Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hi Makers,

An award-winning quilter, author of a quilt book and a craft book...just a few things that make her extra special...and now she's our newest AGF Sewcialite! Please give a warm welcome to the talented, Carolina Moore!

Born in Holland and currently living in sunny San Diego, California with her husband, two sons, a dog and a cat, Carolina's been quilting for 25 years! Using her expertise and amazing precision with each make, we first noticed her back in 2012, when she became part of an AGF sewing challenge. After falling in love with her quilty passion and work, we began collaborating with Carolina on several projects for our Quilt Market booths and lookbooks. Describing her design style as "fun, bold, modern," she's obsessed with English Paper Piecing, as well as long arm quilting, and chocolate. :)  We're so excited to have her as part of our AGF family and can't wait for the upcoming projects she has planned this year. 

To get to know Carolina a little better, here's a fun little interview we did with her!

______________________________________________________________________

Congratulations on becoming an AGF Sewcialite! Can you tell us a little bit about your background, and how you eventually got to where you are today?

Thanks so much! I am crazy excited to be an AGF Sewcialite! Getting to play with gorgeous AGF fabrics every day means I’m totally living my best life! The short version of my story is that my mom grew up sewing garments. She loved sewing. When we moved here to the US, she took a quilting class and caught the quilting bug as well. She taught me to sew, and sent me to a kids’ quilting camp where I fell in love with quilting as well! I also did some garment sewing, and my mom and I made my prom dress together. After having my first son, I actually spent a couple years working in a quilt shop. It was there that I was introduced to AGF. After participating in an AGF challenge, I had the opportunity to make some projects for some award-winning Art Gallery Fabrics booths at Quilt Market, and then I started attending Houston Quilt Market and teaching classes! I love making, and try to do something creative every day.

What was the very first thing you sewed?

With a mom who did a lot of sewing, I have been sewing as long as I can remember! The first thing that I remember sewing was dresses for my dolls from my mom’s fabric scraps. I was still a beginner, so my dolls had a lot of strapless gowns since it only required a single seam.

What are some of your favorite projects to create? Favorite technique?

I love quilts. And pillows. And bags. I love small projects and simple projects because life gets so busy that if it isn’t small or simple, it gets tossed into the WIP pile, never to be seen again! Though every now and then I love taking on a really ambitious project! My favorite techniques are English Paper Piecing (my book “Learn how to English Paper Piece” just came out with Nancy’s Notions last month), and I love Free Motion Quilting.

If you were a sewing notion, what would you be and why?

What a fun question! I really struggled with this one, though! Am I the thread that keeps things together? Am I a needle because I’m always sharp? What about a seam ripper that always has your back during the tough times? After giving it a lot of thought, I think I’m probably batting. I’m always in the middle of stuff, I’m all about keeping things warm, and I am a little fluffy … though I’m trying to make healthier choices so that I can be more “low loft!”

If you had to describe your describe aesthetic in 3 words, they would be?

Fun, bold, modern.

What are some of your favorite things to do in California!?

I grew up in California’s High Desert, went to college and got married up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and now live in San Diego…so there is SO MUCH that I love to do in California! My favorite might be a new tradition that we started with my kids. Each summer, we plan a road trip from San Diego up to the Bay Area to visit family. Last year, we went to the LaBrea Tar Pits in LA, and then up to the Sequoias. The year before, we spent the night in Solvang (a cute little tourist town with a Danish look) and then up to Hearst Castle. I love teaching my kids how to plan a trip, and then we all get to enjoy the trip together!

And here in San Diego, I love the beach. We live about 20 minutes away, and when one of us is having a rough day, I like to get everyone into the car and head to the ocean. Watching the sunset over the water seems to make everything just a little bit better.

Where do you often find your inspiration?

I find that inspiration can come from anywhere! Sometimes, I’m inspired by wanting to make something for a friend. Or needing something like a purse or an apron. And there are those special times when the fabric just speaks to me and tells me what it wants me to turn it into. Those are the best.

Your favorite movie of all time is?

