Patterns for Pirates

P4P stylish, modern, wearable patterns

2023 Holiday Freebies :: Mistletoe Earmuffs

Happy Holidays, Pirate Friends!  We are excitedly back for another year and another round of holiday freebies to share with you!  Since 2016, we’ve compiled different tutorials and patterns that we think would make *perfect* gifts for your friends and family. Curious about what we’ve already released in the way of holiday freebies? Head right here to see all of them: Holiday Freebies Roundup.

Today, we are bringing you the: Mistletoe Earmuffs!

Fabric Requirements / Supplies Needed: 

  • 1/4 Yard Fleece / Sherpa / Faux Fur fabric
  • Fiber Fill (or other preferred filling)
  • Headband (I used these and they worked great)

Grab Your Pattern Pieces Here:

TUTORIAL:

Cut out all of your pieces. You’ll need:

– 4 Earmuff pieces
– Fiber Fill
– Headband

Lay two earmuff pieces right sides together. Sew around outer edge, leaving 1-2″ opening for turning.

Turn right side out.

Stuff with filling. Make sure not to overstuff.

Repeat with second earmuff.

Tuck in seam allowance and place headband inside of earmuff, through opening. Pin/clip into place.

Repeat with other earmuff.

**I highly recommend trying them on and seeing if any adjustments need to be made to the placement of the earmuffs.

Carefully glue headband to inside of earmuff, on both sides of the band.

Pinch in place, waiting for glue to dry.

Repeat with second earmuff.

Using a needle + thread, hand stitch remainder of opening.

You’re finished! How cute are these?

In case you consider yourself a more “visual learner” here’s a video tutorial that walks you through the entire tutorial, start-to-finish.

Before you go, sneak a peek at the cute Mistletoe Earmuffs that our testers created for themselves!

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

Happy Holidays, Pirates!

2023 Holiday Freebies :: Holiday Buttons

Happy Holidays, Pirate Friends!  We are excitedly back for another year and another round of holiday freebies to share with you!  Since 2016, we’ve compiled different tutorials and patterns that we think would make *perfect* gifts for your friends and family. Curious about what we’ve already released in the way of holiday freebies? Head right here to see all of them: Holiday Freebies Roundup.

Today, we are bringing you the: Holiday Buttons!

Do you remember playing with Shrinky Dink material when you were younger? You’d draw on plastic film, cut it out and then watch magic happen in the oven as it shrunk down. Well did you know that they make ::printable:: shrink plastic?

You can relive your childhood memories, make something cool, AND have it be sewing related. What beats that?

NOTE: I wouldn’t recommend using these for clothing that will be worn frequently. They aren’t as strong as the buttons that you buy! However, they would be cute for accents on stockings or garments. You can even make wine glass charms or pendants.

Material Requirements / Recommendations: Printable Shrink Film (Grafix is a great brand, but sometimes harder to come by) + Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Grab Your Printable Button Download Here: Holiday Buttons graphics

TUTORIAL:

Layout button graphics in your design software of choice – Canva, Silhouette, Word, etc. Set the design transparency to 75%. Colors will become more vibrant when the buttons shrink.

Buttons will shrink to 20% of their original size – so determine how large you want your final button to be and calculate accordingly. My examples started at 1 1/2″.

Print each button slightly larger than your hole punch size, if not using scissors or a cutting machine. That will make it a bit easier to punch your buttons with edge-to-edge designs.

Use a smaller hole punch for your button holes. You can also make charms for a necklace or wineglasses – just punch one hole closer to the edge, rather than 2.

I used a 1 1/2″ hole punch and a 6mm hole punch.

Shrink according to package directions. TIP! Place a heavy book on top of your buttons immediately upon removing from the oven to help flatten them out.

Use Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to seal and glaze your buttons.

Use 2 toothpicks to hold your button and keep the holes free of Dimensional Magic.

Don’t over apply Dimensional Magic! It will flow into the holes and clog them as they dry.

Carefully remove from toothpicks and allow to dry for 24 hours.

Enjoy your festive buttons!

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

Happy Holidays, Pirates!

