Patterns for Pirates

P4P stylish, modern, wearable patterns

Gala Gown :: Easy Hacks

It’s a Gala Hacks party! In true P4P fashion, our amazing blog team has some fun, easy hacks and mash ups ready for you.

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Gala – Sweetheart mash up

There’s no denying that the Gala Gown has all of the drama and beauty needed for all of those amazing times in our life. However, it can also be transformed into a fun little top with very little effort! I used the bodice of the Gala Gown for this look, however I paired it with the peplum skirt option from the Sweetheart Dress. 

To create this look, cut and assemble your bodice from the Gala Gown as directed in the tutorial. You will then want to use the peplum skirt option from the Sweetheart Dress. Mark the quarter points on both the bodice and the skirt. Slip the skirt over the bodice, right sides together, and match quarter points. Attach using a ½” SA. Finish your peplum by hemming and you’re all done!
~ Erinn

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Gala – Pencil Skirt mash up

Loving the new Gala top but looking for something a little more form-fitted through the hips?  I’m going to take you through a super quick and easy mash with the Freebie Pirate Pencil Skirt that’ll give you a totally different look. Go ahead and grab your Gala Bodice Lining and your Pencil Skirt Pattern (high rise height) pieces.  You’ll want to make sure the bodice bottom is close to the same width as your pencil skirt top for mashing (based on your sizing it should be).  You may have to grade your pencil skirt pieces slightly to match the Gala Bodice.  I did this through the added waistband height.

Next, you’ll need need to add the Pencil Skirt band height to your pencil skirt pattern.  You’ll take the given band height and divide it by 2 and then add that to the top of your pattern pieces.  For example- the band height on mine called for 5 inches so I added 2.5 to my pattern piece ( since the band is folded in half for the actual skirt height).  This is what you’ll cut for the bottom of your dress.

Now, sew your bodice as directed in the pattern and the side seams of your pencil skirt.   You’ll end up with two separate pieces that look like the photo below.

Finish your dress by sewing your bodice to your skirt piece just like you would if you were sewing the standard Gala skirt and you’re done!  Totally new look- perfect for New Years’ Eve fun!

 

Happy Sewing and Cheers,

Michelle

 

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Gala – Boundless mash up

It’s no secret that the Boundless dress is one of my favorite P4P dresses so it was only natural that I would mash the Gala Gown bodice with the Boundless skirt. This is a super easy hack.

All you have to do is cut the Gala Gown bodice and sleeves and the Boundless skirt. I used bamboo knit for my whole dress but if you used stable knits for the top, I encourage you to use fabric with great drape for the skirt.

Sew the top and the skirt as instructed in the patterns. You will be adding the skirt as in the Boundless tutorial, using elastic to stabilize the waist.

Hack: I used the width of the fabric and stitched the skirt in a loop. I marked the sides and front of my skirt and attached it to the bodice with the seam in the back. 

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Ribbon Belt

I see a lot of posts wanting something to really highlight the waist when wearing a dress, but if you’re wearing a more formal dress you might not have a belt that goes! A ribbon belt can be very elegant and simple to create to give yourself a little more definition or attention to your waistline.  You can grab any ribbon style you’re drawn to that coordinates with your dress and attach whatever embellishment you find that makes your heart sing!

Some ideas would be appliques, belt buckles, brooches, fabric flowers, hair-clips, bows, etc.  I picked up satin ribbon and some great velvet ribbon as well.

To create it you just need to cut your ribbon as long as you’d like- so the waist measurement plus enough to tie a bow and however long you want  your tails.  I like to have my tails go to almost the very bottom of my hem personally, but that’s just personal preference.  Make sure you finish the edges if you pick a ribbon that frays.  Satin ribbon I prefer to heat seal with a flame.

Find the center of your cut ribbon and attach your embellishment with hand stitching.

There! You now have a beautiful belt that will look stunning on your more formal dresses! It’s quick and simple for such a fabulous add on and the possibilities are endless!

 

Here a a few modeled with the Gala Gown.

Judy

Which hack will you make first? Don’t forget to share your creations in the P4P Facebook group so we can all admire them too.

Fierce Bra SAL day 5

 

Good morning! Today we are adding the FOE shoulder straps. Start by marking your straps front and back notches. Do not skip this step! Sew one strap in a loop. Match the front notch to the front pick up and the back notch to the back pick up. Pin in place. You will stretch the FOE to match the armscye.

Day 5 video is posted below. Once you add both shoulder straps post a picture of the completed steps in the comments of “day 5” photo of the Fierce Bra sew along album.

