sewing pattern Archives - Patterns for Pirates

New Pattern Release :: Sailor Gaiter FREEBIE (5 Sizes Included!)

July 30, 2020

2020 has been a rough year for a lot of people, and so we’re popping in with an unscheduled freebie to hopefully make your day today!

The Sailor Gaiter is a classic knit, stretch neck gaiter. It is super useful for everyday situations (think: bicycling, working out, general accessorizing, etc.)!

**If you’re planning on using this as a face covering, per your local mandated requirements, please review the guidelines provided by the CDC. This face covering is intended for general public use only and is not intended as a replacement for medical grade PPE.

You can wear it a ton of different ways for your own style and whatever you’re doing at the time. Some of the most popular ways are as a face covering, headband, around your neck, (the tall option) hat/beanie, and more.

We also added a ear loop option to help keep it on and up for those doing activities moving around a lot.

You can line it for a 2 layer option or just use 1 layer and hem the edges.
**If you choose the double layered option, you might want to consider sizing up, as it can start to get a bit tight with those extra layers!

The Sailor Gaiter is a perfect scrap buster! It takes very little fabric, and very little time to put together! All you need is some high stretch knit and you’ll be on your way. Our favorite fabric types for the gaiters were cotton lycra/spandex and athletic knits.

With five sizes in this quick and easy pattern, you can create a Sailor Gaiter for everyone from child to large adult.

What are you waiting for? Go grab the pattern now! SAILOR GAITER FREE PATTERN And then be sure to head over to our Facebook Group, or to tag us on Instagram so we can see what you made!

We hope this freebie helps make 2020 just a little smoother for you and yours.

New Pattern Releases :: Sunflower Swim Top + Busy Bee Swim Bottoms!

June 27, 2020

To help your summer go swimmingly well (ba-dum-ching!) we are bringing you a brand new set of swimwear tops and bottoms! And we couldn’t be more excited about sharing them with you all. In both adult and youth sizes, we are happy to introduce you to the Sunflower Swim Top and the Busy Bee Swim Bottoms! For both of these patterns, the youth sizes range from 3m – 14. And the adult sizes are for the full, newer size chart, extending from XXS – Plus 5X! If you haven’t sewn with us in a while, please make sure to check the size charts, as there were slight adjustments made to accommodate the new size range for adults.

Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s start first by telling you all about the Sunflower Swim Top, shall we?

The Sunflower Swim Top is a great beginner swim top to try out if you’re wanting to start sewing swim for adults! The open back is very forgiving in fit since you can tie it a bit tighter or looser to get your perfect preferred fit. You can pick your bust coverage with a higher straight neckline or the lower scoop neckline. The full back is a very quick and easy sew that you can sew up for a simple and quick top. The flattering fit ends right at your smallest point to show off your natural waistline. But if you want a little more coverage you can add the optional ruffle. The top is fully lined and has the optional shelf bra. You can also add innerlining and removable cups to the shelf bra for even more support.

Options include: high straight neckline, scoop neckline, full back, open back, shelf bra, removable cups, and ruffle.

Enjoy several videos throughout the tutorial like complete sew ups of 2 different tops which cover all the options.

SUNFLOWER SWIM TOP | SUNFLOWER SWIM TOP – YOUTH | SUNFLOWER SWIM TOP – BUNDLE

The Busy Bee Swim Bottoms will have your swimsuit drawer full in no time with a variety of looks! You can mix and match with your tops easily, depending on your mood or where and who you’re going swimming with! In case you’re feeling like you want more coverage, you can grab the high rise and brief options. But in the event that you’re feeling like baring it all for less obtrusive tan lanes…go for the cheeky and low rise. Or you can pick between those two with a mid-rise, which hits just below the belly button. Mix in some ruching at the side seams for a fun detail. These bottoms are very simple and quick to make with the waistline and leglines hemmed under with swim elastic. You can also choose to partially line or fully line.

Options include: low rise, mid rise, high rise, cheeky booty cutline (adult only), brief booty cutline, ruched side seams, partially lined or fully lined.

Enjoy several videos throughout the tutorial like adding/removing length, complete sew ups of ruched, plain, partially and fully lined bottoms.

BUSY BEE SWIM BOTTOMS | BUSY BEE SWIM BOTTOMS – YOUTH | BUSY BEE SWIM BOTTOMS – BUNDLE

**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!

SUNFLOWER BACK FINISHES

SUNFLOWER TOP HEMS

SUNFLOWER NECKLINES

BUSY BEE RISES

BUSY BEE LEG LINES (ADULT ONLY)

What are you waiting for? Head on over and grab yourself a copy of these swim separates! The Sunflower Swim Top and Busy Bee Swim Bottoms will be on sale (no code needed) through 11:59pm CST, July 5, 2020.

Don’t see the perfect bundle for the patterns you’d like to buy? Don’t forget you can always make your own bundle!

SUNFLOWER SWIM TOP | SUNFLOWER SWIM TOP – YOUTH | SUNFLOWER SWIM TOP – BUNDLE
BUSY BEE SWIM BOTTOMS | BUSY BEE SWIM BOTTOMS – YOUTH | BUSY BEE SWIM BOTTOMS – BUNDLE

Maybe hoping for a little more inspiration before you make the purchase? Head over to our Facebook group where you can see tester albums full of amazing images!

Sunflower Swim Album | Busy Bee Swim Album | Sunflower Swim Youth Album | Busy Bee Youth Album

If you’re looking for even more options, we show you a few more ways you can use this pattern in our Sunflower Swim Top Easy Hacks Blog Post!

