Blog - Patterns for Pirates

2019 Review

January 2, 2020

I love looking back at everything we did throughout the year as we close out the year and begin a new one! I always feel like I’m not producing enough new things during the year, but always look back proudly at what we did!

Here are the NEW patterns we added to the site during 2019:

We also started adding Metric measurement charts into our patterns, more videos, and extended our size range to Plus 5X this year starting with the Twist-Back Top <3

Here are all the NEW FREEBIES we added this year:

We did a few fun events!

So many Sew A Longs! If you’re not part of our Sew A Long Facebook Group make sure to join in the fun 🙂

I always like to see what are the most popular patterns through the year as well, here are the most loved patterns during 2019:

I can’t wait to add more to the site this year and continue to grow Patterns for Pirates with you!

1st Annual Holiday Charity Week

December 18, 2019

I love the holiday season and the kindness that comes along with it. To help spread the love, I have decided to start an annual tradition of giving a percentage of sales the during the week leading up to Christmas Day to a charity. I plan on picking a different charity each year or at least rotating them.

This year I will be giving 40% of all sales this week (12-18-2019 to 12-25-2019) from the P4P website to charity. For 2019, I’ve decided to split the total between a local DFW food bank and a global charity: Action Against Hunger.

Together, we can help others this week and help to spread some of the holiday kindness. If you happen to need a pattern, make sure and grab it now and know that your purchase will be felt by others! Have all the patterns you need? Consider taking a few moments to donate to either charity directly instead <3 No matter what, I’m here wishing every single one of you reading this Happy Holidays!!

-Judy

Gala Gown :: New Pattern Release!

December 6, 2019

We’ve been teasing this pattern for a while now. But I promise that the wait has been SO worth it because these new dresses are stunning! Let’s talk about the Gala Gowns!

The Gala Gown is a beautiful dress with options that will suit your preferences every time for any season! It includes tank, cap sleeve, 3/4 and long sleeves. You can choose from knee length, floor length or floor length with a front slit. The bodice features flattering princess seaming on the front and back and is lined for an easy v neckline! The adult pattern comes with a high and low v neck option for both front and back, which you can mix and match.

You can’t leave out the pocket either! Perfect for your large phone, keys, lipstick, or just somewhere perfect to keep your hands all night! Finally some pockets big enough to carry everything we need while we’re looking drop dead gorgeous, am I right?!

The Gala Gown is drafted for stable knits like stretch lace, ponte, scuba, liverpool, techno, stretch velvet, french terry, etc.

**Want to learn more about how to measure yourself for this pattern? We’ve got you covered with an in-depth blog HERE. And in case you’re new to Patterns for Pirates and PDF patterns in general, we have a great blog full of new-user tips HERE to help you get started! As with all of our current releases and updates, the pdfs now include our layers feature and can be found in Letter, A4 and A0 sizes. And for even more helpful fun, we have a *free* printable that you can use to help record your measurements as you take them.

Let’s take a quick look at the different options!

LOW FRONT (ADULT SIZES ONLY)

HIGH FRONT

LOW BACK

HIGH BACK

KNEE LENGTH

MAXI LENGTH

OPTIONAL HIGH SLIT (ADULT SIZES ONLY)

FOUR SLEEVE LENGTHS

OPTIONAL POCKET

TWIRL FACTOR

Are you ready to go make a fabulous gown? Go grab the patterns now!

GALA GOWN | GALA GOWN YOUTH | GALA GOWN BUNDLE

And if our pattern alone doesn’t provide enough options for you, we’ve also included a blog post that will help take the Gala Gowns to the next level! Go check out our Easy Hacks Post to see how to make some slight alterations to the original pattern, to customize it even further!

The release sale (no code needed) will be through Saturday December 14th (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, Pirates!

Fierce Bra SAL day 7

December 4, 2019

Thank you for joining us this past week! It is time to announce our Fierce Bra SAL winners so without further ado…

Congratulations Tiffany Nash! Tiffany won a $20 gift certificate to Patterns for Pirates and a $25 gift card to The Styled Magnolia Custom Fabrics.

Our second winner is Andrea Opalewski! Andrea will receive a $20 gift card from Made for Mermaids as well as a $25 card to The Styled Magnolia.

Huge THANK YOU to our Sew Along sponsor for not only providing the prizes but also the fabric I used for my own Fierce Bra and Peg Legs.

