Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Hello Fabric Friends,

As makers we create because we need to in order to survive. It’s our outlet where we can roam free and make something from raw materials into something that didn’t exist the day before. We create for necessity because handmade items are important to us. We create to bring beauty into the world and we love sharing our work and a little piece of our hearts with everyone. Which brings me to the release of our New Fusion collection called Art District because it celebrates us as makers, creating our own masterpieces to bring light into our lives and others.

I am excited to share a new block tutorial I added to the AGF Quilt Block Collection called the “Arrow Points” Block! Movement is very important when it comes to putting together a quilt so am am super stoked with the way this block came out.

My two favorite prints are the “Cat Nap District” print because well I am a total cat lady and the “City Sounds District” print because it showcases so many amazing places around the world that I hope to travel to in my life time.

Come sew with me by watching the step by step video below. Let me know what you think of the block!

Happy Sewing,

Meli  

Hello Makers,

It's the most wonderful time of the year as the song suggests and for me this is a very true statement. Any excuse to get together with family and friends I am definitely a super fan of! Also any extra reason to sew up something new I am all for it! Which is why I especially love sewing for the holidays to decorate my home and to create awesome homemade makes for the special people in my life.

Meet “Coco” the Squirrel below. This gift giving, Santa hat wearing critter would look cute tucked inside baby’s crib or hung on the wall to add a bit of holiday cheer. To find the full step by step instructions head to the weallsewblog!

Quilt Made with Little Town Fabrics

What are your favorite projects to sew up for the holiday? My go to's are coasters, napkins, pillows, zipper pouches and holiday decorations. Wishing you all a happy December! 

Happy Holidays, 

Meli

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 --

 To enter our giveaway, please click here! 

Giveaway ends Monday, December 17th, 2018. Open Internationally. Good luck! 

*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!

Hello Makers,

How was your Thanksgiving? Filled with lots of yummy food and your favorite people I hope!

I got to go home to visit my family in Minnesota and spent every minute I could with my niece and nephews and even got to celebrate my sisters birthday! There is no better feeling than being there for special occasions and creating memories that will last forever. Back in the warm state of Florida and I am filled with energy and motivation to keep creating. I just got done sewing up the “Windmill”Block with Pat Bravo’s new fabric collection “Legendary” ! This collection celebrates Pat’s accomplishments of creating 40 fabric collections over her years as a fabric designer! If you haven’t check out her inspiring Lookbook yet I totally suggest to flip through the pages to find your next sewing project and see all the hard work and love we put into every collection release! We create these Look Books for all you fabric lovers that love to create and sew. It’s also a great resource to fire up your sewing mojo!

What was one of the first quilting techniques you learned as a newbie quilter? I remember Pat teaching me how to make HST’s using the two at a time method and I was blown away by this process. I knew right there and then quilting and I where going to be the best of friends.  Fast forward four and half years later and it’s safe to say, I was right! :)

Since then I learned there are so many ways to create HST’s and my all time favorite, especially when I need to make a whole bunch at a time is the Eight at a Time Method! In the video below I share this amazing technique. Hope you all can find some time to hop into your sewing machines this week and whip up this beauty of a block!  

If you end up creating the block, I would love to see them!! Make sure to use the hashtag #AGFQuiltBlockCollection when sharing on social media or feel free to email us a pic at marketing@artgalleryfabrics.com!

During this time of year it makes us stop to think about what's important to us and what we are thankful for and I would love to thank all of you makers for sharing kind words and creating from the heart!

Happy Sewing,

Meli

Often when you have a creative goal in mind, you just have to begin and start somewhere. Eventually, you'll learn along the way and get better at whatever it is that you're setting out to do! There's often no mentors to ask beforehand, no check list, no guidelines...just you and that gut feeling. However, with patience, persistence, and of course practice, you can achieve anything really! I'm sure all of us can relate to this because we've all started off somewhere. Just think back to how far you've come, and take a moment to pat yourself on the back for everything you've accomplished. 

With accomplishments in mind, a great reminder of this journey is our AGF designer, Pat Bravo. She began sewing as a little girl, and overtime got into quilting and began shopping for fabrics that she wanted to use for her quilty projects. As she became more familiar with her craft and materials, she realized the type of fabrics she "craved" did not exist at the time, and decided to begin designing her own fabric. Pat knows quilting, fabric and the process that connects the two oh so well. With her latest fabric collection "Legendary," she celebrates creating 40 fabric collection in 14 years. Celebrating this milestone, she created this special edition of 24 prints to commemorate the special occasion! 

 If you LOVE anything "romantic bohemian," this collection's for you! For more elegant-inspired projects that include quilt, garment and home decor patterns, head over to our "Legendary Fabric Lookbook!"

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

Download Quilt Pattern

I've also included these blenders from our AGF Elements for you that can easily coordinate with the bohemian-inspired prints of "Legendary." 

Enter a chance to WIN THIS FABRIC BUNDLE by signing up to our giveaway:

- - - LEGENDARY GIVEAWAY - - -  

Our winner is JEANNE RESLER! 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!

Hello Fabric Friends,

Who listens to music when they sew? Depending on the day or the mood I want to be in I flip through my Pandora stations usually stopping on a station that will put me in a good sewing mood. Some days it energetic dance music, and other times its soft classical or  soothing jazz.

Whether you are bobbing your head back and forth to some groovy 70s music or shaking your hips to some salsa music, music is always there to motivate us, relax us, and overall bring us to our happy place! Today I want to introduce you to Amy Sinibali’s new fabric collection Sonata, which is inspired by Beethoven's concertos and symphonies. If you haven’t checked out the pages of the Sonata Fabric Project Catalog I highly encourage you to to flip through the pages to possibly find your next sewing project or to jump start you on your next creative process.

Today I want to share with you the “Road to Vienna” Block which I sewed up with some of the gems from Sonata fabrics. I wanted to show off the cute “Window Sill” print because well, we all know I am a fussy cutting addict! Join me below and watch the step by step video! Enjoy the view below.

Got a block you want me to make? Leave me comment under the video.

What are your fave prints from Sonata Fabrics? Comment below and let me know what you would make!

Happy Sewing, 

Meli