Before I had my girls, I didn’t use to pay much attention to pockets. After all, like most ladies, I don’t usually use pockets (as I prefer carrying my things in bags or purses, and pockets add bulk to the silhouette :P). But, my girls adore them, and always request that I include them in the clothes I sew for them.
They love to use the pockets to keep their small cuddlies and clips.
So, I’ve been reading up on the different types of pockets and how to include them in apparel, and thought it might be useful to share the information here. We’ll start with the most commonly seen – patch pocket.
A patch pocket is one that is sewn to the exterior of the garment. They are one of the most adaptable kind of pockets – they can be rectangular, rounded, chevron, or any shape you fancy! – making them wonderful additions to any kids’ clothes. Besides shapes, you can also play around by adding flaps, pleats (box and inverted), gussets, zipper, etc, or even making the side stitches invisible!
I find it easiest to shape a pocket by using a cardboard template. It helps to ensure that the pocket size is consistent (which is particularly important if you are making matching pockets on the garment) and makes it easier to press the hems straight. Below is a demonstration of making a rounded patch pockets using a template:
If you intend the patch pockets to be functional (and not purely aesthetic), it is important that you reinforce the top corners of the pockets (especially if they are going to be exposed to heavy usage by kids who like to stuff them with their barang barang :D). Here are some ways you can go about doing so:
(1) Back stitch the top corner a few stitches. This is the most straight forward, but also the least secured one.
(2) Make triangles at the top corners.
I love how the stripes match up so perfectly here. Matching the prints of your pocket and garment will give a professional look to your handmade clothes.
To ensure that the triangles are mirror images of each others, it’s best to count the number of stitches used to make the triangles along the way. Sometimes, students at our T-shirt making classes would get confused over the best way to top-stitch in one sew, so I’ve included the recommended sequence below:
(3) Making rectangles at the corners. This is similar to the triangle option. A different look, and some people think that compared to sewing triangles, it is easier to ensure that the rectangles are balanced.
In this case, the bottom line of the rectangle didn’t end at the top of the twin needle stitch line. You might want to start and end at the stitch line for a neater look.
(4) Sewing an additional line down the pocket, with the option of adding a button in between the lines. This is normally seen in jeans.
Image from Rawr Denim
That’s all for part 1 of the patch pockets! Having fun making pockets 🙂