Tie Strap Playsuit romper and Coco Sun Bonnet in Gingham and Gentle Safari Cotton. Photo by Chris Bradt
If you have little ones and are in the market for beautiful fabrics to sew up heirloom pieces, RUN, DON’T WALK, to grab a couple yards of the new 100% cotton printed Percale and Muslin fabrics range from Fabrics-Store. I feel so lucky to have been able to test out these new cottons; they were such a pleasure to sew with and my daughter looks absolutely, insanely, positively cute in her new outfit!
Tie Strap Playsuit romper and Coco Sun Bonnet in Gingham and Gentle Safari Cotton. Photo by Chris Bradt
I chose two Percale prints for my projects – the Gingham and the Gentle Safari both in white/pink. The Gingham is a sweet 1/8″ check while the Gentle Safari features gorgeous watercolor-style painted pink elephants and flamingoes parading amongst bluish-grey monkeys, zebras, and giraffes. As these cottons are Percale, they have a subtle sheen on the face which lends both a luxurious look and a cool, soft hand-feel. I was also thrilled to learn that these fabrics are certified by Oeko-Tex and the Better Cotton Initiative. I’ve always been a sustainability-focused and eco-conscious maker with an affinity for natural fabrics, but especially now as a new mom, I try my best to clothe (and make clothes for) my baby in natural fabrics that I know are made with high production standards – meaning toxic chemicals aren’t used and there’s accountability in environmental footprint.
Tie Strap Playsuit romper and Coco Sun Bonnet in Gingham and Gentle Safari Cotton. Photo by Chris Bradt
Both cottons are lightweight at 3.6 ounces per square yard, making them the ideal weight for baby bedding like fitted sheets and quilts, or for warm-weather garments – which is exactly the direction I went! I used the Tie Strap Playsuit romper pattern from Oh Me Oh My and the Coco Sun Bonnet pattern from Flora Child Co, while the headband was based off an existing one my daughter has. I love how the slightly crisp, structured drape of the Percale cottons gave body to the ruffle of the romper and both the crown and brim of the sun hat while still feeling breezy and light. I used the Gentle Safari as the accent fabric and the Gingham as the main for my pieces and I’m so pleased with how nicely they complement each other!
Tie Strap Playsuit romper and Coco Sun Bonnet in Gingham and Gentle Safari Cotton. Photo by Chris Bradt
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed working with these new cottons from Fabrics-Store. Sewing each of these pieces was a dream because the fabrics are very stable and remained on grain even after being washed and dried, which is definitely a testament to their high quality. My daughter may grow out of these pieces sooner than later, but I know they will last forever…and hopefully she will want to pass them down to her own child one day!