2023 Holiday Freebies :: Cordial Can Coolers

Happy Holidays, Pirate Friends!  We are excitedly back for another year and another round of holiday freebies to share with you!  Since 2016, we’ve compiled different tutorials and patterns that we think would make *perfect* gifts for your friends and family. Curious about what we’ve already released in the way of holiday freebies? Head right here to see all of them: Holiday Freebies Roundup.

Today, we are bringing you the: Cordial Can Coolers!

Honestly, we are shocked we didn’t think of this pattern earlier! Can coolers are such a great gift because you can never have too many. And the customization and personalization possibilities are endless! They make great stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, presents, craft booth items…you name it!

Fabric Requirements / Recommendations: 

  • 1/3 Yard (each) Main and Lining in Quilting Cotton + Fusible Fleece (affiliate link) for standard can
  • 3/8 Yard (each) Main and Lining in Quilting Cotton + Fusible Fleece (affiliate link) for tall can

Grab Your Pattern Pieces Here:

TUTORIAL:

Cut out all of your pieces. You’ll need:

– 1 Cut on Fold Main
– 1 Cut on Fold Lining
– 1 Cut on Fold Fusible Fleece Interfacing (or other preferred interfacing)

1. Iron interfacing to wrong side of main fabric.

2. Align Main + Lining pieces with right sides together.

3. Using 1/4″ seam allowance, (important to follow this SA or it won’t fit your can!) stitch along the top, bottom and middle edges.

4. Carefully clip the corners, making sure to not cut through your stitches.

5. Use pinking shears to trim down the extra fabric along the curved edge, to help for a smoother curved edge.

6. From one of the side openings, turn the can cooler right sides out.

7. Press.

8. Fold in half, with right sides (main fabric) together. Sew along both outer edges using 1/4″ seam allowance.

9. Use pinking shears or serge along raw edges, to help reduce fraying.

10. Turn right sides out and press. You’re finished!

You can decorate it with HTV or embroidery. Or leave it as-is and make a million more!

In case you consider yourself a more “visual learner” here’s a video tutorial that walks you through the entire tutorial, start-to-finish.

Before you go, take a look at these awesome can coolers that our testers created!

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

Happy Holidays, Pirates!

2023 Holiday Freebies :: Dino Nugget Plushies

Happy Holidays, Pirate Friends!  We are excitedly back for another year and another round of holiday freebies to share with you!  Since 2016, we’ve compiled different tutorials and patterns that we think would make *perfect* gifts for your friends and family. Curious about what we’ve already released in the way of holiday freebies? Head right here to see all of them: Holiday Freebies Roundup.

Today, we are bringing you the: Dino Nuggest Plushies!

I have this very strong feeling that we are going to be seeing a ton of these cuties sewn up for gifts this holiday season! Well…and beyond. Because Dino Nugget Plushies have no season to them — they’re just always incredibly adorable! This pattern includes all five of the classic dino chicken nugget shapes: Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brontosaurus, Pterodactyl, and Triceratops.

Make one, or make them all! They’re bound to be loved no matter what.

Fabric Requirements / Recommendations: Sherpa or Fleece fabric. Each dino takes 1/3 yard. If you’re making all shapes, you can get them all out of 1 1/4 yards.

Grab Your Pattern Pieces Here: Dino Nugget Plushies pattern pieces

TUTORIAL:

Cut out all of your pieces. You’ll need:

  • 2 Dino shapes, cut in mirror image
  • Fiber Fill (or other preferred filling)

With right sides together, sew around entire outer edge with 1/2″ seam allowance, making sure to leave a 3-4″ opening for turning.

Be sure to take the full seam allowance at all of the corners and curves.

Carefully clip into the corners, making sure not to cut through your stitches.

Using the opening we left in the previous step, turn the dino right sides out.

Stuff with filling. Make sure not to overstuff, and to get all of the legs and tails and parts filled with stuffing equally.

Pin/clip and hand stitch the opening shut, using your favorite method.

Your first dino nugget is complete! Call it a day and snuggle this one — or go make the other four for a complete set!

In case you consider yourself a more “visual learner” here’s a video tutorial that walks you through the entire tutorial, start-to-finish.

Before you go, take a look at these ADORABLE Dino Nugget Plushies that our amazing tester team created!

