Katy McKinley, Author at Patterns for 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!

Witch Hat :: Free Sewing Pattern + Tutorial!

October 8, 2019

Something wicked this way comes!

It’s officially October, which means the kickoff of my favorite holiday ever. The candy, the pumpkin everything, the creative costumes, the decorations…..I love it all! We wanted to help you with your costume making this year, with a super quick and easy pattern for the witches, wizards and warlocks in need of some new headgear. And the best part about this pattern? It’s FREE! Our Halloween treat for you!

Before we get started, here are some things you’ll need:

Free Witch Hat Pattern Pieces (found in the store HERE)
2/3 yard Premium Felt

**I highly recommend the thickest felt you can find, to get the ultimate stiff point and brim on your hat! I found mine on a 72″ wide bolt at JoAnn Fabrics, which left me a lot of extra fabric to make even more hats!

Step 1: With right sides together, fold the cone piece in half — aligning along the long, straight edges. Using 1/4″ seam allowance, sew along long edge.

Step 2: Turn cone piece right side out and set aside.

Step 3: With right sides together, align brim pieces on top of each other.

Step 4: Sew around outer edge, using 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 5: For cleaner curved edges, use pinking shears trim excess fabric (making sure to not cut through your stitches).

Step 6: Turn brim right sides out. Press. If desired, top stitch along outer brim edge.

Step 7: Fold brim piece to mark quarter points along inner, raw circle.

Step 8: Repeat with cone piece.

Step 9: With right sides together, match the quarter points on your brim and cone pieces.

Step 10: Ease the remainder of the raw edges together, and secure with pins/clips. Sew using 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 11: Flip the brim down, press if needed, and enjoy your wicked new hat!

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 amazing pointy hats that you’ve managed to make from our free pattern!

Happy Halloween, Pirate Friends!

Twist Back Top :: New Pattern Release!

September 24, 2019

Hey there Pirates! Have we got something incredibly fun in store for you today or what?? It’s a pattern release day and we are bringing you TWO brand new patterns that you’re just going to love. I promise. Let’s meet the Twist Back Tops, in both adult and youth sizes!

This pattern is quick and simple sew that will impress! It has a dropped dolman sleeve style with a loose, slouchy fit throughout the sleeves and body. It is semi-fitted through high hip. The tank option makes for a great work out or summery top. The Twist Back Top also includes a short sleeve dolman sleeve you can add a bit more coverage, but still keep cool in those warmer months. You can add long sleeves and create a super fun sweater or pull over for the colder months. The extra long sleeve length will make you feel like curling up and snuggling! The adult sizing has a tank neckline that is a classic crew and a wider neckline for the dolman sleeve options. This pattern includes a back shoulder strap to keep the shoulders where they should be, or you can leave it off and have an off the shoulder style with wider neckline on the sleeved options. The open back is perfect to throw on top a leotard, sports bra, or tank.

The youth pattern covers a size range from 3M – 14. As for the adult version of the pattern? We just extended our sizes even more! You’ll find it drafted for XXS – Plus 5x now! Please check the size charts, as there were slight adjustments made to accommodate the new size range.

: Imperial

: Metric

: Imperial- Youth

: Metric- Youth

**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!

TANK TOP

SHORT SLEEVE

LONG SLEEVE

LONG SLEEVE W/CUFFS

OPTIONAL BACK STRAP

Should we talk about fabric choices for the Twist Back Tops? We recommend a fabric with a good drape to it. While fabric bases like french terry and sweatshirt fleece will work, they’ll end up a bit more “boxier”. So if you’re looking for that perfect slouchy, twisty top…we recommend fabrics like: Rayon Spandex, Double Brushed Polyester, and Sweater Knits.

RAYON SPANDEX

DOUBLE BRUSHED POLY

SWEATER KNIT

Another change you might notice on these new patterns is a little surprise for our overseas pirates who use metric measurements! We now will include BOTH imperial and metric measurements to help everyone understand the charts as quick and easily as possible! Yay!

