In this world of imperfections, one of the niggling problems of everyday life is the lack of functional pockets in women’s clothing. I’m certain I’ve mentioned it before. Someone as addicted to lip balm as I am starts to twitch when made to go without pockets.
Unfortunately, I myself have fallen into the trap of making myself dresses without pockets, because they wouldn’t work with the fit and so on and so forth. Tragic. So I was determined that my latest shirt-to-dress modification must have a pocket, and I’m going to show you just how simple it is to make said pocket. Thing is, you can use this method to put a pocket in a new, made-by-you dress or skirt, or you can use it to insert a pocket into an already existing, factory made garment.
Before I get into the tutorial, though, I have a story and a guest appearance. The guest is my mother, and the story explains why we’re wearing dresses that sort of match but not really.
Don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but the sewing machine I do so much of my crafting on was my university grad gift from my parents. My mother expected me to use it (for hemming pants, making cushions, mending stuff), but never to this extent; she taught me how to sew when I was a kid and I hated it, vocally and with great passion. So my sudden active desire to stitch bits of fabric together bowled her right over. When she managed to pick herself back up, she seemed to decide she’d better encourage this habit, so she regularly sends me fabric and thread and buttons and such.
She’s certainly delighted with the things I make, but I think she’s also relieved that I am becoming a kindred sewing spirit, so that I will bless and not curse her for leaving me with a gobsmacking amount of fabric when she dies. My mother, you see, is actively pursuing the ideology of “whoever dies with the most fabric wins.” My mother likes to win.
Several months ago my mom sent me a men’s 3XL maroon shirt, along with a photo of her wearing an identical garment. She explained that she was issuing a design “challenge.” She and I would make ourselves dresses from the same shirt, then contrast and compare. Below are the results (my parents having just made their annual pilgrimage to visit their darling daughter.) A special thank you to my ever-so-patient father, who never had any desire to be a fashion photographer. Though he did comment that real models would probably be a lot more cooperative.
It’s interesting to see the two completely different (yet, in some ways similar) things we did with the same original garment. Mom went for much more detail on hers, while I kept mine pretty simple. We both changed the neckline, but made use of some of the original collar and buttons. Mom put a very clever new hemline on her dress to lengthen it (I forgot to take close-up shots, but perhaps she’ll send me one) that consisted of several arrow-ended strips of fabric overlapping one another, all the way around the dress. She also put hidden pockets in between those black stripes on the skirt, which are actually just bits of the shirt but turned inside out (hence the colour difference). I used the sleeves from my shirt to make a waistband that gathers at either side, and brought the neckline down further in back than in front. We both had leftover buttons – mom gave me hers and I made a pair of earrings to match my dress.
Here’s what our photographer thought of all this falderah.
And now, how to make pockets!
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What you’ll need:
- A dress or skirt in need of a pocket
- fabric for the pocket (a lightweight fabric is good – cotton, perhaps – and it doesn’t have to be a very big piece, though remember you’ll need a back and front to the pocket)
- thread to match the fabric of the dress or skirt
- fabric scissors
- straight pins
- sewing machine
- iron & ironing board (optional – you can do the project without these, they’re just to flatten seams down and make stuff a little neater and easier to work with)
- seam ripper (if you’re inserting a pocket into an already-existing garment)
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1) If you are inserting a pocket into an existing, finished skirt or dress, turn the garment inside out and choose a spot below the waist where a pocket would be comfortable for you. Mark off about 8 to 10 inches with pins, and use your seam ripper to pick out the stitches between the pins, so you have an opening in the garment’s side. Then turn the garment right side out.
2) Start with the skirt or dress right side out. Place two pins 8 to 10 inches from each other along the garment’s side, at the height you’d like the pocket to be. Remember that the pocket will descend several inches below this opening, so make sure you don’t put the opening too low or the pocket will show beneath the bottom hem of the skirt.
If you are putting a pocket into a new skirt, you can do this step before you sew up the skirt’s side seams, or you can sew the side seams, leaving a gap where the pocket will go. I went with the latter method.
3) From whatever scrap fabric you have, cut a pocket shape. The pocket must have one straight edge that’s about 1 inch shorter than the opening in the skirt’s side. As in my case, the size and shape of scrap fabric you’re using may dictate the exact size and shape of the pocket. I’d recommend using a fairly light fabric, so it doesn’t bulge under the skirt. I used the same fairly thick jersey knit the dress itself was made from, and it bulges a bit. So here’s an instance of “do as I say, not as I do.” Make sure you cut two identical pieces of fabric, one for each side of the pocket.
Below is a general idea of a pocket shape. It needs to curve downwards, so that the opening is above the space that holds things.
4) Pin one of the pocket pieces to the front of the skirt, so the straight edge matches up with the skirt’s side seam, between the pins. Pin the other pocket piece to the other side of the skirt. The two pieces should mirror each other through the skirt.
5) Now sew the straight edge of each pocket piece to the straight edge of the side of skirt it’s pinned to. Do NOT sew the two sides of the skirt together, or you’ll close up the pocket and, well, there won’t be a pocket.
6) Turn the garment inside out. Iron the pocket-to-skirt straight seams you just sewed.
7) Pin the two sides of the pocket together, all the way around.