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]

Fierce Bra SAL day 4

Good morning, pirates and mermaids! Today’s step is attaching the FOE to the front of the neckline and the overlapping back. It is highly important to triple check that the fold over elastic ends are not twisted when attach them to the back of the bra.

Make sure you mark your notches (center and pick ups) on the FOE as the center fold over elastic part is smaller than the front curve. You will be stretching the elastic to match the neckline.

Below is today’s video. Once you finish your steps post a picture in the comments of day 4 photo of the Fierce Bra SAL album in the Sew Along group.

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]

Fierce Bra SAL day 3

Let’s start sewing! On day 3 we sew the inner lining to the lining piece and sew the side seams on both the main and the lining. The youth Fierce Bra does not include a “cups” option however, Angela showed us in the release hacks blog how to add cups to the youth bra. You can check it out here. If you would like to sew one of the hacks during this sew along, your entry will still count for the prizes 🙂

If you opted out of the cups, you will only have lining and main and your steps today will be just sewing the side seams…super duper easy! 

Take a look over the day three video below and post  picture of your progress in the comments of day 3  picture of the Fierce Bra SAL album.

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]

Fierce Bra SAL day 2

Welcome to day 2 of our Fierce Bra sew along. Today we will be choosing the fabric, cutting it and gathering all necessary notions. To make the Fierce Bra you will need athletic knit or cotton spandex fabric, 1″ Fold Over Elastic (FOE), 3/4″ – 2″ plush waistband elastic and optionally power mesh or cups.

For my Fierce Bra I decided to go with a gorgeous athletic knit I got from The Styled Magnolia. I am using solid purple supplex, also from TSM, for lining and a nude swim for the inner lining. I am using 1″ FOE and 1.5″ plus elastic, both from Amazon.

The Day 2 video is posted below. Check it out and once you are done cutting your fabric post a picture of your prepped fabric in the comments of the Day 2 photo of the Fierce Bra SAL album in the M4M & P4P Sew Along group.

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]

Fierce Bra SAL day 1

 

Welcome to the Fierce Bra

Sew Along!

Day 1 is for purchasing the patterns, printing and cutting the size(s) you need. If you plan on sewing for yourself you can get the Fierce Bra here, if you’re sewing for your little one, the Youth Fierce Bra can be purchased here and if you’re sewing for both of you can get the bundle.

This Sew Along will take place in our M4M & P4P Sew Along group so be sure to join the group to be able to post your progress this week. As always all daily posts will be here on the blog but you’ll be checking in with your completed steps in the group, in the comments of each daily picture.

This sew along is sponsored by The Styled Magnolia who specializes in non inspired custom fabric. They offer a variety of athletic knits that make the most perfect Fierce Bras. Our two lucky winners will each get a gift card to shop TSM fabric.

Now that you have your pattern printed, time to cut the correct size(s). The Fierce Bra (adult) pattern includes pieces for Full Bust and Small but so if your full bust is 1 size bigger or smaller than the over bust and under bust measurement you can use the FBA or SBA pattern piece. You will still need to grade if your full bust varies by more than one size from the under/over bust size.

P4P has an amazing blog that gives you tip for accurately taking your measurements. You can read all about it here. If your measurements put you in a different size for bust/waist/hips be sure to check out our P4P University blog and grade to achieve the perfect fit.

Check out the day 1 video below and then comment “done” on the Day 1 picture of the Fierce Bra SAL album in the sew along group. We don’t allow pictures of the pattern pieces so this will count as your day 1 check in. Let’s get started!

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]

Fall in Love with Sewing :: 120k Member Saleabration and Giveaway :: WINNERS Announced!!

Today is the day! I loved seeing all the entries come in throughout the 10 days! I hope everyone had time to enter one thing!

We have a runner up and grand prize this giveaway… so we’ll announce Runner Up first!

Runner Up will win 10 P4P patterns of choice, an adorable sewing machine necklace, and a fabric bundle! Our winner was grabbed from Instagram! Handle: emenemely- Emily Howard <3

I hope you enjoy everything included in your prize!

Next up is the GRAND PRIZE…lets remind everyone what they’ll get!

I’m so excited to share the Grand Prize winner!! This entry was from our FB Group 🙂

 

Ree Nay, don’t be too sad about that serger acting up…you will have a new Juki serger for your next pair of loggers along with a Brother Coverstitch and so much more! <3 I can’t wait to see what you make will your new machines and I hope the Admin Love Bundle helps you fall even more in love with sewing then you already are!  I hope to see many more shares of that precious baby and yourself (and any other loved ones that are lucky enough to get your handmande items) wearing P4P patterns!

