The pocket continues...

No matter how big or soft or warm your bed is, you still have to get out of it.
Grace Slick

What an apt quote for this February Monday morning.

Okay on with the pocket...

Assembling the pocket
1.  Make a pocket template on a piece of card. My pocket is 14cm wide x 16cm deep with rounded edges at the bottom. Make another template for the pocket lining that is 1cm taller than the pocket. Draw around your pocket template with chalk on your pocket fabric and draw around your pocket lining template on to your lining fabric. I them trim away excess fabric, leaving a rough seam allowance of 2cm. I follow the marked line when I am sewing so that seam allowance is not critical.

2.  Pin your pocket lining and pocket, right sides together and sew the top edge.

3. Turn the pocket so that the wrong sides of the pocket and lining are facing each other. The lining , being 1cm longer, should peak out the top and create a contrasting piping.
Stitch all the way around the pocket edge, following the marked guideline. Press.

4. Make a card template for the pocket backing. This should be about 9cm taller than the pocket front and slightly taper in so that it is 12cm wide across the top edge instead of 14cm.
Find a bit of fabric that looks nice behind your pocket front and mark the template on it. In the photo below, you can see another bit of appliqued fabric that has been embroidered and quilted onto muslin (the muslin is sticking out the back).
Pin and stitch the pocket front, with its lining to the pocket backing along the template lines.

5. Mark and cut a pocket back lining from the backing template.
With the right side of the lining fabric face down on the right side of the pocket and its backing, stitch all around the marked line.

6.Trim the seam allowance around the pocket (leaving the top edge for now) and clip the corners, as shown. This is where it gets tidy and begins to look like something.
7. Turn the pocket ride side out, so that your back lining is at the back, then your backing and then your pocket with its lining on the top. All the seams are concealed.
8. Now cut a strip of fabric for the waistband sash. This pocket buttons around my hips. For a longer tying one, cut a longer strip.
My waistband is 7cm wide (this includes seam allowance of 1cm)x 100cm long. Obviously the length depends on where you want it to sit and how wide your hips or waist are. Start by making it longer than you think you need, you can always cut a bit off before you finish it.
24cm in from one end, stitch the pocket to one edge of the waistband, right side together.

9.Press the seam allowance (1cm) for both long edges to the wrong side.
10.Whip stitch the long edges of the band together along seam edge. Turn in the ends and continue whip stitching. Press. Try on and decide on button placement for your size. Make a button hole in one end and sew on button on other end. Press and make it look really nice.
Voila you are done.
On Wednesday I will show you some variations including using ethnic bags/embroidery and knitted bits. See you then. Missing you already.

Comments

[lyn]

Thank you Juju, it looks fantastic.

[Melissa]

Thank you for the brilliant instructions for an even more brilliant project! I hope to make one soon.

[*jenny]

So cool! Thanks so much for the tutorial, although I could never make one so creative and gorgeous. Its beautiful!

[rachel]

wonderful tutorial.. and what a fabulous skirt you are wearing!

[siggen]

Thanks! And, since it is also on display … really love your skirt!

[kw]

Gorgeous fabrics/embroidery! Thank you for the tutorial -- your website is always a wealth of inspiration. Love your paintings, too!

[kelly]

i love your site....it is just so darn happy! thanks for the colors that you bring in so many ways. if you don't mind i would love to add your link to my blog!

blessings

[Aurora]

Hey girl! You rock! Your ideas are groovy, the colors divine. I'm stealing everything. lol

Check me out if you have time. We like the same stuff.

Aurora

[Sarah]

Beautiful!. I love looking at your website, very inspiring!.
Keep doing it!
All the best Sarah

[jek-a-go-go]

this is fantastic! i swear, just yesterday i told my husband i needed to make a pocket to wear cuz the pants i had on yesterday didn't have one and i needed a place for my keys! it's beautiful! i visualized something a little different which is why i think this is so awesome...thank you for the tutorial!

~jek

[emma]

This pocket is gorgeous! And so is your skirt! I love it.

[linda harre]

I love the quilted purse! I have studied it many times to try and come up with something similar! No match yet:-) still trying.... thanks for sharing. L

[ana ventura]

wonderful bag! Great work!

[karen]

i love it! looks great with skirts too :)