When I found out that I was having a boy all I could think about were ruffles and dresses. I decorated the nursery, slipping in a few feminine touches here and there. Flower print fabric inside the dresser. It’s green, gender neutral, right? Kinda. Victorian frames. Girly. Lambs. A little girly. You get the idea. It was kinda girly. But kinda gender neutral.
The moment he was placed on my lap and took his first breath I realized that this kid wasn’t just a little baby, he was a little BOY. A little man. My first thought was “His nursery is too girly. This baby is too macho.” Yep…on the hospital bed, the first thing I am thinking about is how his nursery it too feminine. (And how much I loved the kid…and how much childbirth hurt. But anyways…)
I’ve made it a goal to sew for him more. And to not fill his life with pink and ruffles. So I’m always searching for boy appropriate fabrics and projects.
Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite fabrics that are perfect for boys!
In a world of pink and ruffles, let’s think:
Because blue broadcloth is a cop out! So boring! There are so many fun fabrics for boys!
I’ll let the fabric do most of the talking since I know you’ll be busy thinking about all the great things you could use each one for. Click on the images to see them larger, or click the links to see more information on each fabric.
Some of the most popular designer print lines scream GIRL. But if you sift through enough you’ll find that there are a lot that are great for boys!
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Superhero solids and rugged textures
These fun fabrics are great for superhero capes and other crafty projects that demand bright and vibrant solids. Also great for apparel, cowboy costumes, sheriff’s badges, jet packs, space man costumes…
1.Vinyl Pleather Lime 2.Faux Soft Skin Leather Copper 3. Red Vinyl 4. Aqua Sweatshirt Fleece 5. Microsuede Chocolate 6. Tan Corduroy 7. Faux Leather Gator 8.Natural Burlap
1. Silver Vinyl 2. Gold Double Knit 3.Silver Satin4. Orange Bamboo Jersey 5. Blue Oilcloth6. Jersery Zig Zag Stripes Red 7. Marine Vinyl Black 8. Nutmeg Linen Blend
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Preppy boy
Plaids, herringbone, houndstooth, argyle, seersucker, pinstripes.
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These fun patterns are bright and busy, just like little boys. No hearts or flowers here though…these are busy and manly!
And that’s a wrap! I hope you found something that you love! Maybe something you can use for the rest of the celebration! So next time you’re at the fabric store, steer clear of the ruffles and look for some inspiration for the boys in your life!
Thanks for letting us celebrate with you Rae!
Hashi
02/16 at 2:15 PMThank you, Kate!
Laura
02/16 at 2:23 PMI had my second boy last year so this is a much needed post-thanks!
bethanndodd
02/16 at 4:20 PMLOVE your fabric roundup…thanks! I have 3 boys (with only 1 to really make things for since the older two are 8 & 10) I am adding that striped seersucker to my fabric.com cart right now!!
Jayna Rae
02/16 at 4:42 PMSo many awesome fabrics. I have a Fabric section on my pinterest. I am going to have to go through these and add many/most/all of them.
dana
02/16 at 4:45 PMExcellent Roundup Kate! You found so many interesting prints!
Jennie
02/16 at 5:22 PMHavng three boys, I just LOVE all these fabric ideas! Thank you Kate! :)
Jenny
02/16 at 5:23 PMHi Kate! I just found your blog through Rae’s! So glad I did! Thanks for the boy fabric round up… so great! I’m following you on GFC now. Come on by the Southern Institute when you get the chance!
Jenny
Amanda
02/16 at 6:23 PMI love this post so much! It makes me want to buy fabric….incidentally, my husband hates this post so much.
Becky
02/16 at 6:42 PMThat was such a cute post!
Haley K
02/16 at 7:21 PMstellar fabric round up!!! I can’t get over the adorable Melody Miller View-Finder pattern :) And your little guy is so handsome!
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
02/16 at 7:23 PMLOVE IT! there is so little in the clothing world for boys… and SO many more fabrics and things you can do for girls. I try to find inspirations for my little man all the time!!
April
02/16 at 7:40 PMyou. are. adorable… this was a fun post!
Carla
02/16 at 8:38 PMI love this so much! I also really admire your honesty about being a little disappointed at first about having a boy. I felt that way too, and while I would still love the excuse to sew tiny dresses, boys rock and with cute fabric like this who needs ruffles? Thanks!
The Bonjour Four
02/16 at 9:03 PMLOVE all the prints! Thank you for sharing them!
Christina
02/16 at 10:52 PMWhat a great boyish fabric selection! I especially love the brown suburbia tools fabric; if I hadn’t just purchased some of Alexander Henry’s 2-D Zoo in brown for my second son’s big boy quilt, I would probably be buying some right now! I also love all the preppy boy fabrics. I hadn’t thought of using houndstooth and herringbone prints for my boys before, and now I’m scheming of ways to using the lovely repurposed suit coats in the basement for them. : )
Eva
02/18 at 10:12 AMThank you for this inspiring post! When sewing for my friends’ kids (which are mostly girls) I always feel that there are less options available for boys and it’s great to see things from another perspective. Your fabric choices are great and I’ll come back to reference them when needed. Actually, I just bought the Ruby Star Rising Transistor print to make a backpack for my friend’s son for his birthday in summer.