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

Happy Holidays, Pirates!

Hale Half Zip – Easy Hacks

Get ready to elevate your sewing game with our “easy hacks” post for the Hale Half Zip pattern. We’re sharing three ingenious ways to take this pattern a little further! 

You’ll need one of these patterns to complete these brilliant sewing hacks:

Hale Half Zip – Adult Hourglass | Hale Half Zip – Adult V Figure | Hale Half Zip – Youth | Hale Half Zip – Bundle

NO ZIPPER HACK

Let’s be honest, not all of us like zippers.  When I teach sewing classes they are one of the things people are most fearful about sewing, so you’re not alone if you don’t like them.  Or, maybe you just don’t have any to hand and still want to sew up a Hale Half Zip for yourself?  Well, we’ve got you covered.

Now for this option you’re going to have to pick the hood, rather than the collar as the neckline finish, as the collar won’t work without a zip.  You could also draft a neckband to finish the neckline with instead of the hood, and I’ll cover that at the end, but for the main tutorial I will be using the hood.

First you will cut out all your pieces as normal, except the front yoke.  This is ‘cut x 2 mirrored’ in the tutorial, but we will be removing seam allowance and cutting on the fold.  To begin, we need to work out how much seam allowance to remove.  Now, the seam allowance used for attaching the zipper is 3/8″, like this.

However, don’t forget in the finished garment we have the width of a zipper to account for too, like this.

So, I will be taking off an extra 1/8″ to account for half the width of the zipper teeth.  That means our full seam allowance to remove will be 1/2″.  I simply mark it on the pattern piece and fold it over, that means you still have the full pattern piece to use again in the future if you wanted to.

Then cut your front yoke on the fold.

We assemble the garment now according to the tutorial instructions, but I like to leave the neckline to the end, so I did it in this order:

Front centre yoke to front sides

Front yoke to back yoke at shoulder seams.

Kanga pocket to front bottom.

Front yoke to front bottom.

Back yoke to back bottom.

Assemble sleeves. Attach to body of garment.

Side Seams.

Cuffs and waistband.

Then we start again with the neckline.  Sew the back curved seam of your main hood, right sides together.  Then repeat for your lining.

Sew the front chin curve for your main right sides together, then again for your lining.

Turn the lining right side out, and slip it inside your main.  These should now be right sides together.

Sew around the hood face opening to join the hoods together.  Clip your seam allowance if necessary, then turn right sides out and top stitch if you wish (it gives a great, professional finish and stops the hood slipping around).

Then quarter your neckline, and quarter your hood.  Turn the main garment inside out and drop the hood into the neckline right sides together, matching the quarter points.  The hood should fit nicely into the neckline.  Sew them together, and you’re done!

 

If you want to use a traditional neckband instead of the hood, then you can measure your neckline opening like this

Then calculate your neckband.  I used a ribbing and therefore used a calculation of 75%, but for a fabric with less stretch you could use 80 or 85%.

So, the neckline for my daughter’s age 10 measured 8.75″ across, x 2 for the full circumference is 17.5″.  Then multiply by 75% gives us 13″, plus 1/2″ seam allowance at either end gives us 14″.  I used a width of 2.5″ for a final neckband depth of 3/4″.  So my neckband is cut at 14 x 2.5″.

Sew the short ends together, press in half longways and then attach as you do the hood, by quartering both the neckband and the neckhole and sewing them together, matching the quarter points.

Give it a press, pop it on and show off to all your friends!

Happy sewing!

Dana xxx

 

CORDING

 

Adding some cording along the hood or along the top of the collar is simple and quick.

Mark where you would like your button hole or grommets.  Take into account the 1/2″ seam allowances and the zipper. I like to just press all my seamlines to easily see them.

Put little pieces of interfacing where the grommets or button holes will be.  You want the interfacing to be bigger than your grommet or button hole.

Put your buttonholes or grommets in on the main fabric piece only.

Sew up normally.  If you’re lining your hood or doing the collar option, you’ll need to sew a casing stitch.  Just a stitch that will hold your cording along the edge. It can be whatever width/seam allowance you like the look of as long as it’s wide enough to fit your cording and grommets/buttonholes inside.

