Patterns for Pirates

P4P stylish, modern, wearable patterns

The Peg Event :: Giveaway Winners!

We hope y’all have had as much fun as we did during The Peg Event!  It was a whirlwind of fun, sharing, and lots of Peg Leg love!  Though the sale and the contest are over, today is one more day of fun because we get to announce the winners of all of the prizes!!  Again, we would like to thank our sponsors for being so incredible and spoiling our Pirate family!  This giveaway wouldn’t be possible without them!

Ready to see who’s walking away with some awesome new sewing swag?  Let’s do it!

WANDERLUST DESIGNS – www.wanderlustcustomfabric.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP | PINTEREST

$50 Gift Card Prize goes to: Ellen Tunison Hibdon

THE STYLED MAGNOLIA – www.thestyledmagnolia.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP

$100 Shop Credit Prize goes to: Andi Crater

SLY FOX FABRICS – www.slyfoxfabrics.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP

$50 Gift Card Prize goes to: Linda Freediver

OVER THE SELVAGE – www.overtheselvage.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP

$30 Shop Credit + 2 Yards of C/L Print Fabric goes to: Stephanie Ross

$15 Shop Credit + 1 Yard of C/L Print Fabric goes to: Tabetha Cloke

SEW DYNAMIC FABRICS – www.sewdynamic.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP | FACEBOOK PAGE

$30 Shop Credit Prize goes to: Jodi Keller

RASPBERRY CREEK FABRICS – raspberrycreekfabrics.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP | FACEBOOK PAGE

$100 Gift Certificate prize goes to: Ashley Haley

PURPLESEAMSTRESS FABRIC – www.purpleseamtressfabric.com
FACEBOOK GROUP | FACEBOOK PAGE

$75 Gift Card prize goes to: Amanda Dalton

BOW BUTTON FABRICS – www.bowbuttonfabrics.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP

1 Yard ABP 265 gsm in Black Prize goes to: Meggie Carpel

1 Yard ABP 265 gsm in Black Prize goes to: Stefeni Maeda

1 Yard ABP 265 gsm in Black Prize goes to: Kelli Tuttle

SO SEW ENGLISH FABRICS – https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP

$75 Gift Card prize goes to: Brenda Davis

HISSY FIT FABRICS – www.hissyfitfabrics.com
FACEBOOK GROUP

$50 Gift Card Prize goes to: Brooke Henning

EMERALD CURTAIN FABRIC – www.emeraldcurtainfabric.com
FACEBOOK GROUP

$40 Gift Card Prize goes to: Frida Lang

KNITFABRIC.COM – knitfabric.com
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP | FACEBOOK PAGE

$50 Gift Card Prize goes to: Amanda Schildmeier

THE FABRIC FAIRY – www.thefabricfairy.com
FACEBOOK GROUP | FACEBOOK PAGE

$30 Gift Card Prize goes to: Whitley Vogel

And….drumroll please……

The Grand Prize Winner, sponsored by Patterns for Pirates, taking home a brand new Brother Serger + Brother Coverstitch + 20 Patterns for Pirates patterns is: Stephanie Anita

Congratulations to all of the winners!  And thank you all so very much for allowing us to have such a fun filled 10-day long event where we got to celebrate sewing, our favorite leggings pattern, AND had the chance to see so many people proudly share the new items that they made for themselves and their loved ones!  The Peg Event was a success, if you ask us!

If your name + photo was shared above as a prize winner, please email help@patternsforpirates.com to claim your prize.

The Peg Event :: Peg Legs – Loungewear Style Inspiration

Welcome back to another day of The Peg Event! We hope you are loving our newest release of the Peg Legs – Colorblock Pack and update to the beloved Peg Legs, and Peg Legs – Add-On Pack!

Before we get to the main event, I’d like to remind you that we’ve got a sitewide sale happening from now until Saturday, September 12.  In addition to that, we’ve got an awesome giveaway happening, with 14 amazing prizes (and 14 amazing prize winners)!  You can read all about The Peg Event HERE.

We’ve got another set of incredible testers that wanted to help provide some P4P Style Inspiration!  They always seem to know just what to wear, and how to look amazing at all times.  So we asked what their favorite things to pair the Peg Legs / Peg Legs – Colorblock Pack / Peg Legs – Add-On Pack with were…and here’s what they came up with for some casual, every day looks.