Fierce Bra SAL | Print and cut pattern [day 1]

Fierce Bra SAL | Choose and cut fabric [day 2]

Fierce Bra SAL | Prepare lining and sew side seams [day 3]

Fierce Bra SAL | Sew front neckline [day 4]

Fierce Bra SAL | Add shoulder FOE [day 5]

Fierce Bra SAL | Add under bust elastic [day 6]

Fierce Bra SAL | Winners announcement [day 7]

2019 Holiday Freebies :: Hooded Blanket

December 4, 2019

Alas, we have arrived to the final day of the 2019 Holiday Freebies. But do not fret, my friends. Because what we’ve got in store for you today is super fun!

Blankets are a hot commodity in our household. At least between my son and I. We love to snuggle on the couch under all the cozy blankets that we can, while catching up on our favorite Netflix movie or series. I mean, who doesn’t? We upped the blanket coziness a little by adding a hood. And some hand pockets. And then gave them some ears so we could be cute and cuddly at the same time. It’s really the best thing ever!

Grab your “HOODED BLANKET” pattern pieces here!

Fabric Requirements (Most fabrics work great for this! My favorites are fleece and minky.):

1.5 yards of lining
1.5 yards main fabric

For blanket pieces, you will need 1 main + 1 lining fabric 54″w x 40″t
The great thing about this pattern is that you can adjust the height and width of your blanket to your own liking! If you want it larger or smaller….go for it! Just remember that you may need additional yardage if you do.

1. Hem long, angled edge of hand pockets by folding under 1/2″ (toward wrong side) and edge stitching.

2. Align at top two corners of blanket lining piece and baste in place. Both lining and hand pocket fabrics will be right sides facing up.

3. Optional ears: Sew ear pieces, right sides together, leaving bottom edge open. Repeat with other ear. Turn right-sides-out and top stitch if desired.

4. Place front hood pieces, right sides together. Stitch along bottom curve.

5. Turn right side out. Top stitch if desired.

6. Align ear notch to marked point on the hood front. Baste place. Repeat with second ear.

7. Place the main back hood piece, right sides up.

8. Place the front piece sections on top, main fabrics together.

9. Place lining back hood on top, right sides down. Sew along entire top curve.

10. Turn right sides out.

11. Mark middle points of hood and blanket lining piece. Baste hood in place, with hood opening facing down towards lining piece.

12. Place main blanket piece on top, right sides facing down. Sew along all four outer edges, leaving 6-8″ opening for turning.

13. Turn right sides out. Press. Sew the opening closed, using your favorite method.
Optional: Top stitch along entire outer edge.

Need some inspiration for your very own Hooded Blanket? Check out what our testers sewed up for themselves:

I la-la-love when you share your photos with me! Head over to the Patterns for Pirates Facebook Group and show us what you’ve made!

Happy Holidays, Pirates!

2019 Holiday Freebies :: Ugly Sweater Party DIYs

December 3, 2019

Woohoo! We’ve made it to the fourth day of the 2019 Holiday Freebies! I’ve been having a blast sharing with you all week!

Today’s freebie is a little different than the rest, but so. stinking. fun. This time of year is constantly filled with invites to “Ugly Sweater parties”. I thought it might be fun to give you some DIY ideas to make something to wear to them!

There are three things we are going to make today, and you’ll need pattern pieces for all of them.

Grab your “UGLY SWEATER PARTY DIYs” pattern pieces here!

TREE CIRCLE SKIRT

When I created this, I was picturing turning myself into a Christmas tree – but doing it in a semi-cute way. This pattern is three circle skirts layered on top of each other, completely hemmed in a white pom pom trim. Sweet. Simple. A little on the tacky side still. But totally holiday party worthy.

Check the size chart before sewing to know which skirt size you need to make!

Fabric Requirements in yards (based upon 54″ knit fabrics):

To get a full circle skirt, we will be cutting three layers of skirts on the double fold, using the cutout piece.

1. Place the cutout piece in between both of folds. Measure the distance from bottom of the cutout piece. First for 12″, then for 16″ and then another circle at 20″.

2. Cut out the middle circle along the pattern piece.

3. If desired, add your trim / hem each layer of the skirt pieces.

4. Meeting the short ends together, fold the waistband piece right sides together.

5. Now meeting the long ends together, fold the waistband piece a second time. You’ll have a fold along one of the sides and the bottom.

6. Sew along raw, short edge. And then flip to right sides out.

7. Mark the quarter points on your waistband piece.

8. With all three layers of the skirt aligned at the waist opening, mark the quarter points of the skirt as well.

9. Aligning all raw edges and quarter points, sew through all 5 layers of fabric, attaching the waistband to the three layers of the skirt. Flip up the waistband and wear your new tree inspired skirt!

ELF COLLAR

You can use this on pretty much any tshirt pattern you might already own. While my tutorial is using the Boho Babydoll, it can be used on most adult and youth patterns and sizes. You can be your very own Elf on the Shelf, in case that’s been your lifelong dream!

