Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Calling all quilting enthusiasts! Have you ever wanted to showcase your quilting skills while diving into a fun and creative challenge? Our Astrodelic Quilt Challenge is here to offer you just that! 

The Astrodelic Challenge isn't just about making beautiful quilts; it's also about the excitement of competition and the joy of creativity. Our most popular beginner-friendly pattern uses the strip piecing technique, making it easy to create blocks as a canvas for your imagination. It's perfect for a relaxing weekend project or anytime you want to add your personal style to each stitch and seam. You'll have the chance to experiment with the colors, textures, and motifs that Art Gallery Fabrics offers.

This exciting event invites quilters from all corners of the U.S. to participate by using our most popular Free Quilt Pattern, creating unique and mesmerizing quilts that capture the essence of the stars. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting, this challenge is the perfect opportunity to push your boundaries, showcase your talent, and connect with a vibrant community of fellow quilters.

To get you inspired, check out the photos below! We’re obsessed with how our fabrics from Abode by Maureen Cracknell and Sunrise Sunset by Jessica Swift collections look in our beloved Astrodelic quilt.

Astrodelic Quilt featuring Abode by Maureen Cracknell

Astrodelic Quilt featuring Sunrise Sunset by Jessica Swift

Let these vibrant fabrics, complemented with our dazzling Sparkle Elements blender collection and finished off with our game-changing 2.5 edition binding, ignite your imagination! 

Another Astrodelic inspiration! We've created a PURE Solids version in cool blues with a lava rock background (click here for the instructions). This shows the endless possibilities of our Astrodelic Quilt. It's fun and easy to make and a real showstopper. We can't wait to see yours!

Astrodelic Quilt in PURE Solids by AGF Studio

At the heart of the Astrodelic Challenge, We're giving away a Mystery box full of fabrics & other goodies to 5 lucky winners!

After all entries are submitted, AGF will select the most outstanding quilts to be showcased. Winners will receive a mystery box packed with goodies and beautiful, high-quality FABRICS that any quilter would love!

The winners will be officially contacted by email. Please reply within 7 days to claim your prize. If we don’t receive a reply, we will have to choose another winner as we’d like to be fair with all participants and pass the opportunity to another contestant. Thank you!

This challenge offers more than just a prize; it provides an opportunity to gain recognition within the quilting community and celebrate the creativity and dedication of our ever-growing quilting community. 

Show us your Finished Astrodelic Quilt with Art Gallery Fabrics to Participate!

The fine print:

Rules

1. This challenge is exclusive to Instagram entries only.
2. For this challenge participants must use Art Gallery Fabrics.
3. Astrodelic Challenge starts on 10/03/2024 and ends on 11/04/2024 at 3 pm EST. 
4. Entries after this date will not be accepted for participation.
5. Make sure your Instagram account is set to public, not private, so we can see your beautiful quilts using the #AGFAstrodelicChallenge hashtag. 
6. Entries MUST use #AGFAstrodelicChallenge to be considered! We will announce 5 lucky winners on 11/05/24 at 3 pm EST.

How To Enter

1. Use the Free Astrodelic Pattern provided in this blog post (see below).
2. Follow us on Instagram. 
3. Like our quilt challenge release post.
4. Tag us @ArtGalleryFabrics in your quilt photos & Use the hashtag #AGFAstrodelicChallenge.

Prizes:

1. We can't reveal too much since it’s a mystery box, but let's just say it’s packed with goodies and plenty of FABRICS!

Below are links for the Astrodelic Quilt Pattern to get you started: 

Astrodelic Pattern featuring Abode Collection.
Astrodelic Pattern featuring Sunrise Sunset Collection.

Ready to join the fun? Get ready to meet fellow quilting enthusiasts, share your progress along the way, and maybe even win big! We're excited to see your one-of-a-kind Astrodelic quilts. So, grab your favorite Art Gallery Fabrics, let your imagination soar, and get ready to blast off! 

Happy Sewing!

-Your friends from Art Gallery Fabrics 

Attention all quilting and sewing enthusiasts! Get ready to be captivated by the extraordinary talent of our Sewcialites. They recently took over our Instagram, sharing personal stories and their knowledge, skills, and insider tricks. And that's not all! Be prepared to be endlessly inspired by their latest projects. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner on your creative journey, our Sewcialites have something for everyone that can take your quilting game to the next level. And Who are our Sewcialites, you may wonder? They are a group of 10 of the best creative and passionate quilting and sewing enthusiasts, all joining together to spread their love for AGF within the community. Keep reading to find out more about them!

