Did I mention that this new baby, besides just being huge, is going to be a boy?
I will admit that a few tears have been shed over the fact that no child of mine will ever again wear anything in this stack of handmades.
This isn’t the whole haul, but I counted 68 items in this pile – exactly zero of which (given current social norms) could be worn by a boy. I already weeded those out, and there were three.
And while I know there’s plenty of great boy-sewing inspiration out there, I’m having trouble convincing myself that sewing for boys could ever be as much fun as sewing for girls…and so far I haven’t encountered a lot of people trying to prove me wrong on this point (though I’m absolutely up for hearing your argument if you have one!). Every time I go to start a project I get caught up in the fact I’d rather be choosing “girl” fabrics – this coming from someone who has absolutely no affinity for anything overtly “girly” and has rarely (if ever) sewn a pink or purple garment for my daughter. I love blues and greens and grays – but even so, the fabric options when sewing for girls are just more plentiful, because no color or print is off limits. It seems to me that even if you avoid ruffles and flowers and bows and all shades of pink, you’re still left with more choices in terms of clothing patterns and fabric and inspiration when it comes to sewing for girls.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to be having this little boy, and I do realize that babies were not put on this earth solely to inspire us to sew. But man, the girl variety sure does have a knack for it.
So while I haven’t been terribly boy-inspired these days, I did manage to get pretty excited last week when Ruby of Zaaberry posted a free pattern and tutorial for newborn knit hats. I figured our little November baby could surely use a few of these. And because the selection of knit fabric out there is pretty limited anyway, I had no problem choosing some boy appropriate knits from my stash.
These little hats were so easy to make, and only took about 20 minutes apiece. I tried all the variations – knot, rounded, and ears.
The solid green and the blue polka dots are Patty Young knits, the stripes were an Old Navy dress, and the bear hat is made from Michael Miller organic sherpa.
I also made this hat (from a Carter’s receiving blanket), but it’ll be going to a friend having a girl…you know, due to those pesky pink and purple polka dots.
They’re all newborn size, but stretchy enough to humor a three year old:
And in conclusion, one last photo of Lila that I’ve already plastered all over every social media site, so I figure I’ll post it here too. Plus, it proves I have nothing against the color pink.
i was exactly the same as you when I found out I was having a boy. All the beautiful handmade clothes that I had made, and all the beautiful patterns I had that would never be made in the sizes too tiny for my daughter when I started to sew. I can now say that although I do not make as many things for my son as I do for my daughter, I love making boys things and there is some very cool fabric out there for boys,
thanks jennifer, that’s good to hear. i’ve followed your creations in the O+S flickr pool forever, they are so lovely!
Ohhhhh – any chance I could buy your hand made hand me downs ? I have three little girls who looooove handmade things xxxx
you are sweet to ask! i’m kind of hanging on to the the very unlikely possibility that there will be a third baby someday (a girl of course!), so i’m going to hold onto everything for now 🙂
Well, I for one am SO excited you are having a boy! I have two boys and have always looked longingly at all the beautiful things you sew for your little girl. I can’t wait to see what you sew up for your little boy so I can copy you!
I always think of it as more of creative challenge. All of the things you said about not as many fabric and pattern choices are absolutely true. Which is why you really have to think about your choices in the little details and in the narrower but maybe more refined ranges of available fabrics… sewing for a boy is just gonna step up your already stellar game, I think.
thanks, jessica! i’m such a huge fan of your boy sewing…all your sewing, really, but i think you’re right that it’s a creative challenge, so it’s always extra impressive when people make amazing things for boys!
Congrats on your boy, they are so sweet to their mamas! I, too, am excited to see what you’ll come up with. Ottobre has some pretty decent boy designs and this place is where I buy my knit fabrics, they have quite a few cute boy prints. http://www.naturesfabrics.com/cotton-fabric.html
You could save the beautiful handmades for future grandbabies… trying to think positive, lol.
thanks for the link, always looking for decent knits! and i have yet to try an Ottobre pattern…this seems like a good opportunity to look into those. thanks! 🙂
Wait a second? Babies are not here solely to inspire us to sew? Could have fooled me! 🙂
I have no doubt, though, that with your awesome sewing prowess you will be making some amazing boy clothes in no time.
