Made For Mermaid Free Sewing Patterns And Crafting Promotions

Made for Mermaid (M4M) is a pattern company that offers free sewing patterns as part of their promotional events. The company is known for its "12 Days of Christmas Freebies" promotion, which provides crafters with complimentary patterns for various projects. Among these free offerings is a popular fleece earwarmers pattern that comes in multiple sizes to accommodate different head sizes. This article explores M4M's free pattern offerings, the company's relationship with Patterns for Pirates, and details about accessing their complimentary patterns.

About Made for Mermaid

Made for Mermaid operates as a separate entity from Patterns for Pirates (P4P), though the two companies are often referred to as "sister sites." Despite their separate business operations, M4M and P4P share similarities in their approach to pattern design, particularly in offering wide size ranges and drafting women's patterns to accommodate curvier body types.

The design process at M4M involves multiple contributors. Megan, who is a sister to the P4P founder, drafts patterns for M4M and works with two other designers: Catherine Muzzati and Megan Thoman. This collaborative approach allows for diverse pattern offerings while maintaining consistent quality and fit standards.

The relationship between M4M and P4P involves occasional collaboration between the sister founders, particularly in discussing pattern design elements such as ease, length, and other technical aspects. Sometimes, designers from each company will test patterns for the other or model garments to provide feedback. However, it's important to note that the P4P founder does not have direct involvement in M4M's drafting, testing, or release processes beyond seeing sneak peeks like the general public.

Free Pattern Promotions

Made for Mermaid regularly features free patterns as part of their promotional events. One of their most notable promotions is the "12 Days of Christmas Freebies," which offers complimentary patterns during the holiday season. These promotions provide crafters with access to quality sewing patterns without cost, making them particularly valuable for those looking to create handmade gifts or expand their pattern collection.

The free patterns offered through M4M's promotions typically include a variety of sewing projects suitable for different skill levels. These patterns often utilize common materials that are readily available and frequently on sale at fabric stores, making them both accessible and economical for crafters. The company focuses on creating patterns that are quick to sew and require minimal fabric, which aligns with the popular "scrapbuster" trend of using up fabric remnants.

Featured Free Pattern: Fleece Earwarmers

One of the standout free patterns from Made for Mermaid's "12 Days of Christmas Freebies" is the Fleece Earwarmers pattern. This pattern has gained popularity for its simplicity, versatility, and practicality. The earwarmers are designed to be fast to construct, making them ideal for last-minute gifts or crafters seeking a quick sewing project.

Pattern Details

The fleece earwarmers pattern comes in four different sizes, ensuring a fit for a wide range of head sizes. This size inclusivity makes the pattern suitable for the whole family, from children to adults. The pattern is designed with enclosed seams, which not only gives the finished product a professional look but also makes it more comfortable to wear by eliminating rough edges against the skin.

Materials and Construction

The pattern requires minimal amounts of fleece fabric, which is advantageous for several reasons. Fleece is an affordable material that is frequently on sale at fabric stores like JoAnn Fabrics. Additionally, fleece is easy to work with, doesn't fray, and provides warmth, making it ideal for earwarmers. The construction process is straightforward, with simple seams that can be completed even by those with basic sewing skills.

Special Features

One notable feature of the pattern is the inclusion of options for kitty ears, allowing crafters to create adorable cat-themed earwarmers. The pattern also offers possibilities for customization, such as using different colors or patterns of fleece to create unique designs. The pattern creator even noted that with some modification, the earwarmers could be adapted to create fox headbands, demonstrating the pattern's versatility.

Size Considerations

The pattern's size range accommodates various head sizes, including larger heads that might not be well-served by standard pattern sizing. The creator noted that even individuals with larger heads, like their family member Louis, can find a suitable size in the pattern. Louis, for example, used the adult size with the height of the youth size to achieve a proper fit.

How to Access M4M Free Patterns

Made for Mermaid makes their free patterns accessible through their official blog. The Fleece Earwarmers pattern, for instance, can be found directly on the M4M blog. The company typically announces their free pattern promotions through their blog and other social media channels, ensuring that interested crafters can stay informed about new offerings.

To access these free patterns, crafters need to visit the M4M blog and locate the specific pattern post. The patterns are usually available for direct download without requiring registration or providing personal information, making them easily accessible to anyone interested in sewing.

The process for obtaining M4M free patterns is straightforward:

  1. Visit the Made for Mermaid blog
  2. Navigate to the specific free pattern post (often part of a promotional event)
  3. Download the pattern files
  4. Print and assemble the pattern if necessary
  5. Gather the required materials and begin sewing

Value of M4M Free Patterns

Made for Mermaid's free patterns offer several benefits to crafters:

  1. Cost Savings: Free patterns eliminate the expense of purchasing commercial patterns, making sewing more accessible to those on a budget.

  2. Skill Development: Simple patterns like the fleece earwarmers are excellent for beginners to practice basic sewing techniques while creating a useful product.

  3. Gift Potential: Quick-to-sew projects like earwarmers are ideal for handmade gifts, especially during holiday seasons when time may be limited.

  4. Material Efficiency: Patterns designed as "scrapbusters" help crafters utilize fabric remnants, reducing waste and saving money.

  5. Size Inclusivity: M4M's focus on wide size ranges ensures that more people can benefit from their patterns regardless of their body measurements.

Conclusion

Made for Mermaid offers valuable free sewing patterns through their promotional events, with the Fleece Earwarmers pattern being a standout example of their accessible, family-friendly designs. The company's commitment to providing size-inclusive patterns and quick-sewing projects makes their offerings particularly appealing to crafters of all skill levels. By making patterns available at no cost through their blog, M4M demonstrates a dedication to the sewing community and helps democratize access to quality pattern designs.

For those interested in exploring M4M's free patterns, visiting their blog is the best way to stay updated on current promotions and new offerings. The company's sister relationship with Patterns for Pirates further expands the resources available to crafters, though each company maintains its distinct design identity and process.

Sources

  1. Wild and Wonderful Blog - M4M Earwarmers
  2. Patterns for Pirates - M4M Relationship
  3. Second Life - Gay Destinations
  4. Pride is Love
  5. HRC - Free Equality Sticker