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Cozy Wrap Sew Along – day 7

February 3, 2021

The wait is over! I’m here to announce the two winners of our Cozy Wrap Sew Along so let’s get to it.

Congratulations Celeste Wright! You are our first winner! Celeste won a $20 gift certificate to Patterns For Pirates and a January Fabric For Pirates Box (fabric and swag). 

Our second winner is Debra Moyer! Congratulations! Debra won a $20 gift card to Made for Mermaids and a January Fabric for Pirates box (fabric and swag). 

Thank you so much for joining me last week! I throughly enjoyed sewing the Cozy Wrap along side you. Big thank you to Judy for providing the Fabric 4 Pirates prizes too. If you haven’t checked out the subscription, do that here! It’s so fun!


Up next, the Mermaids are taking over the SAL group. See you back here in March!

Cozy Wrap SAL day 1 | Cut fabric

Cozy Wrap SAL day 2 | Sew shoulder and side seams

Cozy Wrap SAL day 3 | Add bottom bands

Cozy Wrap SAL day 4 | Add neckband

Cozy Wrap SAL day 5 | Add sleeves

Cozy Wrap SAL day 6 | Add waist tie

Cozy Wrap SAL day 7 | Winners announcement  

 

Filed Under: Sew-A-Long 1 Comment

Cozy Wrap Sew Along – day 6

January 30, 2021

We did it! We made it to the last day of the sew long. Today we create the waist tie and show off our Cozy Wraps. 

You should have 4 pieces left in your pile. You’ll be creating the “main” and “lining” of the waist tie by stitching two short ends right sides together. You only have two long pieces now that you are stitching wright sides together, along all 4 raw edges. Don’t forget to leave a 2-3 inch opening to be able to turn the tie right side out. Top stitch all around, or be lazy like me and just close the opening. 

Give your tie a good steam press to reduce any waviness. Slide the ends of the tie through the tie openings of the side seams from the inside out. You can see this process in today’s video linked below. 

What an amazing job you did this past week! I’m so proud of you all! Here is my finished tunic Cozy Wrap, I absolutely love it!  Don’t forget to post a picture of your finished project in the comments of day 6 photo of the Cozy Wrap SAL album. We will choose the winners from that thread! 


 

Cozy Wrap SAL day 1 | Cut fabric

Cozy Wrap SAL day 2 | Sew shoulder and side seams

Cozy Wrap SAL day 3 | Add bottom bands

Cozy Wrap SAL day 4 | Add neckband

Cozy Wrap SAL day 5 | Add sleeves

Cozy Wrap SAL day 6 | Add waist tie

Cozy Wrap SAL day 7 | Winners announcement  

Filed Under: Fabric for Pirates, Frequently Asked Questions, Sew-A-Long, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

New Pattern Release :: Runabout Romper + Dress!

May 22, 2020

I’m excited to share the newest P4P pattern with everyone!  Right now, so many of us are trying to find a little more peace of mind.  Trust us, we are too.  So we thought it would be the perfect time to add some stylish “secret pajamas” to everyone’s closets. Who doesn’t love being comfortable and also love feeling cute too?! The Runabout Romper & Dress will give you both with a quick easy sew.

With this loose, slouchy fit, you’ll be comfortable all day.  But we made sure to mix in some extra style with off-the shoulder looks, high/low skirts, slitted maxi lengths, and elastic cinched waistlines that will leave you feeling pretty darn good! There are so many options that you can make a huge stack and no one will ever know you’re sewing the same pattern, on repeat!

Consider yourself to be more of a visual person?  Listen, friend.  We’ve got you covered there as well.  Our tutorial is packed full of videos, covering topics like fabric choice, sizing, mashing sizes, sewing the waistband and even a complete sew up video from start to end with with our Pirate Captain Judy!


RUNABOUT ROMPER | RUNABOUT ROMPER YOUTH | RUNABOUT ROMPER – BUNDLE

There are multiple sleeve options.  You can pick tank, dolman short sleeve, or dolman long sleeve…depending on weather.  There are also a ton of bottoms to pair with your bodice.  Enjoy choosing between a curved knee length skirt, maxi length skirt with side seam slits, a looser-fitted shorts romper, or trendy jogger romper bottoms.  With all of these options, you can add a cute faux drawstring, chest pocket, and/or slat pockets.  Trust us on the pockets — we make sure they’re “real” pockets and you can actually fit things inside of them.

The dolman bodice includes a scoop neckline with a bit lower back (which still safely covers bras) and a super fun off-the-shoulder style neckline.  The elastic waistband on every pattern option hits right at the natural waistline, allowing for a flattering silhouette.

