Willow Collection

Just a quick post today to wish you a happy spring, a joyful Easter, and give you a look at Willow—my next fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics!

Willow is already in shops in Australia and will start shipping to your favorite US shops this week! I’ve already been busy behind the scenes creating some very fun projects for the upcoming Willow Look Book due out at the end of the month but wont be spoiling any of the surprises today—this post is only about the fabric collection. Stay tuned for project post to follow.

Here’s a look at the 16 quilting cottons for the Willow collection from Art Gallery Fabrics.

Experience the mystical realm of Willow, a collection where flora and fauna enchant charming forests and dreamy castles in hues of mauve, leafy green, gold, and ivory.

Shops may carry yardage and/or precuts of the cotton prints. To check if your favorite shop is carrying Willow, visit my Fabrics page to see the shop lists with links.

Along with quilting cottons, Art Gallery Fabric collections include other fabric substrates for all your sewing needs. Above is the dreamy, drapey AGF rayon in the larger scale Cottage Favorite print. It’s the loveliest shade of forest green. I intend to do garment sewing for myself this summer and make dresses with this and my other rayons from past collections.

Have you had a chance to sew with AGF knit yet—it’s wonderful to handle and wear! The Fanfare from Willow is recolored in this marvelous sage-mint and pink and I can’t wait to show you what my daughter sewed for the Look Book in this fabric.

I love AGF flannel as much as I love the cotton which borders on obsession. I’m thrilled there are two Willow flannels and love them so much! Owl Things Floral (left) and Entwined on the right are the fun prints chosen for flannel substrate. Both would be wonderful quilt backings—I’m just saying :)

Willow Collection Inspiration

Before I start any collection I try to find an image online that sets the mood for the collection. I was lucky to find this romantic, magical bedroom image and it was the exact feeling I wanted for Willow! Unfortunately, I was unable to find the original source for this image to give proper credit to this beautiful image.

Once I have my mood and the perfect inspiration image to keep my focus I jump right in to designing! I start with reviewing the prints already in my archives as sometimes prints made years ago are just waiting for the right collection theme to come along. I also look at my own artwork I’ve done in sketchbooks to see if there’s things I can use. Then I start filling in the gaps with new artwork and eventually come up with a collection!

As you’ve come to expect from my collections, hand drawn elements are in each print and sometimes, like in the Rosewater Ballet print, I’ve used some of my past artwork in part of the design and added new elements to it to create a repeating print.

For the Fairy Ring print (mushrooms) I’d gathered up these mushrooms last spring and laid them out on the tray to study them for drawing, thinking the pattern was going to be a scattered print but loved how the mushrooms looked lined up as I’d pulled them and decided the print needed to be a horizontal stripe orientation. Sometimes the prints just make up their own mind!

Rural Idyllic is a print that I’d designed close to 12 years ago that’s been waiting for just the perfect collection to come along—I love a toile and this one is so much fun to add into your patchwork sewing!

For even more insights and back stories on the prints for my Willow collection, take a look at my Instagram posts @sharonhollanddesigns with the 9 tiled close up photos of the quilting cottons.

I can’t wait to see what you’ll make with Willow! If you’re posting on Instagram, please be sure to tag me @sharonhollanddesigns and tag the fabric collection with #agfwillow so I don’t miss any of your project posts!

I am an Amazon Associate site and earn from qualifying purchases on the products I’ve linked below. The helpful products selected are the same or similar to materials used to make the project(s) in this blog post or related items I think you may enjoy.

Prickly Pear Quilt

There’s a new quilt pattern in my SHOP called Prickly Pear and you’re in for a real treat but first there’s a little notice I need to talk about that affect changes to my newsletter sign ups.

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Now, let’s get to the quilt show!

Prickly Pear Quilt Show

I’m thrilled to bring you the newest quilt pattern in my Shop called Prickly Pear. This PDF pattern comes in three sizes: Crib, Double (full), and for the first time ever offered in one of my patterns, a king-size quilt!

I ended up making two quilt samples; a crib and a double. The crib size was made first while I was testing the pattern and waiting for the rest of my Lilliput collection to arrive. Let me introduce you to each of the quilts I stitched, then have you meet the quilt testers who also made versions of this pattern.

First up is the cover quilt for the pattern. It’s the smallest size, finishing at 50” square and really an oversized crib quilt. I was excited to mix prints from my Spirited and Kismet collections for this quilt as I’d not had a chance to combine the two collections before. They were meant to be together! That pop of solid red is Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Solids PE-456 Aurora Red.

This is a very traditional color palette but looks fresh and modern in this quilt.

