How to Add a Basic Pocket

Hi everybody! Today, I show you how to add a super simple pocket to an existing skirt. This is really fast to do, and adds a fun pop of color (and practicality)!

GIVEAWAY UPDATE: we have a winner! She says, "My favorite pocket EVER was a welt pocket I put in a plaid outfit while I was in college. It was in a cape which matched a skirt and vest & all the plaid matched so the pocket was invisible but wonderfully practical." Marian, that is a great story, and I'm sure that pocket was spectacular! We'll be in touch via email soon. :)

All you need is some fabric, and a skirt. (You can also grab some cute trim, like I did -- but the trim is optional.)

Figure out the size and shape of your pocket. I like to do this by cutting up scrap paper, until I get something I'm happy with. This pocket is a rectangle 1.5" high x 1.75" wide. (If you're not sure about where to start, you can always use your doll's hand as a guide. :) 

Trace around your pocket template onto another piece of scrap paper, and add 1/4" extra to the sides ("seam allowance") that you can fold over later. I added it to both sides and the bottom, but not the top, since I wanted the raw edge look along the top of my pocket.

Cut out the pocket!

If you're using trim, now is the time to sew it down along the top of the pocket.

If you aren't using trim, and you left some extra fabric along the top of the pocket, fold it over now and sew that down.

Press under the other three edges of the pocket.

Carefully place the pocket on the skirt, and pin it down. You can put a hard plastic ruler, or a piece of cardboard, inside the skirt; this will help make sure you just pin through the top layer. 

Sew around the folded edges of the pocket. Don't forget to backstitch at either end of the top of the pocket! 

And that's it -- congratulations :)

Thanks everyone, and have fun with this!

For Pixie Faire,
Melinda


49 Comments

Georgeann Kreiter
Georgeann Kreiter

March 29, 2015

My favorite pocket was a red apple shape that I appliqued to a smocked dress I made for my 3 yr old sister when I was 14. She loved it and her granddaughter wore the dress a few times when she was 3.

Nina
Nina

March 29, 2015

My favorite pockets are the ones I put in a pair of doll sized jeans. They were lined in the most gorgeous batik print, which made a wonderful and unexpected contrast to the dark denim.

Donna
Donna

March 28, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was the front pocket in my old slouchy hoodie that I wore in the spring and fall outside working in the yard. It was a comfy place to put my hands on those cool days!

Susan Toloczko
Susan Toloczko

March 28, 2015

I hate pants without pockets. I love functional pockets in the back that will hold cellphone deep and front pockets big and deep enough for car keys and shopping lists. To me they are an extension of my purse, which I can find nothing in it. I love little girl skirts with cute contrasting pockets on the front.

Connie L.
Connie L.

March 28, 2015

My favorite pocket is the one my grandkids look in to find surprises!

Kathi
Kathi

March 28, 2015

My favorite pocket ever has been sewing the LJ skinny jeans! They always end up looking fabulous!

Melanie
Melanie

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is one inside my spring/fall coat. It’s on the opposite side of an outer pocket, so no one would ever know there’s an inner pocket! Though I’ve had jackets with hidden inner pockets similar to this one, they were always woefully small, whereas this one is pretty deep.

Lori Morton
Lori Morton

March 27, 2015

Adorable Skirt!

My favorite pocket is probably the one on an Apron my very “Bestest” Friend made for me! Is about worn out now…but I still use..and Love it! :)

Marge R (mer)
Marge R (mer)

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is the one in my wallet where I keep my Gift Card used for making purchases @ Pixie Faire! ;)

Doris
Doris

March 27, 2015

y favorite pocket EVER is/was the one on my first sewing project, an apron. I love pockets and want them on everything.

Cindi
Cindi

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket it the pocket on my nightgown lol. I am never without my phone!

nancia
nancia

March 27, 2015

my favorite pocket was set into a bathrobe my mother made for me. she mistakenly placed the pocket so that the bottom marking was at the top of the pocket. in other words, i had a pocket at my knee. i kept sitting on it and i had to bend way to the side to get anything in or out of it. lol. it was just very quirky!

Maryann hornbeak
Maryann hornbeak

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is my husband’s where he keeps his wallet.

Judith
Judith

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket was the one inside a tote bag that was made from my grand daughter’s too small dress. The pocket closed with a zipper to keep valuables safe. Every time I use this bag, fond memories come to life when I remember her wearing this dress.

Liz Thomas
Liz Thomas

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket EVER is the hidden one inside my winter jacket, where I hide my candy, says my 8 year old daughter, who WANTS TO WIN the skirt :)

Valnora Weaver
Valnora Weaver

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket was 2 puffy organdy pockets on my feed sack dress made in 1944 when I started 1st grade. My Mother made it and anything new was wonderful during the war and so soon after the depression. I felt so special whenever I wore that “fancy” dress. It had a little yoke out of organdy to match the pockets. Mothers had to be so creative to make something cherished out of what little they had to work with.

Anne C-E
Anne C-E

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was the one inside my coat to hold mittens but invariably held something else that was more interesting.

Nora
Nora

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was the inside pocket of my old jean jacket because it was the perfect size for an ice cold drink!

Gail
Gail

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket was a pocket jumper dress for my two year old ( she is now 43) daughter. The jumper had a button on pocket for every holiday and occasion. All I had to do was give my daughter a new pocket and she could take off the old pocket and button on a new one depending on the holiday or occasion. She loved it, and so did I.

Lara
Lara

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is the one that is shared with my kids to help keep their hands warm.

But funny story about a pocket, in college I had a suit coat I was starting to interview for jobs. I also had a really nice Cross pen, I couldn’t find that pen for anything. Then one day I discovered a hole in my suit coat pocket, and behold there was my pen. You can bet I never had a hole in that pocket again.

