Art Gallery Fabrics has quickly become very popular with it's vivid designs, bright colors and unique designs.  Pat, we would love to know a little bit you, the talent behind the designs.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a passionate sewer that learned to be a passionate quilter. I also like to find beauty in everything that surrounds me and pour it into each of my designs!

What inspired you to start designing fabric?

Well, I learned how to sew when I was 9 years old. I remember back in Argentina sewing ruffles to my skirts and dresses and growing more and more interested in all things fabric. When I came to the United States,  I discovered quilting, and it was love at first sight! I started getting into it by doing art quilts, but I had a little problem with coloration;  I needed to use a wide range of colors in my design, and I noticed there were a lot of them missing… so I thought, why don't I just paint them myself? 

I got great response from my quilting friends, and in a matter of months I was showing my fabrics at Quilt Market, where, fortunately, I was successful and demand for my fabrics increased, so I couldn't paint them all myself… I started producing them commercially and the rest is history! 

How do you design your fabric?  Some paint, take pictures, draw, use a computer.  What do you prefer?

Now I use the computer to make all my fabrics, but I still love painting… if only I had more time!

Is there a design or collection that you particularly love?

I can't decide on one! But Dreaming in French definitely has to be among my favorites. I'll admit it: I'm a history buff, so my favorite collections are, obviously, the ones that are more influenced by certain periods of time, Empires, Castles, and Royalty. Alhambra II, French Riviera, and Bazaar Style (which I have just released) are my absolute faves!

Tell us about the newest collection you are currently working on.

I'm super excited about this new collection! This time I stepped out my comfort zone and played with really bright, bold colors, but there's also some white and deep plum… sounds good? I also made the prints larger, after many many requests by several sewers and quilters that want to work with bigger, giant blocks to make the piecing process faster. I'll give you a little hint on the theme: imagine you're in a wonderland of flowers, and everything starts coming to life…

What new future developments do you have planned for Art Gallery?

To us, knowing the customer is key. We know we have many young sewers that buy and love our fabrics, and we know that for them it's all about technology; so that's why we're doing our upcoming patterns in PDF versions, and in DVD versions.

The PDF version, comes in a CD format, with detailed instructions featuring super clear diagrams and high def pictures of every single step of the project. 

In the DVD version, I'm actually showing how to make the project; so sewers can follow me step by step, in real time, throughout the process. It comes with a complete glossary of basic (and not to so basic) sewing terms, and of course, illustrations that clearly show how to make the garment, or bag. 

Both come with the printed pattern pieces inside the case, so the sewers can just pop in the disc and start sewing right away!

We're first launching the Vienna Bag in PDF version, and the Boho Dress in DVD version, we're really proud of them and hope we make many beginners' life easier!

Pat Bravo

Art Gallery Fabrics