HA! This is a funny question because I grew up in a house without a lot of television. We had a TV, but just “rabbit ears” - no cable. And my mom really didn’t want us spending our time in front of the TV. So, I spent a lot of time reading and making. Because of that, I don’t know that I have a *favorite* movie. Movies I really enjoy are “Big Fish,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” and “Shawshank Redemption.” As for books, I love listening to audiobooks while sewing. My favorite fiction books are the Harry Potter series and the Hunger Games series, and my favorite non-fiction is probably “Big Magic” and “The year of Yes.”

What’s on your “sewing to-do list” for this year?!

Oh my! I have so much on my sewing to-do list this year! I want to make pincushions and have already started with some. I have a couple of bags that I really want to make this year. I’m finally getting some new furniture for the living room, so I plan to make some new cushions. And I want to work on projects where I can teach beginners. I really, really love new quilters and treasure each opportunity to teach a new person how to quilt.

That’s what I have planned so far - I’m sure other projects will sneak their way in! Sometimes the inspiration just strikes and I have to put aside everything else just to create!

______________________________________________________________________

Make sure to follow her at:

Instagram // @craftmoore

Facebook // Carolina Moore 

Youtube // Carolina Moore Channel 

Pinterest // Carolina Moore 

Blog // Always Expect Moore

We hope you had fun getting to know Carolina. Stay tuned with her upcoming projects involving our fabrics! 

Until then, keep creating - 

Sophia 

Calling all you rayon lovers! We have some SUPER EXCITING news for you! For the FIRST TIME EVER, we’re launching four, new rayons that are filled with STRIPES...meaning you’ll have more options to play with regarding prints. From a white and black combination to blue, teal, and a mustard (my fave), these RAYON STRIPED fabrics are timeless go-to’s and extremely versatile for so many different kinds of sewing projects. 

Our rayon is 100% natural (made from wood pulp), so it’s extremely lightweight and flowy that creates an ultra smooth hand and delicate drape. If you've never sewn or felt our rayon, I highly recommend you get your hands on some, ASAP. It's seriously so dreamy feeling! I have several dresses made from our rayon and LOVE the way they feel, the colors also hold up after each wash.

Since we love thinking “outside the box,” we decided to switch things up for this substrate’s fabric lookbook and create not only garments but a quilt and some fun accessories too. This lookbook was a lot of fun to put together, so we hope it inspires you to try something different and sew outside your comfort zone, especially with quilts. :)

For more rayon-filled projects that include a quilt, garments and cute accessories like scrunchies and scarves, head over to our "Rayon Striped Lookbook! 

Here's our dreamy "Stripy Quilt" for you to sew up using our rayon, just click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

Enter a chance to win this fabulous, fabric bundle by signing up to our giveaway:

Our winner is Robin Klein! Congratulations and 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 remember walking into my "Sacred Geometry" class in art school and being so confused by everything our teacher was explaining for the first, few weeks. The class involved a lot of math and applying it to creating art, and well, math and I aren't the best of friends, haha! It wasn't until a few weeks when he started breaking down how artists during the Renaissance period used a special grid to create their paintings that I suddenly become super intrigued and wanted to know more and more! The special grid was called "The Golden Ratio" or also known as "The Divine Proportion" and was used by some of the greats like Leonardo Da Vinci. From that moment on, I've never look at a painting from that time period the same way and feel super grateful for learning that secret! I often use it in my own approach to design. 

Fast forward to modern day where we still use grids to not only create paintings, but also use them in almost everything from using them as guides in Photoshop for graphic design, on our phones to take a that perfectly symmetrical picture, and even to design that perfect quilt block. Grids are also used in architecture, city planning (NYC is all on a grid!), and can even be found in nature. Our designer Katarina Roccella was inspired by this whole idea and decided to make it her main focus for her PhD thesis in art. After spending time researching and becoming more inspired, she decided this whole idea had to be turned into a fabrics which is now our latest collection, GRID! 

For more elegant-inspired projects that include quilt, garment and home decor patterns, head over to our "Grid Fabric Lookbook!"

Here's our  "Megapixel Quilt" for you to to make! Just click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

Enter a chance to win this fabulous, fabric bundle by signing up to our giveaway.

- - - GRID GIVEAWAY - - -  

Congratulations to our winner, Buffie Lorah! 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!

Even though it's technically winter, here in Florida we're used to warm sunshine this time of year! You'll often find us Floridians decorating palm tress with Christmas lights, and there's been several years where I've even gone to the beach on New Year's Day with the family. 