Plushie Pals :: Free Sewing Pattern + Tutorial!

February 3, 2020

It’s February, which means I’m already brainstorming cute gift ideas for Valentine’s Day for the kiddos in my life. I love sending little packages of things to my niece and nephew up north, and including something handmade is always at the top of my list. And that’s exactly why these Plushie Pals were born!

We are bringing our newest pattern to you today, keeping in mind that you’re probably short on time like the rest of us. The Plushie Pals are super duper fast to sew, and end with the cutest results! The fox, bunny and bear pattern pieces are all included, but the pattern itself would be incredibly easy to adjust into just about any animal or character that you could think of! Let’s get to sewing, shall we?

Grab your “PLUSHIE PALS” pattern pieces here!

Oh! This time around, I loaded the pieces onto Cricut Design Space so you could cut them with your Maker. Find them here: Plushie Pals for Cricut Maker

Fabric Requirements (based upon 44″ wide fabrics):

– 1/3 yard main body fabric. Directional prints will require more. (I like to use flannel, but quilting cottons / kona cottons / felt will all work for this!)
– Felt for fox face and bear/fox bellies. The edges are left raw on these pieces, so you’ll want to use something that won’t fray.
– Scrap sizes of fabrics for ear accent colors.
– Buttons, embroidery thread for facial features.
– Fiberfill.

1/4″ seam allowance used throughout pattern, unless otherwise indicated.

For Fox/Bear options: With both fabrics facing up, align the belly piece to one of the main body pieces and stitch along long, outer curve, at around 1/8″ inch.

For Fox option only: With both fabrics facing up, align the face piece to main body piece and stitch along top and bottom edges, at around 1/8″ inch.

For all options: This is the best time to add facial features to your Plushie Pal. Using a fabric marker (I used a permanent one so it would show easier in photos), draw a triangular nose shape to help guide your stitches, if choosing to embroider the details. Details could also be applied and look adorable in fabric paints or using HTV. We didn’t include any specific facial details in the pattern because there are so many different ways to make a face. 🙂

For Fox/Bear options: Place two ear pieces, right sides together.

Sew along outer edge(s).

Clip seam allowances and turn ears right sides out. Press. Topstitch if desired. *repeat with second ear.

For Bunny option: Place two ear pieces, right sides together.

Sew along outer curved edges.

Clip seam allowances and turn ears right sides out. Press. Topstitch if desired.

Fold along the top, raw edge, meeting the corners together. Clip or baste top edge in place. Repeat with other ear.

For all options: With right sides together, align ears using the markings on the pattern pieces.

**Note: The bear and fox ears will need to be eased in along the curved edges. While the bunny ears will simply be centered against the marking on the body piece, be sure to tuck them out of the way while sewing so you don’t catch them in the next steps.

With the front body piece facing upwards, place the back body piece on top (right sides together).

Sew along entire outer edge, leaving only about a 3″ opening along one of the sides for turning.

Clip corners and seam allowances before turning. It is recommended to use pinking shears around all of the curved edges for a cleaner look once turned and stuffed. I circled the most important parts to make sure to clip, in order to avoid wrinkles or pulling at the “joints” of the arms and legs.

Turn your Plushie Pal right sides out, through the opening you left in the previous step.

Using fiberfil, stuff your Pal to your liking. Be careful not to overstuff. And using a tool like a chopstick / bodkin is incredibly helpful for filling the arms and legs and getting the stuffing into the corners easily.

Tuck your seam allowance back into the opening. Pin or clip. And using your favorite method, stitch it shut.

You’re all done! Be careful — once you make one, you’re going to want to make ten more! (Ask me how I know…..) They’re just so darn cute!

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 Plushie Pals that you’ve managed to make from our freebie pattern! Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!

New Pattern Release :: Oversized Sweater!

January 23, 2020

January for the majority of us means sweater weather. The trend right now seems to be leaning toward an oversized, super cozy, slouchy sweater — and we jumped right on board with that style! Aptly named, the Oversized Sweaters are about to be your new best friends. Let’s talk about them, shall we?

The Oversized Sweater patterns are super classic loose sweater / sweatshirt / jumper patterns. The fit and style is so versatile and can be used with all the cozy fabrics everyone loves and stockpiles during the winter months! It’s time to use that stack of fluffy fabrics you’ve accumulated! This fast and easy sew will fill up your closets with pieces your whole family will love!

You can pick from 3 different necklines: a classic crew neckband, a tall turtleneck, or a hood — and the youth pattern even comes with optional ears! You can get creative with the short pointy ears (kitty, fox, wolf), rounded ears (bear, koala, panda), and long bunny ears. Who can resist those adorable ears? The hemline also includes 3 options: tight waistband, curved hemline and a split high low hem.

With the loose fit and many options you can create so many different looks with fabrics like french terry, sweater knits, sweatshirt fleece, fleece, sherpa, etc.

**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 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: HIGH-LOW SPLIT / CURVED / TIGHT WAISTBAND

NECKLINE OPTIONS: FOLD-OVER TURTLENECK / CREW / HOODED

OPTIONAL ANIMAL EARS INCLUDED IN THE YOUTH PATTERN: POINTED EARS / ROUNDED EARS / BUNNY EARS

How about some fabric inspiration? The looser fit means you can use something super drapey or super thick for different looks. Here are some of the favorite tester choices:

SWEATER KNITS: