Blog - Patterns for Pirates

Hepburn Top and Dress : : New Pattern Release!!

August 13, 2019

We’re so excited to share the newest patterns in the P4P collection… the Hepburn Top and Dress will take you from summer crop to winter turtleneck dress and everything in between! All the options will have you creating a huge variety of timeless wardrobe staples.

: Hepburn- Youth

These patterns are a slim fit silhouette great for flattering your figure and also amazing for versatility because you can tuck them in or layer easily during colder weather. The classic details will never go out of trend including the side seam split and turtleneck options. The simplicity of the garment means it’s a quick and easy sew while the look is very polished! By using different fabrics and options you can come out with an athletic looking crop or a holiday party dress! The possibilities are endless <3

Drafted for a high stretch knit fabric some of our favorites were rayon ribbed knits, rayon spandex blends, poly rayon spandex blends, double brushed poly, single brushed poly, cotton lycra, athlethic spandex knits (we even used swim for a rashguard top!), and of course sweater knits!

Options include: hemmed neckline, mock turtleneck, fold over turtleneck, tank, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, long sleeve hemmed, long sleeve with cuff (both regular and fold over style), crop, shirt, above knee dress, and below knee/ midi dress lengths.

**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!

HEMMED NECKLINE / MOCK TURTLENECK / FOLD OVER TURTLENECK

: Hemmed Neckline

: Mock Turtleneck

: Fold Over Turtleneck

YOUTH— HEMMED NECKLINE / MOCK TURTLENECK / FOLD OVER TURTLENECK

: Hemmed Neckline

: Mock Turtleneck

: Fold Over Turtleneck

CROP / SHIRT / ABOVE KNEE / MIDI LENGTH

: Crop

: Shirt

: Above Knee

: Below Knee/ Midi

YOUTH—CROP / SHIRT / ABOVE KNEE / MIDI LENGTH

: Crop

: Shirt

: Above Knee Dress

: Below Knee/ Midi Dress

TANK / SHORT SLEEVE / 3/4 SLEEVE / LONG SLEEVE (HEMMED, CUFF, FOLD OVER CUFF)

: Tank

: Short Sleeve

: 3/4 Sleeve

: Long Sleeve Hemmed

: Long Sleeve Cuffed

YOUTH— TANK / SHORT SLEEVE / 3/4 SLEEVE / LONG SLEEVE (HEMMED, CUFF, FOLD OVER CUFF)

: Tank

: Short Sleeve

: 3/4 Sleeve

: Long Sleeve Hemmed

: Long Sleeve Cuffed

SIDE SEAM SPLIT DETAIL

: Shirt

: Above Knee

: Below Knee/ Midi

YOUTH— SIDE SEAM SPLIT DETAIL

: Shirt

: Above Knee

: Below Knee

What about a little fabric choice inspiration?? One of the most common questions when we release a new pattern is what we suggest as the best fabrics. So, here are some of our favorites during testing:

ATHLETIC KNIT AND COTTON SPANDEX

: Performance Knit

: Performance Knit

: Cotton Spandex

: Cotton Spandex

FRENCH TERRY AND JERSEY

: Rayon French Terry

: Rayon French Terry

: Poly Rayon Jersey

: Bamboo Rayon Spandex

: Viscose Jersey

RIBBED KNITS

: Ribbed Knit

: Ribbed Knit

: Ribbed Knit

: Ribbed Knit

DOUBLE BRUSHED POLY

: DBP

: DBP

: DBP

: DBP

SWEATER KNITS / WAFFLE KNITS

: Sweater Knit

: Sweater Knit

: Waffle Knit

: Waffle Knit

VELVET AND LACE

: Crushed Velvet

: Velvet

: Velvet

: Velvet

: Stretch Lace/ Rayon Spandex Lining

I can’t wait to see what varieties everyone makes! Go grab your pattern(s) now!

HEPBURN | HEPBURN – YOUTH | HEPBURN 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!

Hepburn Album | Hepburn -Youth 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 Monday, August 19, 2019 (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, pirates!

Hepburn Top and Dress – Easy Hacks

August 13, 2019

The Hepburn Top & Dress has released and it will surely become a staple in your year round wardrobe. Our amazing (and growing) team of blog contributors has some easy hacks for the new pattern. Take a look and get sewing!

…..

Swim top/rashguard

The fit of the Turtle Neck Dress is so fantastic that modifying it to be a a rashguard is very simple!

The first thing you need to do is decide which pattern options you would like to use and gather your supplies. Swap out your sweater knit for some swim knit, and your clear elastic for swim elastic.

