Perfect Self-Lined Patch Pockets – aka The Great British Sewing Bee

 

Make your own perfect self-lined  patch pockets to add to your shirt – aka The Great British Sewing Bee. This method is the easiest I know.

BY WENDY GARDINER

Make a self lined pocket quickly and easily and create a fabulous Hawaiian shirt for him indoors just like the contestants of the Great British Sewing Bee in week 2.

 

A self lined pocket is very simple – it is just cut from double the length of fabric needed and folded in half  so there are no fiddly edges to turn under neatly!

You will need:

Fabric  – 14 x 28cm (5 1/2 x 11”) for a finished size of 12 x 13cm  (4 3/4 x 5”)

Point turner

 

To sew

1. Determine your finished pocket size and then add 1cm to each side edge and the bottom edge. Then double the length (top to bottom). NB: If using a pattern with breast pocket, simple use the pattern piece and double the length.

 

2. Fold the pocket in half lengthways, right sides together, so the fold is at top of pocket. Stitch sides and bottom, taking 1cm seam allowance and leaving a turning gap in the centre of the bottom edge. Trim seam allowances, cutting corners at angles and turn through. Push corners out with a point turner.

 

3. Press, tucking raw edges of turning gap inside. Add a row of top stitching along the top, 2cm (3/4”) from the edge.

4. Position the pocket on your garment and then stitch in place just 2-3mm from edge – Start 1cm down from the top right edge, reverse to top and then continue forward to bottom corner. With needle down, pivot at the corner to sew along the bottom, effectively closing tuning gap as you go. Continue up to left top edge, again backstitching to firmly secure the pocket at the top edges.

 

Voila – one pocket perfectly stitched and finished!