Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

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 

Summer's here, and it's time to soak up those sunny vibes! ☀️ Get ready to embrace the retro charm and vibrant colors with our exciting collections: Daisy by Maureen Cracknell and Flower Bloom & PURE Solids by AGF Studio. These trending prints and blenders perfectly fuse the timeless appeal of retro styles with a modern color palette. They bring the essence of summer, allowing you to create trend-setting projects that will make a statement everywhere you go! I can already see so many summer projects being made with these fabrics.  

Come join me as we take a deep dive into each collection!

Daisy by Maureen Cracknell 

Splash into summer with the Daisy collection! Bursting with a colorful palette and a touch of vintage flair, these floral designs will captivate your senses. You'll also find coordinating novelty motifs like pretty vases and sweet bees, adding extra charm to this collection. It's a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern style. Available in 16 cotton prints, 1 Flowy Rayon, and 1 Cozy Flannel, this is a must-have for any quilting or sewing project in need of a colorful touch.

Here's a fun fact: Designer Maureen found inspiration in the joy and cheerfulness symbolized by daisy flowers and summer picnics. Her goal was to create a collection that uplifts and energizes makers, brimming with brightness, happiness, and the hopeful spirit of the season. She would love to see quilts in her prints.

*Featuring fabrics: Garden Path Deep and Reflective Meadow from Daisy by Maureen Cracknell

Don't miss out on our FREE ‘Imagine Daisy’ Lunch Bag pattern featuring these lovely prints. It's the ultimate summer project for your on-the-go adventures. Download it now, and get ready to craft!

Flower Bloom by AGF Studio  

Attention all floral and print enthusiasts! Prepare to have your dreams fulfilled with the mesmerizing Flower Bloom Collection. Indulge in the boldness and beauty of blooming flowers combined with groovy prints that will transport you to a retro wonderland. Get ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant summer paradise as you explore the collection's warm and rich color palette. The possibilities are endless and available in 12 cotton prints, 1 Soft Knit, 1 Flowy Rayon, and 1 Sturdy Canvas. So, lace up your skates and let your inner flower child shine brightly with this captivating collection.

*Featuring fabrics: Garden Path Deep and Reflective Meadow from Flower Bloom by AGF Studio 

Get your hands on our FREE ‘Lazy Pillow’ Pattern, highlighting these delightful prints. It's the perfect summer project for unwinding on lazy, sun-soaked days. Download it now and start creating!

PURE Solids by AGF Studio 

Don’t forget your blenders! Our renowned PURE Solids fabrics are the secret ingredient to giving your project that special spark. These versatile fabrics act as the perfect balance, seamlessly blending with your chosen prints and enhancing your overall design. With our wide range of Elements and Solids, you have an abundance of options to choose from. So don't overlook the power of blenders – they are the key to taking your creations to new heights of beauty and harmony. Let your imagination soar as you incorporate these essential elements into your projects.

*Featuring fabrics: Cosmos and Olive Oil from PURE Solids by AGF Studio 

Add a touch of brightness and fun to your home decor with our FREE ‘Summery Pillow’ pattern. This delightful pattern beautifully showcases the vibrant and playful fabrics from our PURE Solids and Nature Elements collections. 

Discover more fabric projects in our Daisy & Flower Bloom Lookbooks that will show you new ways to piece together these fabrics and inspire you to get on your sewing machine.

Our goal is to spread joy through fabric with our vibrant hues and delightful, whimsical prints that uplift your creative spirit. We hope these collections bring brightness and happiness to your home but with style too. If you have this collection and want to share your creations, make sure to tag us on social media and use the hashtag #AGFDaisy #AGFFlowerBloom and #AGFPureSolids so that we can share the love!

May your summer be brimming with relaxing moments and pretty fabrics! Thank you for coming along on this journey with me, and let me know what you’re looking forward to sewing with these collections in the comments below. 

Until next time and Happy Sewing! 