And those little baby hats are adorable!
When you see all the hideous things to buy for boys you will be very inspired to make cute things instead! I think you’ll find it’s actually really fun. More challenging maybe, but also creative and interesting too. Congrats on a little boy!
I have a bunch of ottobre magazines you can look through. Also those hats are supercute.
thanks trinh, i’ll take you up on that!
Where is your iPhone cover from? I love it!
thanks! i got it from zazzle.com, here’s a link: http://www.zazzle.com/bright_scallop_summer_pattern_iphone_4_4s_case-179156595853848297
Yay for your wonderful belly and yay for sewing for baby boy! I’ll agree with Jessica – sewing for boys is definitely harder (due to lack of fabric variety and the fact that the idea is mainly to make things look storebought, which is not so fun). But if you can step outside of all that, there’s a great potential for creativity and interesting combinations. Haha how hilarious would it be to dress him all in pink and purple and Lila in blues and greens?? 😉
thanks! sooooo glad that talented people like you have paved the way and had boys before me!! and yes, i’ll probably end up with a pink and purple lovin’ boy…maybe em will have some hand-me-downs for him! 🙂
I love that pile of handmade awesomeness…with 2 boys already we just had a little girl and I can’t wait to get sewing for her. My boys have had lots of shorts, pyjamas and dress ups made for them but you’re right, it’s always hard to be inspired by boy clothes, but there are some gems out there. In fact I love Sophie’s style over at Cirque du Bebe… check it out for some boy inspiration! http://cirque-du-bebe.blogspot.com.au/
oh yes, sophie’s stuff is some of the best out there! congrats on your new baby girl, and have fun sewing for her!
Adorable bump, adorable hats, and adorable sweet lil Lila. I agree with all said above – you’ll find ways to create gorgeous handmade lovelies for your lil boy and who knows, maybe he will want to wear pink! Regardless – I look forward to seeing all your boy sewing. It’ll be inspiration for all of us 🙂
aw thanks, cherie! i’m going to train him early not to be afraid of a little pink here and there 🙂
I have both a boy and a girl and i LOVE dressing my boy!! Jeans & t-shirts, easy, done!! Little boys are so cute and casual, love it! 🙂
I only started sewing after my three children were born, but if I had started earlier I can imagine I would have felt likewise.
Congratulations, by the way. And those hats look soooo cute.
thank you! i just love your style! 🙂
I had the same inner feelings about not being able to sew as much for my son. There are some adorable things to sew (especially from “Oliver + S Little Things to Sew” book) out there. You made some very cute hats for your baby son already. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
First of all, I am in awe of you having created 68 items for Lila. And secondly, how ridiculously cute are those hats? As always, your fabric choice is impeccable, Gail.
I have two girls and two boys, and you’re right. Sewing for boys is just not as fun. My girls are 13 and 4, and guess who gets all the sewing?
Congratulations – boys are really fun.
I haven’t sewn nearly as many clothes for my son, but it’s been a good excuse to use the time to branch out into other kinds of sewing. For instance, I made him a quilt for his twin bed that he loves,and it was fun to pick out some non-girl fabrics. 🙂
Question about the hats: I have also been eyeing this tutorial (we’re due with another boy at Christmas). Did you use a serger, or just stitch the hat together with a regular machine?
Congratulations on this new baby of yours you’re expecting!
good point about the non-clothing sewing! nope, no serger – i just used my machine with a stretch stitch and ballpoint needle. and since knits don’t fray i didn’t even bother finishing the seams. congrats on your baby-boy-to-be!
Congrats on having a boy! My first child is a boy, and I remember loving all the blue and green clothes on the market. This was pre-sewing days, and there really was a very cute assortment of RTW clothes on the market – probably even more so today! But as for sewing for a boy, I can understand where the angst comes in. But you’ve already proved it unfounded by the creation of those adorable knit hats! You will find a way to rock the boy’s sewing!:)
forgot to add . . . love the pregnancy bump photo! Glad to see that good progress is being made:)
thank you lucinda!! 🙂
Congratulations! The bump is looking well! I am sure you will figure out some cute boy details for anything that you make. Citronille has some sweet boy patterns. They’re in French but with all your Oliver + S training you would have no problem figuring out what to do. http://www.citronille.fr/produit.php?id_collection=6. And I think the hats are lovely, especially the fleece one.