I’ve been wanting to try rayon as a backing fabric for some time now and had this AGF Luna and Laurel rayon on hand which was the perfect look with this palette. Brooke Becker of Lady Belle Fabric did the long arm quilting on this quilt as I have to admit I was a little nervous about quilting with a rayon backing on my own. Brooke took a little extra time and slower speed but said it quilted beautifully and when asked, said she’d absolutely do it again—which I take as the best recommendation to use rayon as a backing again in the future!

For batting, I used Hobbs Tuscany Silk Blend batting and together with a rayon backing and Art Gallery Fabrics percale-like quilting cottons this quilt feels like a cloud and the drape is amazing!

This crib quilt is available as a kit from Lady Belle Fabrics and Brooke can even do the quilting for it as well. I used the Ginger Flower quilting design she offers and I love the playful floral and curly-q design.

Get the Kit HERE

Photo courtesy of Lady Belle Fabric

The second quilt I made was in the double-size (or full) and I used Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Solids and prints from my new Lilliput collection.

I took cues from the pattern name for this color palette and my Lilliput collection has the most amazing green prints and beautiful blushing peach prints paired with Snow and Tender Green AGF Pure Solids—it was a match made in heaven!

I’d set up the guest bed for photographing the quilt and it still remains on that bed—I love it so much and it feels like summer time when I walk in that room—it’s prettier than my master bedroom!.

Brooke Becker of Lady Belle Fabric also did the long arm quilting on this quilt and we selected the design called Peek Bloom. I backed and bound the quilt in the same Lilliputain print from Lilliput for a whole cloth-look backing if the quilt were reversed.

Lady Belle Fabric also has kits for this double-size quilt in this coloring/fabrics. Be sure to act fast if you’re wanting either one of the kits as they sell out fast!

Get the Kit HERE

Photo courtesy of Lady Belle Fabric

I used Hobbs Heirloom Premium 100% Bleached Cotton batting for this quilt and it’s the perfect drape and weight for a classic quilt feeling. I like to use a bleached cotton batting with a white background for the brightest white quilt.

Meet the Testers

For sometimes a couple months before a quilt pattern release I have quilt testers stitching behind the scenes making versions of the quilt and of course double checking everything in the pattern as is it should be. These testers are the most amazing ladies and so talented! I say this every quilt release but they’ve really out done themselves this time and three of them even made the king-size version of Prickly Pear!

Prickly Pear quilt made by Sharon Holland

If you remember with the last quilt release, South Paw, I had not only made the normal Meet the Tester collage that I do for my tester’s quilts but we added an additional feature of including pinned inspirational images we’d gathered from Pinterest. The testers and I use the inspiration images to help with the quilt color story and the vibe we want our quilt to have. You’d be amazed how this helps us all stay focused on the mood of the quilt and even helps when it comes to photography time. Above is the mood board for the full size Prickly Pear quilt I made and you can see the southwest desert influence in my color choices and images.

Prickly Pear quilt made by Sharon Holland

For my crib quilt I went a mix of Victorian-Boho-Free People, if that’s even a thing, I don’t know but am hoping the added inspiration images help to convey that energy I wanted to capture in this quilt.

Prickly Pear quilt made by Mary Gove

Mary Gove is a delight and always a surprise to me when I see what she creates from my quilt patterns. Mary made this king-size Prickly Pear for herself and her color palette is inspiration in itself! She used all AGF Pure Solids in the most sophisticated and cool-girl color way—it’s sublime! Be sure to follow Mary on Instagram @thecurlyquilter.

Prickly Pear quilt made by Brittany Tunison

Brittany has a great eye for mixing prints and chose Amy Sinibaldi’s new Velvet line from Art Gallery Fabrics together with AGF Wicked Sky Smooth Denim for a quilt that really shines. This is the crib size quilt and is a kit available in Brittany’s shop White Plains Quilts. You can also find Brittany on Instagram @brittanytunison.

Prickly Pear quilt made by Joyce Ulm

Joyce Ulm is a powerhouse quilter and fearless! This is another of the king-size Prickly Pear quilts made and is stunning. Not only did Joyce make the quilt but she made the entire bed ensemble complete with toss pillows from my pattern seen in the Fall 2020 issue of Quilts and More to the pillow shams. The entire look is perfection! If you’d like to make a quilt like Joyce has in a king or a double-size, Country Chick Fabrics is offering kits in both sizes, find the KING HERE and DOUBLE HERE. See more of Joyce’s work on Instagram @evamaecustomquilts, Etsy shop, and on her Facebook blog HERE, and does long arm quilting as well!

