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Saturday, 19 March 2022

More Fun Freebies from AGF Studios

AGF Studios Kool Pillow
Another fun freebie from AGF Studios...
Let's see if lightning manages to strike again.

In November 2019, I showcased a small sampling of the free sewing projects offered by AGF Studios, aka Art Gallery Fabrics. A post about the project that was later chosen to be my pandemic challengethe tropical leaf rug — has since become the fourth most popular incoming link to my blog.

Bloggers often highlight others' various works as a way to switch it up and knock off a quick post. While some do this on a regular basis, it's not my preference unless I feel a certain affinity for the projects themselves. When I went back to AGF a few months ago, several more of their projects caught my eye, so I'm bringing them to your attention.

If you take the time to sift through their inventory of patterns, you'll find that the vast majority of them are focused on piecing/quilting. In my selections here, I've tried to stay with projects that are only minimally so. 

[In the interests of reducing future broken links, please go back to my first AGF post for the main link to their library of free patterns. Once you get there, you can either page through them or search by the name of the projects as given here.]




The project at the top of this post is for a fox head pillow, officially called the Kool Pillow in their collection of patterns. (For some reason, they've pictured it with a raccoon head pillow which is not included in the pattern and which I have been unable to locate.) It finishes out at 16" x 13" and would make a delightful addition to any child's bed.

Here's another pillow project: Coral Reef. It finishes out at 17" x 18".

AGF Studios Coral Reef Pillow
Coral Reef pillow project (image courtesy of AGF Studios)...

In my case, I wouldn't necessarily make this as a pillow. Hubby and I collect seashells whenever we vacation near the ocean. I can see these quilted up as (flat) table toppers to put underneath a display of shells.

AGF Studios Lucky Fox Stuffie
Lucky Fox stuffie project (courtesy of AGF Studios)...

Did I say I like foxes? These whimsical stuffed ones (called Lucky Fox) made me smile when I saw them. They finish out at 8.5" x 15.5" (and do have legs and tails). Too cute!

If you're also a fox fan, you might want to check out AGF's Twinkler project too; it's another fox head pillow.


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The next two projects are in a category dear to my heart: organization. A place for everything and everything in its place. You can — almost — never be too organized!

This project is called Space Trip. It's a full size car seat back organizer that would be totally useful for road trips, whether or not anyone's sitting back there. Finished item measures 18" x 28".

AGF Studios Space Trip
Space Trip car organizer project (image courtesy of AGF Studios)...

Alternate application ideas? You can probably change it up slightly so that it can hang from a wall or behind a door. Or modify it a bit more to fit behind your office or sewing chair... or even a beach chair? Lots of options to consider.

Next, these Everlasting bins (a set of three as shown) finish out to 14" x 7' x 5", 13" x 6" x 4" and 12" x 5" x 3"... in other words, quite roomy.

AGF Studios Everlasting Baskets
Everlasting storage bins project (image courtesy of AGF Studios)...

Fabric baskets always draw my attention, and the oval bottoms on these make them more challenging to execute and therefore worth the effort. And despite the fussy finish of the ones shown here — as written, the pattern involves piecing as well as applique — you can certainly choose to make them out of just one or two fabrics with no additional embellishment.

On that note, it's time for an "aside"... ʘ‿ʘ

I mentioned at the top that I chose to highlight projects that were less involved with piecing/quilting. Not being a quilter — though an occasional admirer of its various techniques and results — I find that after encountering one pieced project after another, my eyes grow tired of seeing relatively simple things turned complex because they involve a zillion different fabrics. 

Case in point: AGF has a pattern for an enormous (32" x 12" x12") duffle bag that's made out of fifteen fabrics cut into I couldn't bother to count them up number of pieces. (It's essentially made out of quilt blocks; called the Road Trip Duffle Bag if you're interested.)

Honest question: do quilters just like the routine of sewing together small pieces of fabric? To me — unless I'm intentionally trying to use up scraps — it would seem unbearably time-consuming and repetitive. But we each march to the beat of our own drum and with so many people so into quilting, I'm seriously curious about that aspect of it. Enlighten me, please.


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Okay, back on topic. (¬‿¬)

This pattern dates back to 2016, but I've included it here because it reminds me of the fabric bags that often hang near the entrance of purse and luggage shops at the mall.

What's the significance of that, you ask?

AGF Studios Bouquet Bag
Bouquet Bag project (image courtesy of AGF Studios)...

Well, when I started sewing again, I made the claim that I hadn't realized that people sewed things apart from quilts and clothing. Yet very obviously, I must have seen these types of bags in stores since forever, and never made the connection that they were sewn.

So the inclusion of this project is a reminder to me that I am — sometimes — just a little less smart than I think I am. (Good to have that nudge; it keeps me humble.) 

But also, it's to say that this sort of open, loose bag is great to have stashed in your car for times when you encounter a farmer's or flea market. Toss in your wallet and keys and it's all you need to shop comfortably and be able to carry your purchases.

Who knows? I may have to make one!

'Til next...

3 comments:

  1. Hi Rochelle, I’m not sure if your link to AGF is a blessing… finding and reading patterns is my retirement pleasure activity- but … 6 pages of free pattern designs may keep me busy for days, 😂🤣 ignoring all those other activities like eating and sleeping.. thanks for the inspirations!

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    Replies
    1. I know! Doesn't it seem like such a happy event to come across pages of freebie patterns? Some are better than others in terms of how thorough they are, but still... enjoy your not eating and sleeping!

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  2. AGF fabrics are my top picks when buying new pieces for my stash. They have some of the best in terms of luxurious feel, weight and design. They are so generous to offer sewists so many free projects to get us inspired! The fabric bag and baskets are great items to have around and serve a purpose, besides being pretty. I am one of those people who really enjoy sewing small pieces together over and over. It's my therapy, although probably not cheaper than talking to someone while lying on their couch. (Do folks really do that?) Thanks for the reminder to look up a few of these projects and to get my AGF on!

    ReplyDelete

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