We suggest using knits that are light-to-medium weight and have a softer drape.  Think: double brushed polyester, rayon blends, sweater knits, modal spandex blends, bamboo blends, tri-blends, french terry/rayon blends, ribbed knits, and lightweight cotton blend jerseys.



**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 and features!

BODICE OPTIONS: TANK, SHORT SLEEVE DOLMAN, LONG SLEEVE DOLMAN

DOLMAN NECKLINE OPTIONS: SCOOP AND OFF THE SHOULDER

DRESS OPTIONS: KNEE LENGTH AND MAXI LENGTH

ROMPER OPTIONS: SHORTS AND JOGGERS

EXTRAS: CHEST POCKET, FAUX DRAWSTRING, AND SLAT POCKETS

Whatever you do… DON’T FORGET THE POCKETS!

Whether you’re looking to lounge about in complete comfort:

Or dress it up to go out:

Ready to runabout the town house in your new digs?  Grab the patterns now!

RUNABOUT ROMPER | RUNABOUT ROMPER YOUTH | RUNABOUT ROMPER – BUNDLE

Maybe hoping for a little more inspiration before you make the purchase?  Head over to our Facebook group where you can see a Runabout Romper + Runabout Romper – Youth album full of images of our amazing testers!

The Runabout Romper & Dress has you covered!  If you’re hoping for even more options, we show you a few more ways you can use this pattern in our Runabout Romper Easy Hacks Blog Post! I hope everyone out there is staying healthy and happy.  The Runabout Romper & Dress will be on sale (no code needed) through Friday May 29th.

And if our pattern alone doesn’t provide enough options for you, we’ve also included a blog post that will help take the Runabout Rompers to the next level!  Go check out our Easy Hacks Post to see how to make some slight alterations to the original pattern, to customize it even further!

Filed Under: Pattern Release 3 Comments

Top 10 Sewing Room Tools – “Sew it, Win it, Build it” from P4P

October 16, 2016

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As part of our 30k member celebration and giveaway, which you can read all about here, we’re sharing our top 10 favorite sewing tools to have in your craft room! *This post contains affiliate links*  So if you’re just planning your sewing room or are a seasoned seamstress, I recommend having all these in your toolbox!

