Sew a Fabric Pocket

Pockets are a great invention! Use them on the inside or outside of a purse or garment. Here's a few ideas.

Steps

Choose the fabric. Match or contrast a pocket with your purse or garment. Use scrap fabrics, if desired.
Choose a size and shape. Large, small, square or rectangular are a few. The lower edge of a pocket can be round, straight or pointed.
Construct a basic pocket.
- Cut a pocket into a desired shape. Allow for a half-inch seam allowance on the lower three sides of the pocket. Allow for one and half inches at the top of the pocket for the hemline.
- Place tiny equidistant slits along the very edge of any curve, such as at the bottom of a rounded pocket. This will help to create a more uniform shape.
- Fold the lower three sides of the pocket over "once" and iron them flat. Fold about a half-inch to the wrong side of the fabric.
- Fold the upper hemline over "twice" and stitch it in place. Create about a half-inch hemline. Stitch it by hand or use the sewing machine.
- Align and pin your pocket onto your purse or garment.
- Stitch the three lower sides of the pocket onto your garment, leaving the top open.
Finished.

Seam allowance is the amount of fabric that extends beyond the stitching.
Layer two or three pockets of different shapes and sizes, if desired.
Add a button closure to your pocket.
- Place a strip of iron-on interfacing within the hem of your pocket.
- Add a buttonhole to the upper center of the pocket.
- Attach the pocket to your purse or garment.
- Attach a button, to your purse or garment, beneath the buttonhole.