Ready to dive right in and make your new favorite top? Go grab the patterns now!

TWIST BACK TOP | TWIST BACK TOP – YOUTH | TWIST BACK TOP BUNDLE

Hoping for a little inspiration before you get to sewing? Just take a look at this pattern on all of the amazing shapes and sizes of our testers, and get a look at more examples of all the options in our albums in the P4P Facebook group!

Twist Back Top Album | Twist Back Top – Youth Album

And if our pattern alone doesn’t provide enough options for you, we’ve also included a blog post that will help take the Twist Back Tops 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 Monday September 30th (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, Pirates!

Just Write Skirt :: FREE Sewing Pattern + Tutorial!

July 31, 2019

Unbelievably so, it’s time to start thinking about Back-to-School season. Which means that stores are filled to the brim with tempting school supplies. Is anyone else a pen / notebook / planner nerd like me? I could spend hours in those aisles. Life just got a little better for me because now I can really let people know about my undying love for school supplies by wearing it on my sleeve….er skirt!! Pirate friends, meet the Just Write Skirt!

Before we get started, here are some things you’ll need:

Just Write Skirt free Pattern Pieces (found in the store HERE)
1″ Waistband Elastic. See cut chart for length needed.
YouTube Video Tutorial for assembling a pencil panel set (also found at the bottom of this tutorial)

Fabric Requirements (in Yards, rounded to nearest 1/8)
Sizes	2-7	8-12	14	XXS-P1X	P2X-P3X
Lining	1/2	5/8	1-1/4	1-1/3	1-1/3
Pencil (yellow)	1/4	1/3	3/4	7/8	7/8
Accent Panel (black)	1/2	5/8	5/8	2/3	2/3
Point Accent (black)	1/4	1/4	1/4	1/4	1/3
Lead (grey)	1/8	1/8	1/8	1/8	1/4
Ferrule (grey)	1/8	1/8	1/4	1/4	1/4
Eraser (pink)	1/4	1/4	1/3	1/3	1/3
Pencil Wood (off-white)	1/8	1/4	1/4	1/4	1/4

**While the skirt is meant to sit at your natural waist, you will want to choose your size based upon your hip measurement. Wanting a fuller skirt? The more pencil panel sets you add, the fuller your skirt becomes. Just keep in mind that each panel finishes at 5″, and you will need to adjust your lining fabric to account for any extra panels in your awesome skirt!

Sewing for a child who is a blend of sizes? No sweat! Just sew up the number of panel sets that is required for their waist/hip measurement, and use the pattern pieces for their height.

And now, onto the tutorial!

Step 1: For each pencil panel, you will need:
– 1 Ferrule piece (grey)
– 1 Eraser piece (pink)
– 1 Pencil body (yellow)
– 1 Pencil wood (off white)
– 1 Pencil lead (grey)
– 2 mirrored Point accents (black)
– 1 Accent panel (black)

Step 2: Lay your “pencil wood” piece, right side up.

Step 3: Lay your “pencil lead” piece on top of your wood piece with right sides together, matching the notches. Sew with 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 4: Open up the pieces and press.

Step 5: Lay out your new pencil point, with one of “point accents” next to it.

Step 6: With right sides together, align the “point accent” along the long angled edge. Sew with 1/2″ seam allowance.

**Note, there will be around 1/2″ of overhang on the top and bottom of the “point accent” piece.

Step 7: Open up the pieces and press.

Step 8: Repeat with the other “point accent”.

Step 9: Open up the pieces and press.

Step 10: Trim off the excess fabric.

Step 11: Lay the piece right side up, and place the “pencil body” right sides together. Align the short edges.

Step 12: Stitch, using 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 13: Open up pieces and press.

Step 14: Align the “ferrule” piece along the top, shorter edge, right sides together, and sew with 1/2″ seam allowance. Open up the pieces and press.