Katy McKinley paired her Peg Legs with an Oversized Sweater.
Dana Cole paired her Peg Legs with a Free Spirit Tank and Cocoon Cardigan.
Megan Kuhlman paired her Peg Legs with a Slim Fit Raglan.

Feeling inspired yet?  I am!  Here are some links to all of our FREE leggings patterns, so you can get to sewing!

PEG LEGS | PEG LEGS – ADD-ON PACK | PEG LEGS – COLORBLOCK PACK

Before you go, we’ve got giveaway prizes to tell you about!  Sponsoring today’s portion of The Peg Event are two amazing fabric companies!

HISSY FIT FABRICS – www.hissyfitfabrics.com
FACEBOOK GROUP

Hissy Fit Fabrics is a custom fabric company with seasonal, character and topical prints that you’re sure to love.

One lucky winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to their shop!

EMERALD CURTAIN FABRIC – www.emeraldcurtainfabric.com
FACEBOOK GROUP

Emerald Curtain Fabric is a Black and Queer owned custom fabric shop that focuses on fabrics that feature and uplift marginalized folx (specifically BIPOC and LGBTQIA+). They also carry nontraditional snarky prints and fabric with swear words.

One lucky winner will receive a $40 gift card to their shop!

**Daily and Grand Prize winners will all be announced together on Sunday, September 13.

The Peg Event :: VBack Waistband Hack for the Peg Legs Update!

Welcome back to another day of The Peg Event! We hope you are loving our newest release of the Peg Legs – Colorblock Pack and update to the beloved Peg Legs, and Peg Legs – Add-On Pack!

Before we get to the main event, I’d like to remind you that we’ve got a sitewide sale happening from now until Saturday, September 12.  In addition to that, we’ve got an awesome giveaway happening, with 14 amazing prizes (and 14 amazing prize winners)!  You can read all about The Peg Event HERE.

 

Colorblock Pack Waistband Hack for the Original Peg Legs Pattern

 

So you love the new contoured waistband of the colorblock pack, but want to keep the legs quick and simple?  Here’s the hack on how to use the original Peg Legs with the new colorblock pack waistband.  You can use either the plain contoured waistband or with all the fun pockets too. 

First, assemble the original Peg Legs pattern and Colorblock pack. You will only need the Colorblock Pack Back – 1 Piece.  Aligning at the back rise and crotch curve, place back colorblock piece on the original Peg Legs pattern piece.  Note, the pattern piece should align at the mid-rise cutline as the contoured waistband is drafted to fit the lower rise and finish high rise at the natural waist.  

 

Trim the original Peg Leg pattern piece back rise or re-trace to create your new Peg Legs pattern piece. 

 

 

Cut and assemble the legs as per the original Peg Leg instructions and using the waistband instructions from the colorblock pack. I used the back pocket option and our FOE hack for the version shown below. 

 

Easy right?!? Now you can add an extra style of leggings to your closet.  I especially love how the V back fits with the booty 😉 Don’t forget to share your version, we’d love to see all your Pegs!

Here are some links to all of our FREE leggings patterns, so you can get to sewing!

PEG LEGS | PEG LEGS – ADD-ON PACK | PEG LEGS – COLORBLOCK PACK

But wait!  There’s more!  We’ve got a giveaway prize to tell you about!  Sponsoring today’s portion of The Peg Event is a fabulous fabric company!

SO SEW ENGLISH FABRICS – https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK GROUP

By offering a diverse mix of quality and affordable fabrics, So Sew English strives to inspire creativity and make the dream of self-made fashion a reality for everyone. A few of their most popular fall leggings fabrics are their Bamboo Spandex French Terry, their Jean Denim Cotton Spandex French Terry and of course their Double Brushed Poly.
 
One lucky winner will be walking away with a $75 gift card.  And on top of that, SSE is having a 20% off site-wide Labor Day Sale that ends tonight 9/9 at 11:59pm PDT. *some exclusions apply.  Use code: LABORDAY

**Daily and Grand Prize winners will all be announced together on Sunday, September 13.

 

X Factor Top and Dress Easy Hacks

 

…..