Thread your cording through when finished.

 

Snap Placket Hack

If zippers intimidate you, consider a snap placket for your Hale Half Zip Pullover! It’s an easy hack that can be accomplished with the pattern pieces you already have.

Cut 2 zipper guards from your fabric – they are now opposite sides of your snap placket. I used a ripstop canvas for stability and looks. If you’re using a knit or any other woven, it is best to interface both pieces to ensure that your snaps are secure.

For this make, I chose to use the rounded end of one guard and the squared end of the other. Totally up to you what you choose!

Press both of your placket pieces with wrong sides together.

Open up and fold right sides together and stitch across one short end on both pieces.

Turn right sides out and topstitch along the folded edge, if you prefer.

I actually ripped out my topstitching after these pics because I didn’t like it!

Sew your collar pieces, right sides together, along the top edge of the collar.

Sew the collar main to the neckline of your bodice.

Line up one of your placket pieces with the raw edge of your bodice front and fold the collar lining over to sandwich the placket between the right sides of the collar main and collar lining.

Fold up the seam allowance of the collar lining.

Sew the length of the bodice front, securing the collar layers and placket.

Turn the collar right side out and topstitch the seam allowance down the front.

Secure the collar lining per pattern instructions.

Lay one side of the placket on top of the other – I stacked the right side on top of the left – and baste the bottom edge together.

At this point, you can decide to add your snaps or wait until the end of construction (like I did).

When marking for snaps, I like to line up the placket and push a pin through the layers. I use a fabric pen to mark the pin points on both sides of the placket.

Add your snaps and enjoy your new pullover!

Can’t wait to see what you make!

Rachel

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create cozy, stylish half-zip sweaters and hoodies for yourself and your loved ones. The Hale Half Zip patterns are available and on sale (no code needed) through 11:59pm CST, Friday, October 6, 2023.

Hale Half Zip – Adult Hourglass | Hale Half Zip – Adult V Figure | Hale Half Zip – Youth | Hale Half Zip – Bundle

As always, we’ve got more photos for you to use as inspiration! Head over to the Facebook group to browse our albums full of gorgeous photos, compliments of our tester team!

Adult Hourglass Album | Adult V Figure Album | Youth Album

Stay warm, stay stylish, and stay comfortable all season long! We can’t wait to see what you create for yourself!

New Pattern Release :: Hale Half Zip

Are you ready to embrace the cozy season in style? Look no further than the Hale Half Zip patterns, our newest patterns available with Patterns for Pirates!

The best part? The Hale Half Zip patterns are designed for our Adult Hourglass, Adult V Figure AND Youth size charts!

  • *Want to learn more about how to measure yourself for these pattern?  We’ve got you covered with an in-depth blog HERE.  And for even more helpful fun, we have a free* printable that you can use to help record your measurements as you take them.
  • 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, A0 and projector sizes.
  • We’ve also got an excellent planning tool for you with our Coloring Pages. It’s a resource that is updated with every new pattern addition, this pattern included!

The Hale Half Zips are designed to keep you warm and cozy without sacrificing style. With their loose and comfortable fit, multiple customization options, and unique seamlines, these pull-over garments are a must-have for your wardrobe. Whether you prefer an athletic look or a smart sweater style, this pattern has got you covered.

One of the standout features of the Hale Half Zip pattern is the ability to customize your creation.

Here are some of the options you can choose from:

  • Necklines: Pick between a classic collar or a snug hood to top off your sweater.
  • Lengths: Tailor your garment to your preference with various length options. Youth and Adult Hourglass styles offer cropped and longer shirt lengths, while Adult V Figure styles include short, regular, and tall options.
  • Sleeves: Decide between solid sleeves for a clean look or go for colorblock sleeves to add some extra flair.
  • Pockets: Opt for a kanga-style pocket to keep your hands warm and your belongings close by.
  • Zipper Guard: Add a zipper guard for extra comfort and protection.
  • Finishing Methods: Choose from unfinished seams, binding seams, or lined collar and hood options to give your garment a polished finish.

To achieve the best results with the Hale Half Zip pattern, it’s essential to use medium-weight, stable knits. Stable knits have less stretch, but don’t worry—only the cuffs and bottom band require stretch, so the other pieces can have mechanical stretch.

