My Favorite Printed Knits

A fellow blogger asked where I could find some fun patterned knits as seen on the cool modern leggings in my previous post, Fall Inspiration: Kids Leggings. I initially thought to make my own stamped fabrics to use in creating custom leggings for my kiddos this fall, but if that didn't work out so well, I thought I'd better do some research and keep a few favorite printed knits on my to-buy list just in case! Then I thought I'd share my digital fabric stash with you all in case you needed ideas as well so here it is! Enjoy!

I love sites that specialize in a certain fabric and Girl Charlee is one of my favs. I've ordered from them about three times since I started sewing/blogging seriously and I have not been disappointed yet! Here's some cool fun knits available from them that I think would look super on leggings:
                      

                          

                  

                          

Check out Girl Charlee's latest knits here! They're all so gorgeous and perfect for leggings!

Fabric.com is also another great site that I could spend hours perusing! I found a ton of fun knits that were on sale for less than $4/yard! That would mean two pairs of cool leggings for only $4- maybe even a third pair for the baby! =) Here's some prints available from them:
                        
                                  

                                      

                          

Cedar House Fabrics on Etsy stocks some very gorgeous modern print fabrics in a variety of colors. In addition to these knits below, they have just an amazing assortment of organic woven cotton in beautiful colors, patterns, and prints. You'll be a new fan the first time you visit!
                        
                          

The Fabric Fairy also has some fun knits available- I especially love the magazine print knit- it even comes in hot pink!
                           

                           

Hawthorne Threads carries mostly quilting cottons but I did manage to find a couple of knits on this popular fabric site that could be used for leggings:

                          

I hope this little digital fabric stash helps you out! And remember you can always create your own design on sites like Spoonflower (the only stretch fabric available is interlocking knit for $27/yard) or DIY it at home with fabric paints which the designer in me is yearning to do so right now!

Fall Inspiration: Kids Leggings

Today, I decided I'd share some of my favorite fall inspiration pieces with you: kids leggings! Why? Because I've got back-to-school fall wardrobes in mind already! Even the weather has been fall-like around here and my daughter's going around wearing leggings that are too tight and short to even be called leggings anymore!

Many of these would be great for us big people too but you and I both know that they're cutest on kids! There are so many wonderful prints and patterns on knit fabric these days and certainly if you're handy with a sewing machine, they would be easy to make but if you're not sew handy, then I'd check out these awesome indie designers and shop owners.

 

 Brown Sugar Beach on Etsy makes harem pants look so good. I'm dressing my baby up in these all winter long- they're so cool!

These gorgeous leggings come from Salt City Emporium, also on Etsy. I actually discovered how cool kids leggings could be because of Salt City Emporium, thus inspiring this post! So thanks guys! =)

Even more awesome printed leggings from SweetKiddoCo on Etsy! These Etsy sellers are killing me with cuteness!! Bonus- they also sell matching headbands and hair wraps, can you believe it?!

NewBerryPark is relatively new on Etsy but their cute printed leggings come in at only $19 a pair! Look at the variety they have too! I know someone who'd be ecstatic about the horse print one! At this price, I may just skip sewing some and buy a couple here. 

I'm seriously dying over how freaking cute these are! They're from ZIBtextile on Etsy and aren't they so fab?! I could buy myself and K a matching pair and she'd be thrilled that we had matching clothes! This awesome shop is packed full of gorgeous clothes- I almost swooned with envy at their wonderful designs and color combinations.

I love that Thief&Bandit KIDS on Etsy also makes custom orders for dresses if you happen to fall in love with one of their handprinted fabrics! And what's not to love? These look pretty great on boys too- just check out their shop and you'll see I'm tellin' you the truth!

The above leggings sets are from www.aliexpress.com, a Chinese wholesale website. I would probably never need to order a dozen leggings at once but these are lovely inspirations to create your own leggings with some striped/polk dot knits and appliques! I absolutely love the boy versions on the top left- although I just don't know if my 6-year-old would EVER wear them willingly! 

See Kate Sew, one of my favorite sewing blogs, made these super cute leggings using a printed tribal knit from Girl Charlee fabrics. The print is no longer available but they have tons of others to choose from so you can make any style leggings that your imagination can come up with!

All these gorgeous prints make me want to go make my own leggings now! The possibilities are endless, as demonstrated by the creative designers above. Hope you enjoyed this round up of my fall inspiration- you'll definitely see a pair or two or three of my own custom leggings in the near future and maybe a couple of the above as well!

Go here to see my knit picks for making leggings as cool as these ones!

My Top 20 Favorite Free Clothing Patterns

Who doesn't love free patterns??? I absolutely adore bloggers and experienced sewists who share their expertise with us so we can create some cool handmades for ourselves! And believe me, I follow any blogger who offers free patterns and tutorials because I learn so much from them!