-Juana

Hello makers and fabric lovers!

With a new season upon us, what better way to honor the bright colors of spring with new shades of a couple of our most popular blenders: Floral and Decostitch Elements! These six new colors of each are perfect to add to your stash of AGF blenders since they make up a few missing shades between some, and they work well with others. 

If you’re unsure what blenders are and how to use them, check out this previous blog post that gives you great ideas on how to use these non-directional fabrics. 

Introducing our new Floral Elements in Sweet Peach, Victorian Brick, Antique Rose, Chalk, Washed Denim, and Storm Winds.

Introducing our new Decostitch Elements in Topiary, Airy, Timber Wolf, Desert Rose, Abyss, and Rosebud. 

In addition to our new prints, we have also revamped a few of our patterns using the new colors. First up, we have our checkered bucket hat using a variety of different Florals and Decostitch to create this soft statement piece that is perfect to add to your wardrobe. For this hat we used our Florals in Washed Denim, Storm Winds, Antique Rose, Sweet Peach, Victorian Brick, and Chalk, and our Decostitch in Abyss, Timber Wolf, Airy, Rosebud, and Desert Rose. 

To view the video tutorial for this hat, click here. 

We also have a PDF version of this hat pattern that we created with flannel if you would like to download that as well. You can find that here. 

For strip set 1, we used Floral Victorian Brick for fabric A, Decostitch Rosebud for fabric B, Floral Antique Rose for fabric C, Floral Sweet Peach for Fabric D, and Decostitch Timber Wolf for fabric E. For strip set 2, we used Floral Storm Winds for fabric F, Floral Chalk for fabric G, Floral Washed Denim for fabric H, Decostitch Airy for fabric I, and Decostitch Abyss for fabric J. We used Decostitch Desert Rose for fabric K, which is the lining. 

Next up I have another statement piece for your wardrobe, this Artsy Tote that we made using a combination of new and timeless Decostitch colors in Cloud, Caffe Latte, Blue Minerale, Indigo Sky, Skyline Blue, Granite, Timber Wolf, and Abyss, in addition to our linen blend in Soft Sand. This tote has a combination of rectangles, squares, and half and quarter circles to form a trendy catch-all that can be taken anywhere you go; the beach, farmers market, the coffee shop…anywhere! 

To view the PDF pattern for this tote, click here. 

Last up are two new combinations of our Florals to make our favored Alegria computer cover. The first one includes Antique Rose, Sweet Peach, and Victorian Brick and the second one includes Washed Denim, Storm Winds, and Chalk. We used high loft batting to make this computer case perfect to protect what’s inside while also adding velcro to keep the flap closed. 

To view the PDF pattern for this laptop cover, click here. 

The excitement to sew with these fabrics was growing and I was so happy when I finally got to cut into these beauties. With spring upon us and summer coming quickly, I know that I will get a ton of use out of the bucket hat and tote bag, and I can’t wait to show these projects off to friends and family. 

I want to see what you make with our new Florals and Decostitch! Share your photos on social media and use the #ArtGalleryFabrics so I can share the love! 

Happy sewing everyone! 

Hello makers!

For those of you that have been following along with our Patchwork Stories, we have arrived at another week of inspirational handmade projects, and this week is centered around decor and different ways you can incorporate patchwork into your home. We’ve seen some different ways to spice up our wardrobe and accessories, as well as some comfy elements to snuggle with like pillows and of course quilts, but what about the one place that is all about togetherness and bringing families together: the dining table. 

Featuring coasters, placemats, and a table runner, this dining setup is the perfect inspiration for the coming spring and summer seasons. Paired with a variety of prints from multiple different fabric collections, our Pure Solids make a fabulous appearance coupled with matching shades and contrasting combinations. 

