{"id":5898,"date":"2011-06-07T08:33:00","date_gmt":"2011-06-07T12:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.madeeveryday.com\/2011\/06\/07\/selecting-boy-fabrics\/"},"modified":"2016-12-12T14:45:45","modified_gmt":"2016-12-12T20:45:45","slug":"selecting-boy-fabrics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.madeeveryday.com\/selecting-boy-fabrics\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting BOY fabrics"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Boy projects in the air, let’s talk about fabric.
\n\"\"<\/a>When it comes to boy fashion I’m definitely a minimalist. I do love a cool\/interesting print (such as funky elephants, moons, or robots) but I prefer those textiles on home decor projects and bags.<\/p>\n

If we’re talking specifically about boy apparel<\/span>, I love stripes, plaids, geometric shapes, and solids. I rarely use a detailed print fabric on boy’s clothing….and not because there aren’t tons of cool ones (just check spoonflower<\/a> and you’ll ooo and ahhh). The simple look is just my preference. And if a busier look is yours, that’s great too! I’m certainly not setting ground rules here. Just thought I’d share how my fabric-selecting brain works, since some of you have asked.
\n\"\"<\/a>Where to buy fabrics?<\/span>
\nI have a detailed post about my favorite fabric shops and online links HERE<\/a>.
\nMy favorite place to browse, feel, and purchase fabric in person is the LA fabric district. I know that doesn’t help most of you since you live nowhere close. I don’t anymore either. It’s sad. But there are many wonderful online resources (check the post above). And to be honest….<\/p>\n

Because I don’t sew with many detailed prints for boys, 99% of the fabrics I use are from nondescript fabric designers, from normal old shops like Joanns, Hobby Lobby, and (eek) Walmart. I feel somewhat bad saying that because I don’t mean to slight the many talented fabric designers out there. Hey, I’d even like to design fabric one day! But what I mean to say is this:<\/p>\n

Don’t feel like you need to have the latest Amy Butler or Michael Miller print to make your clothing design look cool. Interesting textiles are all around us, even at the generic shops. So when you spot one that you love, buy a yard or two and you’re ready for your next project.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nFavorite BOY Fabrics<\/span>
\nI’m sure some would disagree but I honestly think there are just as many boy fabrics out there as girl fabrics, even when you put the printed fabrics aside. Solids alone offer a huge spectrum of choices! It’s all in the way that you look at it.
\n\"\"<\/a>Am I losing the argument?
\nLet’s take a look through my stash to see if I can convince you.<\/p>\n

KNITS <\/span>
\nWho doesn’t love a good T-shirt? It’s kind of the staple in every boy’s wardrobe. I always have a pile of knit fabrics and XL men’s T-shirts on-hand so I can cut them up for new projects. I purchase most T-shirts from thrift shops and from Old Navy and Target clearance sales. I purchase knit ribbing at Joanns, when it’s on sale. And I purchase other printed knits whenever I see them–even if there’s not a project in mind. Cool knits are hard to come by!
\n\"\"<\/a>Aside from sewing boy shirts, I also love using knits for pants, bags, even gift wrapping.
\n\"\"<\/a>If you’ve never sewn with knits but have been itching to try, put your fears behind you and go for it! Nothing to be afraid of. What’s the worst that can happen? The fabric comes out of the machine bunched up, looking like a monster ate it, and you toss it in the trash? Okay sure. Nothing to be scared of.
\n\"\"<\/a>I sew with knits about 40% of the time…and on my standard old machine.<\/p>\n

A few things that help when sewing with knits: ballpoint and\/or stretch needle, polyester thread, and a zigzag stitch. But here’s where the truth comes out and I admit to rarely using any of those!
\nI’m a “make-it-work with what’s on-hand” kind of sewer. And when I want to sew a knit, I just start sewing it. So pick up a knit from your local fabric shop or thrift store and give it a whirl!
\n\"\"<\/a>LINEN<\/span>
\nI never knew I would love this fiber so much until I started sewing. Linen just screams summer, feels breezy, and it gets softer and softer with every wash. I mostly use it for boys pants. And over the years, I’ve gathered a variety of colors.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>If 100% linen is too pricey, many fabric shops carry “linen look” or “linen like” fabrics, which are a cotton\/linen blend and cost about 1\/2 the price. I’ve used and purchased these from plain old Joanns and love them too.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>STRIPES<\/span>
\nBrowsing my blog it’s almost embarrassing how often I sew with stripes. I use them for clothing, home decor, bags, kitchen linens, anything I can think of! I’m an addict.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>And when I think of a”boy print” fabric, stripes are what come to mind. They add character to a boyish wardrobe without overpowering the look. They don’t feel too young and they’re never too old. Stripes are the perfect fabric? Okay, that’s a bit much. I’ll just say that I love them.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>PLAID, HOUNDSTOOTH, GINGHAM and CHECKS<\/span>
\nThese are another Boy clothing favorite at our house. 99% of them come from nondescript fabric makers.
\n\"\"<\/a>Plaid and houndstooth have always been associated with men. But today the colors and options have morphed into a wide range of fabrics for boys (and girls).
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>And it’s fun to mix prints as well. When I was in London a years back, I was impressed with the way trendy businessmen mixed stripes, plaids, and dots all in the same outfit–A striped dress shirt with a plaid tie, and a suit jacket. Totally cool. And totally worked!
\n\"\"<\/a>Plaids and gingham add a pop of surprise to the outfit without feeling too cutesy.
\n\"\"<\/a>They can be as bold or understated as you want.
\n\"\"<\/a>DOTS, CHEVRON, and other SHAPES<\/span>
\nI probably use these fabrics the least on boy clothing (and the most on girl clothing!) But they do pop up from time to time. The fabrics in the photo below are by Michael Miller but you don’t need a fancy designer to find simple dots.
\n\"\"<\/a>I prefer dots on baby clothing and gear.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>SOLIDS<\/span>
\nSolid-colored fabrics are the perfect compliment to a bright pair of gingham pants. Yet they can also stand on their own as the focal point of an outfit.
\n\"\"<\/a>A cool pair of cherry red pants with navy-colored piping? Solid fabric cut into stripes for a pair of jammies? Solid knits used to make an argyle pattern on a shirt? They have a lot to offer!
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>Solids come in variety of fibers and types: simple cotton, corduroy cotton, denim cotton, wools, felt, and knits. I love to use them all.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>I even love the subtle quiet colors.
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>And there you go!
\nBOY fabrics from my cupboards, bins, stacks, and unorganized piles to yours.<\/p>\n

I’m sure you’ve got some similar stuff hanging around.
\nHave fun sewing!
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With Boy projects in the air, let’s talk about fabric. When it comes to boy fashion I’m definitely a minimalist. I do love a cool\/interesting print (such as funky elephants, moons, or robots) but I prefer those textiles on home decor projects and bags. If we’re talking specifically about boy apparel, I love stripes, plaids, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[295,301],"tags":[294],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSelecting BOY fabrics - MADE EVERYDAY<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.madeeveryday.com\/selecting-boy-fabrics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Selecting BOY fabrics - MADE EVERYDAY\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With Boy projects in the air, let’s talk about fabric. When it comes to boy fashion I’m definitely a minimalist. 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