Not only are they sharing their knowledge & experiences with quilters, but they have also personally hand-picked a bundle of fabrics that resonate with their distinctive aesthetic, thoughtfully selected from our renowned collections, AGF Elements & PURE Solids. In addition to their incredible bundles, they have designed a captivating FREE Pattern that beautifully showcases them, turning your journey into their world into a wonderful and immersive experience. 

So, gather your tools, ignite your imagination, and get ready to be captivated by the artistry of these incredible Sewcialites!

Wendy Chow of  The Weekend Quilter

Get inspired by our first Sewcialite, Wendy Chow, a.k.a. The Weekend Quilter. Hailing from the energetic streets of New York City, Wendy is the creator of the captivating ‘Summer Streets’ Sewcialite Bundle, showcasing her bold geometrical design aesthetic. She designed a FREE Pattern, the ‘Mercer Street Quilt', to complement her curated bundle that is beginner and fat-quarter friendly and focuses on quick-corner units, a piecing method in quilting. Discover ongoing inspiration by following Wendy’s Instagram.

Ashelyn Downs of Urban Dwell Studios

Meet Ashelyn Downs, the creative force behind Urban Dwell Studio! Her quilting journey blends sewing expertise, pattern designing, and design background, resulting in a collection of beginner-friendly quilt patterns that beautifully reflect their creators' styles and spaces. Inspired by 20th-century architecture, 90's grunge, street art, travel, and pop culture, Ashelyn's work showcases minimalist color palettes and artistic concepts, igniting a passion for quilting in the next generation of creators. Don't miss her ‘Boulevard’ Bundle and the perfectly complementing FREE Quilt Pattern, ‘Right Turn Only’. Explore more of her creations by following Ashelyn's Instagram!

Taylor Krz of Toad and Sew

Discover the artistry of our Sewcialite, Taylor Krz, also known as Toad and Sew! Based in Seattle, WA, Taylor's modern quilt patterns beautifully capture the essence of PNW landscapes with a nostalgic color palette of vibrant tones. Taylor curates the ‘Nostalgia’ Bundle, evoking memories of the 60s tableware, 70s band posters, 80s scrunchies and leggings, and even 90s TV shows. To complement her bundle, she designed a stunning FREE Quilt Pattern, "Courthouse Steps Zine." allowing the vibrant colors to mix magically. Find creative inspiration by following Taylor's Instagram. 

Christina Lee of Sweet Potato Quilts

Say hello to the incredible Sewcialite Christina Lee, also known as Sweet Potato Quilts! Prepare to be amazed by her inspiring quilting journey, and guess what? She's a talented musician too. Her curated bundle, ‘Joyful Jaunt’, transports you to moments of childhood wonder and curiosity. The complementary FREE Quilt Pattern, ‘Bora’, was specially designed for this bundle. This Baby-Size Quilt is beginner-friendly, making it both easy and fast to create. Follow Christina's Instagram Page to discover more of her beautiful creations!

Abby Luchsinger of Abby Maed

Get ready to be inspired by Abby Luchsinger, our Sewcialite and third-generation quilter, affectionately known as Abby Maed. Her love for sewing was passed down by her grandmother since childhood. Her middle name, Mae, is a sweet tribute to her quilting heritage. Abby's curated bundle, ‘Roseglow’, captures the magic of golden hour throughout the seasons. Don't miss her FREE Quilt Pattern, ‘Soft Focus’, designed to complement the bundle, making it fat-quarter-friendly. Discover more about her inspiring work by following Abby's Instagram. 

Victoria Newmyer of Midlife Quilter

Prepare to fall in love with Sewcialite Victoria Newmyer, the talent behind Midlife Quilter! Her passion for quilting bloomed when she gifted herself a sewing machine on her 40th birthday. Victoria is the creative force behind the heartwarming Beloved Bundle, encouraging you to embrace and cherish the love you feel. Don't miss her FREE pattern, ‘Bejeweled Table Runner’, perfectly designed to showcase her curated bundle. It's a scrappy-friendly project that comes together in no time. Explore more about her on our website and stay inspired by following Victoria's Instagram.

