Zippered Welt Pockets
The evolution of my interior pockets.
I enjoy pattern testing. I test as many as I am able to because I like having input on patterns I will use in the process so that I can have my questions and thoughts addressed directly by the pattern creator during the process and for certain end up with a pattern that works for me and what I want to accomplish.
This pattern test was for The Nestle Down add on to the Men's and Women's Trail Blazer Vest by Twig & Tale pattern company. Obviously to test the insert the actual vest had to be sewn. So I have at this point now made a few vests. The one thing lacking for our needs in the pattern was zippered inside pockets.
I find open interior pockets rather useless. No matter what I do my stuff just falls right out of the stupid things. And lets face it smart phones cost an arm and a leg so nobody is trying to drop their blasted phone. I like the security when chasing my heathens of knowing that no matter where I must crawl or climb and whatever depth of hell they require I tunnel through my phone is going to still be right where I put it. Also on long walks the ability to still use my earbuds while warmly zipped up and without worry of dropping my device is a no brainer.
What You Need
- pattern for what you are sewing
- fabric to complete your pattern
- scraps of woven fabric a few inches larger than desired pocket finished size
- zipper
Lay your first pocket piece right sided together with your ALREADY SEWN front panel of your jacket. I do this before I sew at the shoulders with only the front piece and front side piece sewn together.
Now sew a 1/2 inch wide rectangle about 1.5 - 2 inches from the top of the pocket piece and 1 - 1.5 inches from each side.
With your rotary cutter lets slice through the center of the box you have sewn until about 1/4 inch or so from each end of the box.
Take some nice sharp little scissors and snip towards the corners close to the stitches as shown above just be very carful not to actually snip into the stiching line.
Ok I completely lapsed on taking a photo of this next step so read carefully!
You need to now poke the fabric through the hole you cut and press it with a steam iron nice and flat at the edges. I will get photos here of the next one I make when ironing and totally come back and edit this part.
Now lay your zipper into the slit and bump the closed zippers pull up close to one edge.
Carefully topstitch close the zipper all along the entire rectangle. Be careful that your pocket lining piece is laying flat underneath.
The zipper shown from the other side after its been stitched down nice and secure. my stitching I know is simply terrible but I have many many too many helpers around here!
Now with your pocket lining nice and flat stitch a tag inside the jacket lining about 2 inches from the bottom of the pocket lining to hold it nice and flat and in place. This prevents your pocket from shifting or pulling out when you use it.
Not far from the tag I like to stitch a small vertical button hole through the lining and interior of the jacket. this hole allows me to plug earbuds into my phone and still securely zip my phone closed. I am also able to put a portable charger in one side of the jacket and my phone in the other side and connect them to allow charging while out and about while evenly distributing the weight in the jacket.
Here is the inside with the tag and the button hole all completed. Nice and polished!
Now lay you other pocket piece right sides together with the pocket lining.
Stitch the entire perimeter of the pocket. I like to go around 2-3 times because pockets take a beating!! You know you are gonna occasionally over stuff or simply be ridiculously rough with this thing!
See be VERY careful to keep the interior fabric of the jacket out of the way while stitching the two pocket pieces together.
See nice and neat and not in any way attached except for where the zipper is and the button hole and tag. Those are super essential to preventing pockets from shifting. Nobody likes shifty!
Now go enjoy your pockets! Admire your excellent skills. And really use zippered pockets on all the things from bags and purses to jackets and even throw pillows. Yep you heard me I am putting pockets on throw pillows to hide the projector remote safely from my 3 year old. There's no limit to the function.
If wanting a phone specifically to fit make certain you choose a zipper length that gives you enough space. Some phones are wide as all get out these days!