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My Favorite Places to Buy Knit Fabric + a Bimaa Pattern Review

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Knit fabric for boys

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me where to buy knit fabric for boys, I could sew exclusively in Euro imports! I have had several friends get into sewing recently and ask about knits – I’ve hunted around and I think this post from One Little Minute does a great job of covering a bunch of different kinds and their usages. I find that interlocks and heavier jerseys are easier to sew with – in the above picture you can see ribbed knit on the cuffs, and thicker jerseys in the hoodie’s lining & main fabric, and then a thinner, drapier jersey for the harem pants.

Common problems with knits are that they are too thin, too flimsy, or they pill up and look faded after a few washes. This is a list of my favorite shops for knits and several that I have heard recommended time and time again. I also have a pattern review for LouBee Clothing’s Bimaa pattern – it’s super popular online and for good reason!

There will most likely be lots of Black Friday sales from these shops, so be sure to bookmark & click over to stock up this weekend!

{This post contains affiliate links, indicated by an asterisk*. Please refer to ‘legal stuff’ in the top menu for more info.}

I sew mostly with upcycled knits from Goodwill (tips for upcycling in this post!) and friends’ closets (and sheets! check out this post) but if I am going to buy something new, I want it to wear well. If something is really pricey, I’ll often buy a smaller amount and just use it on a shirt front with upcycled sleeves. There are lots of Facebook “destash” groups where people sell remnants, yardage, and scrap packs – this is one of my favorites, Knit Destash. Obviously it’s buyer beware since you’re buying directly from someone without a customer service reputation (but Paypal protects you too!).

There are a few lines that are sold multiple places that I love and can attest to their quality. You can find them on Etsy and lots of fabric shops via Google, and several of the specific shops below I list sell them! Art Gallery Knits, Birch Organic Knits, Monaluna Organic Knits, Lillestoff Knits, & Stenzo Knits. Please be forewarned, they are NOT cheap. They are nice quality though, which means they sew and wear nicely.

Where I love to buy knit fabric for boys & women:

  • Fabric.com (don’t forget to use Ebates* for cash back!)
    • I love their organic interlocks! Such nice quality and they press so well. You can see a Julia cardigan in this post in the fuchsia interlock.
  • Fabric Fairy
    • Lots of new prints added frequently, great customer service. You can see a few Greenstyle outfits in this post where I used an ikat print from them.
  • Hawthorne Threads (just use the search box with ‘knits’)
    • Super fast shipping and great customer service, they seem to be adding more knits recently.
  • Fabric Mart
    • They stock designer overstocks and have really helpful descriptions to get a feel for the weight of fabrics. Merchandise changes frequently with lots of sales, so it’s more of a browsing shop than being able to find something specific.
  • L’Oiseau Fabrics
  • Fabricworm
    • Best spot to order Birch knits in my opinion, they have a small selection of other designer knits.
  • Jumping June Textiles
    • Euros! She is super fast shipping, prices are cheaper if you preorder in her Facebook group

I haven’t ordered from the next few shops but have good things from people that I trust!

You’ll notice one glaring store missing – Girl Charlee. I have ordered from them before, but I find their fabric weights to be iffy and often run thin. Customer service reports are also spotty, although I haven’t had any personal issues. So I DO order from them, but only with caution and wouldn’t recommend them to anyone who would find thin knits challenging or isn’t comfortable reading fabric descriptions closely. *You can see Girl Charlee customer service’s comments on this at the bottom of the thread, as of 9/18!

I also can’t recommend Spoonflower – I haven’t pulled the trigger on any of the knits (but have had good luck with the quilting cottons) but I know the organic line had fading problems when it first came out. I’d love to hear if you have any recent experience with them! Sara added this helpful link in the comments talking about two of their knit offerings! Kate mentioned in the comments that they have a swatch book to order samples of the fabric types too, sounds like a great tool.

Bimaa Pattern Review

Bimaa Pattern Review

A shot from the front!

Bimaa Pattern Review

I love the “scuba” style hood, it’s nice and big for my 97% percentile headed son.

Bimaa Pattern Review

 From the back and side!

Pattern: LouBee Clothing’s Bimaa pattern

Price & Sizing: $7.95 – 6/12m-12 years (though I bought it from a Sew Fab bundle a while ago)

Fabric I used: Adorable Animals in Green by Verhees via Mabel Madison for the main fabric & upcycled fuchsia knit from a skirt for the lining (thanks Mom!)

Changes I made: This is a 4T with about 2 inches cut off the sleeve length. I skipped topstitching on the hood – in another Bimaa I made the understitching seemed to make the “brim” piece a little wavy. I pressed the seam firmly and am happy with how it looks sans top or under stitching.

What I might do if I make it again: If I was going to make him another one right now, I might use a smaller seam allowance on the body or cut a 5t body. It is very slim fitting, and he is very stout.

Overall thoughts on the garment: I love it! This is my favorite thing I’ve sewn recently. It lays so nicely, the print is super fun, and I love that the hood fits his big noggin.

Overall thoughts on the pattern: It’s very popular, and for good reason. I haven’t sewn the cowl or collar neck version, but I love how the cowl looks. It definitely fits very slim and long, so I would highly recommend a quick muslin to check fit before you use nice fabric.

Other versions I found online:

 Hoodie from Made with Moxie

There are also a ton of “hacks” with the Bimaa made into dresses, costumes, dress-up – just Google! 

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Connor Fletcher

Wednesday 29th of March 2017

I know a great fabric shop online called stash builder box, it gives you 3 yards of fabric every month along with materials. I would definitely recommend it to you. If you have any fabric websites that i should know about, please reply and let me know. http://stashbuilderbox.com/

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 1st of April 2017

Stash builder is just for quilting cotton, as far as I know! Did you get knit? All my favorite shops are linked in this post :)

Heather

Friday 18th of September 2015

Girl Charlee customer service is always available to help you understand any fabric weights or questions on picking the perfect fabrics for your projects. We offer a free sample service so you can see and feel the fabrics in person before you buy too! We have a wide range of fabrics in many different weights and content types and add more each week. If you did not have a great first experience please come on back and let us change your mind ;)

Thank you for the mention Stephanie!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Friday 18th of September 2015

Hi Heather! Thanks for that info, I put a note in the main post that folks can read your response if they scroll down :)

Laura

Wednesday 18th of February 2015

Great List. Thank you for sharing. I just wanted to chime in that my last order in November from Girl Charlee was a hot mess. The knits weighed much lighter than advertised on the site, and the customer service wasn't much help. I have been searching for new places to buy knits, and found your blog. Thanks again!!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Friday 20th of February 2015

Thanks for reading & commenting Laura! I'm sorry to hear that about Girl Charlee, definitely not the first time I've read as much. I hope you have a better experience with some of these other options - let me know what you find!!

Olga Becker

Wednesday 14th of January 2015

Great list! Love European knits. Have you tried Hilco knits, they are the best! Not cheap. :) I also ordered from banberryplace before, they have a great selection of knits as well. :) Love the shirt

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 15th of January 2015

I've never heard of Hilco or Banberry Place, googling now! I'll add Banberry to the list - I love the stuff you make and trust your recommendation :) Thanks!

Bethany

Thursday 27th of November 2014

There are a few places that I hadn't heard of. I will have to check them out as I am always looking for a good knit place. I have ordered from Wanderlust several times and love it. She is also fantastic with customer service.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 27th of November 2014

Awesome!! I just saw her post a Black Friday sale on Instagram - must resist ;)

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