Vickeidy Plybon of Sewspicous

Get ready to explore a world of vibrant colors with Sewcialite Vickeidy Plybon, the creator and visionary behind Sewspicious! As a high school Spanish teacher and fourth-generation sewist, she has a passion for both teaching and sewing. Vickeidy's ‘Alegría’ bundle is a burst of colors inspired by her joyful memories of the Dominican Republic, her birthplace. Check out her FREE Quilt Pattern, 'Rosalia,' which beautifully brings the colors of her bundle to life. Explore more about Vickeidy on our website and stay inspired by following Vickeidy's Instagram.

Brooke Shankland of Eudaimonia Studio

Discover our talented Sewcialite Brooke Shankland, the creative force behind Eudaimonia Studio. Passionate about philosophy and modern quilting, she curated the stunning 'Thrive' Bundle, representing the full spectrum of beauty in nature and human experience. With a diverse range of colors, geometry, and scale fabrics, it's a celebration of our world's eclectic totality. Don't forget to check out her FREE Quilt Pattern, 'Resilience,' which beautifully showcases the fabrics. Follow Brooke’s Instagram for inspiring work, and explore more on our website.

Kelsey Swatske of White Rose Designs

Enter the world of inspiration with Sewcialite Kelsey Swatske, also known as White Rose Designs, a passionate sewer for over 15+ years with an unwavering love for floral fabrics. Delve into her creative realm through her curated Secret Garden Bundle, which combines vintage pastel florals with cool sage greens. Plus, you'll get the perfectly complementing FREE Quilt Pattern ‘Secret Garden’, stunningly showcasing the fabrics' beauty. Discover more about Kelsey on our website and find ongoing inspiration by following Kelsey's Instagram Page.

Christina West of Kindred Quilt Co.

Discover the artistic brilliance of Christina West, the heart and soul of Kindred Quilt Co, a company known for its exceptional quilting and pattern design. As a full-time quilter and pattern designer, she resides in the vibrant DFW area with her husband, son, cat, and dog. Experience her curated bundle 'Wildflower Hill', capturing the spirit of spring's renewal in the picturesque Texas Hill Country. Don't miss her FREE Quilt Pattern, 'Wild Season,' a stunning showcase of her bundle. Learn more about Christina on our website and stay inspired by following Christina's Instagram.

We hope you enjoyed meeting our ten Sewcialites. Through every stitch they shared, these talented individuals have taught us that patience, passion, and dedication are key ingredients for creating extraordinary wonders. Embrace these virtues, unlock the magic in your hands, and let their inspiring journey fuel your creativity. There are no limits to what you can achieve!  

Stay connected by following our hashtag #AGFSewcialite, and visit the Sewcialites Section on our website to learn more about them. 

Until we meet again, keep creating - 

Juana 

Hi Makers! 

My name is Trisha. I’ve joined AGF in December 2019 and so far my experience has been very enjoyable. The best part is being surrounded by creative people every day. As well as learning more about the sewing community. I’ve always had some sort of exposure to it by working at Fabrics & Crafts store when I was younger and from my grandmother having her own tailor shop back in the old days.  Some further background info about me, I was born and raised here in South Florida. I have a bachelor’s in Graphic Design so I have a deep love for anything art related. Music, Fashion, and Film are my main sources of inspiration. The most sewing I can do is just basic hand sewing. I love modifying my clothes or patching a hole up every now and then. There’s something therapeutic about it. But guess what! I received my first sewing machine this past Christmas, so I’m super excited to boost my skills in sewing.  

For my first blog post, I want to talk about living a more sustainable lifestyle. If you've been aware, our beautiful planet Earth has been in a not so great condition lately. So I’ve made it one of my resolutions for 2020 to be more earth-conscious.  There are so many ways to implement sustainability in our lives. One of the popular practices I’ve been seeing right now is the usage of metal or paper straws instead of plastic. Be on the lookout to see your straw options at your favorite coffee shop. I got my portable metal straw sitting in my Amazon cart already. Big or small any act of sustainability helps out this big blue planet we call home! 