  1. My number one tool I like to have is a LARGE cut mat.  I love to be able to lay out my entire pattern piece on my mat! I currently have one that’s about 36×60.  I plan on upgrading to a nicer Alvin one when we move!  A self healing mat is perfect for using a rotary blade (which is my preferred method when cutting most things) and the grid makes cutting rectangles a breeze!  We included this in the Amazon bundle the Grand Prize winner will receive!81ugl5o9uil-_sl1365_
  2. A good iron is almost as important as your sewing machine.  The more you press as you construct the more professional your garment/anything will turn out.  Even on knits! I know a lot of ladies skip pressing for knits, but the rule still applies—the more you press, the more professional it will look.  I can’t wait to upgrade my iron when we move! I’ve been eyeing a Rowenta and hope it’s love when I get it! The winner will also get to try it out in the Amazon bundle included in the Grand Prize!613hlp7nsxl-_sl1284_
  3. My next is pins and pin alternatives (10 is a really small number guys! I had to combine a few 😉 )! I love to use nice pattern weights to hold my pattern pieces in place while I cut.  I inherited a set from my mother that are hot pink and I love them.  But, we have a set in our Grand Prize from an adorable little shop that is just starting out.  She has all different styles to match your sewing space! I prefer pattern weights for many reasons— they’re quicker– they’re easier to not move/stretch your finicky fabrics while cutting– they never poke you or your kiddos 🙂 (My son also thinks they’re a great stacking toy!) Next up is wonder clips .  These are nice to use when sewing. They’re quick to put on, won’t leave holes in any fabric, and they’re pretty impossible to forget to move and sew over.  They’re also nicer to step on when you drop them onto the floor! But, I still love using traditional ole’ pins as well.  I like these longer quilters pins best!   14370261_10208832252796581_4726523656606785585_n414koytuzpl71icmxwo2tl-_sl1200_
  4. Great scissors is next on the list.  Cutting is such a big part of sewing that a great pair of sewing scissors will be loved.  I like these kai scissors . They aren’t insanely expensive and they work wonderfully.   I use snippers as well right next to my sewing machine.  I like to use little, sharp embroidery scissors for precise trimming of seams, cutting notches into seam allowances, etc.  I get pulled in by the gold peacock Gingher ones just for that classic look!  I also love a pair of pinking shears for trimming seam allowances down.  I have cheapy ones, but next time I need to buy I plan on trying out Kai’s pinking shears since I’ve been so happy with their other products. 5169htcjgcl-_sl1024_61yy4eo0bil-_sl1500_21msyft6rul
  5. Bundling again 😉 Since they’re all rulers I think I can get away with it!  I use rulers while sewing constantly!   The clear quilters ruler is perfect for cutting those rectangle pieces with your rotary blade. The french curve is what you need if you’re having to alter any patterns.  It will help you change a neckline or grade sizes with a smooth curve!  I like this designer’s one here because it also has a straight section.  So, you can just flip it easily for an all in one ruler as your marking/cutting.  But, you can also grab a much less expensive one that is just the curves as well.  You simple place your curve at your starting and stopping points (so if you’re grading sizes the smaller and larger size) and move your french curve until it meets your marks with the curve you’d like (concave, convex) and trace.  Now you have a smooth curve without worry!  Last is the hem gauge.  This is an inexpensive little tool that is handy to have at your ironing table.  You can move the little notch up and down to your hem allowance and move it along your hem line as you press giving you a nice even hem with ease.  They also make ones that are more like a flat ruler you can fold your hem over and press onto, but I prefer this little dinky one personally! And lastly you need a soft measuring tape for measuring body measurements and if you need to measure a curve. I’m a sucker for the cute colors! 71shzyaa7qs-_sl1361_911ziebxy5l-_sl1500_ 61vhjq4bwl-_sl1200_71ftq4x9zql-_sl1111_
  6. A rotary cutter is another cutting tool I can’t live without these days.  Although I learned with scissor cutting almost everything, I now use a rotary the majority of the time.  I like the Kai one because the blades are nice and it doesn’t have a button to press open and close.  Instead you just push the blade and the safety cover automatically moves out of the way.  Just a teeny tiny time saver that I ended up really loving! I used to always forget to shut my blade in the other style and would worry about dropping it off my cutting table. 51mxvjywkrl-_sl1000_
  7. I love using a wash away hem tape to help hold or stabilize a seam while sewing.  It’s so quick and easy to use and really holds your garment exactly how you place it while stitching.  I recommend it for hemming knits in almost all my patterns as well as an alternative to pinning carefully on certain steps where you need to sew from the right side but catch the underside.  I prefer the wash away, especially on knits so that after a wash or two the knit will have it’s normal stretch. 71942z6i9ul-_sl1200_
  8. One of my most used tools in my room is a point and tube turner.  I had a really difficult time tracking one down for sale though!! Apparently they aren’t very common and maybe aren’t made anymore? But, I love mine! So if you can get your hands on one you should snatch it up.  It is the easiest tool for turning small tubes like straps, drawstrings, thin belts, ect.  I love that one end is rounded and one is pointed.  You slide your tube that needs turned onto the rounded side all the way down.  Then clamp the ends shut on the very end of your tube and pull/push your tube onto itself turning it right sides out.  You will end up with the tube right sides out on the pointed side which you use to press out the corners of your tube if the short end is sewn. e76753282b82b8923da61b47a6aea5f4il_570xn-476678543_ntmx
  9. Next up is my favorite marking tool– a Frixon pen.  This pen is so neat. You can buy it in a few colors and mark right onto your fabric.  The heat from the iron will make it disappear.  With all marking tools, I recommend trying on a scrap piece first before marking  your actual pieces. Every once in a while I meet a fabric that doesn’t like this ink and if you mark it and iron it there is a lighter mark left permanently.  But, I still use it ALL the time! It’s easy to use, store and I like having the color variety for marking on different color fabrics. 71ax6j-oznl-_sl1300_
  10. We all make mistakes… so every sewing room needs one, or maybe a few seam rippers.  I prefer this bigger style. It’s a bit harder for me to misplace ;).  I have yet to try out one of the pretty nicer ones, maybe one day!

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We had a few more that were on some of our top 10 that didn’t make the final list, but here a few with honorable mention:

  • Bobkin to guide through casings.
  • Thread Snippers for quick thread cutting at the machine.
  • Best Press spray for a starch alternative.
  • Bamboo Point Turner to help turn out the perfect corners with the pointed end and rounded seams with the rounded side.
  • Expandable Marking Guide use it anytime you need evenly spaced markings like button holes, pleats, trims, etc.

Don’t forget to enter our “Sew it, Win it, Build it” giveaway this week or the other posts coming soon!

schedule

 

Filed Under: Contest/Giveaway Leave a Comment

Sweetheart SAL: Day 1 – Fabric Selection

March 14, 2016

Welcome to Day 1 of the P4P Sweetheart + Me Hearties Sew-A-Long!  We are so glad you’re here.