Prickly Pear quilt made by Marija Vujcic

I love how working with my quilt testers I can start to see their personalities show through in their work and Marija Vujcic is a classic example of how knowing your style can translate through your work and create a signature look. Marija’s not intimidated by color and loves it pure and saturated. She used Katarina Roccella’s Aquarelle collection for Art Gallery Fabrics to create a crib-size quilt that looks picnic-ready for summertime. Her inspiration images bring the quilt full circle and makes me want to take a trip to Nantucket just to stay in that scene longer. Follow this talented lady on Instagram Marija Vujcic and on her blog at Mara Quilt Designs. Her passion for sewing and life has no bounds!

Prickly Pear quilt made by Megan Eckroth

Megan Eckroth also made a king-size Prickly Pear quilt and is planning an entire master bedroom makeover around this quilt. I loved seeing how Megan took the Ruggable inspiration image and translated that room into a fabric pull for her quilt. She really nailed it and now has the dreamiest king quilt for her bed! Megan used a mix of Art Gallery Fabric Pure Solids, with prints by Bonnie Christine for her Her and History collection and the AGF Studio Luna and Laurel collection. Be sure to follow Megan on Instagram, FB, and her Etsy Shop and see more of what this gifted maker has to share.

Prickly Pear quilt made by Christine Trotta

Christine Trotta has a flare for florals and a sweet bohemian/coastal style that is elegant and casual all at once. Christine used Art Gallery Fabrics Aurus Pure Solid with Amy Sinibaldi’s new Velvet collection to make this crib-size Prickly Pear version. This captivating quilt is being kitted by Christine in her Serendipity in Love Creations shop. You can also follow Christine on her Blog as well as her Instagram account @serendipityinlovecreations.

Prickly Pear quilt made by Shannon Staton

Shannon Staton of Pennily Quilt Shop has made a double-size Prickly Pear quilt that she’s kitting. This bold and beautiful quilt is made using Art Gallery Fabrics new Adina collection mixed with coordinating Pure Solids. Find the fun kit at Shannon’s Etsy shop Pennily Quilt Shop. You will also find Shannon on Instagram @shannonsquiltingadventures.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Prickly Pear quilt show today and are inspired to make one of the kit versions or strike out on your own and create something uniquely you!

For other sewing inspiration, be sure to check out the Art Gallery Fabrics Lilliput Look Book that was released last week. It’s a virtual magazine full of Lilliput fabric projects and ideas—you’ll love it! I’m planning an entire future blog post, maybe two to show you more behind the scenes and images of the Lilliput projects I contributed to the Look Book.

Find a growing list of your favorite quilt shops carrying Lilliput on the FABRICS page.

Happy sewing!

I am an Amazon Associate site and earn from qualifying purchases on the products I’ve linked below. The helpful products selected are the same or similar to materials used to make the project(s) in this blog post or related items I think you may enjoy.

Spirited Look Book - The Garments

Spirited Look Book - The Garments

Just over a week ago Art Gallery Fabrics published the Spirited virtual Look Book full of beautiful projects made from my new Spirited fabric collection. If you missed it, view the Spirited Look Book here.

I contributed a lot of sewing projects to the Spirited Look Book that to be able to give you more images and project information, I’m splitting up my blog post coverage into categories. Last week it was all about The Quilts. This week will be all about The Garments and next week will be The Sundries.

View the entire Spirited Look Book HERE and then come back to see extra photos and learn more about each project.

The Garments

Boundless Spirit rayon by Sharon Holland

Art Gallery Fabrics is known for their fine quilting cotton that feels like percale but did you know they offer other substrates besides? Spirited offers two rayons and three knits—both incredibly soft.

Spirited by Sharon Holland - Art Gallery Fabrics rayon and knit substrates

My absolute favorite is the rayon. The drape is superb in garments, it’s comfortable and breathable like cotton, and even though it’s silky and lightweight, it’s very easy to sew with.

Sew House Seven Burnside Bibs and Burda Style Viscose Bouse

I wouldn’t consider myself a garment sewer but I may need to adjust my thinking because I sure have made quite a few pieces this year. I did a quick count and think the number comes in at 16 garments! That’s more than I’ve sewn in total over the last 10 years!

The big difference now a days over the past is Indie clothing designers/patterns. I find the fit of the Indie patterns truer to size and on trend and one successful sew makes you braver to try more.

When I started planning what I wanted to make for the Spirited Look Book I had a specific mood I wanted to capture. After seeing Sew House Seven’s Burnside Bib garments on Instagram I knew I wanted to sew these overalls. I made them in AGF natural linen for a chic farmhouse look and pulled the look together with the Viscose Blouse by Burda Style made with my Boundless Spirit Sorrel (horses) print in rayon. I think this has a 40s-vibe to it and love the current trend of wide-legged, cropped pants. That’s my beautiful daughter modeling the look, by the way.