Mini or Peplum options

First easy hack that we waned to show you is how to shorten the X Factor dress to a peplum top or mini dress. For my example I decided to make a running dress with a mini skirt. I used swim fabric for this cute green dress.

You will start by grabbing the skirt pattern and marking your new cut lines, one for peplum and one for mini skirt. I used the Sweetheart dress skirt as my guide since that one includes all 3 option. The Sweetheart skirt is a full circle while the X Factor one is a half circle. Lay the X Factor pattern piece on top of the Sweetheart pattern matching the bottom edge. 

Mark the new cutting line starting with the “fold” edge. Using a French curve, or if you have a steady arm, just your hand, draw the two new curves. Make sure that you keep a constant distance from the bottom edge on both sides of the pattern. If you do not have the Sweetheart dress pattern you can measure 5″ up from the bottom for the Mini or 10.25″ up for the Peplum option. 

Once you created your new pattern piece, cut your fabric and sew the dress a instructed in the tutorial. I skipped hemming my swim skirt so mine final mini look is 1″ longer than intended. Your dress, your call! 😉

 

…..

Tie Back

Crop tops are back in a big way and the X Factor Crop is such a standout! It will take you from the gym to date night (if you’re not too sweaty, of course!)… there aren’t many garments that can do that!

The Patterns for Pirates team always loves to give you even more options. I’m so excited to share with you a tie-back hack for the X Factor! And, it really couldn’t be simpler.

Assemble and cut your preferred pattern pieces. For this make, I chose the cropped tank.

Modifications are so simple!

You will square up the cross-over pieces of the Front Bodice…


And cut 2 of the Back Band pieces (on the fold).

Assemble the top per the pattern instructions, stopping at the step for attaching the Back Band.

From here, you’ll attach your two band pieces, one to each end of the bodice cross-over.

At this step, I serged all of my edges. That is a matter of preference! You can leave them raw if you prefer.

Finally, finish all edges with a narrow hem.

Throw your top on, tie it up, and get ready to turn heads… no matter where you are! You can even experiment with tying and wrapping your top in different ways.

You’ve got the X Factor!!

  

 

…..

Separates

We couldn’t let this Easy Hacks series end without a separates option, especially since the top is already a stand alone pattern. So for the separated you just need to finish the skirt waist without attaching it to the top. You can do that in various ways. I opted for a simple waistband. I cut 2 of the back band pieces. After pressing them wrong sides together, open them back up and sew the two ends RST to create a loop. 

If your waistband piece has excellent recovery and stretch you can continue marking the quarter points. If you’re not sure, I would add 1-1.5″ wide elastic in the waistband to make sure it stays on throughout the day. 

Mark the skirt quarter point and pin the waistband to it matching said points. Attach the waistband using your favorite stretch stitch. All done. You just created a half circle skirt that pairs beautifully with the X Factor Crop top and not only. 

 

…..

Nursing friendly  

 

Last but certainly not least Djem is showing us how to modify the X Factor dress to make it nursing friendly. 

 
Prep the front bodice, add lightweight interfacing to the triangle notches. Complete the bodice per tutorial. 
Add elastic to the top of the front skirt using a zigzag stitch. Measure the top of the front skirt and multiply by 90% to get the elastic measurement. I found 1/2” and 3/8” wide elastic to work nicely. Optionally, serge the top of the skirt, without cutting anything off, to have a nicer finish. Continue with the tutorial for the pockets and sewing the skirt side seams. 
 
  Now the fun part! When attaching the skirt to the bodice, drop the front of the skirt at the side seams. 
 
 Find the center of the front skirt and mark. Sew the triangle notches on the bodice together with a stretch stitch. Pin or clip the bodice notches with the center of the front skirt. 
 Tack the bodice notches and skirt together. Keep your tack on the elastic. 
Voilà! 

Essential Tank Update & Youth

It’s release day!  Some years ago, 4 to be exact, we released the Essential Tank.  We hadn’t added the youth version to the pattern line-up and after years of requests, we thought it would be a great addition while we updated the Essential Tank to include our extended sizes.

The Essential Tank still ranks as one of the most popular and well, essential pieces that many P4P members rave about and now your littles can wear them too!

