Cutest Bow Pocket...Learn How!

I've recently had a SFD customer write to tell me how pleased she was with using the Sure-Fit Designs Children's Kit.  She designed and made this great fitting shorts for her 9 year old daughter.  She added this cute pocket detail that she copied from a pair of designer shorts from one of her daughter's friends.  See her 'back side' highlighted by the white oval below.

Our SFD customer, Miranda (who prefers to remain anonymous), so kindly agreed to provide you a photo story of how to go about designing and sewing these pockets for your sewing projects.  I thought you might like to see how this detail is accomplished.

Step 1:

In case you can't read the cue cards:
The 'Bow' pieces consist of one rectangle 6" x 5" and one piece 3 1/2" x 2 1/2". The larger one being the 'bow' and the smaller one being the 'knot'.
The 'Pocket' pieces are two 5" squares that are cut on the bias.

Step: 2

Sew bow and knot pieces in half the length of the rectangle and sew with 1/4" wide seams.
Fold the pocket pieces in half.  Measure down 3" from the top.  Use the SFD Designer's Companion to curve the bottom of the pocket.

Step 3:

Turn the 'bow' and 'knot' pieces right side out and stitch ends of small piece.
Curve bottom of pocket and smooth out any ridges or bumps.

Step 4: 

Top of pocket - fold over 1/4" and press toward inside.

Slip 'bow' through center of 'knot' positioning the 'knot's' seam toward the underside.  Then baste either side of 'bow' structure to the sides of one of the pocket pieces.

Step 5:

 With right sides together, pin the pocket pieces together.  Sew the sides and lower curved edge.  Leave the top edge open for turning.

Step 6:

Turn right sides out.  Top stitch the upper edge closed.  Then simply attach to pants, shorts, shopping bag, coat, blouse or whatever project you think this pocket would look good on.

Have fun! 
And thanks again to Miranda (from the Pacific NW of the USA) for sharing her success story with all of us and providing the pictorial tutorial.

Kindly,

Self-faced Patch Pocket

As I’ve previously commented, pockets can be decorative, functional or decorative and functional. In this blog, I’ll deal with the patch pocket. These directions focus on functionality and construction of the self-faced patch pocket.

As a general rule, patch pocket dimensions are the size of your hand plus ¾” – 1 ½” (2-4cm) all around for ease.



After cutting the pocket of your desired shape and fabric, mark the hem fold line either with a fabric marking pen or by clipping on either side of the hem line.



Finish upper edge of pocket.



For pockets with rounded corners, ease stitch (baste) the curved edges 3\8” (1 cm) from raw edges and notch the seam allowance around the curved edge.



With right sides together, fold the hem to the outside along the fold line. Stitch ends. Trim seams.



Turn upper edge and seam allowances to inside, pressing in place. For pointed corners, fold corners diagonally. For rounded corners, pull ease stitches to ease fullness, notch curves if you have not already done so. Press.




If desired, topstitch or use a decorative stitch along top edge of pocket before applying to garment or leave plain.

Place pocket on garment matching placement lines and markings. Edgestitch or topstitch pocket in place, leaving top edge open.




Tip: To hold pocket in place while sewing, us a thin strip of lightweight fusible webbing. Place it under the sides and bottom edge of the pocket and gently press to secure it.