're both awesome.

Perhaps you're both, or perhaps you're neither, but I dare to say that all of us have a favourite animal (or more than one); a creature that fills us with joy even if it's simply through a photo or a video of it (or ALL the fabric designs with it on them).

So this week we'd love to know, what's your favourite animal, and why: is it snugly, regal, striped, colourful?

To inspire you, here is a photo of Lolita Jazz, my niece the "panda," being a cool cat against a background of more pandas and cats. 

I'm a panda (and seahorse) person, so it's really cute that my sister chose this to dress up her beloved kitty. Speaking of dressing up, raise you're hand if you're excited about Halloween (meeee!).

Fabrics from Pandalicious by Katarina Roccella & Tapestry by Sharon Holland

May you start this week in a great mood,

Lauv

PS: I will pass on any written compliment to Lolita Jazz.

When we think of Autumn the first things that come to mind is leaves falling, mustard greens and neutral yellows, all of it with a side of pumpkins and Thanksgiving right? Well, here at AGF we like to boycott the conventional themes and popular color schemes, so we decided to break the norm and incorporate some florals this holiday season- and when it comes to florals, nobody talks big colorful flowers like our designer, Bari J.

We've put together a list of items- all containing florals- that you can use to break the norm too, but still remain close enough so that you and your house get that Thanksgiving feels.

1.  Either if you're invited or hosting, walk into the room surrounded by the energy of vibrant flowers. One Still Life Crisp print, two clutches. Which one would you pick?  Find the clutches patterns here.

  2.   What colors come to mind when setting the table this Thanksgiving? How about some rusty oranges and muddy reds? Then the Everlasting Blooms Berry print is just for you!

  3.  Those tiny details when setting the table do matter, don't leave your napkins behind- spruce them up with flowers too! Extra points for those brave ones combining prints.

4. Accessorize away, especially when a tutorial for these fall earrings is available. Using some Lively Rosebuds Burst print will make your fall outfit complete. 

 5.  How does some rayon and knit outfits to coordinate the house sound? Lucky for you Wild Bloom has prints in both materials which can be paired up with solid knits as well :) Pants pattern available here and cropped tee tutorial.

 6.  Speaking of setting the table, how's your placemat game? What if we talk you into mixing those florals with some light denim, all paired up with some coordinating horizontal prints to match that binding! Placemat pattern available here.

7. Who says your furniture doesn't want a taste of the holidays too? Decorate your accent chairs with some florals too! We recommend the Everlasting Blooms Citrus print :)  

Hope you all enjoyed the compilation of flowers, color and texture. Let me know if you tried 1,2,3 or all of these ideas! I would love to know your perspective so leave me a comment :)

Floral away...

Martina 

P.S. For more Wild Bloom looks, take a look at the collection video!

Hi Sewing Friends, 

I know it's not quite hot chocolate weather but October's AGFcolorfun color of the month has me feeling all warm and tingly inside! This months color is Cappuccino! This warm, woodsy color was such a refreshing shade to work with. I am used to using a lot of color and tend to shy away from neutral fabrics but after designing the Wood Trails mini quilt I am all about it! The Wood Trails mini measures out to be 16" x 16" and would make perfect throw pillows for the holiday season ahead.

 Here is what you will need to get started: 

Fabrics Used:

Fabric A-GSS-6249-Wire Flowers Twig
Fabric B-GRA-3508-Rush Hour Tan
Fabric C-LT-20034-Simply Simple Silver
Fabric D-CTL-49903-Netting Twine
Fabric E-CAP-VC-5001-Picturesque Bloom
Fabric F-PE-436- Creme de la Creme
Fabric G -PE-419- Light Grey
Fabric H-PE-433-Snow
Binding-PE-445- Mink
Backing- LT-20034-Simply Simple Silver

Finished Quilt 16" x 16"

Cutting Directions

5 1/4" squares:

Two (2) from Fabric A
Three (3) from Fabric H

2 7/8" squares:
Eight (8) from Fabric Cand H
Four (4) from Fabric B

2" x 16 1/2" strips:

One (1) from Fabric D and F

1 1/2" x 16 1/2" strips:

One (1) from Fabric E and G

Backing 20" x 20"
Batting 20" x 20"

Step 1: Flying Geese Using the No Waste Method

Take a 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” square from Fabric A and four (4) 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” squares from Fabric H. These are the pieces you will need to create four flying geese units.
Draw a diagonal lines using a pencil or a water soluble pen on the wrong side of the fabric on each 2 7/8”x 2 7/8” square from Fabric H.

 Place two (2) 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” squares at each corner of your 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” square from Fabric A. Make sure right sides are together and the diagonal lines match up to make a straight line.

 Sew 1/4” from the diagonal line on each side of the line. Cut piece on the diagonal line you marked. You will now have two pieces that look like the picture below.

Press seams toward Fabric H. Now place a 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” rectangle from Fabric H at the lower corner of your piece.

Sew on each side of the diagonal line you marked at 1/4”. Cut pieces on the diagonal line. You will now have two pieces that look like the picture below!