1. Keeping the collar piece folded, lay one of the pieces out in front of you.

2. Place the back bodice pattern piecs on top, aligning the shoulder point and fold.

3. Cut the neckline into the collar piece. And repeat with the other collar piece, this time using the front bodice pattern piece.

4. Place one collar piece on surface, with right side facing toward you.

5. With right sides together, place other collar piece on top. Sew, using same seam allowance as the pattern you are attaching it to. (In my case, it is 1/2″.)

6. Sew shoulder seams of your tee pattern.

7. Open up and lay flat on surface, with the wrong side facing up.

8. Place collar on top with wrong sides facing up, aligning raw edges. Sew along entire neck opening, using 1/2″ seam allowance.

9. Flip collar through, turning right sides out. Top stitch along entire opening, if desired. Assemble the remainder of your top pattern.

SNOWMAN APPLIQUE

Frosty and you might be BFFs and you need to put his face on a tee. I’m the last person to judge, trust me. This applique is super easy to attach, and I would highly recommend doing so *before* sewing up your entire top…it might be easier for you to add all of the facial features on a front bodice piece, rather than the entire shirt.

1. For the top hat, use the guidelines to clip into the seam allowance in the corners.

2. Press, wrong sides together, 1/2″ seam allowance, allowing all raw edges to be folded under.

3. Repeat with Nose piece.

4. Pin and applique / zig zag stitch along entire outer edges of top hat and nose. Add button eyes and mouth. Finish assembling your top pattern, as directed.

As always, we love when you share what you’ve made with us. Head over to the Patterns for Pirates Facebook group and show off the fabulously dorky and “ugly” things that you’ve managed to make from our freebie pattern! Happy Holidays, friends!

2019 Holiday Freebies :: Festive Fabric Trees

December 2, 2019

Woohoo! We are rolling into another day of our 2019 Holiday Freebies! Get ready to make a million of these cuties…they’re really fun to make and are fabulous scrap busters. Our testers just kept making more and more for their own homes, teacher gifts, and to fill their craft booths this holiday season.

Let’s get to making some happy little trees!

Grab your “FESTIVE FABRIC TREES” pattern pieces here!

Fabric Requirements (based upon 44″ quilting cottons):

1/3 Yard Fabric
Fiber Fill, affiliate link

Prep your pieces. You will need four total tree pieces for one tree.

Place two of the pieces, right sides together.

Sew around outer edge. Only sew an inch or two along the bottom curve, on both sides, to leave space for turning and adding the fiber fill.

Clip as close as you can to the seam allowance without going through it, and trim points. This will allow for sharper points.

Turn right sides out and press, making sure to press under the seam allowance. **Repeat with remaining pieces.

Press one of the sets in half, to create your guide line for sewing in the next step.

Align both sets on top of each other, keeping the one that you pressed on top.

Sew a line straight down the middle of all layers.

Fill all four openings with poly fill.

Hand stitch the openings shut on the bottom, using your favorite stitch.

You’re finished! Sit back, enjoy your adorable new tree….and then go make a hundred more! Here are a couple of cute ones from our testers!

As always, we love when you share what you’ve made with us. Head over to the Patterns for Pirates Facebook group and show off the fabulous Festive Fabric Trees that you’ve managed to make from our freebie pattern! Happy Holidays, friends!

2019 Holiday Freebies :: Pixie Hat

December 1, 2019

Are you ready for another super fun day of freebies for the 2019 Holiday Freebies with Patterns for Pirates? Because I am!!

Today’s free pattern for you is a super, duper easy one. And such a fun sew! Let’s get to the Pixie Hat, shall we?

Grab your “PIXIE HAT” pattern pieces here!

Check the size chart before sewing to know which size you need to make!

Fabric Requirements (based upon 44″ quilting cottons):

– 3/4” or 7/8” ribbon (34″ for Toddler size, 35″ for Youth size, 36″ for Teen/Adult size)
– 2/3 yard each lining + main. I like flannel for this!

Lay your piece with right side of the fabric up, facing you.

Meeting the short ends, fold the piece in half, with right sides together.
With 1/2” seam allowance, sew along one of the long edges.
Repeat with lining piece.

With the lining piece right sides out, and the main piece wrong sides out, put the lining piece inside of the main.

Align all edges and sew long, raw edge, using 1/2” seam allowance.

Turn right sides out. And top stitch along long edge, if desired.

If desired, baste/serge the bottom edge of the hat.

Press 1/4” and then 1” toward lining, to create ribbon casing. Top stitch along top edge of the fold.