Cut out your pattern pieces and neckline elastic according to the tutorial. For all options, you will continue on following the tutorial until it is time to hem.

If you choose to make a cropped swim top, like I am, you may want additional swim elastic for the bottom hem. This will help keep the hem from rising up while swimming. For this option, you will want to trim half an inch from the bottom of the front and back bodice pieces.

I simply wrapped the elastic around my waist and cut at a comfortable length. The elastic will be attached in the same way you attach the neckline elastic for the crew neck.

All other hemming options can follow the tutorial. Now you can enjoy your new swim top!

…..

Zipper Workout Bra

For this hack, we will be working with the crew neck, crop, tank option. In addition to the materials listed in the pattern, you will also need:

Fabric for the lining
Zipper that is slightly longer than the shortened crop bodice (detailed below)
Wash away wonder-tape (our new BFF!)
FOE/knit binding
1” elastic
Soft bra cups
(Optional Hook & Eye Closure)

1. Assemble Bodice and Lining

: Remove about 3.5 inches of length from bodice pattern pieces (adjust as needed). Then cut bodice pieces from main fabric and from lining fabric.

: Add a strip of interfacing down the center of the wrong side of the front lining piece. Sew together bodice at shoulders, add elastic to armscyes as instructed in the pattern.

: Sew together your lining pieces at shoulder seams and baste side seams. Slip lining on yourself and mark cup placement with chalk. Lay out your lining & use a ruler to align and adjust as needed.

: Pin cups in place, sew on cups with a long zigzag stitch to wrong side of lining. After trying on the lining again to ensure proper cup placement, carefully remove basting stitches at the side seams.

: Match armscyes right sides together, stitch armscyes with ⅜” seam allowance (pull bodice layer taut while stitching).

: Flip right side out, press seam so elastic is flat and you cannot see lining. Topstitch while pulling slightly so elastic and fabric are taut.

: Trim the extra lining that is now left over around the neckline.

: Lay bodice with bottom edges together, hold together the two lining pieces at the bottom corner, and lift up bottom corners of outer bodice pieces to meet.

: You should now be holding side seams with right sides together. Match corners and seams, stitch. Repeat with other side.

2. Attach Zipper with Wonder Tape!

Find the center of the front neckline, cut straight down from top to bottom.

Place a strip of wonder tape from top to bottom along the edge of one half of the bodice. Do the same for the coordinating lining piece, peel off the paper strip.

With right sides together, place zipper along the edge of bodice.

Next, peel off paper strip on lining and place wrong side of zipper along right side of lining.

Check to be sure zipper is placed correctly, gently finger press in place. (Clip in place if needed).

Stitch 1/4’’ away from the zipper from top to bottom.

Repeat with other side. Your fully lined zipper is now attached with just two lines of stitching!! Zip up zipper, add reinforcement stitches across the bottom of the zipper, and trim the extra zipper fabric from off the top and bottom.

Finish neckline with your favorite finish. I used FOE, but you could also do a knit binding. Just be sure to fold the ends under so the edges are finished.

3. Add Bottom Band

Cut a band with the following formula (adjust length as needed): Length = 3.5” by Width = (75% of Underbust Measurement) + 1”

: Fold width wise right sides together and stitch along short side.

: Fold band lengthwise with wrong sides together. Cut strip of 1” elastic using the same length measurement as the band, sew together at short ends and slip into folded band.

: Mark quarter points on band and on bodice. Match quartered points and stitch!

*Optional* Hand sew hook and eye closure at top of zipper.

And you are done!!!

…..

Picot trim

Anyone else buy tons of picot elastic thinking you are going to make all the bras and underwear? Well picot elastic can easily be used for other items and is a great finish for a necklines as well! This is a quick easy hack and all you need that is different from the original requirements is picot elastic!

We are only going to make very minimal changes. My picot elastic was 1/4 inch so I did not bother trimming the neckline down at all. We are going to cut the picot the same length as what the pattern calls for for the clear elastic.

: Pin or clip the center of the picot right sides together to the middle of the shirt. You can also mark quarter points if you choose but as the elastic is very close to the same length of the neckline I choose not too.

: Sew or serge with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. If using a serger make sure to disable the knife so you don’t risk cutting your elastic.

: Flip your picot out with your seam allowance down towards the shirt and sew your shoulder seam with 1/2 inch seam allowance.

: Flip your picot up, seam allowance down and pin in place.

