Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

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 

Hey There Fabric Friends,

Do you gravitate to certain color palettes when you are designing quilts? Are there colors that you haven’t quite explored yet? For me red and black are two colors that just haven’t entered it’s way into my quilty brain but with the release of AGF’s new Fusions collection Silkroad everything has changed! I had the pleasure of sewing up the Free Quilt Pattern featuring Silkroad called “Shoji”, it was such a delight and I quickly fell in love with the elegant, regal feel the colors portrayed  to me. I knew for my next block video I had to find a block worthy of these rich colors which is why I chose the “Double Tulip” Block!

There was quite a bit of piecing in this 12” block but I am excited about the outcome! Enjoy the video below and have fun  finding your favorite prints from the collection. Mine is by far the “Magnolia Study” print. The super rich red background and the hand drawn black and white blooms are sooo stunning.

Don’t forget to check out our new Lookbook filled with projects made with this romantic collection.

Happy Sewing,

Meli  

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 --

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!

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