Step 15: Align the “eraser” piece along the top, shorter edge, right sides together, and sew with 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 16: Open up the pieces and press.

Step 17: Align the “accent panel” along the long edge of both pieces, right sides together. Sew using 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 18: Open up pieces and press.

Repeat according to the number of “sets of panels” required for the size skirt being sewn.

Step 19: Begin to join the panels to form a skirt.

Step 20: With right sides together, align each panel along the long edge and sew using 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 21: Continue until all of the panels are sewn together.

Step 22: Fold your set in half, right sides together, and sew to create a tube.

Step 23: You should now have a circle of pencils.

Step 24: Align your lining fabric with right sides together.

Step 25: Sew along both sides, using 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 26: Turn your main skirt right sides facing outwards, and keep your lining fabric with the right sides facing in.

Step 27: Slide your main skirt inside of the lining, with the right sides together.

Step 28: Sew along the bottom edge opening, careful to sew only one layer of lining to one layer of the main skirt.

Step 29: Open up the pieces, so they are right sides out.

Step 30: Slide the lining inside of the main skirt, wrong sides together, completely enclosing all of your seams.

If desired, edge stitch along the bottom of the skirt.

Step 31: Treating your main and lining fabrics as one, press 1/2″ along the entire top, raw edge, toward the lining side.

**Quick tip: You might find it easier to manage the double layers if you serge / zig-zag stitch around the top raw edge before folding and pressing.

Step 32: Press an additional 1-1/2″, creating a casing.

Step 33: Pin and sew along the entire skirt, edge stitching close to the fold in the casing. Leave a 2-3″ opening for elastic.

Step 34: Using a pin or bodkin, thread your elastic through the opening you left in the casing.

Be careful not to twist your elastic.

Step 35: Pull the elastic out the other side of your casing, overlap at 1″ and secure the ends together.

Step 36: Pin and stitch closed the opening in your casing.

Step 37: Press and admire your new “Just Write” skirt!

Are more of a “learn by watching” type? If so, here’s a video to walk you through the steps of creating the pencil panels:

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 super awesome Just Write things that you’ve managed to make from our freebie pattern!

In case you were looking for a little inspiration on your own Just Write Skirt, check out our tester album and take a look at all of the gorgeous items our creative friends have made!

Happy Back-to-School season, Pirate Friends!

Summer PJs :: New Pattern Release!!

July 19, 2019

Guess what Pirate Crew?! We’ve got new patterns releasing today and we are super excited to tell you about them! It might be hotter than Hades outside, but this new pattern will help keep you cool. Why not fight those high temps with some cute new Summer PJs and Summer PJs – Youth?

These patterns are simply perfect for warmer weather pajamas! They’re quick and simple to sew up and work best with lightweight woven fabrics that are breathable for hot nights.

Drafted for non-stretch woven fabrics- favorites are voile, cotton lawn, silky, and rayon blends. You can use pre-made bias tape or create your own to finish off the top. The bottoms use a thin elastic for waistband. The adjustable straps are great for gifting and not having to slip on and fit before finishing your top! Options for the adult pattern (available in sizes XXS – Plus 3X) includes a crop, top, and nightie length tops. And the bottoms come with high rise and low rise. The bottoms also include cheekies, shorties, and capri lengths.

For the youth version (sizes 3M – 14) the options include crop, top, and nightgown lengths. And the bottoms include short or capri length. The loose fit is super comfortable and you’ll get a whole seasons worth of wear with the growing room.

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

SHORTS / CHEEKIES / CAPRI LENGTH BOTTOMS (ADULT VERSION)

SHORTS / CAPRI LENGTH BOTTOMS (YOUTH VERSION)

CROP / TOP / NIGHTIE LENGTH TOPS

ADJUSTABLE STRAPS

Are you ready to get in on the Summer PJ fun? Go grab your pattern(s) now!

