Patterns for Pirates

P4P stylish, modern, wearable patterns

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 6 (add neckband/shawl and optional buttons)

Ahoy, pirates!! We made it to the last steps of this sew along. What a fantastic week! All we have left to do now is add the neckband or the shawl and the optional buttons/snaps. I am adding the shawl option to my cardigan so I will have 4 pieces vs only two for the neckband option.

If you plan on adding buttons or snaps I highly recommend interfacing the front with light weight knit interfacing. In a pinch ultra light weight woven one will work too. It’s very important that you cut the neckband or shawl according to the grainline and stretch direction. Take a look over the video below to see how I attached the shawl neckband.

 

I decided to add buttons to my cardigan’s front to I also did a quick video of those steps. Grab your seam ripper, marking pens and let’s get started on this last finishing touch. Our P4P University – buttons/buttonholes blog post covers a lot of useful tips to conquer this somewhat scary task.

We have some fun hacks to the Grandpa cardi and Cpt Mack’s on the blog as part of the #P4Pcardiweek we had a couple of years ago. One of these hacks shows you how to add ribbon tie closures to the cardigan instead of buttons. Read all about it here.

All done!! Great work, everyone! Remember to add a picture of your completed cardigan in the day 6 comments of the Grandpa Cardi/Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan SAL photo album in the SAL group. Tomorrow is catch up day and on Monday evening we will announce the winners here on the blog.

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 7 (winners announcements)

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

FriYAY! One more sewing day left and we’ll be all done. Today we focus on finishing the sleeves and the bottom hem. Both the women and youth cardigans include options for a banded or hemmed bottom edge finish as well as cuffs or hemmed sleeves. My cardigan is a tunic length with hemmed sleeves.

If you are sewing a banded cardigan your waistband lengthwise, wrong sides together before you attach it, press  and steam it after too!

If you went for the hemmed sleeves all you have to do is hem them 1/2″ allowance using either a zig zag stitch, a triple stretch stitch or your coverstitch. Remember that memory hem we did a few days ago? It makes hemming so easy now.

If you chose the sleeves cuffs take a look over our Knit Cuffs 101 blog post and once again, don’t forget to press. In this video I am hemming both the sleeves and the bottom edge. Once you finish, post your progress in the day 5 picture comments of the Cardigan Sew Along album in the M4M & P4P Sew Along group.

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 7 (winners announcements)

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 4 (sew shoulder seams and add sleeves)

And just like that we made it to day 4! Today we sew the shoulder seams, add the set in sleeves and sew the side seam. By the end of today your project will look like a cardigan 😉  When attaching the sleeves it is very important to match the notch to the shoulder seam, pin in place and then match the side seams and pin in place.

TIP: If you’re doing a hemmed sleeve now would be a good time to press your memory hem. This will make it so much easier to hem later on. 

The Grandpa Cardi and Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan patterns follow a 1/2″ seam allowance so be sure to not deviate from it when you sew the shoulder seams RST or when you attach the sleeves.

Watch the day 4 video below and be sure to post a picture of today’s progress in the day 4 photo comments of the Cardigan SAL album in the M4M & P4P Sew Along Group.

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 7 (winners announcements)

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 3 (sew pocket and elbow patches)

Good morning, pirates! Today’s sew along is all about details. We are addin pockets and elbow patches. This is the time to get creative! Use some cute accent fabric, like sequins or faux leather or go classic and match the pockets with the main fabric.

The patterns include two options for the pocket, a hemmed and banded one. The banded one is a great alternative if you’re not the biggest hemming knits fan, plus it gives you the option to incorporated some more accent fabrics too. As I mentioned yesterday, the elbow patches will add a fun detail to your cardigans. Whether you’re making one for yourself and or one for your little, add a pop of color or texture to your patches! You’ll love it!

Tip: When adding the elbow patches mark the left arm and the right arm to make sure that you will not have the pockets on the inside of your arm vs the elbow. 

If you have chosen to make your cardigan with sweater knits, go over our Sweater knits blog post where I am giving you some wasy tricks to work with this fabric base.