Lydia
Lydia

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever is these two deep warm pockets in a wool/tweed mix high-waisted knee length circle skirt my mom had, it was so fun to wear with a nice sweater and some booties. I can’t resit a midi skirt with pockets!

Anna G
Anna G

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was in high school. We had to wear school uniforms so part of the uniform was a pleated skirt. The seamstress made a deep inside pocket well hidden within the seam of the pleat and no kidding, the pocket reached down to my knee!!! I was able to put a lot of stuff in that pocket including certain toiletries a young lady has to use…lol so no one would notice when we suddenly had to leave the classroom to go to the bathroom.

Winter
Winter

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was the one sewn into a pleat of my brown tweed dress. It finally wore out this year and I’m so sad. I wish all my dresses has pockets in them.

Rita M.
Rita M.

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is the one on the side of my scooter. I can leave my purse in the trunk and pop a bottle of water, my keys and a compact case for a few $$ and my credit card as I drive up the parking lot and into JoAnn’s, or whichever. I would also love to win this skirt.

judith martinez
judith martinez

March 27, 2015

my favorite pocket is the one in my custom diaper bag. It’s just the right size!

Susan
Susan

March 27, 2015

My Mom never allowed us to put hands in pockets (“stretches it out..stand up straight”)…. I loved the “pocket” of my little fur muff that matched a fur trimmed Queen Anne style cap. The muff had a long cord and hung around my neck. I used to “pet” it and pretend it was my little bunny.
Secret -pocket Lover when she wasn’t looking?. Miss her everyday. Hug your Mom if she’s alive – she’s special!

Crystal
Crystal

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket has to be the one I put in the Motorcycle Jacket pattern for the 18 inch doll. The jacket turned out so cute and everyone couldn’t believe that the pockets on that jacket were useable. It is a very cute jacket.

Danielle
Danielle

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket was the secret one inside one of my old jackets. :)

Judy
Judy

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket was my grandmas apron. she always has a treat for us in there, like marbles, or jacks or playing cards. It was always something different.

helen
helen

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket was the one in the wedding dress. It was so nice to have a place for a hankie (for all those HAPPY tears), lipstick etc. I love pockets !

Florence Grisham
Florence Grisham

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was a puffy one I put on a cute jumper for my granddaughter. I love pockets.

Bella
Bella

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket EVER was a small one on the outside of a dress. I was about 6 years old, and I LOVED that pocket. I couldn’t actually put almost anything in it (and when I did it usually fell out) but I still felt so important just having a pocket.

Lesley from NE
Lesley from NE

March 27, 2015

I guess I have never thought about what my favorite pocket is/was! I do have to pick a leather purse I have had for a long time. It has a pocket on the front with a “envelope” type flap on the front of it. I have not used the purse for years, but still have it, as I love the look of it and just can’t part with it! Silly, I know, but I keep thinking I will used it again soon. =)

Barbara Corbin
Barbara Corbin

March 27, 2015

My favorite pockets are the ones on my jeans jacket. They have ruffled tops and make the jacket more feminine.

Bukofamily
Bukofamily

March 27, 2015

My favorite pockets ever were at the end of a colorful scarf. I could keep both my neck and my hands warm at the same time, without losing gloves. I loved how practical and pretty it was.

Cherry
Cherry

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is a In The Hoop pocket with embroidery that I can use with my embroidery machine. I always add those type of pockets to the t-shirt dresses that I make my great granddaughters. I have even sewn them to skirts for extra places for their “stuff”.

Donna
Donna

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever is what ever i wear has to have pocket in the outfit. To put my hands in my pockets.

Patricia
Patricia

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is the “watch pocket” on a pair of jeans. This is the small pocket on the right hand side of my jeans. It is just perfect for stuffing a dollar bill (or two) into it.

Sharon
Sharon

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is the one I hold my grand daughter’s hand in on a chilly walk!

Janet S
Janet S

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was the big pocket on my mom’s long coat. She always carried lipstick, comb and powder (and I thought that was wonderful as a child) and often had treats like small candies for us when we were good – it was like a treasure chest to me!

Bette
Bette

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket is the one in the jeans or sweats I happen to be wearing at the time. I have severe allergies and need to keep a hankie or tissue close by at all times.

Lea Ann
Lea Ann

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket EVER is my coat pocket! There always seems to be something super-special in it each time I put it on — something I’ve forgotten I’ve put in there!

Gail
Gail

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever was made by a seamstress in a third world country. The beautiful blue skirt had pockets placed in the side seam made with flour sacking and not the skirt fabric.

Kimberly
Kimberly

March 27, 2015

My favorite pockets are the ones in the front of a nice warm sweatshirt. Keeps your hands warm in the cold and makes you feel all toasty.

Denise
Denise

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever is the one that has money in it!

Margaret
Margaret

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever is a tiny little pocket I placed on the front of The Yacht Club Dress. It’s a great place to put a small object to personalize my doll. Even empty it just looks great on that dress.

dorrie
dorrie

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever is one on the inside, chest level, of a lightweight jacket that I usually wear to walk my dogs. Keys and cellphone feel weightless in it, rather than dragging on the side.

Tish Wambach
Tish Wambach

March 27, 2015

My favorite pocket ever is the one I placed in the side seam of my favorite PJ bottoms that I wear when I’m doing some late night sewing. So handy!

Marian
Marian

March 26, 2015

My favorite pocket EVER was a welt pocket I put in a plaid outfit while I was in college. It was in a cape which matched a skirt and vest & all the plaid matched so the pocket was invisible but wonderfully practical.

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