Just for fun I searched any other entries Ree had made!

And just because I enjoyed seeing all the entries come in these past 10 days let me share some with you!  Maybe some of them will inspire the perfect pattern match for some fabric you have in  your stash!

 

I hope everyone enjoyed the theme of falling in love with sewing this past week or so with us! It’s something we all share and brings us together <3 Even if you didn’t win I hope you got some sewing checked off your list, maybe grabbed a few ideas for your holiday gift wish list,  or got some inspiration from others entries!

Make sure you sign up for our newsletter so you never miss out on any amazing events like this in the future!

Fall in Love with Sewing :: 120K member Saleabration and Giveaway :: Admin Love Cont’

We’re continuing to show off our wonderful admin/moderators along with their pick for the Admin Love Bundle that is part of the Grand Prize in our Fall in Love with Sewing Giveaway and a little bit about how they fell in love with sewing!

Today is our last day of showing off all our lovely admins, their picks for the Admin Love Bundle included in the Grand Prize for our Fall in Love with Sewing Giveaway, and how they fell in love with sewing shares.  I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!

 

Lindsay’s pick for the Admin Love Bundle was a pair of mini duck scissors.  Once again, something I don’t happen to use! I usually use small embroidery scissors, but I might need to pick some of these up and see if I prefer them!

   

Sylvia loves a good thread bundle! It’s nice to have a match for whatever project you start up without a trip to the store to grab a matching thread color.

Amy suggested pattern weights.  And I couldn’t find exactly what I would think of pattern weights available on Amazon very easily and Angela suggested hockey pucks! That is what she uses and loves! So here are some hockey pucks that would work fabulously for pattern weights! Pattern weights are so nice for knit and delicate fabrics that you don’t stretch or puncture the fabric.

 

Bekah and Amy above suggested a bundle of measuring tapes! It’s always nice to have on within reach and a back up in case a little one decides they’re on a measuring mission that day 😉

Morland brought on some great stretch needles for her pick! Using a stretch needle with knits makes a huge huge difference! I even love a stretch needle much more then a ballpoint for almost all knits.  Stretch are better for spandex blends, which are most common these days.  Ballpoint does work for interlocks and sweater knits though.

Jody went with a chalk marking wheel.  This is so quick and easy to mark and take off your pieces.  I use one all the time, especially on darker fabrics or fabrics that can’t handle heat (I love using frixon pens, but you need heat to remove the marking).

Teri loves to have a can of 505 temporary basting spray handy in her sewing space! It’s great to temporarily hold anything in place while you stitch it.

 

 

Up next we have the Made for Mermaids team.  Megan is my sister <3 And they help out admining and monitoring the group when they aren’t busy handling their own group!

Tomorrow we will be highlighting our fabric sponsors that generously donated to our fabric bundle included in the prizes! Don’t forget to enter the contest and take advantage of our huge site wide sale! It’s the last sale of the year!

 

 

 

Fall in Love with Sewing :: 120K Member Saleabration and Giveaway

I’m so excited to announce that we’ve hit another milestone in our P4P Facebook Group of 120,000 members!  I’ve always been blown away with how the group keeps growing!

My favorite part of my job is seeing beginners grow with the group’s help! Seeing questions being answered, encouragement being given and then the proud first make being posted is the absolute best! Sewing has always been a huge part of my life… but there was a time when I wouldn’t have said I was a sewist! Even though my mom sewed my whole life and taught me growing up, I didn’t consider it my own hobby or love until I was older.  I fell in love with sewing when I was in college and even more so when I was pregnant with my Little Guy.  Here are some little onsies I made for him out of my t-shirts!

 

All these years later and I STILL LOVE THOSE! My second Baby Boy wore them just this past year <3 Thinking back to those really proud moments of “firsts” always gets me smiling and feeling the love of sewing again. I wanted this giveaway to be all about that. So, we will have some shares about how we fell in love with sewing, what tools help us stay in love with sewing, a runner up prize and a grand prize that will hopefully help others fall even more in love with sewing, and as always we do a big site wide sale to help get the patterns you’ve been wanting into your sewing space being used and loved!

The GRAND PRIZE for the giveaway was inspired by things in my own sewing room that make me really love sewing more and more.  Now, the serger is the model I’m hoping to get! I’ve heard great things about it and can’t wait to hopefully call one mine soon! The others are things that I do have and love!

 

(Note- I’m using affiliate links here if you happen to purchase any from these links.)

There is the JUKI SERGER/OVERLOCKER , which I’m lusting over currently.  It’s a bit of an upgrade from the most affordable model sergers and every sewist I know that has this model loves it and recommends it!

