Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

To borrow a phrase from Miracle on 34^th Street, “Quiltmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.” Even though we’ve already shared all the blocks from the 2022 Quiltmas Spectacular, we’re celebrating Quiltmas all month long.

Haven’t heard of Quiltmas? Twelve pattern designers come together to create 12 free quilt blocks celebrating the holiday season! Every day between December 1^st and 12^th, the Quiltmas elves delivered a new, free block pattern. Stitch up every block for a holiday celebration quilt or choose your favorite to turn into pillows or wall hangings. All you need is some fabric from your stash and some Quiltmas cheer!

This is the fourth year of the Quiltmas Spectacular, and the third year that the Elves have partnered with Art Gallery Fabrics – and it’s definitely our favorite holiday tradition! See this year’s jubilation and past years' fun by looking through the hashtag #quiltmasspectacular! I loved designing a block to celebrate all things wintery and cheerful! And I love seeing the magic that each Quiltmas Elf stitches up. Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than seeing each Elf’s holiday designs come to life. This year was the most cheerful, most colorful year since we got to work with the most charming solids from the PURE Solids collection from Art Gallery Fabrics. Picked to coordinate with the Christmas In The City holiday line, these colors are sweeter than sugar plums and brighter than my twinkle lights!

To stay in the Quiltmas frame of mind, let’s ring our jingle bells in appreciation for the 2022 Quiltmas Team!

On the first day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Christine from Tessellate Textiles brought us a festive block, Paper Packages.

On the second day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Ben from Ben Millett brought us a jolly block, Fire Glow.

On the third day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Tiffany from Village Bound Quilts brought us a joyful block, Classic Cardinal.

On the fourth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Fran from Cotton and Joy brought us a merry block, Merry Mantle.

On the fifth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Lynett from Lyns Avenue brought us a magical block, Starmental.

On the sixth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Jemima from Tied With a Ribbon brought us a dashing block, Snowflake.

On the seventh day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Shannon from Shannon Fraser Designs brought us a delightful block, Refracted Star.

On the eighth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Julie from Running Stitch Quilts brought us a sparkling block, Winter Garden.

On the ninth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Claire from Made Just Sew brought us a wintry block, Seeking Santa.

On the tenth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Amanda from Broadcloth Studio brought us a playful block, Ski Season.

On the eleventh day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Laurel from Porcupine Sews Thread brought us a cheerful block, StarBurst.

On the twelfth day of Quiltmas, Quilt Elf Erin from Mija Handmade brought us a whimsical block, Jubilation Station.

If you’ve made one or all of the blocks, or if this is your first peek at the Quiltmas Spectacular, we hope these blocks bring you all the Quiltmas joy! If you didn’t sign up for the Quiltmas Spectacular, there’s still time! You can get all the 12 inch blocks delivered to your inbox, for FREE! Just sign up here. Make sure you sign up and download the patterns before December 31^st! That’s when we close the Quiltmas workshop for the year and take down the patterns. The 2022 Quiltmas Workshop is closed. Thanks for joining us everyone!

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED** Please reply within 7 days to claim your prize (check your email by December 28!) 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!
THE WINNER IS EMILY YADON! PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL TO REDEEM YOUR PRIZE!

We’re not done with Quiltmas yet! CLICK HERE for a chance to win a Fat Quarter Bundle of PURE Solids in 14 cheery colors: London Red, Flamingo, Cherry Lipgloss, Festival Fuchsia, Sweet Pink, Quartz Pink, Crystal Pink, White Linen, Raw Gold, Turmeric, Icy Mint, Mirage Blue, Secret Lagoon, and Zambia Stone. The giveaway ends on December 20th and the winner will be emailed by AGF and announced here on the blog. If you’ve already signed up for Quiltmas, you’re automatically entered in the giveaway. You can sign up again at the link above for a second chance to win!

By signing up for the Quiltmas Spectacular, you agree to subscribe to the Art Gallery Fabrics newsletter as well as the newsletters of the Quiltmas Elves. We promise not to spam you, sell your email or do anything Scrooge-like. And of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Hi makers!

My name is Karli and I am so excited to begin writing some blog posts for AGF! I work on tutorials and project creation here at AGF, so I am thrilled to be able to share my love of sewing and quilting with all you creative individuals, starting with these 12 Days of Christmas. 