I have to give more support to Ottobre magazines idea. They have many wonderful patterns for boys, and they add many special details. I love sewing from them for my nephews. Congratulations on the son-to-be! I’m sure it won’t take you long to find your sewing mojo!
the secret about dressing little boys is this: the clothes are DEFINITELY not as cute, but seeing this little boy in the baby boy clothes is the cutest thing EVER. trust me, i had a hard time buying in to this myself, but when i saw my little mister in his little boy duds, i thought OH MY, how cute is HE.
you are looking amazing – how much longer?
so excited! i have nothing to compare it to, but i will say that having an older girl and a younger boy is a SUPER FANTASTIC WONDERFUL combo.
xoxo
Eryn
thank you sweet eryn!! 11 weeks to go!
and i love hearing good things about the girl/boy combo, we are very excited!
xo
Congratulations! I have two boys and two girls, and I actually think it is more fun to sew for boys. 🙂
thanks! and it’s always nice to hear that somebody thinks so!!
totally inspired to go make those little hats. i had them on the list but man they are cute!
p.s. your bump is precious
p.s.s. you’re little boy is lucky to have a mama that will keep him stylish instead of wearing monster truck t-shirts. it will be a good challenge!
Gail, congratulations! And I absolutely loved seeing that bump! Boys are fantastic, but you are right – the sewing options can be more limited. Can I admit that I felt a little sad boxing up some of the handmades of our *third* girl wondering if they’d ever be worn again and what exactly i should do with them? crazy, i know.
i actually think for babies, though, the boy options are pretty awesome. think of all the cute pants you can make! i love anna maria horner’s reversible pants from handmade beginnings. every year, i make my son a jacket which he really loves.
congrats again!
Those little hats are so darling! I know what you mean about sewing for boys…it does at times seem like it’s not as fun as girls but I’ve learned to work with the prints more than the frills. 🙂
-Ash P
http://distractedashley.blogspot.com
I have two boys and only took up sewing when my youngest was 4 months, because I wanted to make clothes for them. I’ve never sewn for girls so don’t really know any different and sewing for girls is daunting for me. There are some gorgeous boy patterns out there. At least you’ll still have one girl to sew for even if it’s not baby clothes. I’m sure you’ll come to love sewing for your little boy too.
First of all, that is such a beautiful picture of Lila!! As for boy sewing, all I’ve ever made were pants and overalls… The overalls being the most satisfying once I saw my little boy in them! I have faith in you- you are so talented! I’m excited to see what you whip up. 🙂
boys provide a different sewing challenge. I find it’s not so much about picking the cutest fabric but finding original ways to use fabric (I love recycling hubby’s clothes into things for my 2yo). I started my blog to give everyone boy’s sewing inspiration.
Congrats to you! I had a boy first and loved doing sewing for him. He wore a serious number of hats *ahem* as you might imagine. 😉 Enjoy the ride!
Don’t worry, Gail, there’s no rule that says you have to enjoy sewing for boys as much as sewing for girls. The truth is, it’s simply not as fun to make cargo pants as pretty dresses. Baby stuff is baby stuff, so that’s plenty fun. You can enjoy that for now. But however much we like sewing, it doesnt mean the boys like it. there are in fact other ways to show our boys how much we love them. My boys don’t care that I sew for me and baby girl much more than them, and they dont seem to think I love them any the less. It’s hard to have boys, for sure, but someone has to do it. If you ever need boy help or comiserratinon drop me a line. By the time I had boys for five years, I finally started to get the hang of it. 🙂
That Sherpa hat is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! Thanks for adding to the Flickr pool.
thank you, ruby! and thanks so much for sharing the pattern!!
when i was 8 months pregnant with my first (boy) i went christmas shopping with my dad and saw all the cute infant dresses and i was so sad not to be buying them and my dad who has 5 daughters said bring on the boy clothes! bring on the little boy suits and suspenders and oliver and s pants and little boy hats and superman capes. now i have 3 sons and i love sewing for them. i can’t wait to sew for a girl, and it seems like fabric is so easily inspiring for girls.