With this in mind, we decided to stick to what we know and bring in some warmer climates with Maureen Cracknell’s latest collection, Sun Kissed! Inspired by soaking up the sunshine and glowing skin after a cool swim, this fabric line features cute smiley suns, swimming pool tiles, tropical florals and palm trees swaying in a relaxing breeze. It's like one big tropical dream. 

With a color palette of ocean blues, cherry reds and citrus fused yellows, Sun Kissed is sure to create a “island escape” feel in your sewing projects.  From “summer time” feeling quilts, throw pillows, rugs, beachy accessories, and effortless, resort-inspired garments for strolling along a boardwalk, you’ll definitely have some “fun in the sun” sewing with these twenty prints!

For more beachy inspired projects that include quilts, garments and home decor patterns, head over to our "Sun Kissed Fabirc Lookbook!" 

Here's our lovely "Sun Spots Quilt" made by Maureen Cracknell for you to enjoy, just click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

- - - - SUN KISSED GIVEAWAY - - - - 

Congratulations to our winner, Sarah Zimmerman! Please check your email to claim your prize. :)

*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!

Hope you enjoy our last collection of this year and wishing you all have a happy, healthy 2019! 

Keep creating,

- Sophia 

Hi Makers!

If you have been following AGF for a while, you would know that we don't often focus on contrasting colors of black, red, and white in our collections. Well, we decided to do things a little different this time and this time, and bring them to center stage in our latest collection! Inspired by what you’d discover while traveling the trading route that connected The East to The West, AGF created its latest collection, “Silkroad Fusion.” This fabric line celebrates the emerging trend of Asian influences in textiles with designs from ancient techniques of brushwork that’s modernized with geometrics and florals, creating a unique, exotic mix for your sewing.

We decided to do a new take on color combinations and use full bodied hues of scarlet red and charcoal black mixed with pops of white. Silkroad Fusion is ideal for creating elegant and impactful sewing projects. Available in cotton with select prints in knits and a rayon, these designs can be used to sew bold quilts, pillows, table runners, wall hangings, Japanese-style garments like kimonos, and statement accessories.

For more elegant-inspired projects that include quilt, garment and home decor patterns, head over to our "Silkroad Fusion" lookbook! 

Here's our lovely "Shoji Quilt" for you to enjoy, just click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

In case you need some ideas for blender to use for Silkroad Fusion, here's my picks from our AGF Elements: 

-- SILKROAD GIVEAWAY -- 

Enter a chance to win this fabulous, fabric bundle by signing up to our giveaway:

Congratulations, Nancy Page!  You're our WINNER to our giveaway! 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 spent a day exploring an artsy neighborhood?! You’d probably start your day, grabbing a cup of coffee at a cute cafe, wander in and out of art galleries, browse small shops that are filled with unique, artisanal crafts, and of course, spend some time photographing all the amazing murals you’d unexpectedly find in alleyways. In Florida, if you're looking to see some street art or explore some unique shops, galleries, plant stores and delicious cafes, our biggest art district here is "Wynwood" which is a fun place to head to! If you were here this past weekend, you got to experience the annual "Art Basel" in full action with artists arriving from all around the world, creating unique, pop-up installations and events. There's never a dull moment in the art district between the art and people watching, you'll always leave with a ton of inspiration. 

Inspired by a city’s art district, AGF created its latest collection, “Art District Fusion.” This fabric line features all the sights you’d spot while strolling down quaint streets that are home to many artists and creative like-minds. From bright colors and eye-catching designs like friendly cats, decadent ice cream, and painterly textures, this fabric line is available in cotton with select prints in knits and a rayon for garment makers! Designed for all you “art lovers at heart,” Art District Fusion is perfect for creating modern and playful sewing projects like geometric-filled quilts, pillows, rugs, and accessories that make a bold, artistic statement.

Head over to our “Art District Fusion Lookbook” for more sewing ideas and projects!

Here's our lovely "Street Signs Quilt" for you to enjoy, just click the below link for the FREE pattern:

Download Quilt Pattern

Here's my favorite blenders that can easily coordinate with "Art District Fusion!" 

-- ART DISTRICT FUSION GIVEAWAY --

Our giveaway winner is Nancy Hart-Kline! Congratulations and 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!