Thursday, February 2, 2012

Pocket Tutorial

Most of my dresses above size 1 have pockets on them.  Over time I have discovered some shortcuts to making pockets.  I know this is not the way you were taught to do pockets but these pockets look cute and save quite a bit of time.

First, I like my pockets about 5" x 5" (unless I use the cutout from the armhole)
I always make my pockets 2 layers

I sometimes vary my shape (but keep the 5" width)

Fold over 1/4" of fabric at top

There are several things I like to use to accent the pocket.
One of my favorites is a vintage hankie
Take 1/4 of a hankie... cutting it the same width as the fabric 
but about 1/2" above the top of the fabric
Fold over the hankie at 1/2"

Place hankie on the fabric so you have a finished edge at the top

If you are using lace as an accent cut it a little longer than the fabric and place on top

If you are using rick rack cut it longer than the fabric and place on top

Place you second piece of fabric on top with right sides together and pin
Sew together the sides and bottom leaving the top open

Clip corners and cut extra lace or rick rack off

Turn the pocket right side out... using a pointer to push out corners and iron
Here is my favorite tool for doing this


If you have fabric showing at the top just push it into the opening

Stitch across the top making sure that you catch the folded over fabric inside 
and then add any accents

I often add my label to the pocket

Buttons make an adorable accent!  
Just make sure you located them so that you can sew the pocket onto the dress

When sewing the pocket onto the dress be sure and backstitch at the beginning and the end!!

Happy Sewing!!


11 comments:

Sue Niven said...

Too Cute, Thanks for the tutorial, Utterly delightful.

Suzanne said...

Glad it was helpful!!

Thelma said...

Thank you so much for this pocket tutorial. I have been avoiding pockets as my earlier attempts did not turn out well. I was just wishing yesterday I had some tips on how to do them as my son keeps nagging me and saying that every child likes pockets. Your blog post was so timely; thank you again.

Peggy said...

Can you help me figure out where to place the pocket on the dress?

Peggy said...

Can you give me advice about where to place this pocket on a pillowcase dress?

Suzanne said...

Peggy I place it about 1/2 way down the dress... Usually on the right side since most people are right-handed

Paula said...

I have a question about the labels and don't know where else to place my question. Hope you can help. I use the dress a girl pattern, make dresses, then send them with our church folks on their mission trips to Kenya and Porto Rico. Can I put labels on them, or are labels reserved for dresses given through the Dress A Girl program?

Anonymous said...

I have been making the dresses with very large pockets - sometimes 9 X 10". Most of the time I put them in the center.

Anonymous said...

Could you answer Paula's question above about the labels?

Also, do you put the pockets on before sewing the back seam? When you say halfway down, is that halfway after the hem? Seems easier to place after it's together, but easier to sew on before the tube is made. With pillowcases, you 'd have to do it after the seam/tube is made. Any tips for that?

Suzanne said...

You are welcome to put our labels on the dresses. They are available at http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3241744 Please let a rep know that you have sent them out so that we can add them to our numbers... We try and track all dresses sent out

Suzanne said...

Yes... it is half way after I have put the hem in