SUMMER PJs | SUMMER PJs – YOUTH | SUMMER PJs BUNDLE

Need more convincing? Just take a look at this pattern on all of the amazing shapes and sizes of our testers, and get a look at more examples of all the options in our albums in the P4P Facebook group!

Summer PJs Album | Youth Summer PJs Album

And if that didn’t give you enough options, make sure to check out the hacks post to help take your patterns even further.

The release sale (no code needed) will be through Saturday, July 27, 2019 (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, pirates!

Minute Maillot :: New Pattern Release!!

May 11, 2019

Happy Release Day, Pirates!! We are excited to be sharing with you the latest patterns in our swim lineup: the Minute Maillot and Minute Maillot Youth!

This pattern is about to make a splash in your swimwear sewing, because it’s super easy AND a super flattering to sew. The pattern features partially lined and fully lined options. The women’s also includes a bust support piece with elastic which you can sew swim cups to. They both include 3 back neckline options: high, mid, and low. The women’s also includes 3 front neckline options: high, mid, and low as well as 2 leglines: high and low. You can mix and match to your personal preference for modesty and flatter your personal bodytype…or sew one of each variation and have a huge stack!

Never heard the word “maillot” before? Here’s a quick history lesson: In the 1920’s the term maillot was first used to describe a tight fitting, one-piece swimsuit. In present day, the word has almost entirely been replaced by the term “one-piece” or “tanksuit,” but is now known in the designer’s world for specific styles that include higher cut leglines, and often plunging necklines or revealing cutouts.

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

HIGH AND LOW LEGLINES (ADULT VERSION ONLY)

HIGH NECKLINE / MID NECKLINE / LOW NECKLINE (ADULT VERSION ONLY)

HIGH BACK / MID BACK / LOW BACK

RUFFLE SKIRT (YOUTH VERSION ONLY)

Are you ready to get in on the Minute Maillot fun? Go grab your pattern(s) now!

MINUTE MAILLOT | YOUTH MINUTE MAILLOT |MINUTE MAILLOT BUNDLE

And if that didn’t give you enough options, make sure to check out the hacks post to help take your patterns even further.

The release sale (no code needed) will be through Friday, May 17, 2019 (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, pirates!

It’s a Cinch…Bag FREE Sewing Pattern + Tutorial!

April 4, 2019

I have been having the hardest time containing myself over these bags! I just love them so much and I hope you have the same feelings about them….because this is our newest FREE pattern and it’s launching RIGHT NOW!

Let’s make some It’s A Cinch….Bags!

Included in the pattern below are instructions on how to make a basic bag, or one of the animals like the fox, kitty cat, panda, or bunny! There are also downloadable files for all of the animal faces (and the emoji face pictured), which you can use for htv, fabric paint or embroidery. But wait, there’s more! Included along with all of that are downloadable files for a soccer ball, volleyball, basketball and baseball! I’ve got you covered all over the place!

Plus I totally spared you from having to install zippers this time. (I know you were worried.)

**Stick around all the way to the bottom of this post for a full video tutorial of the assembly of these sweet cinch bags as well!

— It’s a Cinch…Bag PDF free pattern pieces, animal face files, and sports ball designs (found HERE)
— 1/2 yard main fabric
— 1/2 yard lining fabric
— 3 yards cording for straps, cut into 2 – 1.5 yard lengths.
— Optional: Small amounts of accent fabrics for ears, etc.
— Optional: Small amounts of fiberfill for the animal ears.
— Optional: Heat Transfer Vinyl / Embroidery Floss / Fabric Paint / Buttons / etc for Details

Recommended fabrics: quilting cotton, kona cotton, etc.

BASIC BAG CONSTRUCTION

Step 1: Using a strap channel piece, fold one of the short ends (wrong sides together) at 1/4″ and press.

Fold another 1/4″ to enclose raw edges and press again.

Repeat on the other short side of strap channel. Repeat with other strap channel piece.

