Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

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

Created from our very own AGF Studio, we’re transporting you to a magical jungle with SELVA!

In this collection, you’ll discover where sleepy sloths swing from their branches, sweet elephants walk in rows, tropical foliage grows and a lively color palette that makes it the perfect combination to sew anything for kids. These gender-neutral colors and designs can be used in nurseries to create quilts, pillows, tummy time mats, wall hangings, and rugs. Of course, all those "young at heart" can also create decor with these fabrics. Imagine having a jungle-theme living room with some fun throw pillows featuring this darling jungle print or fierce felines! 

Available in 16 quilting cotton prints, Selva is also available in 3 cozy knits. 

To see all of the jungle-inspired projects that we've created as well as other makers, check out our Selva Fabric Lookbook! 

We created this FREE quilt pattern "Wild Gems" for you, just click the below link: 

Download Quilt Pattern

- - SELVA GIVEAWAY - - 

Enter a chance to win these whimsy fabrics by signing up to our giveaway:

Congratulations to our winner, Michele Laroe! 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!

"Summer is my favorite season of the year, when nature delivers the most beautiful flowers and fruits of the season. Inspired by summery delights and my favorite painting technique-watercolor, I created this summery collection. Some prints were also part of my “Lavish” collection, when I first submitted it several years ago, so Floralish can also be seen as its sequel." - Katarina Roccella. 

Celebrate the last days of summer with blooming florals and delicious fruits! Channeling her favorite season, our designer Katarina Roccella’s latest collection “Floralish” features watercolor textures with gorgeous petunias, poppies, watermelon slices, cherries, and citrus fruits. 

This collection is great for creating summer sewing projects! Fused in a color palette of fresh and sweet tones, Floralish can be used to sew bright colored quilts, home decor, accessories like handbags or totes and effortless chic garments.

To see what you can sew with this collection that also comes in several knits and a rayon, make sure to check out our "Floralish Fabric Lookbook"!

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

Download Quilt Pattern

- - FLORALISH GIVEAWAY - - 

Congratulations to our winner - Deanna Herredberg! 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!

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