The BROTHER COVERSTITCH is something I waited for many years to purchase because I knew it was a luxury and not a necessity…but I do love having it! It’s so nice for hemming knits and making it much easier and stretching finished hem.


The FABRIC BUNDLE is something every sewist would love. We have some great sponsors that are donating both fabric bundles and gift cards so you can really stock your stash!!  I will be highlighting each sponsor and showing off their bundle in the next few days so keep an eye out for that blog post!

The 20 P4P PATTERNS OF CHOICE is my way of making sure you have every pattern you want from the shop! Having a pattern for just what you’re wanting to sew up makes sewing so much faster and more enjoyable then hoping and guessing on things!

The ADMIN LOVE BUNDLE is amazing! I asked all my FB Group Admins/Moderators what helps them love sewing in their sewing space.  And these are the answers I received! It was fun to see what everyone values and uses a lot in their own space… and also tempted a lot of us to purchase each others 😉 lol!  I will have several blog post highlighting our admins, their picks and how they fell in love with sewing coming the next few days, so stay tuned!

 

The SILHOUETTE BUNDLE cutting machine is so fun for anyone crafty! I use it all the time to add some HTV (heat transfer vinyl) to items I made.  It’s such a quick way to add something personal and unique to your makes.

The HEAT PRESS is also for adding the HTV.  I used an iron for a while, but I just wasn’t really strong enough to add the even pressure needed to get a really good attachment.  This heats up quickly, is super easy to use and makes the HTV added last and look much better then I could get with my iron. I love having it!  Here is an example of HTV I added to personalize some Sporty Pikos for myself and Baby Girl!

****Note**** With a prize this large, P4P will need a W9 filled out by winner prior to prizes being sent. Winner must claim prize on taxes per US law.

International winner will have to remit up to a 30% tax withholding of prize winnings and subject to US tax/treaty agreements.

We will also have one RUNNER UP WINNER!  They will win 10 P4P patterns of choice, 20+ yards of fabric, $25 gift card for fabric, and the cutest sewing machine necklace ever!

 

SO, ARE YOU READY TO ENTER?! Here is how you can enter to win:

A few more details:

  • The item sewn up and shared must be a P4P pattern that creates a piece of clothing (shirt, pants jacket, etc.  This means no accessories like hats, scarfs,etc.)  You can use a free pattern as long as it is clothing like the Tulip Tee or Peg Legs.
    • You need to sew it up as is, with only fit changes (so no hacks or modifications).  Adding embellishments is great, just no major changes, pattern mashes, etc.
  • Share your pictures on one or all of the social media networks for more chances to win with hashtag #P4PLoveSewing — it must be EXACT to come up in our search for the winner!
  • Let us know what P4P pattern you sewed up and what you’re most looking forward to winning or tell us a bit about how you fell in love with sewing, what you love most about sewing, etc!
  • You can share as many sews as you can for more chances to win–but ALL items/images shared must be sewn AFTER the giveaway starts 11/8/2019! Any older sews will be disqualified from winning either prizes. Last entries accepted will be 11/18/2019 at 11:59PM US Central Time.
  • Winner will be random lottery winner! So everyone has a chance from a beginner who might be sewing their first P4P to a seasoned apparel sewist!

Since you might need to grab a new pattern to get motivated we have a SITE WIDE SALE through the end of the giveaway!

  • This will be the last site wide sale this year so grab them up while you can!!
  • Sale ends at the same time as giveaway entries: 11/18/2019 11:59PM at Midnight US Central Time. 
  • There is a coupon code: Fall120k but it will automatically pop up at checkout and you just need to click to apply the discount! 

 

I can’t wait to see everyone’s entries! I’m so excited to share the love of sewing!!! 

Fall in Love with Sewing :: 120K Member Saleabration and Giveaway :: Fabric Sponsors

We’re still sharing the love of sewing with our Fall in Love with Sewing 120k member Saleabration and Giveaway!  I hope you have had a chance to enter something and have some more planned!

 

 

 

We have highlighted all of our Admin Love Bundle and how they fell in love with sewing in Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 posts! So now it is time to show off our awesome Fabric Bundle Sponsors!

 

 

GRAND PRIZE SPONSORS:

 

     

 

RUNNER UP PRIZE SPONSORS:

 

What sewist wouldn’t love to get all this fabric fun?!? Wishing everyone luck as they get in their last entries!! You can turn in entries until November 18th 11:59PM US Central Time Zone! If you need a refresh on rules here is the blog post!

Good Luck! <3

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