Step 2: Top stitch along both edges of strap channel pieces.

Step 3: With wrong sides together, fold the strap channel in half, meeting the long raw edges together. Press. Repeat with other strap channel piece.

Step 4: Fold channel pieces in half and place a pin to mark the center along the raw, unfolded edges.

Step 5: Grab one of the Main Bag pieces, in your main fabric and place it right side up. Using your pattern pieces for alignment, place a pin or clip at the strap placement guides at the bottom, as well as the center top of the piece.

Step 6: Align one of the strap channel pieces along the top of the main bag piece, with the raw edges all matching, centered against each other.

Step 7: With one of the lining pieces face down, lay it on top, sandwiching the strap channel piece between the two body pieces.

Step 8: Using 1/2″ seam allowance, stitch along the entire top, straight edge.

Step 9: Flip your fabrics so they are now right sides facing out, and the strap channel is sticking above the body pieces. Press. Repeat with other main, lining and strap channel pieces.

Step 10: With the main fabrics facing up, lay your bag pieces so that they are mirrored and the strap channels are closest to each other.

Take one of your straps and using a bodkin, safety pin, or other threading tool, feed your strap through the channels.

Feed into the bottom left channel, out the top, and back down through the top right channel.

Repeat with the opposite by feeding a strap through the top left channel, out the bottom, and back up the bottom right channel.

You will now have two raw ends of your straps on either side of your bag pieces.

Step 11: Adjust your bag to have the outer, front of the bag facing you. And clip or pin your straps with the raw edges facing away from the bag, to where you previously marked with the strap placement guides.

Step 12: Flip open your bag, so that the lining pieces are right sides together, and the main fabric pieces are right sides together, and the straps are nestled neatly inside.

Align all edges and sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance around the entire edge, leaving open only a 4-5″ space for turning. Be careful not to sew your strap pieces into the seam on accident.

Step 13: Careful not to clip through your seams, trim your seam allowances down to help with a more precise curve.

Step 14: Turn your bag right sides out, through the opening you created in Step 12.

Step 15: Tuck your seam allowance back into the opening. Pin or clip. And using your favorite method, stitch it shut.

Step 16: Push your lining fabric into the main fabric side.

Step 17: Give your brand new bag a good press, pull the straps tight, gift it to your favorite person and make another!

BUNNY BAG CONSTRUCTION

Step 1: Place the ear fabrics right sides together.

Step 2: Using 1/2″ seam allowance, stitch long outer edges together.

Step 3: Trim seam allowance, being careful not to clip through your stitches.

Step 4: Turn and press, topstitch if desired.

Step 5: Fold along the top, raw edge, meeting the corners together. Clip or baste top edge in place. Repeat with other ear.

Step 6: If using yarn for the bunny tail:

Wind the yarn around and around (and around!) your fingers. The more you wrap, the fuller the pompom’s poof will be.

Once you’ve reached that desired poof, carefully slide the yarn off your hand. Take a piece of yarn and tie it directly in the center. Make the knot is as tight as you can get it. I often secure the knot, and then switch my strands to the other side, and create a second tight not…just for safe measure. Take your scissors and cut through the loops on each side of the knot.

4.) Fluff your new yarn ball…cutting the ends to make them more even if necessary.

Step 7: Align your ears with the outer ear measuring 3″ from the edges. And your bunny tail centered between the bottom of the ears.

Step 8: Finish the basic bag construction per the instructions.

FOX BAG CONSTRUCTION

Step 1: Lay the face pieces with right sides together.

Step 2: Stitch with 1/2″ seam allowance, stopping at the marking guides on the pattern piece.

Step 3: Clip the center point and trim around top curves for a cleaner turning.

Step 4: Turn right sides out and press.

Step 5: Align with main fabric piece and topstitch the upper curves.

**Add your face details now. Either the htv designs, paint, or embroidery. It’s easiest to add everything at this step while all of the pieces are flat and unattached to other items of the bag!

