Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

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!

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!

Mister Domestic takes us to the great outdoors with his newest collection, "Catch & Release." Inspired by trips with his family to their favorite fishing spots in Oregon, he captures the spirit of relaxing and unwinding in nature with these 12 prints. 

Catch & Release is a whimsy collection that’s for those who enjoy disconnecting and being present in the moment. From swirling, schools of fish to gorgeous mountain scenery, these prints are perfect for creating fishing-inspired quilts, weekender bags, plushies, or even fishing gear for all ages.

In this collection, you'll discover schools of cute fish, paddles, ladybugs, a gorgeous mountain landscape, and even a fun, fish-scale print! 

This collection also comes in 3 knits - a super cute fish print in navy blue called "Catch & Release," a sweet fluttering ladybug print called "Good Luck Trails," and a ditzy floral print called "Flower Stream."

This collection also comes in a gorgeous, flower-filled rayon print named "Blue Bank Flora!" 

Along with Mister Domestic and other talented makers. we collaborated on fishing-inspired projects in our "Catch & Release Lookbook!" Make sure to check it out for inspiration of what to sew with these fabrics. 

Here's our "Making Waves Quilt" that's filled with tons of fun print and movement, just click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Free Quilt Pattern

---- CATCH & RELEASE GIVEAWAY----

Enter a chance to win this fish-filled bundle of "Catch & Release" by signing up to our giveaway:

Congratulations to our winner, Michelle Olejar! 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!

Have you ever been on a road trip that just inspired you so much? There's something just so exciting about packing up, jumping behind the steering wheel and heading out on an unforgettable adventure. Windows down, music up...observing all the sounds, sights, smells..as you drive through quiet forests, open fields, majestic mountains, serene deserts...welcoming spontaneity and the unexpected. Trips like this often bring new perspectives and creative ideas, and this is exactly what happened to our designer, Bonnie Christine! 

Bonnie recently went on an 8,000-mile road trip across the country with her family in a vintage Airstream named "Miss Marjorie"! With each state that she visited, she collected wildflowers from the roadside and also took tons of photos of wildlife and nature. Once she arrived home, she decided to use everything she had seen on her trip and turn it into her latest collection, "The Open Road"! 

"The most challenging print is also my favorite…the animals print called “Walking with Bear” (and Doe). It’s one of the most detailed and intricate prints I’ve ever created and although it was challenging, I loved every minute of it. These are all animals we had sightings of during our travels, and I love how it represents the wildlife of our beautiful country."

The Open Road is a sweet collection for children as well as those young at heart. With these 16 prints that are filled with wildflowers and cute animals, there’s plenty of options for you to create nature-inspired quilts, throw pillows, travel accessories, and romantic boho garments!

This collection also comes in two colorways! Bonnie created both of these groups of colors by pulling inspiration found in photographs she took during her trip. The "Under The Sun" colorway has earthy tones of blush pink, sienna and sage. The "Under The Trees" colorway has sunny hues with pops of navy and kelly green. 

To learn more about Bonnie's inspiration, the story behind the fabrics and projects you can create with this collection, head to our "The Open Road Fabric Lookbook!" 

Here's the lovely "Marjorie's Quilt" that features a map of the United States...just click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

- - The Open Road Giveaway - - 

Here's your chance to win a bundle of these gorgeous fabrics! To enter, just sign up to our giveaway - details below. 

Congratulations to our winner, Josina Dunkel! 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!

Anyone else preppin’ for the "most wonderful time of the year," a.k.a. Christmas in July?! 

I know a lot of us get a jump start on holiday sewing this month which is definitely a fun way to take a break from the summer heat, cool off in the air conditioning and get ahead on that big gift list. Handmade gifts definitely take time, especially when it comes to quilting! If you're searching for some fabric to use with your holiday-inspired projects, look no further! We got you covered with options. 

Introducing our first ever, holiday-inspired collective, “Merry & Bright” that’s filled with whimsy prints from designers like Amy Sinibaldi, Pat Bravo, Maureen Cracknell, Katarina Roccella and Bonnie Christine. Inspired by winter and cozy feels, you’ll discover snow-covered forests, twinkling stars, mistletoe, ribbons, and berries. 

Grounded in a color palette of frosted berry, evergreen and vanilla cream, these 10 prints are great for quilts, pillows, wall art, and gift giving! "Merry & Bright" is our first ever holiday-inspired collection so we're super excited to share it with you, and hope it brings your sewing lots of joy. 🌲🌟 It's available now in stores too! 

Now that you're familiar with our latest collection, check out our "Merry & Bright Fabric Lookbook" that filled with tons of holiday ideas! 

Here's our whimsy "Noel Quilt" that's great to add to any wall! Click the link below for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

- MERRY & BRIGHT GIVEAWAY - 

Enter a chance to win a fabric bundle of this collection by signing up to our giveaway:

Congratulations to our winner, Cyndi Black! 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!