Today, we are talking fabric.  Let’s be honest, if you’re here, fabric is probably your favorite thing to talk about already.  So this is going to be a fun topic.  Let’s get started!

floral

Fabric choice can really make or break a garment.  Not just the color or pattern, but the kind of fabric you use.

There are so many fabrics out there that you can get lost in the different options.  What helps is to familiarize yourself with how the fabric will look once it’s on you (how it will drape and fit).  Feeling fabric for the amount of stretch, thickness, and drape will help you pair it with the right pattern.

So what is the right fabric for the Sweetheart pattern?

We highly recommend a more stable knit.  Ponte de roma, jegging, scuba, liverpool, and thicker cotton lycras are fabulous for this pattern, specifically because of the circle skirt.  Fabrics with a higher drape will still work, but beware that the skirt could end up being a bit more clingy that you were hoping.

For the overlays and colorblocked top pieces, feel free to use any of the above listed fabrics, as well as stretch lace, mesh knits, rayon blends, etc.

Ponte de Roma: (or ponte, ponte roma, ponte di roma, etc) This fabric is a double knit in construction, and tends to look the same on both sides.  It’s a sturdy knit, generally with a horizontal stretch only, although can sometimes also be found with a vertical stretch.  It’s made up of poly, rayon and spandex blend (the more rayon the softer the feel).  It can pill easily, but if you hang dry should last you with normal wear.  The rayon gives it a good drape still, see how the skirt falls towards the body.

12628550_10102504185324423_8351966175370401791_o 12628346_10102504185264543_5866126737712076334_o

Jegging: Typically thought to be used for skinny pants and other bottoms, jegging is a medium-weight stretch fabric.  You can also find it labeled “denim knit” in some shops. Often, it has a denim-style look (think blues and blacks) and is meant to mimic jeans while keeping the comfort of stretch fabric.  It has some vertical stretch.  Weight of jegging knit can vary widely, so if you’re using it for the sweetheart you want to keep it a bit thicker.

P4P Sweetheart Dress-007 P4P Sweetheart Dress-008

Scuba: A highly structured, one sided fabric, made of neoprene (with a sleek surface, much like a scuba outfit).  Typically only has a horizontal stretch and is easy to sew with, however isn’t the most breathable fabric.  These types of knits have a great stretch and recovery, like ponte does, but doesn’t have as soft of a drape. Your skirt will stick out a bit more away from your body.

Other fabrics that are very similar are liverpool, true neoprene and techno.  They will all feel, stretch and drape about the same.

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Fukuro: Soft to the touch with a nice stretch. The face of fabric has texture to it while the back has a smooth finish.  It is a more structured knit and skirt will again stick out away from body more.

P4P Sweetheart Dress-001sweetheart1812671946_10102504187619823_4858393398156320516_o12640304_10102504187689683_8808865272049818705_o

Cotton Lycra: This semi-opaque knit has a soft hand. Most commonly has both horizontal and vertical stretch. The word “lycra” is a brand/trademark of spandex. Any time you see this fiber listed on a label, expect comfort, movement, and shape retention that won’t wash away.  Depending on weight you may feel a bit more “revealed” in cotton lycra on the top half, because it isn’t as thick as those listed above.  Your skirt will have moderate drape towards the body.  The vertical stretch could cause your bodice to pull slightly longer with the weight of the skirt pulling it down. (It was very windy, so the dress is being blown under my booty by the wind! It is not the fabric draping under there naturally!)

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You can choose a fabric with a softer drape, like ITY, poly blends, rayon spandex, etc. But they will drape down towards your body.  Your skirt will hang on your body instead or stick out away from it.  We still recommend one that has good weight for the bodice to hold shape well and since it is fitted to help not show lumps,bumps,bra lines, etc.

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Now that you’ve chosen your fabrics, share them with us!  Tag @PatternsforPirates and #P4PSWEETSAL on Instagram.  And be sure to post your fabric picks in our event page: Sweetheart SAL on Facebook.

Thanks for sewing along with us!  We look forward to a week worth of sewing with you!

Day 1: Fabric Selection.
Day 2: Printing + Measuring.
Day 3: Cutting Fabric.
Day 4: Bodice + Sleeves.
Day 5: Skirt + Hemming.
Day 6 & 7: Catch-Up Days.
Day 8: Recap + Winners Announced!

Filed Under: Sew-A-Long 5 Comments

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