Step 6: With right sides together, stitch ear pieces using 1/2″ seam allowance. Trim seam.

Step 7: Using a small amount of polyfil (if desired), stuff the ear. Repeat with other ear.

Step 8: Using the placement guide on the pattern piece, align and baste ears.

Step 9: Finish the basic bag construction per the instructions.

KITTY CAT BAG CONSTRUCTION

Step 1: Fold the inner ear fabric in half, with right sides together.

Step 2: About 1/2″ from the fold, sew a 1-2″ vertical line.

Step 3: With right sides together, align the two side edges to the outer ear fabric. Sew using 1/2″ seam allowance.

Step 4: Trim your seam allowance down, for cleaner turning.

Step 5: Turn ear right-side-out and press. Baste along bottom edge of ear, to help for easier assembly. The “pinch” we created should fold the outer ear fabric a little bit in the front, creating a little more of a cat ear effect. 🙂 Repeat other ear.

Step 6: Add any face details. And then using the placement guide on the pattern piece, align and baste ears.

Step 7: Finish the basic bag construction per the instructions.

PANDA BAG CONSTRUCTION

Step 1: Align two ear pieces, right sides together. Using 1/2″ seam allowance, stitch around entire curved edge.

Step 2: Careful not to clip through your stitches, trim down the seam allowance.

Step 3: Turn right side out and press.

Step 4: Using a small amount of polyfil (if desired), stuff the ear. Repeat with other ear.

Step 5: Add any face details. And then using the placement guide on the pattern piece, align and baste ears.

Step 6: Finish the basic bag construction per the instructions.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CORDING

Step 1: Cut several strips of fabric at 1.5″ wide. You’ll need 3 yards total of length (or 108″).

Step 2: Sew strips together across the short edge, right sides together.

Step 3: Press open seam allowance.

Step 4: Fold your fabric right sides together, with the long edges now touching. And sew with 1/2″ seam allowance down the entire length.

Step 5: Carefully trim down your seam allowances and cut the straps to the desired length. In this instance, you need 54″ per strap.

Step 6: Using your favorite turning method, turn the tubes right side out. Press your new straps, and top stitch along edges if desired.

Are you someone who considers themselves to be more of a visual learner? Here’s a video that walks you through all of the same steps above. Hopefully it helps!

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 adorable It’s a Cinch…Bag that you’ve managed to make from our freebie pattern! Have a great week, Pirates!

Loggers :: New Pattern Release!

March 12, 2019

What do you get when leggings and joggers get together and make a baby? LOGGERS!!

Today is like Christmas and my birthday all wrapped up into one because we are bringing you two brand new patterns that I think you’re really going to love: Loggers and Youth Loggers!These patterns are drafted for a stretch knit fabric with a 40-50% horizontal stretch, and you will want some vertical stretch for wearing comfort. Both the adult and youth versions feature a tighter pant with cuffs and optional pockets on the pant length. They are drafted in two lengths (shorts and pants), a large size range (XXS – Plus 3X in women’s and 3M – 14 in youth), have two rises (high and low), two waistbands (short or tall/fold over yoga) as well as an optional drawstring.

Loggers wear like a jogger but look like a legging. Everything is finished with a band, meaning there is no hemming required. And they are perfect for lounge wear, workout gear, swim cover-ups, layers under dresses/skirts, and everything in between.

**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!

PANT LENGTH W/CUFFS

SHORTS LENGTH W/BANDS

SHORT + TALL/FOLD-OVER YOGA WAISTBANDS

OPTIONAL PATCH POCKETS + DRAWSTRING

Are you ready to get in on the logger fun? Go grab your pattern(s) now!

LOGGERS | YOUTH LOGGERS | LOGGER BUNDLE

And if that didn’t give you enough options, make sure to check out the hacks post to help take your patterns even further.

The release sale (no code needed) will be through Sunday, March 17, 2019 (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, pirates!