An area I’m super interested in practicing sustainability specifically, is in what I wear and use. Which brings me to put the spotlight on the new AGF Pinterest board that consists of 20 free patterns for reusable tote bags. It’s a simple eco-friendly alternative from using plastic and paper bags. If you’ve noticed, some stores don't carry bags or they charge extra if you need one. This is where having a reusable tote bag comes in handy in our everyday lives. You can take it with you on your days that are jam-packed with errands, or you can even make multiple bags for those days you need to do grocery shopping.  Did I also mention that our fabrics are Oeko-tex certified? This means they are free of toxic dyes & harsh chemicals making them good for you, and for the earth.

In this Pinterest board, you’ll find patterns featuring fabrics from various AGF collections, as well as different substrates. The beloved lemon tote bag pictured below only took 2 hours to make which is great for sewing beginners such as myself. The fabric used on the tote bag is “Yuma Lemons Mist” in Canvas designed by Bari J. Any fabric from our Canvas collection would be great to use to support heavy loads of items in your tote bag like a bag full of lemons!

Another great beginner tote bag to make would be our “Noise” pattern (pictured left below). For sewists who feel like their skills are in between beginners and advanced the “Sweet Melon” tote (pictured right below) would be a fun pattern to try! 

For sewists looking for more of a challenge, I recommend trying our “Artsy Tote”, “Shibui” and “Alamo Tote” patterns (Pictured left to right). There’s a reusable tote for everyone!

If your resolution is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, as a maker, what else would you want to create to help achieve this important resolution? And If you’re already practicing that lifestyle I would love to hear your tips! I’m ready to put my sewing machine to work for the sake of earth!

Created from our very own AGF Studio, we’re transporting you to a magical jungle with SELVA!

In this collection, you’ll discover where sleepy sloths swing from their branches, sweet elephants walk in rows, tropical foliage grows and a lively color palette that makes it the perfect combination to sew anything for kids. These gender-neutral colors and designs can be used in nurseries to create quilts, pillows, tummy time mats, wall hangings, and rugs. Of course, all those "young at heart" can also create decor with these fabrics. Imagine having a jungle-theme living room with some fun throw pillows featuring this darling jungle print or fierce felines! 

Available in 16 quilting cotton prints, Selva is also available in 3 cozy knits. 

To see all of the jungle-inspired projects that we've created as well as other makers, check out our Selva Fabric Lookbook! 

We created this FREE quilt pattern "Wild Gems" for you, just click the below link: 

Download Quilt Pattern

- - SELVA GIVEAWAY - - 

Enter a chance to win these whimsy fabrics by signing up to our giveaway:

Congratulations to our winner, Michele Laroe! Please check your email. 

*Once you have entered the giveaway it's normal for your information to disappear. To confirm your entry check your email for a confirmation and approve it. By entering our giveaway you'll be automatically signed up for our newsletters. Don't worry, we don't spam!

I have never been good at goodbyes, finding the right words to express how I feel in the final moments of goodbye are so hard for me. Filled with emotion, sometimes I find myself speechless if only people could read minds. The past five years and four months working at Art Gallery Fabrics have been filled with amazing memories, life-changing experiences, and relationships that will last a lifetime. 

After 8 years of living in Florida, I am returning to my home state of Minnesota! After the passing of my Dad this past March I realize my heart and presence belongs in Minnesota. I am going to miss being apart of the AGF Team and coming to work each morning and being surround by such talented young ladies! Of course, my sewing and quilting journey doesn't end here, I will always be AGF’s number one fan and supporter and will continue to create, sew, and inspire. 

Thanks to all of you who have liked, commented, encouraged and inspired me and AGF over the years and for making this amazing sewing community a beautiful space for all of us to grow and learn from each other. I thought it would be fun to incorporate my top five favorite memories at AGF, that I will never forget and cherish always. 

1. Sewing My First Quilt

The first quilt I designed and sewed up is called the “Pentelic Marvel Quilt” with Athena Fabrics. 

There is a picture of me below testing out my block measurements with scrap fabrics. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Sewing half rectangle triangles were totally confusing and frustrating, and I had the toughest time keeping a perfect ¼” seam allowance but I had the biggest goofiest smile on my face ready to tackle anything and everything. 

This quilt wasn’t my finest work or something I am particularly proud of but it marks the beginning of my quilting journey. I have learned so much about the design, piecing, and quilting process which has turned me into the quilter I am today! We all start somewhere, the most important thing is we start because it only gets better from there. 