Using a bodkin / safety pin, thread ribbon through casing.

**Quick reminder time! To prevent fraying, you will want to seal the edges of your ribbon with heat.

Allow for only 12” of ribbon to be on either side of casing. Secure with stitches. It will gather to about 2/3 of the width of your hat bottom.
You’re done!

And just in case you’re in need of some inspirations, here are a few photos from our fabulous testers!

As always, our favorite thing is when you share what you’ve made from our patterns! Head over to the Patterns for Pirates Facebook Group and let us “oooh” and “aaah” over what you’ve created!

Happy Holidays, Pirates!

2019 Holiday Freebies :: Hey Cookie Apron

November 30, 2019

Happy December, Pirates!! I am beyond thrilled to be back again for another round of holiday freebies! We’ve got five days worth of free sewing patterns for you…starting right now!

I have been wanting a cute circle skirt style apron for so long now, and I thought it would be the perfect time to make it happen. Let’s kick off this incredibly fun week with our first pattern, the Hey Cookie Apron.

Hey Cookie is drafted for adults, with the waist sizes ranging from 23″ – 57″, in sizes Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip, Gingersnap, and Shortbread.

Grab your “HEY COOKIE APRON” pattern pieces here!

Check the size chart before sewing to know which cookie size you need to make!

Fabric Requirements (based upon 44″ quilting cottons):

Main Fabric: 1 3/8 yards
Lining/Accent Fabric: 1 7/8 yards
Iron-on lightweight interfacing recommended (I like Pellon PLF36 or Heat n Bond Thermoweb 3336, affiliate links) for keeping neck and waist ties crisp. Some testers preferred it without, so it’s completely optional!

Prepare your pieces. The seam allowance is 1/2″ throughout all of the steps.

1. If desired, iron your stabilizer onto appropriates pieces (2 neck straps, 2 waist straps, 1 bib)

2. With one of your neck strap pieces, fold one short end 1/2″ toward wrong side and press.

3. Lay with wrong side facing you. Fold in half, meeting the long edges together. Press.
Open up your piece and fold one of the raw edges toward the middle crease you just made.
Repeat with the second raw edge. Press.
Fold along middle crease, meeting both folded edges. All of your raw edges will be fully enclosed now.

4. Press your strap piece. Edge stitch along both long, outer edges and one short edge.
**Repeat with second neck strap and both waist straps.

5. Place bib lining piece, face up.

6. Place one neck strap piece 1/2″ from edge, at the top of bib piece.

7. Repeat with second neck strap, on opposite side of the bib piece. Baste in place.

8. Place main bib piece on top, right sides together, sandwiching the neck straps between the two bib pieces. Sew along both sides and top edge.

9. Turn right side out, press. Top stitch along top and sides.

10. Place main skirt piece, right side facing you. Lay one of the side skirt pieces on top, right sides together.

11. Sew along straight edge.

12. Press seams open.

13. Repeat on opposite side.**Repeat with lining fabric.

14. Mark middle points of the bib and main skirt pieces.

15. Right sides together, align the bib and main apron piece at their center points.

16. Ease the bib piece to the curve of the apron and baste in place.

17. Along outer skirt edge, align waist straps 1/2″ from top edge. Baste in place.

18. Lay apron with fabric facing upwards. Tuck in all straps and bib.

19. Lay skirt lining on top, right sides together. Sew along entire skirt, leaving 5″ opening along one straight edge for turning.

20. Turn apron right sides out through opening.

21. Press and edge stitch along entire skirt. You’re finished!

Here’s a little inspiration from our fabulous group of testers, in case you needed it.

As always, we love when you share what you’ve made with us. Head over to the Patterns for Pirates Facebook group and show off the fabulous Hey Cookie Apron that you’ve managed to make from our freebie pattern!
Happy Holidays, friends!

Fierce Bra SAL day 6

November 30, 2019

You did it! Last sewing day of the Fierce Bra SAL is here! Today we are attaching the under bust elastic and of course showing off our custom made bras. Whether you went for more of a loungewear bra and used cotton spandex or preferred an actual, medium impact sports bra and used athletic knit, your waistband will be plush (or underwear) elastic.

You can “get away” with 3/4-1″ elastic if you are using cotton lycra. However, if you would like a sports bra that will be good for workouts, use 1.5-2″ plus elastic. If you have sewn the Youth Fierce Bra you can use 3/4 or 1″ plush elastic.

Here is the last sew along video. Take a look over it and post your completed Fierce Bra in the comments of the day 6 photo of the sew along album. Of course you are welcome to brag in the main P4P group too 🙂 Great job, everyone!