Heart Pouch :: Free Valentine Sewing Pattern!

February 10, 2019

Have we told you (our Pirate family) lately that we love you? We love you so much, that we are giving our hearts to you this Valentine’s Day.

Well, maybe not our actual hearts…but a Heart Pouch sewing pattern. And it’s free!! This zipper style pouch is super easy, quick, and fun to make, and takes very little fabric. (Plus maybe you have some 9″ zippers laying around from the scarfs that you never got around to making this past holiday season?? It’s a perfect way to use up that stash!)

**Stick around all the way to the bottom of this post for a video tutorial of the assembly of these sweet little pouches as well!

— Heart Pouch PDF free pattern pieces (found HERE)
— 2 – 8″x8″ pieces cotton woven for main + lining fabrics
— Lightweight Fusible Interfacing: I like Pellon SF101, or Heat & Bond 3336 (aff links)
— 1 – 9″ zipper

Recommended fabrics: quilting cotton, kona cotton, etc.

Step 1: Prepare your pieces. You will need one each of the pouch back, pouch upper front, and pouch lower front; in your main, lining and interfacing fabrics.

Step 2: Following the instructions from the manufacturer, iron the interfacing to your main fabric pieces.

Step 3: Locate the upper front piece in your main fabric, and lay it with the fabric face up.

Step 4: With the zipper face down, align it against the straight, raw edge of your pattern piece.

Step 5: With your upper front lining piece face down, align it along the straight edge, sandwiching the zipper between the two pieces of fabric. Sew with 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 6: Flip open the upper front pieces, so they are now touching with wrong sides together, and your zipper is exposed. Press and topstitch, if desired.

Step 7: Locate your lower front piece in your main fabric, and lay it with the fabric face up.

Step 8: Lay your upper front pieces with the main fabric face down, aligning the zipper to the long straight edge of the lower piece.

Step 9: Similar to step 5, align the lower front lining pieces along the straight edge, sandwiching the zipper between the two pieces of fabric. Sew with 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 10: Flip open the lower front pieces, so they are now touching with wrong sides together, and your zipper is exposed. Press and topstitch, if desired.

Step 11: Open up your zipper, and trim any excess length if needed.

Step 12: Clip your zipper opening together and zigzag stitch to baste the edge shut.

Step 13: Lay your completed front piece with the main fabric face up.

Step 14: Place your main back piece on top, with right sides together.

Step 15: Flip the entire group over, so that now the lining side is face up.

Step 16: Place your lining back piece on top, with right sides together.

Step 17: Pin/clip and sew entire outer edge with 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving a 2″ – 3″ opening along one of the straighter sides.

Step 18: Clip into the top point seam allowance as closely as you can, without clipping through your stitches. Trim around entire outer edge, for easy and cleaner turning.

Step 19: Turn your pouch right sides out, through the opening of the main fabric pieces.

Step 20: Press and smooth out all corners, round edges and bottom point.

Step 21: To close up your opening with no raw edges showing, pinch three of the raw edges together…treating them as one. And the fourth raw edge as it’s own.

Step 22: Tuck raw edges in and pin/clip.

Step 23: Using your favorite blind stitch, close up the opening.

Step 24: You’re finished! Go fill your new heart pouch with whatever goodies will fit in it, or gift it to someone who will do the same.

Are you someone who considers themselves to be more of a visual learner? Here’s a video that walks you through all of the same steps above. Hopefully it helps!

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 Heart Pouch that you’ve managed to make from our freebie pattern! Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!

The Basic Tees :: New Pattern Release!

February 8, 2019

Is there anything more fun than a pattern release day? Maybe when it’s not one pattern, but it’s THREE! We’ve got tees for the whole family, y’all!

The patterns are drafted for knit fabrics and are each packed full of options.

**Want to learn more about how to measure yourself for these 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! And, 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.

Let’s give a quick rundown of the options!