Add Pockets to Any Skirt or Dress Without Spoiling the Look
It is a crime that many women do not have pockets, even in skirts or dresses that are easy to hide. Take matters into your own hands: This video shows you how to add pockets to a skirt or dress you already own.
First, your skirt or dress should have a side seam that you can sew pockets into, so if you have smooth sides this won’t work for this project. You will also need a sewing machine, paper (for the pattern), chalk, a seam looser, and extra pocket fabric. You can reuse fabric scraps, such as an old shirt or pillowcase.
The video above will walk you through the entire process, but if you can’t watch, here’s what you need to do.
- With your fingers together, trace your hand on the piece of paper. Leave a gap of about one inch around your arm. Cut out the outline. This will be the pattern for your pocket.
- Fold the fabric of the pockets in half, then cut the pockets to your pattern. You should have four pieces of fabric.
- Turn the dress or skirt inside out and chalk the tops of the pockets. Lay the fabric along the seam and mark where the pocket should end. Tear the seam starting one inch above and below your marks.
- Pin each pocket fabric to the side of the seam (see 02:10 in the video above for a demonstration). Basically, you attach each side of the pocket to the seam you just torn to create the top of the pocket.
- Sew a 2.5 cm seam at the top of the pocket, the edges of the pocket together, and a 1-inch gap at the bottom of the pocket.
- Repeat for the other pocket.
This method is also suitable for trousers without pockets, but keep in mind how they might look on tighter clothing, where objects in them can cause ugly bumps. If you decide you don’t like the way the pockets look, you can always take them off and sew the seams back.
How To Add Pockets To Anything | Annika Victoria (YouTube)