We took the majority of our garment shots in Kentucky on a very cold and dreary day. Hopefully we don’t look like we’re freezing.

Here’s another look at the Burda Style blouse on me and the Cleo Skirt by Made by Rae on my daughter. I like that we can still share each others clothing!

Cleo Skirt by Made by Rae in AGF Spirited fabrics

I combined view A and B on the Cleo Skirt to have the longer length skirt with the big side pockets. This skirt is super flattering in rayon and was the easiest of all the adult garment patterns to make!

The most challenging garment I stitched for my Spirited Look Book was the Button-up Button-down shirt. It was challenging only because there were so many pieces and steps to making it. The pattern by Oliver + S was an excellent pattern and they expertly talk and illustrate you through every step. It went together perfectly but just took time to get it done.

Button-up Button-down shirt by Oliver + S in Spirited cotton

I used the Lore and Legend print in quilting cotton with accents of Bright Star Washed quilting cotton on the inside yoke, neckline, and sleeve plackets. Instead of buttons I attached Dritz Pearl Snap Fasteners and and love how it turned out. Unfortunately it was too large for my grandson as the smallest this pattern comes in is a 3T. But, he’ll soon grow into it.

The same Spirited Lore and Legend print comes in a knit. AGF knits are buttery soft, cozy, and have just the perfect stretch for garments. My daughter has been sewing pajamas for her kids and as gifts from my beautiful knits.

The original plan was for my grandson to wear his cotton button-up shirt and matching Lore and Legend knit ear flap hat but since the shirt didn’t fit—he just modeled the hat.

Ear Flap Hat by Delia Creates in Spirited knit

Oh, my goodness, the kid rocked modeling his hat! I mean, come on, just look at those baby-blues! This print and the fit are perfect on him. I used the free Ear Flap Hat pattern from Delia Creates and this was another fast and rewarding item to make.

I love this sweet snuggles photo from our day out in the cold.

If you’ve never sewn with knits before they really are an easy material to work with and quite forgiving. You don’t need to worry about edges unraveling and the stretch makes the garments hang nicely and fit comfortably. Yes, there are some consideration for sewing with knits but nothing to stop you from tying them and garments can be made just with a domestic sewing machine—no need for sergers, if you don’t have one. There’s many books, sites, and videos available with expect advice for working with knits. I know I could stand to learn more about it but my little dip into sewing with knits has given me confidence to try more!

Tatum Dress by Violette Field Threads in Spirited Knit

A really good beginner pattern for first time working with knits is this Tatum Dress by Violette Field Threads. I think this only took about 3 hours from start to finish to make. That includes cutting out the pattern from the printout, cutting the pieces, and assembly. The fit on my 4 year old granddaughter was perfect and I love the lavender Calico Days knit on her—so cute! This sort of dress would be great any time of year and can be worn with leggings or shorts.

My last make was stitched after the Look Book and purely for no other reason than I wanted to make it for myself. I used the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater pattern and Spirited Delicate Balance Terra knit.

Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater in Spirited knit

I took this with me to Thanksgiving in Iowa with hopes of having a chance to get a photo of me wearing it but the timing and weather just didn’t cooperate at all! Another great pattern by Sew House Seven and it comes in two views. I plan to make more of these (in each view) but will add a little length the the torso next time for the A view. I love how the neckline, cuffs, and waist band are folded over so there’s no hemming!

I hope you’ve gotten inspired by my Spirited garment makes and that you give some of these patterns a try!

Spirited quilting cottons, knits, and rayons are shipping to quilt shops everywhere. I’ve started a stock lists of online shops for this collection on my FABRICS page and will continue to add links as more shops get their listings up. If your local quilt shop hasn’t ordered it yet, let them know you’d like to sew with these prints and feel the AGF difference for yourself at your favorite shop.

When you do make a project with my fabrics, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @sharonhollanddesigns because I love to see what you’re sewing! And tag the Spirited collection as well with #AGFSpirited.

Giveaway Alert!

This week I’ll be hosing another Spirited fabrics giveaway on my Instagram account @sharonhollanddesigns in collaboration with Linli Boyd of @lambandloomfabrics starting on Friday, December 13 with the drawing on the 16th for a 10-piece fat quarter bundle for you and a tagged friend. You’ve heard it here first so be sure to stop by IG on Friday and enter on this Friday’s Instagram giveaway post.

—Happy sewing!

I am an Amazon Associate site and earn from qualifying purchases on the products I’ve linked below. The helpful products selected are the same or similar to materials used to make the project(s) in this blog post. Thank you!

