Signature Bucket Bag

Signature Bucket Bag

This month my sixth fabric collection, Signature for Art Gallery Fabrics hits the shops. I couldn't be more excited to share this collection with you in the form of new, free projects!

As the industry gathers in Portland, Oregon this weekend for the Spring Quilt Market, I'm staying home and opted out of displaying my new collection at the show. My decision not to go stemmed from several reasons. One, my second grandchild arrived in April and I took a break from work to go lend a hand. That put me way behind in my normal market prep sewing but I wouldn't have missed being present for the birth for the world! 

Two, I decided, in advance that if I stayed home I would finally remodel my sewing/guest room in my house and turn it into a proper studio space so I could stage different photography scenes for my projects. I was actually able to remodel my room and buy some new props for less than it would have cost me to go to the show and now I can bring you more and better displays here from home. 

This is just a tiny peek into the first of several Signature Looks. Over the next few weeks I will be posting new, free projects and a closer look into each set up. As always, be sure to watch my feed and Stories on Instagram for even more, day-to-day posts.

You first saw my Kantha-Style Bucket Bag when I took part in Jessica Swifts Tallinn blog tour last month. I just didn't have the time then to write up the pattern for it then, and thank you for being patient till I could get it prepared. 

There were so many asking for this pattern after I posted about it I decided to remake it in my new Signature fabrics, get the pattern written, and include it in the Signature LookBook coming out next month. 

You'll find the free PDF download for my Bucket Bag on the Free Patterns page of this blog. 

Bag details include hand-quilted stitching with Aurifloss embroidery thread on the exterior of the bag, eight roomy interior pockets, and fun embellishments like Extra-Large Eyelets and Swivel Hook, and Tassel Cap from Dritz. 

For the interior of the bag I used Art Gallery Fabrics Smooth Denim (DEN-S-2007) in Nectarine Sunrise and Lateral Bud Profusion (SGN-68710) for the pockets. 

For the exterior of my bag I use (from the opening to bottom) Extempore Fancy (SGN-58700), Traveler Raindrops (SGN-58705), Lateral Bud Profusion (SGN-68710), and Small World Sprightly (SGN-68713).

For a quick tutorial on how to make a tassel using the Dritz Tassel Cap kit, take a look back at the Tallinn blog tour post.

There are 20 prints in the Signature collection and comes in two color ways. Between the two color ways there are 14 different prints because in some cases the print only has one coloring. That's what makes this collection so deep and interesting. I'm still making discoveries as I sew! Above is the Foliar color way and below is the Atmospheric color way.

Shops are just getting their stock of Signature in and I've begun adding a few online shop listings to my Fabrics page. Some have already sold out in the first week so keep checking back as they restock and more shops list their new inventory.

Not Going to Market, Prep

Not Going to Market, Prep

Yes, you read that right. I've a new fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics (available this month) and is part of the AGF Spring Quilt Market lineup but I won't be attending the spring show in Portland for many reasons. 

Signature is my sixth fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. I'm very excited about this collection, especially since my last collection, Bountiful was over a year ago. It's really fun to be sewing with a new collection and this year spring came early with the arrival of my strike offs--it was like receiving a bouquet of flowers!

Visit my Fabrics page to see a list of online shops stocking this collection. I will be adding to this list as more shops get it in later this month. 

This joyful collection has put the natural world into patterns of budding florals, butterflies, and forest animals--all in my signature hand-drawn style. Blooming prints emerge in a riot of springtime colors of robin’s egg blue, cool teal, sunny yellow, radiant fuchsia, and dappled-shade green.

Free quilt pattern for Signature fabrics designed by Sharon Holland. Visit Art Gallery Fabrics for more details and download.

With each new fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics comes a new free quilt pattern. I've designed Sunflower for my new Signature fabrics and it will be available for download once the fabrics are available later this month. 

AGF has many Pure Elements solids, denims, and blenders that coordinate beautifully with this collection. 

Product mock-ups with Signature fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics 

I love how Art Gallery Fabrics shows you how the prints look in virtual products from clothing to home decor. Once the collection is available they will also publish the most amazing Look Book for this collection!

