Do you remember Frivols? They were such a cute idea from four or so years ago. It was a year-long subscription program. Each month you got a little see-through tin with enough fabric by a Moda designer, with project instructions and an extra free pattern block. The Frivol in the photo above is one from 2016 and features #5, which was by Sandy Klop. These monthly Frivols were fairly pricey ($45) and if you wanted the finishing kit for backing and binding, that was extra. By the end of the year, in an ideal world, you would end up with 12 small completed projects and 12 adorable decorative tins you could use all sorts of ways. I dropped out after the eighth month because I was spending a fortune on them. I kind of regret that now, as it would be cool to have the complete set of 12.
I made a couple of the small quilts and really enjoyed having the decorative tins on the shelves of my sewing room. Kind of an expensive decoration… Anyway, when I did my major tidying of the sewing room, I examined the tins and their contents and told myself I really needed to make up some of these projects.
I pulled out the contents of Frivols 6, which was a project by Joanna Figueroa using her Strawberry Fields Revisited collection. For some reason, I had transferred the fabric into a project box and cannot for the life of me find tin #6 or the instructions for the main project.
Apparently I had had something else in mind, and the fabric from the tin was all starched and ready to be used. I did have the little extra free block pattern card however and started playing around making 5-inch blocks.
Cute, aren't they? I will make more blocks and put them into some kind of a table runner, either for me or to give as a gift.
Sure wish I could find tin #6 though…***
This one that I actually completed was by Minick and Simpson. Frivols #2 featuring Polka Dots and Paisleys.
Did you subscribe to the monthly Frivols kits in 2016? Did you ever make up any of the projects?
**Added later: Found it!
57 responses to “Frivols Re-examined”
I didn’t subscribe as I thought it was pricey, too. If I ever get caught up on my UFO’s, I’d definitely consider subscribing to something because I think it would be fun to get something that’s different than my usual taste in fabrics. These mini’s you’ve shown are darling.
I didn’t subscribe as I thought it was pricey, too. If I ever get caught up on my UFO’s, I’d definitely consider subscribing to something because I think it would be fun to get something that’s different than my usual taste in fabrics. These mini’s you’ve shown are darling.
I didn’t subscribe as I thought it was pricey, too. If I ever get caught up on my UFO’s, I’d definitely consider subscribing to something because I think it would be fun to get something that’s different than my usual taste in fabrics. These mini’s you’ve shown are darling.
I did for 3 months and then thought it very pricey too so stopped. Loved the tins and still think the idea is a great one if they could have made it a bit more affordable. Anyway still love them☺️☺️☺️
I did for 3 months and then thought it very pricey too so stopped. Loved the tins and still think the idea is a great one if they could have made it a bit more affordable. Anyway still love them☺️☺️☺️
I did for 3 months and then thought it very pricey too so stopped. Loved the tins and still think the idea is a great one if they could have made it a bit more affordable. Anyway still love them☺️☺️☺️
i didn’t subscribe, but managed to collect all twelve for $30-$35 each, on ebay or other places. I haven’t made any of the projects yet because of other big projects. I did buy the extra fabric to complete the projects and now I am ready to get started. Maybe it’s good I waited, my piecing is better now.
i didn’t subscribe, but managed to collect all twelve for $30-$35 each, on ebay or other places. I haven’t made any of the projects yet because of other big projects. I did buy the extra fabric to complete the projects and now I am ready to get started. Maybe it’s good I waited, my piecing is better now.
i didn’t subscribe, but managed to collect all twelve for $30-$35 each, on ebay or other places. I haven’t made any of the projects yet because of other big projects. I did buy the extra fabric to complete the projects and now I am ready to get started. Maybe it’s good I waited, my piecing is better now.
I remember those! They were a cute and novel idea. I didn’t subscribe since the shipping cost to Canada made them really pricey.
Your little star blocks are cute!
I remember those! They were a cute and novel idea. I didn’t subscribe since the shipping cost to Canada made them really pricey.
Your little star blocks are cute!
I remember those! They were a cute and novel idea. I didn’t subscribe since the shipping cost to Canada made them really pricey.
Your little star blocks are cute!
I purchased nine of the twelve. Finished #3, Eliza’s Indigo, #5 Petite Prints Deux by French General and #8 Bread n’ Butter. I will finish them eventually……
I purchased nine of the twelve. Finished #3, Eliza’s Indigo, #5 Petite Prints Deux by French General and #8 Bread n’ Butter. I will finish them eventually……
I purchased nine of the twelve. Finished #3, Eliza’s Indigo, #5 Petite Prints Deux by French General and #8 Bread n’ Butter. I will finish them eventually……
I remember when they were available and I was very tempted but I thought they were way too pricey. They were a great idea; too bad they were priced out of my range.
I remember when they were available and I was very tempted but I thought they were way too pricey. They were a great idea; too bad they were priced out of my range.
I remember when they were available and I was very tempted but I thought they were way too pricey. They were a great idea; too bad they were priced out of my range.
How cute is that topper! I always covet those kits, but never buy them because I know I can produce it at a lot less $$.
How cute is that topper! I always covet those kits, but never buy them because I know I can produce it at a lot less $$.
How cute is that topper! I always covet those kits, but never buy them because I know I can produce it at a lot less $$.
A quick check on Ebay shows many still available. The prices are all over the map. I like your topper!
A quick check on Ebay shows many still available. The prices are all over the map. I like your topper!
A quick check on Ebay shows many still available. The prices are all over the map. I like your topper!
I remember those adorable tins & projects, but never subscribed to the program. Hoping you can come up with the missing instructions! Stay well!
I remember those adorable tins & projects, but never subscribed to the program. Hoping you can come up with the missing instructions! Stay well!