These super cute coasters consist of four squares with one snowballed corner, diagonal quilting, and simple binding to keep your surfaces free from water rings and let’s face it, make your drink glasses look pretty. You can find the instructions on how to make these coasters here: Reverie-Coasters_Instructions-1.pdf (liveartgalleryfabrics.com) 

For these coasters we used these fabrics:

• ‘Berry Picking’ from “Lilliput” by Sharon Holland
• ‘Sunbleached Leaves’ and ‘Flying Seeds’ from “Soften the Volume”
• ‘Hillside Gust’ from “Velvet” by Amy Sinibaldi
• ‘Cherished Gatherings Glint’ from “Open Heart” by Maureen Cracknell
• Pure Solids in ‘Mauvelous,’ ‘Miami Sunset,’ ‘Ocean Fog,’ and ‘Fresh Sage’ 

While they don’t entirely have snowballed corners, these placemats combine strip piecing and diagonal seams to create a lovely contrast between the lighter and darker fabrics while letting the floral print shine through. You can find the instructions on how to make these placemats here: Musing-Placemats_Instructions-1.pdf (liveartgalleryfabrics.com) 

For these placemats we used these fabrics:

• ‘Jasmine Soulful’ from “Velvet” by Amy Sinibaldi
• ‘Flying Seeds’ from “Soften the Volume”
• Pure Solids in ‘Ocean Fog,’ Fresh Sage,’ and ‘Patina Green’

This table runner consists of mainly flying geese using the no-waste flying geese method. By pairing like colors together, each flying goose has an effortless combination while also contrasting beautifully with the flying geese around it. You can find the instructions on how to make this table runner here: woolgathering-table-runner_Instructions-1.pdf (liveartgalleryfabrics.com) 

For this table runner we used these fabrics:

• ‘Berry Picking’ and ‘Ode to Toady’ from “Lilliput” by Sharon Holland
• ‘Flying Seeds,’ ‘Natural Bouquet,’ and ‘Sashiko Mending’ from “Soften the Volume
• ‘Cherished Gatherings Glint’ from “Open Heart” by Maureen Cracknell
• ‘Hillside Gust’ from “Velvet” by Amy Sinibaldi
• ‘Rambling Rose Briar’ from “Spirited” by Sharon Holland
• ‘Teeny Weeny Cinnamon’ from “Little Clementine” by AGF Studio
• Pure Solids in ‘Mauvelous,’ ‘Blossomed,’ ‘Miami Sunset,’ ‘Ocean Fog,’ Patina Green,’ and ‘Blushing’

I recently just moved into my own little studio apartment (yay!) and I needed some ideas for home decor and these techniques and color palettes are exactly what I am going for. They are bright and colorful and perfect for adding some homey-ness to my humble abode. 

I would love to see your take on these projects, so make sure to tag us in your photos on social media using the hashtag #artgalleryfabrics and #AGFPatchworkStories

Happy sewing everyone!

Karli

Hello makers! 

If you follow our YouTube channel, then you may have recently watched a video on how to make a 9-patch block using the strip piecing technique. If you haven’t seen the video, make sure you go watch it here: 

Easy 9-Patch Block Using Strip Piecing - YouTube 

This video is part one of the project that I will be sharing with you all below: a big fluffy patchwork pillow, which is part of our Patchwork Stories. To read up on our Patchwork Stories and the role it can play in our everyday lives, check out our past blog post here:

AGF Patchwork Stories: 45-Degree Strip Piecing - Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog (agfblog.com)

This pillow is super easy and simple to make and can use any patchwork you may have such as spare blocks, and it’s fat quarter and half yard friendly. This pillow has a finished size of about 20” x 20”, but the best part is that you can make it whatever size you may want! If you’re interested to see how we made this pillow, make sure to keep reading below. 

Here is what you will need:

• The patchwork block we made in part one
• A 20” x 20” piece of batting
• (2) 20” x 15” pieces of fabric for the pillow backing. I used Ikat Diamond Rustic from ‘Kismet’
• Scissors
• A 20” square pillow form or stuffing

Start with your patchwork block laying flat on your work surface.