2. My First Quilt Market

2014 Pittsburgh Spring Market was the first quilt market I ever attended, I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I had no idea what to expect but when I got there I was blown away by all the quilts, sewing brands, and people who shared a passion for the same thing I did! Throughout all the many markets I attended I met and gained so much knowledge and love for the sewing and quilting community. Meeting and chatting with bloggers, quilt shops, and distributors from all over learning how each of them fit into the textile world. 

What I will remember the most about Quilt Market is all the hard work and dedication it took to create our booths and the great group of girls making you laugh along the way. 

Here are two pictures of both of our entrances to our booth that year. My fingers still tingle from all the hot glue burns I gave myself creating these floral-inspired walls. 

3. Creation of the AGF Quilt Block Collection

The creation of the AGF Quilt Block collection is what started me on the path to creating youtube videos for AGF. 

With no experience in filming, or editing I took it upon myself to figure it out. After creating 71 block videos and a lot of trial and error I finally have found my voice. I created the AGF Quilt Block Collection to do my part in teaching quilters of all skill levels to learn and create something new with AGF Fabrics. I have had such a blast coming out of my comfort zone and spreading my love for AGF fabrics. 

4. Community Sampler Sew Along

Being apart of the Community Sampler Sew Along hosted by two of our amazing designers, Sharon Holland, and Maureen Cracknell was one of the most heart filled experiences of my time at AGF. 

All the girls in the office participated in making this quilt, each week I would sit down with each girl teaching them the basics of quilting and by the end of their lesson, they would have a completed quilt block. Each week I introduced the girls to you on the blog with a little Q and A. It was such an honor to share my knowledge and love for sewing with all of them. So many laughs and memories I will never forget! 

5. Celebrating with my AGF Family 

Being far away from family was hard at first when I first moved to Florida until I found my AGF Family. AGF isn’t just a job, it’s way more than that. 

Here you're treated like family and at AGF they love throwing a good party. One of my most memorable birthdays at AGF was the Thor themed party they threw me.  Nerd alert...yes I love everything Marvel, with Thor being my all-time favorite. Here is me below geeking out over the giant Thor poster they put together. 

Since it’s hard for me to come up with the right words I will leave you all with a quote that sums up how I feel,

 “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” 

A.A. Milne (Winnie-the- Pooh)

Hope you all keep in touch and until next time, 

Happy Sewing! :) 

Have you ever visited and explored a forest? There's no other feeling like being in this unique, natural environment! Being surrounded by so much greenery, the stillness, the fresh, invigorating smell of the trees, and unexpectedly discovering cute animals, bugs, as well as cute mushrooms, plants or flowers. It's definitely a place to decompress, discover, and let your curiosity and wanderlust guide you. 

Making her debut with a collection, our newest designer Alexandra Bordallo takes you into a whimsical forest with “DEW + MOSS!” These prints are filled with little gnomes, fireflies, and florals that were inspired by wandering through the forest with her family in Spain. Alexandra’s youthful style comes to life in this collection through hand-drawn, inky lines, and quirky designs. 

With a color palette that’s grounded in various greens with pops of burnt orange and grapefruit, these 12 fabrics can be used in various sewing projects to use in nurseries, playrooms, or even classrooms. 

Along with 12 prints in cotton, there's 3 knits to pick from to make cozy garments! The prints are a super fun, retro vibe, especially with the color combinations and can be used in numerous gender-neutral sewing projects. You'll discover cute snails that serve as a great reminder for "slowing down," blooming florals and a gnome village that's filled with mushroom houses, and where gnomes gather to drink coffee and garden.

Check out our "Dew + Moss Fabric Lookbook" that features this collection and what you can sew with it! 

Here's our "Gnomesville Quilt" that is a bold, impactful design! Click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

- - 🍄 DEW + MOSS GIVEAWAY 🍄 - - 

Enter a chance to win these 12 prints by signing up to our giveaway!

Congratulations Sarah Jasinki! Please check your email. :)

*Once you have entered the giveaway it's normal for your information to disappear. To confirm your entry check your email for a confirmation and approve it. By entering our giveaway you'll be automatically signed up for our newsletters. Don't worry, we don't spam!