Home >> Hobbies >> Sewing

How to Sew a Dress Pocket

Common types of pockets for dresses are patch, horizontal inset and vertical inset or in-seam pockets. Pockets should be placed in areas of the dress that lack shape in order not to interfere with the dress's line. While patch pockets work well with dresses that are severely cut because the pockets protrude from the front, in-seam pockets are suitable for dresses that have full skirts because the pockets appear smooth, barely visible and do not add bulk to the silhouette of the skirt.

Things You'll Need

Material for pocket pieces
Scissors
Pins
Iron

Instructions

- 1
  Cut out pocket pieces and finish around the edges with a blind or zigzag stitch. Be sure to allow a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- 2
  Pin the top pocket to the front dress piece and the bottom pocket to the back dress piece, ensuring to match the pocket placement notch.
- 3
  Sew along the length of the pocket opening, leaving a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Press the seam allowance on each pocket. Turn the pocket over the seam allowance and press again.
- 4
  Place the front dress piece on the back dress piece with right sides facing each other, and ensure that pockets are also aligned. Pin along the side seams.
- 5
  Pin around pockets, with pins placed at 90-degree angles to pocket edges. Sew along the side seam of the dress including the curved shape around the pocket. Backstitch where the pocket meets the side seam for reinforcement.
- 6
  Cut a small clip in the seam allowance at the top and bottom of the pockets to reduce bulking. Press open the seam allowance below and above pockets.

Sewing