This week, I show you how to add a simple pocket to most anything! Patch pockets are ridiculously easy and versatile -- they're great for adding a pop of color (and functionality) to pants, skirts, shirts, and many other items. Today, we'll make two kinds of patch pockets; a quintessential patch pocket, and a novelty shaped pocket.
1. The Basic Patch Pocket
Figure out how large you'd like your pocket to be, then cut a rectangle of fabric that's 1/4" larger on the bottom and sides, and 1/2" longer along the top edge.
Press under the top edge twice, so that you have a 1/4" double turn hem. Then, edgestitch close to the folded edge to hold it down.
Press under the remaining three edges 1/4". Position your pocket, and pin it into place.
Edgestitch around the outer edges to finish.
If your pocket is going to get a lot of use, it's a good idea to reinforce the corners. Here's a little diagram that shows you how to stitch little reinforcing triangles at each upper edge of the pocket...
2. The Novelty Shaped Patch Pocket
But, you say, what about when you inevitably get bored of the basic, rectangular pocket? What if you want to try other shapes? Well, here's one way to get randomly (and delightfully) shaped patch pockets.
Cut out two identical pieces of fabric, in your desired shape -- be sure you add about 1/4" of seam allowance on all the edges. Lay the two pieces atop each other, with the right sides together, and stitch. Leave an opening at least 1" long somewhere near the bottom.
Clip into the seam allowance (curious? We give a few hints in this post) and turn your pocket right side out. Press it carefully, being sure to fold in the edges of the opening.
Then, all that's left is to place your pocket and edgestitch it down. Of course, where to start and stop stitching won't always be clear with this kind of pocket; the rules of thumb here are to make sure 1) your object can still fit into the pocket and 2) the stitching comes up high enough that the object won't fall out of the pocket :)
And there you have it! Congratulations!
Do you have other fabulous ways of making patch pockets? Leave us a comment below and let us know :)
Thanks everyone!
For Pixie Faire,
Melinda
7 Comments
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Amy
October 08, 2020
I made a dress with a dropped waist and gathered skirt for my granddaughter out of interlock knit. I have some light corduroy for embroidered patch pockets on the skirt. Would I sew the pockets on over some of the gathers, or straighten out the fabric and sew them on hoping the skirt part will hang OK? Thanks for any input!