Here, I have rounded up some of my favorites- some I have worked with, others that are still on my to-do list but all of them are modern, fun, easy to read and sew with and FREE!!! They include patterns for women, children and baby. Enjoy!


1. I'm in love with this frock from Grosgrain Fabulous! I can't wait to make my own soon!


2. I just made a pair of these and they're pretty fab for kids! You Call It Pant from Suburbia Soup.


3. And while you're at Suburbia Soup, don't forget to download this super duper cute slip dress pattern as well! I'm working on one later this week for my daughter.


4. I admire and adore these cute and modern patterns from Compagnie M. This talented lady is also great at choosing her fabrics and I can't help but stare at her amazing work wishing I could be that awesome as well!


5. My daughter, and several other little girls I know, will be getting one of these come Christmas! Caila from Caila Made offers a free pattern for this cute capelet over at Clever Charlotte. And don't forget to make a stop over at Caila Made to check out her other awesome free patterns/tutorials! I use her Summer Shorts pattern for my own kiddos!


6. Just in time for fall sewing! E-cords from Running with Scissors. The pattern only comes in size 18m but that's perfect for my little guy. Aren't these just so darn cute? I can't wait to start sewing for fall already, haha!


7. I'm a sucker for cuffs and pleats and these shorts have BOTH! From Zuzzy, these come in a size 18-24M only. I'm going to attempt to enlarge them for my daughter because they're so freaking adorable!


8. For either Spring or Fall, this raglan sweater is a perfect sewing project! I love her colorful version for Spring but the possibilities are endless! Pattern by Helen Crafty Stall. Pssst- she also offers a free pattern and tutorial for size 3/4T casual pants so make sure to check those out as well while you're over there!

9. Melly Sews is the go-to blog for anyone who wants to learn how to sew! It was one of the first sites I started following and am now addicted to and she offers some fab free patterns and great tutorials for all to enjoy! My favorite right now is the bias trim shorts!

10. If you are sewing for your kids, Elegance & Elephants is a must-read, must-follow blog! I find Heidi's work so inspiring, fresh, and modern and am absolutely awed by her fantastic workmanship! She's offering the Pleated Playsuit pattern for free, as well as a couple others- isn't that just awesome?!


11. Colette Patterns offers these cute bloomers for free download on their site. These make for a great beginner sewing project and you get to lounge around and look cute after you're done making them!


12. I'm a sucker for peter pan collars, I admit, so I just couldn't resist this free pattern either! Isn't it lovely? From Small DreamFactory, it comes in sizes 9M-2T. She also offers a lot of other patterns on her blog- baby clothes and soft toys! Score!


13. Perfect for lazy days at the beach or pool, these towel robes can be personalized for each child! Free pattern and tutorial via Sew Mama Sew.


14. Shwin and Shwin is another must-read blog if you sew for kids. I enjoy her aesthetic and excellent craftsmanship and have used several of her patterns for my own kids. They have not failed me yet and I'm always so excited to see a new pattern release- her work is truly that inspiring! Get a ton of free patterns here as well as some available for sale. Definitely worth the money!


15. This is another site that's in my Top Ten must-read sewing blogs: Dana MADE It offers patterns for sale and some for free, as well as a ton of free tutorials on how to make fabulous clothes for your littles! I read this blog religiously and refer to it for sewing techniques and tricks. You'll love it too, I promise! Find the pattern above here and then make sure to check out all her other great tutorials!


16. Oliver and S is a premier pattern shop that offers absolutely lovely kids clothes patterns! I find it difficult not to ooh and ahh over each and every single one of their designs- it's just that good. They also offer a couple of free patterns like this reversible bucket hat that I can't wait to try out. Hopefully my hats will be done in time for the State Fair!


17. Sabra over at Sew a Straight Line is so freakin' talented and I'm so jealous! The ruched romper above can be found here but she has a ton of tutorials and patterns for women, boys, home, etc. etc. She's pretty wonderful, isn't she?


18. Jess from Craftiness is Not Optional is another one of those bloggers I stalk  follow religiously. She doesn't offer free downloads on her blog but her tutorials are so clear and easy to follow that you can easily draft and sew a dress for your little girl all by yourself! I love the Sweet and Sassy dress above but she offers tons of other tutorials for women, baby, and home decor.


19. Smashed Peas and Carrots is an awesome craft blog that offers TONS, and I mean literally TONS, of tutorials for everything crafty! The crossover pinafore above is one of my favorite free patterns from this blog! Make sure to check out all the other great tutorials she offers, it's worth the time!


20. StraightGrain's Peplum Bubble Dress was one of the first patterns I ever used and it turned out beautifully! I love this blog's vintage modern aesthetic and love the work she does! She also offers a couple of other lovely patterns/tutorials that won't disappoint so do check those out while you're visiting!