Specific Fabric Suggestions: Consider using fabrics like sweatshirt knit, French terry, double knits, quilted knits, stretch velvets, fleece, or even cuddle fabrics for a plush feel.

No matter who you’re sewing for, the Hale Half Zip pattern has you covered. The pattern includes an extensive range of sizes:

Adult Hourglass Sizes: XXS to Plus 5X

Adult V Figure Sizes: XXS to 6XL

Youth Sizes: 3m to 14

Both imperial and metric measurements are included, making it easy for you to choose the right size for your project.

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

HEM LENGTHS / CROP + SHIRT (YOUTH AND HOURGLASS ONLY)

HEM LENGTHS / SHORT, AVERAGE + TALL (V FIGURE ONLY)

SLEEVE OPTIONS / SOLID OR COLORBLOCK

NECKLINE OPTIONS / COLLAR OR HOODED

OPTIONAL KANGAROO POCKET

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create cozy, stylish half-zip sweaters and hoodies for yourself and your loved ones. The Hale Half Zip patterns are available and on sale (no code needed) through 11:59pm CST, Friday, October 6, 2023.

Hale Half Zip – Adult Hourglass | Hale Half Zip – Adult V Figure | Hale Half Zip – Youth | Hale Half Zip – Bundle

As always, we’ve got more photos for you to use as inspiration! Head over to the Facebook group to browse our albums full of gorgeous photos, compliments of our tester team!

Adult Hourglass Album | Adult V Figure Album | Youth Album

Stay warm, stay stylish, and stay comfortable all season long! We can’t wait to see what you create for yourself!

BUT WAIT. There’s more! We’ve got an Easy Hacks post to help take your patterns even further! Head on over to check out the quick changes you can make to these patterns, that aren’t available in the pattern tutorial itself!

2023 Fall Sale!

Are you ready for some fantastic news? The wait is over, and we’re thrilled to announce our final sale of the year at Patterns for Pirates! As the days get shorter and the leaves start to fall, we’re rolling out the red carpet for all you sewing enthusiasts.

Last Sale of the Year – 30% Off Sitewide!

It’s your chance to stock up on your favorite patterns and dive into a world of creativity and endless possibilities. From trendy outfits to cozy winter essentials, we’ve got something for everyone.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss This:

  1. 30% Off Everything: Yes, you read that right! Every single pattern on our website is available at an incredible 30% discount. It’s the perfect time to explore new designs or grab those patterns you’ve had your eye on.
  2. Unleash Your Creativity: Whether you’re a seasoned sewist or just starting, our patterns cater to all skill levels. With step-by-step instructions and a supportive community, you’ll be crafting beautiful pieces in no time.
  3. Unique Styles: Our collection includes a wide range of styles, from casual wear to elegant evening dresses, and even patterns for the little ones in your life. There’s something to suit every taste and occasion.
  4. Instant Digital Downloads: No need to wait for shipping! Our patterns are available as instant digital downloads, so you can start your project right away.
  5. Support and Community: When you choose Patterns for Pirates, you’re not just getting patterns; you’re joining a passionate community of fellow sewists. Share your creations, get inspiration, and connect with others who share your love for sewing.

How to Join the Sale:

  1. Visit our online store: Patterns for Pirates
  2. Browse our extensive collection.
  3. Add your favorite patterns to your cart.
  4. At checkout, enter the code “FALLSALE30” to enjoy the 30% discount.

But don’t wait too long; this sale won’t last forever! It’s your chance to make your autumn and winter wardrobe dreams a reality at a fraction of the cost.

  • The code will automatically pop up for you to add to your cart, but just in case use: FALLSALE30
  • The Fall Sale runs from September 18, 2023 thru September 27, 2023 @11:59pm CST.
  • Fabric for Pirates Subscriptions + Extras are excluded from the discount pricing.

Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to fall in love with sewing all over again. Our fall sitewide sale is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to some new patterns, discover fresh sewing projects, and create stunning pieces for yourself and your loved ones.

Thank you for being a part of our Patterns for Pirates community. Happy sewing, and enjoy the savings!

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