Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

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:

For the prize, you'll receive 5 YARDS of your FAVORITE, Rayon Striped! (white + black, blue, teal, or mustard)

 To enter this giveaway, please click here. Giveaway ends Friday, February 22nd, 2019.

Winner will be announced here on our blog. 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,

Do you ever have problems finding the perfect go-to blenders to match back with your main fabrics when creating your quilts? I am a print girl all the way but sometimes you need a solid or blender to mix into your quilt to truly appreciate all the beautiful prints and to add contrast to make your fabrics shine. If you are a Pat Bravo fan like me and already have prints from her previous collections then you definitely need to get your hands on her new collection called Matchmade! This collection was meticulously curated to work back with all her previous fabric collections. Of course, Matchmade fabrics also work well on its own or mixing with other various prints you may have.

What I love most about Matchmade is there are five different designs coordinated into four welcoming color groups, berry, gold, foliage and midnight! These tonal prints are just marvelous to sew with. I had the privilege of whipping up the free quilt pattern for this collection and these fabrics against the black solid background is just out of this world.

Berry is by far my favorite color group because I am all about the color pink! But I just had to whip up a block in every color group! In the video below follow along with me to make the Kentucky Chain block. Also, vote on your favorite block! I can’t decide! :)

I can’t wait to see what you all make with Matchmade fabrics for inspiration make sure to check out our new Fabric Project Catalog.

Happy Sewing,

Meli

"When there's not enough time for making, sometimes you just need to get away. Handmade getaways are a rare chance to sew from morning to night, to eat delicious things, and to take care of our friends. There is nothing else quite like it."

If you're looking for a new book that's filled with projects and TONS of inspiration, you should definitely check out Handmade Getaway! This book was brought to life by the talented  Jacqueline Sava Clarke (who I had the pleasure of meeting at last year's Spring Market in Portland!) and Karyn Valino who have been "getting away" together with their friends, sewing projects, scrumptious food, cute dogs and a camera for over seven years. They decided to put these "getaways" into a book and filled the pages with 14 individual and  7 group projects, planning tools, tips, and of course..a lot of gorgeous imagery for their adventures to inspire you. I think my favorite might be the "Cyanotype Printing" technique and the ideas they show of how to create things with it. I want to make some tea towels for gifts using that technique! 

Whether you're a beginner sewist or an advanced maker, and if your preference for a "getaway" is the woods or just your sewing room, there's something for every level and interest in this book that will help you focus on your strength and passion!

- HANDMADE GETAWAY GIVEAWAY - 

Congratulations to Melissa Brockway! Please check your email. 

Hello Makers,

Happy 2019 Everyone! Here at AGF we are feeling all the happy vibes the month January brings with a fresh start and determination to start or continue our new year goals! We are excited to begin another great season sharing our brand new fabric collections and makes to help bring inspiration to this wonderful new year.

Today I want to put a spotlight on Katarina’s new fabric collection called Grid. I am dancing with delight over here with her use of jewel tone colors and texture. This modern, edgy collection was so exciting to sew with. I decided to sew up a blocky, modern, geometric type quilt block to celebrate the unique artistic style Grid radiates.  

Let me introduce you to the “Pixel Pieces” block and join me by watching the step by step video below.

I can’t wait to see all of you makers get your hands on some Grid fabrics and see all the things you create. Wishing you all a creative, happy, and healthy 2019!

Happy Sewing,

Meli

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!

Hello Makers,

Still in a holiday daze from all the Christmas fun I had with my family and friends. Back in the office and ready to burn off all those extra cookie calories! January is approaching and not only is it the start to a new year but also can be one of the coldness months out of the year! Which is why I think it’s perfect timing for the release of Sunkissed fabrics! Ready for that winter cruise or maybe you are already planning a fun trip someplace warm for Spring Break?

In Florida we are always feeling the Summer Vibes and with Maureen Cracknell’s new fabric collection called Sunkissed  you will feel it too.

Ready to add another block to your collection? I just sewed up the magical looking “Windswept” Block, all the yellows, corals and greens are so electrifying.

For more beachy vibes make sure to check out our New Sunkissed Lookbook!

Let me know in the comments which prints you gravitate to!

Happy Sewing,

Meli