Blog - Patterns for Pirates

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!

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]

Gala Gown :: Easy Hacks

November 29, 2019

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.

…..

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

…..

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

…..

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.

…

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

November 29, 2019

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

November 28, 2019

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

November 27, 2019

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

November 26, 2019

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

November 25, 2019

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!