Signature fabrics by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics

Instead of going to Quilt Market and promoting my collection for a weekend, I will be showing you even more exciting ways to use these prints right here from home. I've recently remodeled my sewing room/guest room to be a functioning sewing room/photography studio. If you've been following along on Instagram you will have seen the trials and triumphs of my remodel. 

Over the next several weeks I intend to create "booths" in my new space that will surpass what could be accomplished at Market with limited wall space, furniture rentals, and time and logistic handicaps. From here I can resource my great props, set up larger and more detailed vignettes and show you more. 

Here's a peek at some of the things I've been working on....

With Mother's Day next weekend, I remade my Art Roll-Up pattern in my Signature fabric. Using A Rose is a Rose Forever and Lacey Star Dust prints together with AGF Smooth Denim in Frosted Sage. This sewing project is a quick and thoughtful item for not only moms but grads, and hostess gifts as well. 

The Art Roll-Up is a free pattern found on my Free Pattern page. This quick project can be used to hold makeup brushes, art brushes, knitting or crotchet needles, cutlery, etc. 

To be able to create booths here at home I need to make stuff! I've had an extremely busy spring with a new grand baby in April, the room remodel going longer than originally planned, yard work that happens every spring, and of course the Community Sampler running in the background. 

It's always nice to get that first project under your belt when you have a mile long list of things to make. I decided to start small and this lampshade recover was my first finished project!

Ta da! Recovered using the Flora and Fauna Hidden print in cotton, I love this modern toile print for my antique floor lamp! 

Those of you sewing along with Maureen Cracknell and I for the Community Sampler will recognize this block as the Cactus block. I loved this block so much that I've designed a new quilt around it. Once I've gotten it quilted, photographed, and posted, I will also have instructions on how to make one like mine. 

There's lots more to share with you (and make) but I wanted to take a moment and share this sneak peek post with you before I got any further along. My plan is to each week theme a booth and really give you a Look Book-style feel about this wonderful collection. 

Be sure to tell your local shops you'd like them to stock Signature from Art Gallery Fabrics and be watching in just a couple of weeks for it to be on the shelves and ready for your next project. 

Happy sewing,

Sharon

Community Sampler Week #9

Community Sampler Week #9

Can you believe it, we're on week #9 of our Community Sampler sew along. My co-host and sister Art Gallery Fabrics designer Maureen Cracknell and I are so happy to have you sewing with us and can't wait to see your block.

There are eleven blocks in our quilt and each Wednesday will be a new PDF block release or finishing step for the quilt. Today we start our third and final column of blocks. If you are just joining us, pick up the Introduction PDF on the Sew Along page and you'll get a material list along with coloring pages so you can get started planning your quilt. Then, work your way through the first Community Sampler post to the present.

Many of the patchwork units (like Quick-Corner, Flying Geese, Half-Square Triangle, and Square-in-Square units) used in this year's sampler have already been oversized to allow for trimming and squaring of units before assembling your block. Please cut your pieces EXACTLY as given in each of the PDF instructions because bumping up the size of the pieces from the measurements give will not bring great results in some cases. Take advantage of my in-blog tutorials for each of the different quilting techniques used in our sampler.

Accurate cutting and use of a true 1/4'' seam allowance is a must for successful patchwork piecing. All your blocks will measure 12-1/2'' square (unfinished). Review how to cut strips, sew with a true 1/4'' seam allowance, and other helpful piecing tips on my "Are You Ready to Sew" post.

Let's start sewing the Morning Star block. Download the free PDF on the Sew Along page.

Although this week's block is all review for patchwork techniques there's a lot of moving parts to the Morning Star block and accurate cutting, seam allowance sewing, and trimming will be the key to keeping all those points crisp and everything going together nicely. 

We need to make eight Flying Geese units for this block so if you need a refresher on how to piece the No-Waste Flying Geese method, read an earlier tutorial on this technique. 

Also, if you're concerned about keeping directional prints in line, here's a tutorial for controlling those bossy prints. don't forget to cut that center square on-point if you're concerned about the print's direction.

For my sampler I'm sewing with Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Element solids. I've been getting a lot of questions as to the exact colors I'm sewing with so I will start including a swatch image each week showing the sku number of each solid. 

