Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Welcome back, fabric friends!

Since being home, I've been having a lot of fun practicing some basic sewing techniques. Last week you joined me in some Strip Piecing, but today I wanted to talk about two ways of constructing an Hourglass Block.

Throughout my practice, I found two ways of making this block useful but you may have a preferred preference when it comes to techniques.

So, I took some of my leftover fabrics from Amy Sinibaldi's collections, Mayfair and some matching Pure Solids

Fabrics used: Shepherd Market, Royal Arcade, Tender Green, and Mauvelous.  

I decided to add 1 3/8’’ to my block in order to have more room for trimming. So, if your unfinished size for your hourglass block is 4 1/2’’ x 4 1/2’’, add 1 3/8’’ on each side. Your block should measure 5 3/8’’ x 5 3/8’’. 

The first method is take fabric A and B 5 3/8’’ squares and place them right sides together.

Mark a line on the diagonal and sew ¼ inch away from the drawn line on each side.

Using a rotary cutter, cut on the drawn line. Press seam open.

Now, place both blocks right sides together but in the opposite direction (so the same fabrics doesn’t stack atop each other)

Draw a line on the diagonal that's perpendicular to the seam line. Pin in place.

Sew ¼ inch on each side of the drawn line. Then use your rotary cutter to cut on the drawn line to create two pieces.

Trim your block to 4 1/2’’ x 4 1/2’’.

The second method is to take (1) 5 3/8'' x 5 3/8’’ squares from fabrics C and D and cut them in (4) triangles.

Sew two triangles together at a 1/4‘’ seam allowance and then the other two triangles together.

Then, join both pieces together, pin and sew at a 1/4’’. Trim your block to a 4 1/2’’ x 4 1/2’’ and create your second Hourglass Block with the remaining triangles.

Trim your block to a 4 1/2’’ x 4 1/2’’ and create your second Hourglass Block with the remaining triangles.

This method is handy if you want to place the exact position/direction of all the fabrics.

Now, you learned how to construct an Hourglass Block using two methods, which one is your favorite one? Let me know in the comments below! 

Happy Sewing,

- Jannelle 

One of the things that I enjoy the most about quilting is the endless possibilities, how versatile and improvisational it can be.
There are some easy techniques that can lead you to amazing creations. Having this in mind I decided to show how easy it could be to use strip piecing to create different patchy patterns that you can implement for any type of project.

Pillows, pouches, tote bags, garments, quilt blocks, patches, wall arts, coasters, etc.

The more creative you get the more interesting your project will be. The fabric contrast is very important to end up with astonishing design.

Start deciding your color palette and pick five to seven different prints with your choice of colors, I picked six prints from our Marrakesh fabric collection.

Step #1
Start cutting WOF strips from each print, you can adjust the size of the strips depending on the size of your project.

You can either cut the strips the same height or different heights to give it dynamism.
I cut some of my strips 1 1/2” x WOF and 1” x WOF to have two different strip sizes.

Step #2
Now that your strips are cut, start playing around with the placement of the strips until you find one that's appealing to your eye.

Step #3
When you are done experimenting with your placement, attach the strips together.

Step #4
To create your template use some thick paper or cardboard to draw some geometric shapes like squares, hexagons, or equilateral triangles that will fit on top of your patched strips.

I personally like to keep my templates so I traced them on construction paper.

Step #5
Experiment with the placement layout of your figure before starting to cut, place your chosen template on top and play with it you can try to place it on-point or just turning it to find your desired placement.

Step #6

When you find the desired placement start cutting the shape on the fabric.

Step #7
Have fun trying different placements and discovering new patterns.

Step #8
Even some of the fabric leftovers could be used.

I hope this inspired you to play around with strip piecing! Let me know if you have any questions below. 

Until next time,

Jannelle

Hello Makers!

I hope you guys are doing well as we get accustomed to our new “normal,”. We just want to say we're extremely grateful for your support as we try our best to keep our heads high and continue with new releases. As many of you are at home doing what you can to stay happy, we are doing the same. We are always striving to push our limits and proceed forward with our passion on bringing you beautiful fabrics - which brings us to today!

We are very excited to show you our NEW GROUPS OF COLLECTIONS FOR 2020! Featuring new color palettes, Fusions, and even some nostalgia. … Just in case you didn’t get to see it on social media, here’s a quick rundown what’s being released!

Available June 2020

▸ Trouvaille by AGF Studio

▸ Pacha by AGF Studio

Available July 2020

▸ Cozy & Joyful by Maureen Cracknell

▸ Terra Kotta by AGF Studio

▸ Flowerette by AGF Studio

Available August 2020

▸ Daydream by Patty Basemi

▸ Hooked by Mister Domestic

▸ Pure Solids by AGF Studio (New Colors!)

Available September 2020

▸ Serenity Fusion by AGF Studio

▸ Picturesque by Katarina Roccella

For more details on availability, prints, and upcoming free patterns, check out our “Digital Catalog Season 2 Jun - Sep 2020”. 

There are so many beautiful things to look forward to in this upcoming season! Which collection are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below.

Till next time,

-Trisha