Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog

Summer Jubilee Sew Along Week 2

Hi Quilters,

Welcome to Week 2 of the Summer Jubilee Sew Along!

If you are just joining or haven't chosen fabrics yet, kits are still available HERE.  Grab one while they last!

This week we are cutting our fabrics and will begin assembling the units to make our Starburst blocks.

I love to start with a fresh blade and usually begin with cutting the background first since this usually has the most cuts (and honestly, it keeps me motivated to keep cutting since the prints are the most fun to cut, right?

There are fabric labels provided for you on page 9 of the pattern to keep your cuts organized.  I highly recommend using these labels.  It will make assembling your blocks later so much easier!  I like to use large paperclips or binder clips to keep my pieces together.

Once everything is cut, you can begin sewing your half rectangle triangles and your snowball blocks.

If you are new to making half rectangle triangles (HRTs), I've included a video link below to help guide you through that process.

Watch the Video Tutorial

There are two important things to keep in mind when making HRTs.

1.  You need to be sure to orient the pieces the right way to make the units have the color on the correct side of the block.
2. Make sure to trim them so you have a 1/4" seam allowance.  That's what will get you the sharp points in your Starburst blocks.

The snowball blocks are easy peasy, and the diagrams in the pattern will guide you through those simple blocks.

As always, you can contact me at [email protected] or drop your questions in the Facebook group.

 

If you just joined, check out the Week 1 blog post here!

 

***Now to this week's prize!***

This week's sponsor is Omnigrid.  I've been using Omnigrid rulers since I first began quilting.  They have a permanent place on my cutting table.

Omnigrid is providing a 1/4" ruler set and a rotating mat.  This prize will make some of the future sewing so much easier! 

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To enter the giveaway:

Sign up for the Summer Jubilee Sew Along: Click Here! 

If you're on Instagram - Follow me @midlife_quilter & @artgalleryfabrics

If you're on Facebook - Follow me Midlife Quilter & Art Gallery Fabrics

Comment "Summer Sewalong" in the comments below to be entered.  The winner will be drawn on Monday, May 12th.  Entries close at midnight on May 11th.

Don't forget there is still time to order a kit!  You can shop here.

 

We can't wait to see you next week!

Victoria Newmyer & Art Gallery Fabrics

 

Sew Happy Projects Filled With Joy- Marigold Lookbook Release!

Hello Markers, 

Flowers are more than something pretty to look at and delicious to smell. There is a whole language of flowers out there showing us the meaning and symbolism of each and everyone of them. Marigolds are known for their warmth, joy, and passion. Which is also one of my favorite flowers to plant each spring in memory of my father who passed away 6 years ago. This was a flower we planted together every year since childhood without fail. Because of this Maureen Cracknell’s new collection called Marigold is spreading the most hopeful, energizing vibes. 

Take a peek at the Lookbook to reveal the creative projects we have put together made with the delightfully dreaming fabrics of Marigold. 

 

Ever heard of the Magic HST Method? Well, it will definitely come in handy when sewing up the “Primrose” Free Quilt Pattern. This giant bloom full of pinwheel designs comes together so quickly to create this  88½" × 88½" showpiece.

 

“Primrose” Free Quilt Pattern

 

Marigold is bursting with bright, golden-yellow hues and rosy pink shades of joy. It consists of 16 quilting cottons, 2 linen blends, and a 2.5 Edition Binding!  I love that this collection has three different shades of plaids to choose from to match back with all the other floral and nature inspired prints. 

 

Marigold Fabric Collection

2.5 Edition Binding

 

As of late I have been sewing a lot of my own clothes finding simple basic blouses, dresses and skirts. The “Front Yard Marigold” linen blend print has me wanting to make a midi wrap skirt. The tiny florals and bees in “Foraging Flutter Sun” Linen blend would make the cutest tank and short matching set for my daughter or even a lil overall dress for her. What  would you make with AGF Linen blends? 

 

AGF Linen blend

 

I am interested to know what your favorite flower is and what it means or symbolizes. Comment below to share the beautiful language of flowers. So we can fill this post with love and light! 

Can’t wait to see all your makes with Marigold Fabrics. Make sure to use the hashtag #AGFMarigold on social media so we can see and share all of your beautiful creations. 

Happy Sewing, 

Melissa

10 Handmade Last-Minute Gifts for Mother’s Day - (that she is actually going to LOVE)

Hello Sewing Friends, 

I have officially been a part of the Mom’s club for almost 4 years now and boy it has been a wild ride!  Motherhood completely changes your  life in more ways than anything can prepare for but what I have appreciated the most is how much stronger, patient, and resilient you become. You experience love on a whole new level that I still find hard to describe. Becoming a parent you are given the gift to relive your childhood through your children, finding that childlike joy we end up losing as adults. Unresolved issues from our own childhood end up sneaking their way back to us giving us a great opportunity to resolve it as adults and to provide our kids with better solutions to problems they struggle with. Being a Mom is not easy, it comes with its ups and downs but at the end of the day it's the most rewarding undertaking I have ever done. I have always looked up to my Mom so much and even more to this very day. You definitely can never thank your Mom enough, so this Mother’s Day why not surprise her with something she will truly cherish and actually probably needs!  