I remember those adorable tins & projects, but never subscribed to the program. Hoping you can come up with the missing instructions! Stay well!
I loved Frivols! I managed to pick up a few on sale when I was south but I do agree they were pricey! I used my American Jane fabric to make Village ( free Moda pattern) and was quite pleased how it turned out! I think I have the instructions for the Fig Tree Frivol. Would you like a copy?
I loved Frivols! I managed to pick up a few on sale when I was south but I do agree they were pricey! I used my American Jane fabric to make Village ( free Moda pattern) and was quite pleased how it turned out! I think I have the instructions for the Fig Tree Frivol. Would you like a copy?
I loved Frivols! I managed to pick up a few on sale when I was south but I do agree they were pricey! I used my American Jane fabric to make Village ( free Moda pattern) and was quite pleased how it turned out! I think I have the instructions for the Fig Tree Frivol. Would you like a copy?
I have a couple of them. They look like yours 😂. Think I will dig them out and get going! Thanks for the reminder. Have a good day and be safe.
Mary
I have a couple of them. They look like yours 😂. Think I will dig them out and get going! Thanks for the reminder. Have a good day and be safe.
Mary
I have a couple of them. They look like yours 😂. Think I will dig them out and get going! Thanks for the reminder. Have a good day and be safe.
Mary
Nicole, #6 is the only one I bought. Would you like the directions that came with it? Let me know!
Nicole, #6 is the only one I bought. Would you like the directions that came with it? Let me know!
Nicole, #6 is the only one I bought. Would you like the directions that came with it? Let me know!
So cute, those little tins, but very expensive. Glad you found your missing tin!
I may have to get on the starch train….
So cute, those little tins, but very expensive. Glad you found your missing tin!
I may have to get on the starch train….
So cute, those little tins, but very expensive. Glad you found your missing tin!
I may have to get on the starch train….
lol @ FOUND IT! The story of my life…always looking for things. At least you found it. I usually don’t find ‘it’ until weeks later when I’m looking for something else. ;p
Nah, I didn’t buy any Frivols even though I did think it was a fab marketing idea.
Have a lovely day. The weather is perfect here today and I am going to enjoy it.
lol @ FOUND IT! The story of my life…always looking for things. At least you found it. I usually don’t find ‘it’ until weeks later when I’m looking for something else. ;p
Nah, I didn’t buy any Frivols even though I did think it was a fab marketing idea.
Have a lovely day. The weather is perfect here today and I am going to enjoy it.
lol @ FOUND IT! The story of my life…always looking for things. At least you found it. I usually don’t find ‘it’ until weeks later when I’m looking for something else. ;p
Nah, I didn’t buy any Frivols even though I did think it was a fab marketing idea.
Have a lovely day. The weather is perfect here today and I am going to enjoy it.
I also bought all the Frivols kits on Etsy and EBay for about $25 each. Not only was $45 too expensive for me, but for most you had to also add background fabric! I have worked my though five of them—funny you mentioned it because I just pulled out another one yesterday! They are fun to make and something different than I normally would pick. I am also looking forward to a Corey Yoder Christmas quilt subsription from the Fat Quater Shop starting this month.
I also bought all the Frivols kits on Etsy and EBay for about $25 each. Not only was $45 too expensive for me, but for most you had to also add background fabric! I have worked my though five of them—funny you mentioned it because I just pulled out another one yesterday! They are fun to make and something different than I normally would pick. I am also looking forward to a Corey Yoder Christmas quilt subsription from the Fat Quater Shop starting this month.
I also bought all the Frivols kits on Etsy and EBay for about $25 each. Not only was $45 too expensive for me, but for most you had to also add background fabric! I have worked my though five of them—funny you mentioned it because I just pulled out another one yesterday! They are fun to make and something different than I normally would pick. I am also looking forward to a Corey Yoder Christmas quilt subsription from the Fat Quater Shop starting this month.
I loved the idea of the Frivols, but not the price. Like others, I bought all the ones I have (5) on sale. Like so many things I buy, they have yet to be made.
I loved the idea of the Frivols, but not the price. Like others, I bought all the ones I have (5) on sale. Like so many things I buy, they have yet to be made.
I loved the idea of the Frivols, but not the price. Like others, I bought all the ones I have (5) on sale. Like so many things I buy, they have yet to be made.
Lol! I was just looking at those yesterday wondering what I was going to do with them. Now I guess I need to get cracking making them up!
Lol! I was just looking at those yesterday wondering what I was going to do with them. Now I guess I need to get cracking making them up!
Lol! I was just looking at those yesterday wondering what I was going to do with them. Now I guess I need to get cracking making them up!
Guilty here too, they are sitting on the shelf in sewing room, must start making them up.
Guilty here too, they are sitting on the shelf in sewing room, must start making them up.
Guilty here too, they are sitting on the shelf in sewing room, must start making them up.
I bought one and made the quilt on a retreat. There was a shop near me who had a fabulous year end sale and I bought it for half of the normal price. I was disappointed in that they gave you just enough fabric…..it even tells you in the instructions to “cut carefully”. And boy were they right!!! It all worked out but was stressful.
I bought one and made the quilt on a retreat. There was a shop near me who had a fabulous year end sale and I bought it for half of the normal price. I was disappointed in that they gave you just enough fabric…..it even tells you in the instructions to “cut carefully”. And boy were they right!!! It all worked out but was stressful.
I bought one and made the quilt on a retreat. There was a shop near me who had a fabulous year end sale and I bought it for half of the normal price. I was disappointed in that they gave you just enough fabric…..it even tells you in the instructions to “cut carefully”. And boy were they right!!! It all worked out but was stressful.