The Essential Tank received an update to include our extended sizes up to Plus 5x.  The original options remained, but don’t worry there are plenty to choose from while the Youth Essential Tank is brand new!  You can choose from 2 backs (racerback and straight tank straps) and a multitude of hem lengths that include: shirt, curved hem, tunic, above knee dress and maxi dress lengths.  You can also finish y our neckline and armholes with traditional t-shirt bands or binding.  Both patterns include all the usual digital file formats and the most recently requested projector files!

**Want to learn more about how to measure yourself for these pattern?  We’ve got you covered with an in-depth blog HERE.  And in case you’re new to Patterns for Pirates and PDF patterns in general, we have a great blog full of new-user tips HERE to help you get started!  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 a projector file.  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!

HEM OPTIONS: SHIRT, CURVED HEM, ABOVE KNEE DRESS, MAXI (side slits for youth)

 

RACERBACK OR STRAIGHT STRAPS TANK

T-SHIRT BANDS OR KNIT BINDING

 

You can also check out our round-up blog post from the original release for more in-depth deets about the adult version HERE but couldn’t leave out a few of our amazing testers from this re-release! How gorgeous do they look?!?!

 

In case you were looking for some more inspiration, you can find all of our tester images in our Facebook group!  Go check them out: Essential Tank Facebook Album | Essential Tank – Youth Facebook Album

Are you ready to sew your new favorite tank?  Go grab the patterns now!  If you already purchased the Essential Tank, just go into your downloads and download the file again.  (you will see 2016 and 2020 on the copyright so you’ll know its the updated one 😉 )

ESSENTIAL TANK | ESSENTIAL TANK – YOUTH | ESSENTIAL TANK – ADULT/YOUTH BUNDLE

 

Last but not least, check out some of our previous hacks!  OPEN BACK ESSENTIAL TANK and MATERNITY

The release sale (no code needed) will be through Wednesday, July 29th (11:59PM US Central Time Zone).

Happy Sewing, Pirates!

Runabout SAL – day 7 (winners announcement)

Good evening, pirates!! I know you have been waiting for the winners blog so I won’t keep you in suspense much longer. Allow me to express how proud I am of every single one of you. I have seen so many new participants as well as seasoned sewists, everyone being so encouraging and helpful. YOU ROCK!

Without further ado…. 🥁

Congratulations Ashley Haley!  Ashley is our first winner, her prizes include a $20 gift card for Patterns for Pirates and a mystery Bamboo Lycra PFRE from Coordiknit Nonsense Fabrics (winner pays shipping). 

Our second winner is Felisha Jones! Felisha won a $20 gift card to Made for Mermaids and a free yard of fabric from Coordiknit. 

A big “thank you” to our sew along sponsor! You can check them out on Facebook and on their website. 

Thank you so much for joining me this past week. I’m excited to see you all back in August. In the meantime, stay tuned for the mermaids’ announcement regarding our next sew along. 

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 1 | Print pattern and cut fabric

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 2 | Add chest pocket, sew shoulder seams and add neckband

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 3 | Sew side seams and add tank armband/dolman sleeves

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 4 | Add pockets, side seam skirt or shorts/joggers and inseam

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 5 | Hem skirt/shorts or add cuffs to joggers

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 6 | Add waistband and show off your creations

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 7 | Winners announcements

Runabout SAL – day 6 (add waistband)

Ahoy, pirates! Last sewing day is here! Today we create the waistband and attach the bodice to the skirt, shorts or joggers. Start by adding the grommets to the center of the main front waistband. These are for the faux drawstring. This step is completely optional but it yields a very cute result. I wouldn’t skip it.

Tip: if you don’t have any grommets handy, you can make two big buttonholes instead.  

Once you finish the decorative steps, sew the waistbands main and lining in a loop. You will notice that the waistband has 2 main pieces for sizes 2x and up. This is only to accommodate the most common width of fabrics.  You will see in the video below how I create the elastic opening. You will proceed to pin together the waistband main and lining wrong sides together.  Attach the waistband top to the bodice and bottom to the skirt/shorts/joggers, matching the center and side seams. 

All you have left to do now is thread the elastic through. All done!!! 

You can see the last sew along video here. Once you finish your outfit, snap a picture and post it in the comments of day 6 photo of the Runabout Romper and Dress. We will be picking our two winners on Monday evening and announcing them here on the blog. Great job, everyone!

