One of my lovely readers has asked for a tutorial on how to sew an inseam pocket, and so, just in time for all the sun dress sewing we’ll be doing this summer, here is a tutorial.
Prepare to be amazed by how easy it is to sew an inseam pocket, and the best part is that you can add this pocket to just about any garment.
Start by either drafting a pocket pattern or borrowing one from a different pocket. All you need to do is make sure you trace the shape of the side seam of the garment to the side of the pocket and make sure the pocket is big enough for your hand!
I usually just trace around my hand to get a good pocket. I also like to add notches to the pocket and the skirt so it is easy to line everything up while sewing.
Cut out 4 pocket pieces.
With right sides together, lay one pocket piece to the skirt front with the side seams matching.
With right sides together, lay the corresponding pocket piece to the skirt back with the side seams matching.
Repeat for the other side.
Take a piece of twill tape and lay it on top of the pocket piece within the seam allowance. This adds stability and will prevent the pocket from stretching out of place.
If you don’t have any twill tape on hand, you can use a bit of the selvage of the fabric instead.
Sew the pocket to the skirt using the same seam allowance as you are using for the rest of the garment.
Repeat with the remaining 3 pocket sections.
Press the pockets out away from the skirt.
With right sides together, line up the skirt front to the skirt back with the pockets flipped out.
Sew the side seam down to the top of the pocket....
Pivot, and sew around the pocket....
Pivot again and finish sewing down the side seam.
Press the pocket towards the front of the garment.
Go ahead and clip the skirt back seam allowance at the top and bottom of the pocket so you can press the seam allowances open.
Finish your seams however you want and make sure the pocket is pressed towards the front of the garment.
And there you have it, an inseam pocket!
Enjoy.
Happy Sewing
~Melisa & Cordelia
Perfect timing, since I want to add a pocket to a dress I'm making. (Why don't patterns come with pockets? Are people afraid of pockets?) Thanks for this post!
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