I wanted to share an easy sewing tip on how to add an outside pocket to just about anything that could use a pocket – aprons, tote bags, and sweaters come to mind. For this project, I am making a lining for a really cute purse that I bought and it needs a couple pockets. Handmade purses are awesome in my opinion! I love to make them myself because I can customize the inside to include pockets for my phone and sunglasses, an organizational must for me. 🙂
To get started, you need to figure out how big your finished pocket should be. Double this amount because you want to fold this piece of fabric in half so that the lining is as pretty as the outside. Then, we need to add 1/2 inch for the seams. For example, if you want the pocket to be 5×7 when finished, we need a piece that of fabric that is 5 1/2 x 15, folded in half equals 5 1/2 x 7 1/2.
Above is my fabric and I’ve ironed a stiff interfacing to half of it, on the wrong side. This pocket will hold my sunglasses and I want to be able to pull them out and stash them back in there fairly quickly. I don’t want to mess around with a floppy, fussy pocket. 🙂
Fold the fabric in half, right sides together and stitch up each side using 1/4 inch seam allowance. After the stitching is done, trim the corners on an angle to get rid of extra fabric. We are going to turn this right side out and extra fabric will make the corners bunched up and messy.
Turn the fabric right side out and poke out the corners so they are nice and square. I like to use the point of knitting needle to get into the corners. A pen cap would work too. Try to resist using closed scissors because you can easily tear the fabric (yes I’ve learned this the hard way). Iron this nice and flat.
Stitch across the closed end. This will be the top of the pocket and we want it to have a nice clean look. Fold over the open ends by about 1/2 inch and iron flat.
Pin the pocket to the fabric you are attaching it to, leaving the top open. The bottom is the portion that we folded under by 1/2 inch.
Stitch around the sides and bottom to attach it to your fabric (or project). This is an easy way to attach a pocket with a really clean look.