Watch the videos below and  post a picture of your pockets and added elbow patches in the day 3 photo comments of the Cardigan SAL album.

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 7 (winners announcements)

 

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 2 (pick and cut fabric)

Welcome to day 2 of our Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan sew along. Today we will be choosing the fabric and cutting it. You should have your pattern pieces ready from yesterday.

But first let’s talk a little about the right fabric for this pattern. As you can see in the video below I am using a gorgeous rose gold sweater knit from Sincerely Rylee for my Grandpa Cardi. This my favorite knit type for this pattern. For Cpt Mack’s I like the structured look of cotton lycra. These two cardigans can be made with virtually any knit fabric since they only require 20% stretch.

Sincerely Rylee is this SAL’s sponsor too, so one of you will be getting a $50 Gift Card to their shop so you can treat your to some gorgeous sweater knits (and not only) too.

If you are unsure about which knit type will work best for your desired look, take a look over our P4P University Knit Types blog. Judy also included a cheat sheet that you can print. If you are like me and sometime are just keen on using a specific print for a specific pattern, read our Different fabric, different fit blog post before you cut your fabric.

Writing this blog brought back some memories…the set below is my first ever Grandpa cardi/Cpt Mack’s cardigan I ever made. It’s a thin sweater knit from Joann and I still wear it today. My little man wore his at school for two years. It makes an great uniform piece too.

Got some sequins fabric you absolutely love? Use them for the elbow patches. Colleen’s Grandpa cardi is to die for…afterall, who doesn’t need a fancy elbow pocket patch?

For my cardigan I decided to add bamboo lycra shoulder patches and pockets. I’m using a rose gold striped main fabric so I chose a gold and roses print for the patches. Get it Get it? 😉

The Day 2 video is posted below. Check it out and once you are done cutting your fabric post a picture of it in the comments of the Day 2 photo of the Grandpa Cardi/ Cpt Mack’s SAL album in the M4M & P4P Sew Along group.

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 7 (winners announcements)

Grandpa Cardi/Cpt Mack’s Cardigan SAL – day 1 (print and cut pattern)

Welcome to the Grandpa Cardi / Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan Sew Along!

Day One is reserved to purchasing the patterns, printing and cutting the size(s) you need. If you plan on sewing for yourself you can get the Grandpa Cardi  here, if you’re sewing for your little one, the Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan can be purchased here and if you’re sewing for both of you (just think of the mommy and me matching outfits!) you can get the bundle.

This Sew Along will take place in the new M4M & P4P Sew Along group so be sure to join the group not only for the exclusive discount code available for the Grandpa Cardi and Cpt. Mack’s Cardigan patterns but also to post your progress this week.

Now that you purchased the pattern(s), print the size needed. In order to do that it is very important that you take your most accurate measurements.

You will need your waist, hips and chest measurements in order to choose the correct cardigan 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 chest/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 Cadigan 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.

 

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 1 (Print & cut pattern)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 2 (choose and cut fabric)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 3 (pockets and elbow patches)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 4 (shoulder seams and add sleeves)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 5 (finish sleeves and bottom edge)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 6 (collar/shawl and buttons)

Grandpa Cardi | Cpt Mack’s Cardigan Sew along  – Day 7 (winners announcements)

SOS Knit Pants -easy hacks

Not only did the SOS Knit Pants get a facelift but we also released the mini version and added a few easy hacks. Here are some of the P4P team’s favorite mods you can do to get even more looks.

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Moto Hack

 

The SOS Knit Pants have been around awhile and there seems to be a never-ending request for a Moto style option.  With the revamp of the original pattern, we thought, what better time to take the Moto for a spin.  Rather than trying to make you figure out the pieces on your own, we decided to provide a full step by step tutorial, including pattern pieces…for FREE!  You can “purchase” the Moto Hack HERE.   These are definitely not a “quick-sew”, so be prepared to spend some time stitching all those pin-tucks, but seriously… how amazing are the final results!  (This is for the women’s version only at this time but don’t worry…we plan on releasing the same hack for the girls’ soon!)

