Hi everyone, Faith here, and I am so happy to share another tutorial with you. Today we are going to sew a patch pocket for the Mini Darling Ranges Dress! Patch Pockets are created by attaching a pre-cut piece of fabric and sewing them, like a patch, to the outside of a garment, instead of constructing inset pockets (pockets that are sewn through a narrow opening inside the garment).
Let’s get started.
Draft your pocket as illustrated. You can draft a square base as I did or you can create a rounded base. I made my pocket 5″ (13cm) wide by 5.5″ (14cm) tall but you can make yours as big or small as you’d like.
Cut out your pocket and transfer seam markings. Using tailors chalk, mark top patch pocket seam 1/4″ (6mm). Mark the top patch pocket fold line 1″ (2.5cm) from the edge.
Fold a 1″ (2.5cm) seam (right side facing each other) and press. Next, turn up a 1/4″ (6mm) seam (wrong sides facing) and press.
Stitch 1/4″ (6mm) along both sides of the pocket, and stop the stitch at the bottom of the folded edge. Snip out the pocket corners on both sides.
Note: Do not cut through the whole folded portion of the pocket. Just the corners. Stop at the top of the 1/4″ (6mm) seam.
Turn the pocket top edge over to the right side. Make sure to push out corners to achieve sharp corner look. Fold in 1/4″ (6mm) seam along the sides and the bottom of the pockets. Press the pocket and topstitch the turned up seam, along the bottom edge of the fold.
Note: For the purpose of the illustration, I used a lighter colored thread so that you will see the topstitching.
Place the pocket on the garment in your desired location, secure in place with pins.
I placed my pocket on the bodice of the Mini Darling Ranges dress, but the exact same method applies to attaching a patch pocket to the skirt!
Topstitch the pocket onto the garment around the corner edges.
You did it you guys! You finished creating a patch pocket! Now you can go patch pocket crazy on whatever you create.
Here are a few things you need to know about creating a patch pocket:
- Patch pockets can be drafted in any shape you want. But a dimension of 5″ (13cm) wide and 5.5″ (14cm) length is a nice place to start. Yes, you can get as creative as you want! You make them heart shaped, circular, rounded bottom, as far as your imagination stretches.
- If you are sewing them on a shirt, usually they are placed about 2 1/4″ (5.6cm) inch away from the center of the shirt.
- Make sure that the pockets are large enough to fit your hand. However, if it is being placed on a shirt, it only needs to be large enough to fit whatever you intend on putting in there.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I hope that you found it helpful and informative. Do you have any feedback or questions? If so, please leave them in the comment section below.
Don’t have the Mini Darling Ranges sewing pattern yet?! Order the pattern today! We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNminidarlingranges and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
// LOOKING FOR MORE MINI DARLING RANGES POSTS? //
- Introducing Mini Darling Ranges
- Tester Round Up
- Mini Darling Ranges Hacks
- Flat Sleeve Insertion Method
- Ruffle Sleeve
- Patch Pocket (this post!)
- Peplum Hack
Plus there is a full range of Darling Ranges tutorials that you can use to help sew your Mini Darling Ranges!
- Project preparation
- Pattern alterations: lengthen the bodice
- Pattern alterations: raise the neckline
- Pattern alterations: rounded neckline
- Pattern alterations: fishtail hem
- Sewing & construction: Bodice & darts
- Sewing & construction: Skirt & pockets
- Sewing & construction: Attaching the skirt & bodice
- Sewing & construction: Placket & Neckline
- Sewing & construction: Sleeveless version
- Sewing & construction: Attaching the sleeves
- Sewing & construction: Hemming
- Sewing & construction: Ties & belt loops
- Sewing & construction: Closures