this week i sewed 4 little neck ties and they are very handsome. with boys it seems like you have to hunt and pair fabric and repurpose in order to be as inspired. i made my neckties from old plaid button down shirts my husband has outgrown (haha!). i’m sure you’ll have fun sewing for a boy but it is sad not to reuse your special handmade items again and to make all your cute baby girl things you think about. congratulations though! 🙂
-paige
Congratulations! I agree that sewing for boys is a bit more challenging, perhaps, but I also find the challenge itself to be stimulating. And I completely agree that RTW boy’s clothing is generally so awful that it will inspire you to do better! Start finding those awesome blogs written by moms of boys, and don’t worry, you’ll start to feel it. I’m actually kind of scratching my head about girl’s sewing. I mean, yeah, I could sew tons of dresses, but where is the challenge in that? Hehe.
I actually stumbled here when looking for Wiksten tops 🙂 I promise boy stuff is fun too. I didn’t learn to sew until I had my fourth baby (a boy!) and I’ve really had great fun making him funky clothes. I actually decided the ayashe tunic you just sewed up would be super cute on my little man. Also, have you seen the “sewing for boys” book? It’s a keeper for sure.
Glad to have found you…. your sewing is ultra-inspiring 🙂
cheers~
stephinie
the hats are so sweet. and your pictures are so pretty. 🙂
Congratulations, Gail! I’m due about the same time you are, with a boy as well, and I must confess that I am a little scared, heheh! I only know how to do girls! Thanks for the sewing inspiration. The hats are too cute for words and you look beautiful 🙂
We just found out on Tuesday that we are expecting our 4th boy (we have 2 girls too) – I SO had my heart set on a couple of little cute baby girl things – I’m having to switch gears. I’m so glad you posted the hats – I’ll be making some for my little Christmas baby. (first not summer baby out of 6 kids)
As I came upon your site in a google search, my sister is expecting her first child in march, a baby girl which I’m overly excited for since she is having my first niece! I saw the carters hat you had made from a blanket. The outfit she is taking my niece home in matches that hat! I have looked everywhere for the matching hat and even contacted the carters company but they do not sell it anymore! Do you sell hats??
i’m sorry, i don’t…if i hadn’t given that one away i’d send it to you!
Hi, I have never blogged if that is what you call it. My daughter in law got me
set up with Pinerest and I found your site. Your sewing is impeccable and fun. What brand sewing machine do you use? My daughter in law is pregnant with my first GrandChild. ( don’t know the sex yet) and I do sew , having made all of my clothes way back in the 60’s. I did sew for my daughter but I am finding out things have changed. It is exciting to find all of the fabric stites since there are
Not many stores around anymore.
I hope I can still find your blog. I will learn. 😋 Your daughter is beautiful. Congratulations on your next baby.
Oh my goodness, I totally relate! I have a girl, then a boy, and now I’m due with another girl. I have made dresses for #1. Nothing for #2. Now I’m thinking of adorable booties and such for #3, but feeling bad that I still haven’t made anything for #2! There are some cute things for boys, but they just aren’t awe-inspiring like an adorable ruffly dress.
I have four boys expecting my fifth and I cry and pet little girl clothes but sew for my friends girls as therapy. It doesn’t really help that much but I make such a nice ruffle. I’m making some lovely neutral bamboo velour hats and kimono tops for upcoming baby and love white clothes for a new one. My boys love stuff made in marvel and mustache fabrics and are so appreciative when I sew for them. They really get excited about it even if I don’t and that makes it fun.
What are the measurements for the newborn cap? Will using the free pattern create an appropriate size cap without having to enlarge the pattern?
Not sure of the exact measurements, but you don’t need to enlarge – the cap is newborn sized!
Boohoo, first and possibly only Grandchild is due soon. Just found out its a boy. So much for granddaughter sewing fantasies! I am going to make the caps though. Got some adorable, BLUE knits. Love your blog.
Loved the hats, even the petty pink and purple dotted one, she’s wearing it well, even if it’s not hers
I *love* these patterns! I’ve made both and even shrunk them down and made them preemie size and donated some. Thank you so much for sharing! This pattern was super easy, doesn’t suck up a lot of fabric, and was quick and fun to make! ❤