Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Adding a Curved Pocket





Adding a Curved Pocket




Doesn't every skirt need pockets? I think so.  : )

Here's a tutorial on how to sew a perfect curved pocket.  Unlike the hidden pocket tutorial found here, this pocket is ideal for pants, or any form of skirt (fitted or full).  It is a bit more labor intensive then the side pocket, but the finished product adds some visual interest, which I just love. : )

Ps. Stay tuned for the entire tutorial on sewing this striped skirt above!


Here's what you will need:


  • Small amount of lining fabric 
  • Bias strips or contrasting fabric to make a bias strip (instructions below).  I used my lining fabric.
  • scissors
  • pins
  • fabric marker
Click below to see the full tutorial!





Fold your front skirt panel together.  Using a bowl or something rounded, draw a curve on your skirt.  Cut it out. 


Next, we will cut two front pocket pieces from your lining fabric.  The front pocket piece will basically be a rectangle with a curve cut out that matches the front skirt panel curve .  See the photo below for a general idea of the shape. The solid navy is my front pocket piece.  Here's how I did it:

On the lining fabric, trace a rectangle that is 2-3 inches wider then your front skirt panel curve.  The length of your pocket depends on how deep you want your pocket to be.  I made mine 5 inches long.    Cut the rectangle out.    

Trace the curve from your skirt panel onto your two rectangles and cut out. 





Next you will cut out the two back pocket pieces from your main fabric. Simply cut two rectangles that is the same width and length as the front pocket piece.  Do not cut the curve into your back pocket piece.  Also, be sure to match up the patterns or stripes with your front skirt panel.  



You should now have something that looks like the photo below. 

 So that your pockets won't fray, surge, overlock, or zig zag stitch  all straight sides of both your front pocket pieces (navy) and the back pocket piece (striped).   Do not surge the curve.  



 With right sides together, sew the two straight edges together.  (See photo below.)  Make sure you have one pocket that has the curve on the right side and one that is on the left.    

Time to piece the pocket onto your skirt panel.  Line up the curve in your pockets with the curve in your front skirt panel. Pin the front pocket piece to your skirt panel.  (Do not pin the back pocket piece)




Measure the length of the pocket curve.  You can either make your own bias strips (instructions below) or to save some time, you can use store bought bias strips that are 1.5 or 2 inches wide.  You just press the store bought bias strips open then fold down the middle (lengthwise). 

Instructions on cutting your own bias strips:
Bias strips are just long rectangles cut on the bias of the fabric.  To cut your own bias strips, simply cut two long rectangles that are  the same length as the pocket's curve and 1.5 inches wide.   Be sure to cut the long rectangles on the bias.  


Fold the bias strip in half length-wise and iron. 

Put the wrong side of your skirt panel facing up.  Open the pocket so that you can see the front pocket curve.  

Pin the folded bias strip to both the front pocket piece and the skirt panel.  All raw edges should be lined up.  Be sure that you are pinning to the wrong side of your skirt.   

Using 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew the bias strip onto the front pocket piece and the skirt panel.  

Turn the skirt so that the right side is facing up.  Fold the bias strip over to the front of your skirt panel. Press and pin in place.

Sew the bias strip using 1/4 seam allowance.  


You should now have a front skirt panel that looks like this:


Pin or Baste the top of your skirt panel so that the pocket will stay in place.  

With right sides together, pin the front skirt panel to the back skirt panel. Note, when you sew the side seams, you will also close the last open side of your pockets together.  Be sure to line up both pocket pieces with the sides of your skirt panels.  : )

Sew. 




That's it.  You just sewed a pretty awesome pocket!


Stay tuned for a full tutorial on how to sew my striped skirt! 


Loves,
Amber

2 comments:

  1. Thank you very much, can't wait to try this out!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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