Flowers and a sweet card, possibly some chocolates or a candle are not entirely bad gifts to give your Mom on Mother’s day but nothing says I love you more than a handmade gift from the heart. 

I compiled together a list of 10 Free Sewing projects that you can easily put together before Mother’s Day. Let me know which one is your favorite below and what you end up making. 

Ruffle Tote Bag

1.First up, is the Ruffle Tote bag made with our Timeless Prints: Wild Posy Flora by Bonnie Christine. Talk about easy to make, with a fun flirty element and extremely practical to tote around all your Mom essentials. This project is great for beginners or if you need a last minute gift you can pull together fast. Make one for your Mom and a matching one for you! Get inspired and check out the making of this bag by clicking here. 

DIY Coin Purse

2. I am all about keeping things organized as possible as a Mom to make things less stressful. I end up spending so much time looking for things in my day, so making sure I have things to organize my life is important. My bag is the last thing that ends up staying tidy. So this coin purse is a great and cute way to keep order in your purse. This easy DIY Coin Purse comes together so fast. Made with Adobe fabrics by Maureen Cracknell you are able to choose from the most gorgeous floral and geometric designs. 

Make Up Bag

3. You can never have enough zipper pouches, whether you wear make up or not this Make Up Bag made up of hexies is the sweetest project. It may look complicated but is quite simple to put together. It even comes with an add on tutorial to make your own reusable makeup wipes! This pouch is made with a mixture of Bonnie Christine’s, Amy Sinibaldi’s, Katarina Roccella’s beautiful floral designs and AGF Elements. 

Patchy Tote 

4. Bags are a woman's best friend but once you become a Mom you will never appreciate a cute large bag more, to carry what seems like the most endless amount of supplies. This large roomy Patchy Tote is what will become your work horse to cart around all your things. I love the patch workout detail on the outside and inside pockets but if that wasn’t enough the straps are even made with that same patch work design. Made with prints from Sharon Holland’s collection Kismet, Maureen Cracknell’s collection Homebody, and an AGF Studio collection Terra Kotta mixed and matched back with our AGF Elements. 

Stripe Block Vest

5. Patchwork, quilty garments are all the rage right now so I had to add this to the list. The Strip Block Vest is the perfect go to layer piece to add to your wardrobe. Cool enough to wear all year around and versatile enough to be layered in the colder months for extra warmth and cuteness. I love the strip design made with Bonnie Christine’s Wild Forgotten Fabrics. The earthy nature inspired collection gives such a warm and neutral tone to your garment. Perfect for any Mom to throw on top of a tank top and leggings to elevate any look. Oh and did I mention its reversible! 

Munch Lunch Bag

6. Momma’s, you got to take care of yourself and eat too! Which is why every Mom needs a cute lunch bag to pack all those energizing snacks to fuel you throughout the day. One lesson I learned real quick as a Mom was you have to take care of yourself first otherwise you will fall apart fast and be no good for anyone. The Munch Lunch Bag made with the delicate floral design from Mayfair fabrics by Amy Sinibaldi paired back with AGF Pure Solids will be the cutest and easiest way to make sure you are making yourself a priority and taking care of your physical health. 

DIY Patchy Mug Rug Tutorial 

7. There is nothing more satisfying than making a mug rug. To me they are like a tiny quilt for your tea or coffee and a small snack. Such a rewarding project to whip up in between large quilting projects or to make as a gift in a flash. Make it as basic as you want or get patchy with it and add some fussy cut designs. It's also a fun project to practice your quilting skills on! Try straight lines, wavy lines, free motion, practicing on smaller projects will make you more confident for those bigger projects down the road! The DIY Patchy Mug Rug tutorial made with Tumbleweed fabrics by Sharon Holland brings your projects the most rich desert beauty boho vibes. 

DIY Fabric Plant

8.For all my plant Mama’s out there that can’t keep a plant alive to save their lives! I may have found a great alternative. Try sewing up the DIY Fabric Plant with Evolve Fabrics by Suzy Quilts! A great nature inspired home decor piece that you don’t have to worry about watering but will make any corner of your home bloom and shine all year long!

Love 2 Love Potholders and Kitchen Towel Set

9. Calling all bakers and Momma’s who love to cook or the ones that don't and need a lil boost of motivation to whip up fun dinners and treats for their family. The Love 2 Love Potholders and Kitchen Towel Set might be the ideal gift to give an inspiring chef or someone who loves to create masterpieces in the kitchen. Made with AGF’s Bundle Up Sweetheart Edition, the sweet pinks and pops of red will add the perfect touch to any kitchen. 

My Love Key Chain

10. I saved the quickest and easiest but sweetest project for last! The My Love Key Chain made with AGF’s flannels are the perfect add on to any gift. Add it to your homemade bags for a cute embellishment or just give this and card for a reminder of how much you love them. It will be sure to melt any Mother’s heart! 

What was your favorite project? I know without a doubt I would love to receive any of these gifts and will be making a few for the Momma’s in my life! I want to hear one of your favorite memories or stories about being a Mom. Share below your favorite thing about being a Mom. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all you strong beautiful Mom’s out there! Your children are so lucky to have you. May you stay strong and full of love through all of life's seasons. 

Happy Sewing, 

Melissa