It’s the official reveal day for Patterns for Pirates’ fabric subscription service: FABRIC for Pirates!  I couldn’t be more excited about it, either!

Let’s start with the best and dorkiest thing I’ve made in a really long time: this video.  You’re welcome, fam.

Remember Threads of the Month?  Well, I re-homed it with Patterns for Pirates and we decided to call it “Fabric for Pirates“.  It just has a ring to it, doesn’t it?  October was our first month of shipments and, despite receiving an entire roll of flawed fabric, it went super well.  We had to hold everyone off until today to reveal what was in their packages — which is what I’m doing here today!

Fabric: French Terry | GSM: 200.00 | Fabric Content: 90% POLY 7% RAYON 3% SPANDEX

We actually ended up sending out two different prints in the same fabric base, so I’ve got more to share in the days to come.  But we can talk about this delicious plaid right now, can’t we?

It’s not every day that I have a fabric in my hands that the entire family wants something made from.  But this month’s box was a surefire winner in the McKinley household.  I mean, the three of us wear a ton of plaid during the fall and winter, and this french terry is SO SOFT that it’s zero surprise that it’s what we all went for.  Even Bennett, y’all.  And he’s the pickiest of the bunch, for sure.

For my main squeeze, I sewed up a Men's Basic Tee, in a “tall” length, and long sleeves, with the crew neckline.  The Basic Tee really covers all the basics that this bearded wonder wants in a top.  One day I’ll make him a vneck version — but my lazy pants were on while I was sewing for the three of us and a basic neckline is so much faster!  One day, Babe.  One day.

For myself, I whipped up a Ragdoll Raglan, in a curved hem length, scoop neckline and 3/4 length sleeves.  Apparently I’m on a Ragdoll kick right now because it was another one of my more recent sew + shares on here.

Though I’m not generally a fan of oversized clothing on my frame, something about the Ragdoll keeps me coming back.  I’ll admit that I can never wear it fully untucked, or free flowing on the bottom though.  I have this need to always pull the fabric tighter to my waist/hips so I create more curves for myself.  I’m close to mastering the “French Tuck”, so I think that’s helping with my proportions needs with looser style clothing.

The rayon in the fabric content is also a blessing for me.  Because it has a really flattering drape, therefore not tenting off of my body.

For my blue haired, blue eyed babe, I created the Yo Ho Henley.  It’s my go to tshirt for Lou.  I know that the Basic Tee exists, but I like this silhouette juuuuuust slightly better on this little cutie.

He likes it too.  Though I don’t think he has an incredible preference between the two shirts.  As long as the shirt fits him with a more tailored look like this, he’s super pleased.  (Side note: why do they make boys’ shirts SO short and wide at the same time?  What’s up with that, clothing manufacturers?)

I’m really going to miss his bright blue hair when it fully grows out.  I didn’t know it would become such an easy part of his style and identity!  You can see those darker brown roots starting to grow and really start to show right now…it’ll be a while before I can get him in the chair with some bleach again.  It practically gave me a heart attack when we took him in, because bleaching hair seems so extreme for a 10 year old.  But in the end, it was no big deal and he’s done so great with the upkeep of his color.

Whoops.  Who let me go and get all sidetracked with my “mommy goggles”?!  Ha.

The Yo Ho Henley.  Right.

My favorite way to make this tee is by omitting the henley placket and just using a standard neckband on it.  Which is what I did here, as well as made it in the long sleeved version.  Otherwise no alterations were made to the pattern — it was sewn just as perfectly as it was designed.

We opened up more membership seats in the Fabric for Pirates subscription program, PS.  So if you’re wanting to get a little monthly sewing surprise sent to you, with fabric hand selected by myself and the Pirate Captain Judy….you should probably join us.  It’s SO. FUN.

Want to know a little more about Fabric for Pirates?  So glad you asked!  Fabric for Pirates is a simple way to have some fabric fun!

Sign up! Receive! Sew!  We all love fabric, sewing and color… our goal is to deliver some amazing fabrics to you — of which you can turn around and make some amazing things for yourself, your loved ones, or your shop. Each month, you will receive 2-yards of knit fabrics (on varying bases) in the mail. Most of the time it will be a continuous 2-yard length, but we might surprise you with some coordinating prints from time to time too.

The Fabric for Pirates subscription price is $30 and includes shipping. Right now, we are keeping it to US delivery only, but we hope to open it up beyond that soon!

You’ll get a fun surprise goodie included that we think most sewist would love along with videos, tips, and inspiration on what your fabric could be! One last treat in your monthly subscription is an exclusive discount code for you to use on any P4P pattern. So if your new fabric is begging for a new pattern you’ll have a coupon code to use!  **Payments process on the 1st of every month.

Patterns: The Basic Tee - Mens | Ragdoll Raglan | Yo Ho Henley by Patterns for Pirates
Fabric: French Terry from October 2020’s Fabric for Pirates