 Press open and trim your flying geese to 2 1/2" x 4 1/2". Repeat this process with your remaining 5 1/4" squares and 2 7/8" squares to get eight (8) A/H, eight (8) C/H, and four (4) H/B flying geese! Sew all your flying geese together following the block design. 

Sew your flying geese rows to your strips. Following the diagram below . 

It's time to quilt and bind! I did some diagonal straight line quilting with a light beige thread.

 Can't wait to see your mini creations on social media! Make sure to use the hashtag #AGFcolorfunmini to share your love for mini's.

If  you are a mini quilt  fan like me?! Here are some great mini quilt sewing tutorials using AGF color fun colors!  

Tangerine- August 

Sunset Set Rays Mini

Mint- September 

Nature Lover Mini 

Til Next Time, 

Meli

Hey there, makers!

Guess, what?! One of our favorite times of the year has arrived! No, it’s not Christmas but it’s close to it (at least for quilt shops)! It’s time for Fall Quilt Market. This is an epic trade show for the sewing and quilting industry where local quilt shops, online fabric stores, and any other businesses related to sewing come to stock up on new products for the upcoming season.

Every fall, Quilt Market takes place in the George R. Brown convention center in Houston, TX. This year’s show is particularly special because Houston is recovering from the devastating hurricane that hit in September. Despite the turmoil they had over the past months, we are grateful that they are able to host this wonderful event for the sewing community.

We couldn’t be happier to attend because we have tons of surprises in store for you via social media! Seven of our talented designers will be showing their new fabric collections and we have some fun games for you to watch on Facebook Live and Instagram. Make sure to stay tuned from October 28-30th for three days filled with all things AGF and a chance to get to know our designers.

Check out all the designers that will be displaying collections:

• Bari J.
• Bonnie Christine
• Dana Willard
• Jessica Swift
• Katarina Roccella
• Maureen Cracknell
• Pat Bravo

You won’t want to miss this! To get you ready for what’s to come, check out our spring 2017 Quilt Market recap. See you live from Quilt Market!

-Stephanie

P.S. If you could ask any of the designers listed anything, what would it be? Let me know in the comments and i’ll personally ask them at the show. 😉

Hey There, 

Who likes sewing for holidays?  I find any excuse to sew when holidays come around so I can sew for my home, family, and friends. Below, I share some of my favorite sewing tutorials to sew for the Halloween season! Whether you still need to decorate your home with festive decor or you have absolutely no idea what you will dress up as for Halloween, don't worry,  I got ya covered! If you need help choosing some festive fall fabrics for your sewing projects check out Steph's post where she talks about 10 Earthy Fall Fabrics You'll Love! 

1. Crossroads Pumpkin Trio pattern by Amy Barickman

Mister Domestic  has us wanting to make these fabric pumpkins by the dozen. He sewed his pumpkins up using "Canyon Sunset" and "Scarlet Brick"  AGF Textured Denim  and AGF Crosshatch Textured denim fabric for the stem. I love how the beautiful autumn colors and textured fabric makes these pumpkins come to life. These pumpkins are perfect to use for  your dining room centerpieces or placing them any where around the house to create a warm and happy environment! Also this pattern comes in three different sizes which makes it so fun for placing them around your home in interesting ways! 

2. Mini Halloween Pillows

Can't sew or looking for projects you can get the kids involved in? Try making these mini decorative pillows that you can use to decorate your home or use them as festive pin cushions! You have the option of making a scary ghost, a cute jack-o-lantern, or a black cat staring at the moon! I plan to make all three! They are just too cute to resist and are super fast to make! 

Fabrics used: Pure Elements, Squared Elements, and Smooth Denim 

3. Midnight Bite foundation paper pieced pattern by Lillyella’s Patterns

Here is a great project for all you paper piecers out there! Nothing says Halloween like a spooky bat wall hanging. Mister Domestic made his wall hanging with black and different shades of orange to make his bat take flight. His back ground fabric is the "Laced Remains Hazed"print from Katarina Rocella‘s Recollection collection. I definitely am somewhat a beginner when it comes to paper piecing but I am definitely going to give this pattern a try! This pattern also comes in three different sizes: small 10" x 6" medium 16" x 9" large 24" x 12". 

4. Festive Fall Tote Bag 

 During the holiday months we tend to make a lot more trips to the store, try making a few of these easy reusable tote bags and make sure to take them with you on your next shopping trip! I plan on making a set of five of these bags for my mom and sister and giving it to them as a Thanksgiving present! To me there is nothing better then a handmade gift! Especially a gift as practical as a tote bag! 

5. Halloween Fabric Tags 

 Fabric gift tags are the perfect touch to any present or treat bag. Looking for a easy scrap buster project? Look no further! Take your gift giving game to the next level by adding a personalized touch to all your handmade gifts! 

Fabrics used: Boardwalk Delight Fabrics 

6. Kitty Cat Costume Tutorial 

If your anything like me you never know what to dress up as at Halloween and of course you wait til the last min and all the good costumes are taken. Don't worry you can make your own! Kitty Cat Costume to the rescue! This three piece set will have everyone asking where you bought your costume! We used the "Leopardess" print from Esoterra fabrics! 

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I hope these patterns have inspired you to sew something up for the Halloween/ Thanksgiving season! 

Happy Sewing, 

Meli