The holidays are upon us and with Christmas only 19 short days away, I’m sure everyone is busy sewing and quilting away to finish up all their gifts to give. Along with that, it’s time to double-check and make sure you have everyone covered on your gift-giving list. Starting today, December 6th, and ending on the 21st (minus weekends), a new quick and easy DIY gift idea will be shared on Instagram and TikTok that includes home decor, gift wrapping, and more— all for free! While these ideas don’t include 11 pipers piping, 5 golden rings, or a partridge in a pear tree, they are still sure to be loved by any recipient. So grab your favorite AGF fabrics and get ready to sew because these tutorials are coming in hot! 

Make sure to check into this post daily for each new project to be uploaded! 

Day 1: Fabric Ornaments 12/6 

Easy Fabric Christmas Ornaments Tutorial With Free Pattern | Crafty For Home

Day 2: Stocking 12/7

Stocking-Instructions_new.pdf (liveartgalleryfabrics.com)

Day 3: Fabric Tree 12/8

DIY 3D Stuffed Fabric Christmas Tree Free Sewing Patterns | Fabric Art DIY

Day 4: Tree Mug Rug 12/9

adoring-coasters-instructions.pdf (liveartgalleryfabrics.com)

Day 5: Reusable Gift Bag 12/10

Fabric Gift Bags - QUILTsocial

Day 6: Apron 12/13

Vetiver-Apron-Instructions.pdf (liveartgalleryfabrics.com)

Day 7: Pot Holder 12/14

Stripey-Christmas-Ornament-Hot-Pad-Tutorial.pdf (quiltingdigest.com)

Day 8: Coffee Sleeve 12/15

Coffee+Cup+Sleeve+pattern+(2015_11_18+16_02_27+UTC).pdf (squarespace.com)

Day 9: Makeup Remover Pads 12/16

DIY Makeup Remover Pads: Reusable Face Wipes (kukarudesigns.com)

Day 10: Curling Iron Sleeve 12/17

Travel Curling Iron Sleeve Sewing Pattern - The Polka Dot Chair

Day 11: Table Topper - 12/20

Table Topper featuring Little Town Collection - CLICK HERE for instructions

Day 12: Placemat 

Christmas Bowtie Placemat Fabric Requirements

In the midst of the holidays, we tend to look for quick projects that can help us with that feeling of satisfaction of finishing a project. These projects will do just that, with some of them taking less than a half-hour! Make sure you share your finished Christmas gifts with us on social media by tagging us in your photo and using the hashtag #AGF12DaysofChristmas that way we can check it out and share the love! 

Happy Sewing!

-Karli

Hello Makers, 

46 days until Christmas and I am rocking and rolling this year, taking my time finding the best handmade makes to fill my home and to fill the homes of family and friends. If you haven’t jumped on the holiday making bandwagon yet this blog post might get you to jot a few sewing projects on your to-sew list. So, get a pen and paper ready as I show you some great ideas to set your table for the holidays and fill your home with handmade holiday makes and decor. 

Adorn your Tables with Table runners

A table runner will instantly transform your table, acting as a main focal point to uplift and liven the room and all the decor around it. Here are my top four favorite table runner patterns below. 

North Table Runner

    Fabrics used: Sparkler Fusion and Pure Solids

With a bit of appliqué and some triangle piecing, you can have this festive beauty finished in no time. Just imagine the magical reindeer parading down the length of your table among the glistening stars. 

The triangle border frames the majestic creatures so elegantly that not only will your guest be talking about how great your stuffing is but also where you got your beautiful table runner. 

Keep the quilting simple by using some basic straight line quilting to put more emphasis on your adorable appliqué. My favorite part of this table runner that makes it unique and stand out is the reindeers that are patchwork appliquéd. Which is great for using up your leftover scrap fabrics. 

Quilo Table Runner 

    Fabrics Used: Earthen and Pure Solids

The Quilo Table Runner made with Earthen fabrics reminds me of an ice-blue Winter Wonderland. The refreshing ranges of blues used in this table runner adds a nice calm and tranquil feel to your table. 

By using templates to create your half rectangle triangle units in the center of your runner to form the large obtuse triangles all in a row, gives off such a bold and sophisticated statement. 

Creating a double border of flying geese adds to the triangle feels of this runner adding great movement and depth. 

Red Braid Table Runner

   Fabrics Used: Cozy and Joyful Fabrics

You can’t go wrong with a braided quilt pattern design! With strips wide enough to fussy cut cute Christmas elements from the fabric, this intricate but easy to follow design is a great fast finish project! What’s great about this design is it’s easy to create as short or as long as you would like to fit your table. Quilt some organic wavy lines to add movement and texture to the structured braided design. 