 

 

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Contour Waistband

Admit it, you’ve been thinking about using the Peg Legs contour waistband that’s included in the free Add-On with all our pants patterns, haven’t you? Well, I have, so I wanted to show you how easy it is to replace the SOS elastic waistband with the contour one.

Cut your SOS Knit Pants fabric pieces without the elastic and the knit waistband. Print and cut the contour waistband included in the Peg Legs Add-On. Sew the knit pants and the contour waistband as instructed in their respective tutorials.

Tip: If you would like the extra tummy control you can add a layer of power mesh in between the lining and the main fabric of the contour waistband.

For my contour waistband, I used custom brushed poly so it is pretty thick. The lining is the same fabric so I did not add any power mesh.

Attach the contour waistband to the SOS pants the same way you would attach it to the Peg Legs.

Tadah! All done. All you have left to do now is enjoy your new contour waistband SOS knit pants.

Note: please note that the rise on the contour waistband SOS will finish a little higher than the original pattern.

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Shorts

SOS Knit Shorts is one of the most popular requests and probably one of the easiest modifications.  Determine your desired inseam and preferred hem allowance.  I chose to keep the 1″ hem (1/2″ folded twice) as shown in the pattern and a  5″ inseam.

Measure the length of your inseam, starting 1/2″ from the pattern line (for seam allowance) to your desired length.  Draw a horizontal line across the leg for both front and back.  Now that you have adjusted your inseam length we will make our hem gauge for the hem. Cutting the outward notch will allow the hem to lay flat once folded.  The angle of the gauge should be a mirror image of the seam just above it so that when its turned under it will lay flush.  Again, my hem allowance is 1″, if you choose to do a narrower or wider hem, you will want to make your hem gauge to match the same length of your hem allowance. This is super easy and can be done both skinny and straight leg options.  Now, you can customize your pants to any shorts length!

 

 

 

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Button/Snap Waistband

 

 

Most of the time, everyone raves about a “jean” with an elastic waistband that was accomplished with the SOS… I mean, other than leggings or sweats, what could possibly be more comfortable and look like real pants?  With a few simple steps, we’re going to transform the SOS to mimic real pants with a semi-functional waistband to give you an even more RTW jean/pant look!

 

First, add 1″ to the waistband and elastic measurements.  You’ll need that little extra so that the waistband overlaps one another.  Construct you pants as instructed in the tutorial except as follows:

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Zipper Accents

The SOS just screamed for a zipper detail so I made myself a pair using some pretty decorative lace zippers. Here’s how to achieve this look.

Print and cut the SOS knit pants pattern pieces and grab two lace zippers. I used 9″ ones. I did cut a calf length instead of the pattern’s ankle length because I had a remanent of this grey athletic fabric that I really, really wanted to use. It’s very easy to make 3/4 length SOS pants…just cut both the front and the back leg at the calf marking instead.

Using a fabric pen or tailor chalk, mark the top of the zipper on both the front and back side seam.

We will now be changing the construction of the pants a little. Sew the pockets and crotch curves as instructed in the tutorial. Sew the inseam next. Hem your SOS pants using a coverstitch or twin needles.

Now that the inseam and hem are done, you will sew the side seams. Using your serger or a stretch stitch sew the side seam, front and back, right sides together and STOP AT THE MARKED POINT. Using a basting stitch, sew from the marked point to the hem.

Place your zipper on the right side of the pants and pin pit n place. It is important to have the zipper teeth on the side seam.

Remove the basting stitches to make it easier to sew the zipper in place.

Using a zipper foot and a straight stitch, sew the zipper on, making sure you fold the lace under the hem.

All done! Now go to Pinterest for some more zipper skinnies inspiration, order yourself some lace zippers and get creating!

 

How’s that for more options? We hope you love the hacks as much as we do.  Sew up a pair of SOS Knit Pants using one of our hacks?  Be sure to share in the Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram (@patternsforpirates).

 

Alex, Katy & Nicole

Go To Jacket – SAL day 9 (winners announcement)

Ahoy, pirates! Besides the zipper blog post, I feel like today’s post is the most anticipated one 😉 Let me start by congratulating everyone who finished their Go To Jackets this past week. We know zippers can be intimidating for some and we are so proud of you for trying and succeeding!