: Top stitch in place, make sure that you are stitching a close to the edge of the seam allowance as you can, this prevents the picot from flipping out and showing your seam. I used my coverstitch but you can easily use your sewing machine with a zig zag or double needle as well.

Now press that top stitch cause pressing is the key to a really great finished product and finish the rest of your top as instructed. You can also use this method for the armholes if you choose but sometimes picot can be scratchy, mine was super soft but I choose to just use it for the neckline.

…..

Lettuce hem

Next up we have the lettuce hem hack. This is an easy and fast way to finish your edges with a little added style!

First off, we need to trim the hem allowances at the neckline, sleeve edges, and bottoms of both front and back pieces of the pattern to account for not using a traditional hem on these edges.

Trim 3/8″ off of the neckline.

Trim 1/2″ from the sleeve edges.

And trim 1″ from the bottoms of both the front and back bodice pieces.

Now that we’ve got our pattern pieces properly modified, cut and sew up your top as usual, using the new trimmed pattern pieces.

Next, set up your serger for a rolled hemline. Consult your serger’s manual for exactly how to do this on your machine, but in a nutshell, you will use only one needle, narrow the stitch width, decrease the length and increase the lower looper tension.

Begin with the neckline of the shirt. Sew the neckline as if you were finishing with a rolled hem, but stretch the fabric firmly before and after the presser foot. The tighter you pull, the more waves your lettuce hem will have!

Repeat on the raw edges of both sleeves and bottom hemline.

And that’s it! Now you have a beautifully finished tee with cute lettuce hems.

Caitlin

…..

Higher side vents

Let give this dress a nice higher vent to add extra sexy to it!

Here’s how I made this little hack.

I started with cutting the mid-length version and marking the vent line for the knee length.

I continue sewing up the dress according to the instructions.

Here is a picture to show the different vent lines. I followed the directions for the vent except I used the knee length instead of the mid length marking.

Hope you all love this hack!!

Andrea

….

Skirt

Next up we have a super easy, fun skirt hack. Nicole paired her skirt with the Sporty Piko crop but you can certainly wear it withe the cropped Hepburn top. Start by deciding where you would like the skirt to hit. Nicole is wearing a high waist style so she cut the pattern 1″ front and back pieces above the waist line. Now grab a 1″ knit elastic piece and stretch it around your waist (or high hip, depending on your skirt preference). Cut the elastic based on your waist and comfort. Sew the side seams and hem the bottom of the skirt following the tutorial instruction.

: Sew the elastic in a loop.

: Find the quarter point of both the elastic and skirt waist opening and match them.

Using your serger or a zig zag stitch attach the elastic to the waist.

: Fold the elastic over and pin in place.

: Use a zig sag stitch or a coverstitch to stitch in place.

That’s it! All you have left to do now is enjoy your new skirt.

…..

Hepburn / Boundless mash

My turn!! You know there’s nothing I like more than a good dress! So once I have sewn the dress included in the pattern I just had to try mashing it with the Boundless skirt. Here is what I did:

Cut the preferred Hepburn style (tank, sleeves, etc) CROP top. Now grab the Boundless pattern (or even the Sunshine) and cut the waist skirt (not the empire one).

Sew the Hepburn crop top as instructed in the tutorial. Now grab some 1/4″ elastic and measure the opening of the bottom hem. Cut the elastic the same size as the measurement you just took and sew it in a loop.

All you have to do now is attach the skirt to the Hepburn top following the Boundless (or Sunshine) tutorial. Boom! One top…so many new possibilities!

…..

Hepburn / Sweetheart or Me Hearties mash

We could not end this hacks series without showing you how beautiful a Hepburn / Me Hearties (or Sweetheart) mash can be. Here is what how to get the look.

Judy has made he little star a 3/4″ sleeves, turtleneck crop top Hepburn and omitted hemming the bottom. Of course, you can choose any of the crop top styles included in the Hepburn pattern. Then she simply cut a Me Hearties circle skirt, sewed the side seams and hemmed the bottom.

All that left to do it attach the skirt to the top, following the Me Hearties instructions. Don’t forget the seam allowance is 1/2″.

Now tell me this cutie is not making you want to sew a Hepburn/Sweetheart mash for you too. I know that’s my next project!

Hope you enjoyed these easy hack as much as we enjoyed making them for you! Time to get sewing and remember to post your creations in the Patterns for Pirates Facebook group so we can all admire them.

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

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!