Seasonal Runner 

Fabrics Used: Merry and Bright

Another great make to add to the list is the Seasonal Runner, I love all the Half Square triangles that make up the 10 "x" inspired quilt blocks in this runner. Using AGF Linen for the background of this runner showcases each blocks elegance and charm. Just quilting the backing and leaving the insides of the blocks without quilting will really make the center of your blocks stand out! 

The Perfect Pot Holders and Placemats 

If table runners aren’t your style maybe try your hand at a smaller size project like placemats or potholders. Place your homemade platters and dishes on handmade potholders. Make each guest feel special with a nice placemat setting just for them. 

Bauble Blocks

    Fabrics Used: Cozy and Joyful 

Turn these festive quilt blocks into placemats making each ornament in different holiday fabric! These blocks may only measure out to be 12” finished but add a border around your block to make it the perfect square placemat to welcome your guest to their seat. Whip up all the blocks you need in one afternoon and have fun quilting each one with a special holiday motif!

Quilted Potholders and Oven Mits

Fabrics Used: Foresta Fusion 

There is nothing faster to make than a solid fabric potholder. Cut two squares of your choice of holiday fabric, some batting, insul-bright batting, and some scrap fabric for the loop, and you're ready to make a quick and easy potholder to place your delicious holiday spread on. 

While you're at it, make yourself a pair of oven mitts to match to quickly pull things out of the oven and off the stovetop! 

Here is a quick bonus project I threw into the mix. Be super extra this year and make a matching apron to wear over your holiday apparel. 

    Fabrics Used: Foresta Fusion 

Of course, our apron needs a bit of patchwork and big roomie pockets! 

The Finishing Touches 

Fabric napkins are definitely the way to go this year. Embellish each place setting with a fabric napkin to elevate your dining experience. Choose from two great easy tutorials below. 

 Causal Mitered Napkins 

    Fabrics Used: Blithe Fabrics and AGF Denim Studio 

       The Neva Napkins  

      Fabrics Used: Sparker Fusions and AGF Denim Studio 

Ornaments 

    Fabrics Used: Merry and Bright

Add this fun fabric ornament to your ceiling to create a chandelier display above your table. 

  Fabrics Used: Merry and Bright

Make these plushie fabric ornaments to give away as holiday party favors to each one of your guests to take home and put on their tree. To share a bit of handmade with all of the people you love. 

Which project is your favorite? I hope all these project ideas have got you ready to sew for the holiday season. All you need to do is turn on some Christmas music, grab a hot beverage, and pull together all your holiday fabrics. 

If you create any of the patterns mentioned in this blog post using AGF fabrics we would love to see your creations. Make sure to post on social media using the  #artgalleryfabrics so we can find your makes. Do you have any other great holiday table setting ideas?  Make sure to share it in the comments below. 

Happy Holiday Sewing, 

Meli

Hello Fabric Friends,

I am smiling ear to ear because winter came early this year in Minnesota! Snow was already on the ground with there still being two weeks left in October! Though I am not enjoying the uncomfortably cold temps I am getting into the holiday spirit which means it’s time to start getting ready for the gift giving season if you haven’t started already! Though I don’t do as much as I would like, I always make a few handmade gifts for my friends and family each year! I recently learned about Furoshiki, which is the art of Japanese fabric wrapping.

Fabric Used: Cozy and Joyful Rayon- Candied Roses

I was so excited about the idea of wrapping my handmade gifts with fabric because not only is it eco friendly but it also creates the most gorgeous and elegant presents. The person you are gifting the present to will be impressed by your wrapping skills and can reuse it in so many ways. In the Fabric Wrapping video I created I show you three ways I will be reusing my fabric wraps.

You can use a wide variety of fabrics as your fabric wrap, besides for our AGF Rayons I  would definitely give our quilting cottons a try as well! I was amazed by the way our AGF Rayon draped and tied so beautifully. No more traditional paper fabric wrapping for me. I was never very good at it anyways and clean up in Christmas Eve will be so much easier! :) 

Fabrics Used: Trouvaille Rayon - Posy Blaze

Watch my video to learn three different ways to wrap your gifts this year! Let me know which one is your favorite and how you would reuse your fabric wrap!

    Fabrics Used: Cozy and Joyful Rayon- Plaid of my Dreams

Happy Sewing ,

Meli

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

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!