Asheville and Outfits

Asheville and Outfits

This August marked my husband and my 35th wedding anniversary. I suggested we take a long weekend and visit Biltmore Estates in Asheville, NC.

This blog post is going to be uncomfortable for me because I’m not used to being the subject of so many pictures but I’ve no choice if I want to show you the pretty garments I made from my prints. Hopefully the stunning location will distract a bit—hehe.

I’ve been wanting to make myself some rayon dress for ages now but never seem to find the time or the perfect dress pattern—I’m super picky about what style of garments I like and what looks good on my frame.

Simplicity patterns

I found these two patterns online and loved the simple, yet interesting cut of the dress. For the two dresses I wore and modeled at Biltmore I used the Simplicity 8231 pattern by Sew House Seven in the two sleeve options of the knee-length cuts. On the Sew House Seven website, this dress is called the Mississippi Avenue Dress and Top and doesn’t have the cap-sleeve option.

Sew House Seven Simplicity 8231 pattern

My first make I went with the sleeveless version in my Flower Keeper - Everlasting rayon for Art Gallery Fabrics. When I designed this print I envisioned it to be made into dresses and I just had to make one for myself! I realize now that the photo of the dress above was taken before I added the shoulder ties to you can look for that fun detail in the following photos.

Maybe August isn’t the most spectacular month for the gardens at Biltmore but they were no less beautiful. The walled garden was my favorite—I could’ve spent all day there.

I felt absolutely transported as we visited the garden first thing in the morning and had it practically to ourselves. I tried to imagine how the Vanderbilt family would have relaxed and enjoyed these grounds everyday as a matter of their everyday life.

Walled Garden Biltmore Estates

Here’s just a few photos because I don’t want to ruin your experience if you go and if I shared all my shots this post would never have an end!

Walled Garden Biltmore Estates

Conservatory Biltmore Estates

Sew House Seven Simplicity 8231 pattern

The cap-sleeve version is made from my Tiny Dancer - Bachelorette Fusion rayon that has a champaign-gold metallic ink on the seed puffs. The smokey teal-green is a great color for any time of the year.

A rayon dress was so comfy to wear in the North Carolina in August!

For this make I hacked in side pockets which I absolutely love! My daughter liked this dress so much she requested one just like it and I stitched one for her (with pockets, of course) as soon as we got back home.

Biltmore Estates

So, enough about me in the pictures, whew! I have just a few more photos of the house I’d like to share and then a knit dress make done after our trip that I’ve not had a chance to photograph me wearing yet because I’ve gotten busy painting and using photos from our trip as subjects. I am planning a Part 2 post in a couple weeks to talk about my personal painting challenge and finding inspiration.

Winter Garden inside Biltmore Estates

Right off the main foyer of Biltmore is the glass domed conservatory called the Winter Garden and is in my top picks of favorite rooms in the house. But, that list would be a long one because there’s so many beautiful rooms!

Oak Sitting Room at Biltmore Estates

I believe this is Mrs. Vanderbilts family sitting room. Even though this is a grand home, each room felt intimate and inviting.

Gun Room at Biltmore Estates

Room after room was exquisite and I particularly loved the colors used throughout the house. It is all very much to my tastes, especially when the furnishings were less formal like here in the Gun Room.

I highly recommend you get the audio tour when you purchase tickets to view the house. It allows you to listen at your own pace as you do a self guided tour of the rooms. There’s an incredible amount to see and learn about the house and family!

Rooftop of Biltmore Estate

As well as the house tour we also took the Rooftop tour. This was an experience and we learned so much about the architecture of Biltmore as well as witnessed amazing scenes like these photos I took from the roof.

Yup, you bet I petted the gargoyles!

Grounds at Biltmore Estate

We had a wonderful trip and when normally it’s hard to get back to reality after an experience like that, I was instead energized and ready to get creative and hit the ground running as soon as we got home.

Simplicity New Look N6626 pattern

I hadn’t time to finish my knit dress before we left so once back I got right to work making a dress for my daughter from Tiny Dancer rayon and then the New Look 6626 knit dress from Art Gallery Fabrics Cherished Wishes - Everlasting for myself. There’s enough material left over I plan to make my granddaughter a dress too.

I hope you enjoyed this tiny, tiny tour of Biltmore—there’s so much more than what I’ve shown here including the winery, shops, more gardens, and beautiful grounds designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted who also designed a little park called Central Park in NY. I hope I’ve inspired you to do some garment sewing for yourself or skip the garment sewing and maybe some traveling! I’ve been very pleased with these patterns and feel both were great beginner-level dresses that look, feel, and fit great.