Grab a template that is the size of the pillow that you want. I have a piece of foam here that is 20” x 20” but you can use a large square ruler, a piece of cardboard, or anything else square that you have. Position your template at an angle on your block and mark each corner. Your template should fit perfectly so that each corner matches up with a seam. 

You can either trace around your template if the edges are smooth, like a ruler or use a longer ruler to draw a line from mark to mark. 

Take a pair of scissors and cut on your drawn lines. 

Lay your cut block on top of a piece of batting and quilt as you see fit. I personally like my batting a little larger than the piece I’m quilting just in case there is any shifting. In this case, I decided to quilt a line ¼” away from each seam for a little rustic feel. 

Trim away any excess batting and set your pillow front aside. Grab your two backing pieces and fold one long edge on each piece down ½”, then down another ½” and topstitch in place. 

Lay your pillow front right side up. Take your two backing pieces and place one right sides together on top of the pillow front with your folded edge in the middle. Place the other backing piece right sides together with the folded edge also in the middle. The two folded edges will overlap. Stitch around the entire square at 1/4".

Trim your corners, turn right sides out, stuff with your pillow form or stuffing and you have a patchwork pillow!

I had so much fun making this pillow because there wasn’t really any pattern or rhythm to follow, I could just improvise what I thought looked pretty. You can use your leftover scraps for another pillow, or any other project that you feel like making! 

I hope you all enjoyed this tutorial and I would love to see what your patchwork pillows look like, so make sure to tag us on social media using the hashtag #AGFPatchworkStories.

Happy sewing!

Karli

Hi makers!

The holidays are coming to an end once again, so it’s time for cleaning, eating leftovers, and deciding on New Year's resolutions. One of my resolutions for this next year is to try and be more eco-friendly and reduce my carbon footprint as much as I can. I was recently shown these super cute pin cushions that use those scraps that almost always get thrown away due to no usage… selvages. Here at AGF, we have so many colorful Pure Solids with selvages that include the name of the color, so what a great idea it would be to make my very own color card out of pin cushions! Sure, an actual color card takes up less space, but this way is so much fun and a great scrap buster, so what’s not to love? 

For this project we are using the selvages of our Pure Solids in Sweet Fig, Hydrangea, Plum Preserve, Bewitched, and Amethyst.

Let’s get started! 

Cut your selvage pieces 5 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide. Cut your backing piece 5 inches by 5 inches. 

Sew your selvage strips together at a ¼ inch seam allowance. 

Press your seams in one direction. 

Place your selvages and the backing right sides together and sew ¼ inch all the way around leaving an opening to turn

Trim your corners and turn your pin cushion right side out, making sure to poke out the corners. 

Stuff your pin cushion with your choice of stuffing. I used polyester fiber fill, but you could use batting scraps, walnut shells, scraps of fabric, or anything else you have. 

Hand sew the opening closed and your pin cushion is ready to be poked! 

If you want to create the other versions, I listed each color I used for the other cushions below. 

Blue: Tranquil Waters, Parisian Blue, Tile Blue, Night Sea, and Nocturnal

Green: Icy Mint, Tender Green, Jade Cream, Emerald, and Peacock

Yellow: Honeydew, Lemon Tart, Empire Yellow, Turmeric, and Raw Gold

Orange/Red: Georgia Peach, Dried Carrot, Mandarin, Burnt Orange, and London Red

Pink: Candied Cherry, Weathered Brick, Dried Roses, Miami Sunset, and Blossomed

Black/White: Caviar, Magnetism, Steel, Ash, and Snow

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! It was a fun one for me to recreate and since I love colors, I had to make one from each color of the rainbow. These would also be so cute with selvages from a collection, or selvages from complementary colors. Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or tips you’d like to share! 

What else can you sew with your selvages?

As always, please share your pin cushions by tagging us in your photo on social media with the hashtag #artgalleryfabrics! 

Happy Sewing!

-Karli