Summer PJs easy hack

July 18, 2019

As with all new P4P patterns our blog team has some easy hacks ready for you to take your Summer Pjs up a notch. It is a sizzling summer after all…

Knit and FOE

Let’s start with a simple fabric switch. If you are anything like me you have piles and piles of knit fabric in your stash. Let’s make the Summer Pjs with jersey knit. The other replacement we are making is switching the bias tape for FOE (fold over elastic).

I used 5/8″ FOE for mine but any width bigger would work too. One of my favorite parts of making the Summer PJs with knit is that I can coverstitch the hem.

Sew the PJs as instructed in the tutorial. When adding FOE simply fold it in half and sew it on with a lightning bolt stitch or triple stretch stitch. You can get away with using a straight stitch since the pattern has plenty of positive ease so you won’t really be stretching the binding.

I left the FOE as is for the back strap but you can certainly fold that one over as well.

Use lots of pins when adding the long back strap. It will help if you steam press the FOE fold prior to pinning or clipping it in place.

That’s it! No changes made to the actual pattern pieces just fabric choice…easy peasy!

Lace Insert

If you are looking to make your Summer Pjs just a little more sexy…why not add a lace insert to the front of the top or nightie? Grab your favorite lace or very wide lace trim and let’s get started. Cut the fabric as instructed in the pattern. Using a disappearing pen, like a Frixion , mark on the front piece the “V” you would like to be lace. This is where you choose how “risque” you would like to make your pajamas. Mark another line 1/4″ inside of the first one. This will be your cutting line for the main fabric. Cute along the green line and remove the inside triangle.

Cut down your lace a 1/4″ bigger than the size of the bigger triangle. If you use gallon lace or trim make sure the pretty details (like Judy’s black accent) is at the top. Mark 1/4″ inside the V lace triangle with the disappearing pen or tailor chalk. This will be the stitching line.

Place your lace triangle over the front piece right sides together matching the stitching lines (red). Sew over the marked lines with a straight stitch, pivoting at the center V. Flip the lace piece inside the main fabric and finish the raw edges with a zig zag stitch. Top stitch 1/8″ away from the edge.

If your lace has a raw edge at the top, follow the pattern to add bias binding. If your using lace with a finished edge like Judy’s then simply skip the front bias tape.

All you have left to do now is enjoy your new sexy summer pajamas.

Ruffles

Ruffles can add such a soft, feminine detail and to me, the new Summer PJ’s has so many great places to add a ruffle. One of the first places is the legs. You can add ruffles to either the cheekie or shorts length. For this tutorial, I added ruffles to the shorts length.

To begin, you will want to assemble your shorts as directed by the tutorial, with the exception of hemming.

Once you’ve constructed your shorts, you will need cut your bands that will be used for the ruffles. The band needs to be 3″ x width of fabric. If you would like your ruffle more full, you can always sew two strips together to create a fuller look.

Once the strips are cut, you will want to press them in half, with wrong sides together. Unfold your strips. With right sides together, stitch the ends together, using a 1/2″ seam allowance to create a loop.

Re-fold your band. Using the longest straight stitch on your machine, create your gathering stitches. You will want to use two rows of stitches, one at a 1/4″ from the raw edge and a second 5/8″. Repeat on other band.

Mark the middle of your band with a pin or clip. Pulling the bobbin thread, begin to gather your band. You will then want to match up the seam of the band with the crotch seam and the middle with the outside leg seam.

Evenly distribute your gathers and attach using a 1/2″ seam allowance. To finish, press the seam up and top stitch around the legs if wished!

Another quick and easy way to add ruffles to the Summer PJ’s is to add one to the neckline. I chose to add this to my daughter’s nightgown and we are both in love with the results. Many of the steps will be the same as above. After cutting out your top, stitch your side seams together. For the ruffle, you will want to cut a strip of fabric that is 3″ x double the width of the neckline. Press this strip of fabric in half, wrong sides together.

Using the longest straight stitch, create your gathering stitches by stitching a straight line at both 1/4″ and 5/8″ from the raw edge.

To gather, pull the bobbin thread until the strip is the same width as the neckline (** Leave 1/2″ ungathered on both ends to help reduce bulk when attaching the binding). Baste around the armscyes and neckline to hold ruffle in place.

Continue to finish the top according to the tutorial, attaching the binding to the neckline as instructed, treating the ruffle and neckline as one.

Now that you have your youth and adult Summer PJs, and learned some easy hacks, time to get creative with your own pajamas. Don’t forget to share your pretties in the P4P Facebook group so we can all marvel at their beauty.