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 1 | Print pattern and cut fabric

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 2 | Add chest pocket, sew shoulder seams and add neckband

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 3 | Sew side seams and add tank armband/dolman sleeves

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 4 | Add pockets, side seam skirt or shorts/joggers and inseam

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 5 | Hem skirt/shorts or add cuffs to joggers

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 6 | Add waistband and show off your creations

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 7 | Winners announcements

Runabout SAL – day 5 (hem skirt/shorts or add cuffs to joggers)

We made it to day 5 of the Runabout Romper Sew Along. Today is probably the easiest day. We are finishing the bottoms by hemming or adding the cuffs. 

I opted for the dress do I will be hemming the curved edge. We have a P4P University blog with tips for hemming knits. You can read about it here. The most important thing about hemming knits with your coverstitch or sewing machine is to PRESS, press and press some more! 

If you are sewing the joggers will will add ankle cuffs. Mark the quarters of the ankle opening and the cuffs. Stitch the cuffs on, matching the quarter point, making sure that you stretch the cuff but not the jogger. 

Tomorrow we will be working on the waistband and finishing the project. Watch the video below and when you finished today’s steps, post a picture of your progress  in the day 5 comments of the RRD album.See you soon! 

 

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 1 | Print pattern and cut fabric

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 2 | Add chest pocket, sew shoulder seams and add neckband

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 3 | Sew side seams and add tank armband/dolman sleeves

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 4 | Add pockets, side seam skirt or shorts/joggers and inseam

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 5 | Hem skirt/shorts or add cuffs to joggers

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 6 | Add waistband and show off your creations

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 7 | Winners announcements

Runabout SAL – day 4 (add pockets, side seam skirt or shorts/joggers and inseam)

Welcome to day four of our sew along! Today we start working on the bottom part. Whether you are sewing the romper or the dress today you are adding the pockets and sewing the side seam. Additionally, you will also be stitching the inseam of the joggers and shorts. 

Tip: double check that you cut the correct pockets before you start sewing. You might have noticed that there are two pockets and pocket lining patterns. One is for the skirts and shorts and one is for the joggers. You can’t switch them around.

If you are sewing the skirt you will be stitching the side seams with your serger or your sewing machine. Be mindful of the side split directions if you opted for the maxi style. 

If you are creating joggers or shorts, you will be sewing each leg at a time. This will give your crotch seam the most strength. 

The day 4 video is below. Once you get the steps done, post a picture in the comments of day 4 photo of the RRD album in the FB group. This will count as your check in for today. See you back here tomorrow !

 

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 1 | Print pattern and cut fabric

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 2 | Add chest pocket, sew shoulder seams and add neckband

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 3 | Sew side seams and add tank armband/dolman sleeves

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 4 | Add pockets, side seam skirt or shorts/joggers and inseam

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 5 | Hem skirt/shorts or add cuffs to joggers

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 6 | Add waistband and show off your creations

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 7 | Winners announcements

Runabout SAL – day 3 (side seams and tank bands/dolman sleeves)

Welcome to day 3 of our sew along! Today is a pretty easy day. We will finish the bodice by sewing the side seams and finishing the sleeves. 

  • if you are creating the tank style, you will be adding the arm bands the exact way you added the neckband yesterday
  • if you are doing the short sleeve option, you will be be hemming the sleeve as I am
  • if you are getting ready for cooler temperatures and sewing the long sleeves, you will be adding cuffs. The tutorial shows you how to add the sleeves in the round. 

The word of the day is PRESS! Press and steam all your hems and cuffs, you want to make sure it looks great! Plus, hemming is a lot easier if you pressed before, I promise you! 

You can see in the video below how I am a sewing the side seams and hemming the short dolman sleeves. When you complete these steps add a picture of your progress to the comments of day 3 of the RRD sew along album. 

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 1 | Print pattern and cut fabric

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 2 | Add chest pocket, sew shoulder seams and add neckband

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 3 | Sew side seams and add tank armband/dolman sleeves

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 4 | Add pockets, side seam skirt or shorts/joggers and inseam

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 5 | Hem skirt/shorts or add cuffs to joggers

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 6 | Add waistband and show off your creations

Runabout Romper & Dress SAL day 7 | Winners announcements

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