Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hello, my fellow creators!

I am back with some exciting projects because I don’t know about you, but I will take any holiday as an excuse to start sewing! Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I was really excited to put together some of my favorite free patterns that you can make just in time for the big. There is something for everyone here, whether you want to quilt for a loved one or smaller projects for friends, you’ll find it right here. 

Wrapped Bouquets

Featuring Everlasting by Sharon Holland

DOWNLOAD PATTERN

Marianne Pillows

Featuring Ballerina Fusion by AGF 

DOWNLOAD PATTERN

Hearts

Featuring Bachelorette Fusions by AGF 

DOWNLOAD PATTERN

Dancing Blooms Block

Featuring Flowerette by AGF Studio

DOWNLOAD PATTERN

Scalloped Tote

Featuring PURE Solids, Signature, and Bloomsbury Fabrics

DOWNLOAD PATTERN

These are just some of my favorites! Ranging from beginner-friendly bouquets wraps to a little more challenging projects like handbags, and for any experienced quilters, we have a quilt block and a quilt to add to your sewing list. 

But here’s the best part of it all, the fun doesn’t end here! If you don’t follow us on Pinterest, you definitely should now as we are always making boards filled with tons of sewing inspiration. You’ll find projects for every occasion and holiday, and now there is a Valentine’s Day project board filled with 20+ FREE sewing projects that you can download with just a click of a button.  Be inspired by all this sewing content and all the dreamy fabrics featured that are ideal for these projects!

SEE PINTEREST BOARD HERE

If anyone is sewing for the season, please let me know in the comments below what you’re working on. As always, I’d love to see what you’re making on social media, so don’t forget to tag your makes under the hashtag #artgalleryfabrics.

Happy Valentine’s Day,

-Jannelle 

Happy Holidays, Makers!

Last week I shared with you some of my favorite quilty projects that were not as big as a quilt but captures everything you love about patchwork in a smaller package. But this time around, I realized that I still need to make more gifts but with Christmas around the corner, I have even less time to complete projects. 

So, here’s another list of free sewing projects that are even smaller, perfect for any last-minute gift making! The biggest project being a pillow and it’s for those quilters who are already quick in putting a block together, but most of these projects are still quite small that will take no more than an hour to create. 

Make several of each, or choose one that you find is perfect to gift. No matter what project it is, you’ll have a blast sewing them! 

*Featuring Legendary fabrics by Pat Bravo

DOWNLOAD HERE

Starting with the “Stories” bag, this little patchwork bag is a dream to make! Have fun with the fabric you already have, it’s a great scrap-buster and you can hand-quilt it for a unique look. 

*Featuring Daydream by Patty Basemi

DOWNLOAD HERE

Step into the clouds with this “Memoir” pillow!  Created with a mixture of hourglass blocks and fun applique design, you can have a lot of quilty fun with this make. Gift it to any new parent for their nursery or they can add it for a pop of texture on a rocking chair or glider for a kid’s room.

*Featuring Summer Side by Dana Willard

DOWNLOAD HERE

Make a cute case to store your sunnies! This project is small enough to make for several of your loved ones and it’s also a great stocking stuffer. 

*Featuring Merry & Bright by AGF

DOWNLOAD HERE

 This is one of my favorite gifts to receive because I just enjoy all things for the kitchen! Sew it up with some bright fabric prints and gift it to someone that loves to cook too.

*Featuring Ballerina Fusion by AGF

DOWNLOAD HERE

Do you have a sewing buddy? Let them know you appreciate them during these times and make these adorable pincushions! You can make one for all your sewing friends, and it’s a special gift you know they’ll use and enjoy. 

*Featuring Knit Solids by AGF

DOWNLOAD HERE

THROWBACK to when I made these bright colored and super soft “1979 Pillows”!  As a beginner sewist, I wanted to make something easy to sew, especially since it was my first time working with our knits. This pattern is great for anyone starting to learn! Kill 2 birds with 1 stone because this pattern creates 2 pillows with the same set of strips (yay for zero-waste!) 

*Featuring Terra Kotta by AGF Studio

DOWNLOAD HERE

Last but not least, sew up these lovely patchwork facemasks! We are still going through a pandemic and many of us can’t see some of our family members, but something like this would be a great gift to send. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe with a handmade mask! 

I hope you enjoyed this short list of small projects, and as always I’d love to see them if you make them! Tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #artgalleryfabrics to share the love. I’m wishing everyone out there a safe, and happy holiday season. Until next time…

Happy Sewing!

-Jannelle 

Hello Sewing Friends, 

 I am welcoming December with open arms and a big smile on my face! I have always loved counting down the days til Christmas with each passing day my excitement grows in anticipation for spending time with family, eating holiday treats and creating memories that will last a life time. Today I have a fun quilting tips video about how to attach your quilt as you go blocks in two different ways using the stitch in the ditch method and the binding strip method! 

If you missed out on my last quilting tips video all about the basics of Quilting As You Go make sure to check this video out for a great scrap busting tutorial! Use the  blocks you create in todays video and sew them up to create a table runner or full size quilt! 

I decided to get into the holiday spirit and whip up some AGF Holiday inspired free block patterns! Choose from two great patterns or sew them both, the Winter Wonderland Block is a gorgeous tree pattern and the Bauble Block is the cutest ornament block perfect for showcasing large scale fabrics!  

Enjoy the video tutorial below! 

Happy Sewing, 

Melissa

Hello Makers,

I am so excited about our brand new Youtube Series called Quilting Tips! In this playlist my mission is to cover all the basics every beginner quilter should know to jump start them on their quilting journey and to have them making finished quilts in no time!

Today’s new video is about Quilting As You Go!  Grab a piece of batting and pull out your scrap bin because not only is this process a great scrap buster but it saves you the extra steps of having to quilt your project after you have pieced it together. Quilting as you go you is essentially piecing your fabrics as well as attaching it to the batting so you are doing the piecing and quilting all in one step! After learning this fun technique you will never throw out another scrap a fabric again. It's so much fun making your project as small or as big as you want and watching it grow. You can turn your finished piece into so many fun projects like coasters, tote bags, placemats, pillows and so much more!

To follow along with me to make your own quilt as you go project watch the video below!

Make sure to head over to our Youtube Channel to discover more quilting tips, tutorials and fun fabric videos!

Happy Sewing,

Melissa

Hello Makers,

Have you started sewing for the Holiday’s yet? With just a few short weeks of Summer left Fall is coming quicker than we think. This morning it was in the lower 50s in Minnesota and I already started unpacking my winter clothes! In a matter of days department stores will have their holiday decor set up and we will already be thinking of people on our gift giving list! As makers we make more then we buy present, or at least we try too!  So to avoid stressful sewing and all nighters getting a quilt finished in time, it’s best we all start sewing today!

I am so happy to share with you a Fabric Haul video featuring Cozy and Joyful Fabrics by Maureen Cracknell! This collection is filled with holiday cheer showcasing traditional holiday elements such as nutcrackers, gingerbread men and reindeer. There are also so many great blender fabrics that can be used all year around in your quilting. For holiday sewing inspiration and to learn more about Cozy and Joyful watch my fabric haul video. Make sure to check out our Fabric Project Catalog for more sewing and project ideas! 

Happy Sewing,

Meli

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!