Alex and Erinn

Minute Maillot SAL – day 7 (winners announcement)

July 15, 2019

Absolutely beautiful job this week, friends! We have see and admired so many gorgeous Minute Maillot swim suits that made our decision a very difficult one to make. Without keeping you waiting any longer…

Congratulations Karolina Linden!

Karolina won a $20 store credit to Patterns for Pirates and a $25 Gift Card from Boho Fabrics.

As always, we have two winners:

Great job, Megan Marie!

Megan will receive a $20 store credit to Made for Mermaids and a $25 Gift Card from Boho Fabrics.

A huge thank you to Emily from Boho Fabrics who sponsored the Minute Maillot SAL and also provided the fabric I used for my swim suit.

Colleen will be letting you all know the pattern we will be sewing together in August soon.

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 1

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 2

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 3

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 4

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 5

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 6

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 7

Minute Maillot SAL – day 6 ( finish arms, legs and neckline)

July 13, 2019

We made it to the last day of the Sew Along!! You’ve all been doing amazing this past week. All we have left to do (for both the youth and adult Minute Maillot) is to finish the arms, legs and neckline opening. This consists of three steps, sewing the elastic in a loop, attaching the elastic to the opening and hemming.

Tip: Write on each elastic where you will be adding it, eg: arm. This way you make sure you don’t accidentally add an arm elastic to the leg opening.

I highly recommend sewing the elastic with a wide zig zag stitch to minimize bulk. If you prefer using your serger for this step, you can. It’s just not my first choice. When hemming I love using a wide coverstitch with wooly or bulky nylon in the looper. If that is not an option, a zig zag stitch on your sewing machine will work just as well.

You did it!! All you have to do now is post a picture of your finished Minute Maillot swim suit (modeled or not) in the comments of the day 6 photo of this sew along’s album. Reminder, only photos posted in the comments of DAY 6 photo will qualify for the prize. You are most definitely welcome to share on the wall as well (the SAL group and P4P group). Good luck!

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 1

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 2

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 3

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 4

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 5

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 6

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 7

Minute Maillot SAL – day 5 (sew side and crotch seams)

July 12, 2019

Almost there! Today the project will take swim suit shape when we stitch the side seams and the bottom seam. woohoo! 🙂 Grab your lining and main swim and let’s get started!

If you are making the partially lined version then your lining side seams are already sewn from day 3. For the fully lined option you will lay the lining and main fabric similar to the way you did the shoulder seams yesterday. ALWAYS triple check with the pattern instruction before stitching the side and crotch seam to make sure all layers are placed correctly.

Ruffles

If you added ruffles to your little one’s Minute Maillot today you are adding them to the swim suite. I recommend using a disappearing pen like the Frixion to mark the placement of the ruffles.

Tip: use a Wash away Wonder Tape to keep your ruffles in place when while sewing them on with a zig zag stitch. It will not gum up your needles and as soon as the suit hits the water it will disappear.

Here is day 5’s video. Take a look and once you finish sewing the side and crotch seam, snap a picture of your progress and post it in the comments of day 5 photo of the MM sew along album.

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 1

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 2

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 3

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 4

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 5

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 6

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 7

Minute Maillot SAL – day 4 (sew shoulder seams)

July 11, 2019

Good morning, friends! Today is a short, quick sewing day. We are only sewing the shoulder seams. You can do this step on your sewing machine using a triple stretch stitch or a lightning bolt stitch or you can use your serger.

The most important thing is to layer the pieces exactly as instructed in the tutorial. This is imperative to ensure that the seam allowance in enclosed and feels comfortable against your skin. If you are adding the bust lining AND full lining you will have 6 layers at the shoulder seam, instead of 4.

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

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 1

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 2

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 3

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 4

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 5

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 6

Minute Maillot SAL | Day 7

Minute Maillot SAL – day 3 ( sew bust lining / prepare ruffles)

July 10, 2019

Ahoy, pirates! On day 3 of our sew along we sewing the bust lining if you are making the adult Minute Maillot and/or prepping the ruffles if you are doing the youth swim suit. You will need the bust lining if you do not want to fully line your MM or if you want to add cups to a fully lined one.

Bust lining

Note: If you are sewing the low back option you will have 3 pieces for the bust lining, one for the front and two mirrored ones for the back. For the mid and high back the bust lining is only two pieces, one front and one back.

For extra support, I have decided to add cups to my bust lining. The cups should be sewn to the wrong side of the bust lining, this way when worn, they will be sandwiched between the main print and the lining.

Ruffles

Tip: When gathering the ruffles use two rows of stitching 1/4″ away from each other. This will yield uniform gatherings and a “back up” should the one of the stitching break.

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