Let’s not keep you waiting any longer. *drumroll*

Our first GTJ sew along winner is MONIQUE VIDAL . Congratulations! You won a $20 P4P store credit and a $40 Vintage Lace gift card. 

Our second GTJ sew along winner is LAURA SEMAAN Great job! You won a $20 M4M store credit and a $25 RockerbyeDestash Fabrics gift card.

A big thank you to our October sponsors!

Stick around the M4M & P4P Sew Along group because our fellow mermaids will be announcing the November SAL soon. You won’t want to miss it!

Go To Jacket Sew Along

Day 1: Print + Cut Pattern

Day 2: Choose + Cut Fabric

Day 3: Sew Pockets

Day 4: Sew Shoulder Seams + Attach Sleeves

Day 5: Attach Neckband / Hood

Day 6: Add waistband + Finish Sleeves

Day 7: Add Zipper

Day 8: Recap + Catch Up

Day 9: Winners Announcement

Go To Jacket – SAL day 8 (recap/catch up day)

Wow! What an amazing last week we had! We have seen so many beautiful Go To Jackets sewn this past 7 days. But fear not! You still have time to get yours done too. Today is catch up day, so go over the previous blogs and videos and get sewing. The links to all blogs is below.

This week I made myself a tunic length bomber style jacket that is unbelievably cozy and comfy. I used squish from RockerbyDestash Fabrics and cotton lycra for the waistband band, cuffs and neckband. I have a feeling those kanga pockets I added will be holding plenty of the boy’s little treasures.

I also made a youth Go To Jacket for my little men. They had to have the hood and I added inseam pockets to this one. This cute French Terry one will be a staple in their wardrobe as soon as we get some cooler weather here in Florida. This fabric is from Vintage Lace.

My next one will have to be the men Go To Jacket so my husband gets a comfy zippered hoodie too. He has already picked some fabric.

If you’re not sure which style to pick or which options, take a look over our Go To Jacket Round Up blog post as well as the GTJ albums in the P4P Facebook Group.

Tomorrow the P4P & M4M teams will be picking two SAL winners so be sure to finish up your jackets and post a picture of your project in the Day 7 comments photo of the GTJ Sew Along album in the M4M & P4P Sew Along Group.

Go To Jacket Sew Along

Day 1: Print + Cut Pattern

Day 2: Choose + Cut Fabric

Day 3: Sew Pockets

Day 4: Sew Shoulder Seams + Attach Sleeves

Day 5: Attach Neckband / Hood

Day 6: Add waistband + Finish Sleeves

Day 7: Add Zipper

Day 8: Recap + Catch Up

Day 9: Winners Announcement

Go To Jacket – SAL day 7 (add zipper)

THE day is here! The big ZIPPER day is today. 🙂 Let’s all take a deep breath and remind ourselves it’s really not hard, I promise you! Start by preparing your chin guard, make all markings and press.

If you need to shorten the zipper you are using, take a look over the the videos in this P4P University blog. Shortening plastic zippers is a breeze so don’t be afraid to purchase longer zippers in bulk.

TIP: The Wonder Tape is your best friend when adding zippers! It holds the zipper in place and you can sew through it without gumming up your needles. It will work like magic!

The zipper video is below so take a look over it before your start sewing. As always, don’t be shy to ask questions in the Sew Along group. Once you finish your jacket add a photo of your work in the Day 7 picture comments of the Go To Jacket SAL album. Keep in mind that only pictures posted in that thread will count towards the prizes. 🙂

YOU DID IT! Great job sewing your zippered jackets.

Go To Jacket Sew Along

Day 1: Print + Cut Pattern

Day 2: Choose + Cut Fabric

Day 3: Sew Pockets

Day 4: Sew Shoulder Seams + Attach Sleeves

Day 5: Attach Neckband / Hood

Day 6: Add waistband + Finish Sleeves

Day 7: Add Zipper

Day 8: Recap + Catch Up

Day 9: Winners Announcement

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