I thought these spring greens and golden honey solids helped this block live up to it's name and I love how it turned out. 

My co-host Maureen Cracknell and I are continually amazed by the joy and excitement each of you bring to our virtual community. Thank you for making this sew along so special. Please visit Maureen's blog and see the progress she's making on her sampler quilt, using her beautiful AGF fabrics Love Story collection. Be sure to use the #CommunitySampler hashtag when posting your blocks to Instagram and tag both my @sharonhollanddesigns and @maureencracknell so we don't miss any of your beautiful work!

COMMUNITY SAMPLER SPONSORS

Lady Belle Fabric  Omnigrid   Aurifil Thread  Art Gallery Fabrics 

Hobbs Batting  Dritz  Fat Quarter Shop  Bloc-Loc

Don't forget that this Friday's a Giveaway Friday on the Community Sampler sew along. Maureen and I will take turns hosting a giveaway each week where one of our generous sponsors will be featured and offering amazing prizes both here on our blogs and also on Instagram. Maureen will be hosting the giveaway this Friday and you'll be instructed how to enter at that time.

Community Sampler Week #8

Community Sampler Week #8

Welcome to week #8 of the Community Sampler sew along and the last block in our second column. My co-host and sister Art Gallery Fabrics designer Maureen Cracknell and I are so happy to have you sewing with us!

There are eleven blocks in our quilt and each Wednesday will be a new PDF block release or finishing step for the quilt. If you are just joining us, pick up the Introduction PDF on the Sew Along page and you'll get a material list along with coloring pages so you can get started planning your quilt. Then, work your way through the first Community Sampler post to the present.

Many of the patchwork units (like Quick-Corner, Flying Geese, Half-Square Triangle, and Square-in-Square units) used in this year's sampler have already been oversized to allow for trimming and squaring of units before assembling your block. Please cut your pieces EXACTLY as given in each of the PDF instructions because bumping up the size of the pieces from the measurements give will not bring great results in some cases. Take advantage of my in-blog tutorials for each of the different quilting techniques used in our sampler.

Accurate cutting and use of a true 1/4'' seam allowance is a must for successful patchwork piecing. All your blocks will measure 12-1/2'' square (unfinished). Review how to cut strips, sew with a true 1/4'' seam allowance, and other helpful piecing tips on my "Are You Ready to Sew" post.

Let's start sewing the Weathervane block. Download the free PDF on the Sew Along page.

To make this week's block we will be using techniques we've already played with in earlier Community Sampler blocks. If you'd like to review how to make the Quick-Corner units see the tutorial from Week #2.

If you need a refresher on how to make Half-Square Triangle (HST) units see my in-blog tutorial from Week #3.

For help on controlling those obvious directional prints, read my tutorial from the Sewcial Bee Sampler posts. Remember, these blocks will be set on-point so you may want to fussy cut that center square on-point.

For my sampler quilt I'm using Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Elements solids. Using all solids is a personal challenge for this pattern designer and is not without it's own set of additional challenges because solids are very unforgiving and show every little missed point. Again, this is a good challenge even for a quilter that's been doing this awhile and I will need to take extra care in my stitching!

Art Gallery Fabrics has the most beautiful colors for their solids and of course the quality of the material in un-matched! Above are the color name and sku number information for the fabrics I used in my block. 

Maureen and I both love seeing your blocks you post to Instagram and of course the community of support you give to your fellow CS makers. Be sure to use the #CommunitySampler hashtag when you post to Instagram and tag @maureencracknell and myself @sharonhollanddesigns so we don't miss any of your beautiful blocks.

Don't forget to visit Maureen's blog to see her Weathervane block!

COMMUNITY SAMPLER SPONSORS

Lady Belle Fabric  Omnigrid   Aurifil Thread  Art Gallery Fabrics 

Hobbs Batting  Dritz  Fat Quarter Shop  Bloc-Loc

Don't forget that this Friday's a Giveaway Friday on the Community Sampler sew along. Maureen and I will take turns hosting a giveaway each week where one of our generous sponsors will be featured and offering amazing prizes both here on our blogs and a second chance on Instagram. I will be hosting the giveaway this Friday and you'll be instructed how to enter at that time.

Happy sewing!