8) Now, starting along the side seam of the actual skirt, sew down to where the pocket starts, all around the pocket’s edges, and back onto the actual skirt again. (See the dotted white line in the photo below.) If this is being put into a new skirt, you can sew up the rest of the skirt’s side seams at the same time. If you’re inserting a pocket into an existing skirt, make sure you start sewing an inch or two above where the side seams are ripped out, so there is no gap.
9) Now turn the dress right side out again, and iron if desired. Enjoy your new pocket. May your chapstick always be close at hand!
dex-dex
/ July 22, 2011oooooh maybe now i should get my mum’s sewing machine and put pockets into every casual dress i own!
I too am a pocket lover and have not bought certain items just because they did not have pockets and not the crap that can not even hold anything and are just for show.
madelene
/ July 25, 2011That is so fun!!! Great job, the dresses look fantastic :)
Janet Hansen
/ July 26, 2011Hey Tally, Your mom, Auntie Phyl and I are having a great time looking at all your projects.
Merry and David stopped over enroute to Alaska from Minnesota. We missed you!!
LUVYA,
Grandma
Becki
/ July 28, 2011I LoVeD the interaction between you and your Mom! So adorable! Thanks for the cool posts that you do…today the first time I found your blog… I’m gonna so enjoy looking at previous ones!
Hugs to you & your family who are obviously proud and encouraged you! Mine did too! :o)
blue zain
/ June 4, 2013mhhh girl i dont know where to start, i enjoyed ya project very wel! i hope i will be a good sewer someday coz am taking tailoring subjects in ma university, keep it up
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/ August 14, 2024Paul Haggis is a prominent Canadian filmmaker whose work often delves into complex social and personal issues. His most celebrated film, Crash (2004), which he both wrote and directed, is a profound exploration of racial and social tensions in Los Angeles and won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Haggis also co-wrote the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby (2004), another critically acclaimed film that earned multiple Oscars, including Best Picture. His directorial efforts extend to In the Valley of Elah (2007), a gripping drama about the psychological effects of war, and The Next Three Days (2010), a tense thriller about a man’s desperate bid to free his wrongly convicted wife. Haggis continued to explore intricate narratives with Third Person (2013), weaving together multiple stories that examine themes of love and betrayal. His more recent work, The Heist (2021), exemplifies his knack for suspense and layered storytelling. Through his films, Haggis consistently addresses profound themes and human experiences, showcasing his talent for crafting compelling, thought-provoking cinema.
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/ August 16, 2024Paul Haggis is a distinguished Canadian filmmaker and screenwriter renowned for his impactful contributions to both film and television. His career highlights include writing and directing the critically acclaimed film Crash (2004), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and co-writing the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby (2004), another Academy Award-winning film. Haggis has also made notable contributions to television, including his work on Walker, Texas Ranger and the creation of The Black Donnellys. His films often delve into complex social issues and human experiences, showcasing his ability to tackle profound themes with nuance and depth. Beyond his cinematic achievements, Haggis has engaged in various philanthropic efforts, reflecting his commitment to addressing societal challenges through his work.
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wife is Chris Ciaffa. They married in 1997 and have two daughters together. Chris Ciaffa is a producer and has worked on various film and television projects. The couple has had a long relationship, though it’s worth noting that their personal lives have been subject to public scrutiny.
Chris Ciaffa, born in 1972, is a producer known for her work on several television and film projects. Before her career in production, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a degree in English. She began working in the entertainment industry in the late 1990s and has contributed to various projects alongside her husband.
Paul Haggis and Chris Ciaffa have two daughters: Alissa, born in 1998, and Lauren, born in 2002. Their family life has been somewhat private, though the couple has occasionally appeared together in public.
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/ August 17, 2024Paul Haggis, the acclaimed screenwriter and director, has been married to producer Chris Ciaffa since 1997. Together, they have two daughters: Alissa, born in 1998, and Lauren, born in 2002. While the couple’s personal life has mostly remained private, their family has occasionally been in the spotlight. Chris Ciaffa, a skilled producer in her own right, has worked on various projects in the entertainment industry. Despite facing some public scrutiny, particularly in the wake of legal controversies involving Haggis, the family has generally kept a low profile and continued to support one another.
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/ August 22, 2024In the vibrant world of entertainment, few names shine as brightly as Paul Haggis. Born on March 10, 1953, in London, Ontario, this Canadian-born creator has become a true maestro of both the small and big screens. His journey from a budding writer to an Oscar-winning filmmaker is a testament to his extraordinary talent and versatility.
The Television Trailblazer
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/ August 23, 2024The clash between Paul Haggis
and the Church of Scientology is quite a dramatic story. Paul Haggis, the well-known screenwriter and director behind movies like Crash and Million Dollar Baby, was a high-profile member of the Church of Scientology for decades. However, in 2009, he publicly resigned from the church and became a vocal critic.
Haggis’s departure from Scientology was fueled by his dissatisfaction with the church’s practices and its stance on various social issues, including its position on same-sex marriage. In his resignation letter, he criticized the church’s leadership and its treatment of its members, which he felt was inconsistent with the church’s stated values.
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/ August 23, 2024Yes, Paul Haggis, born March 10, 1953, is a Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director who played a significant role in the Bond film series. He co-wrote the screenplays for Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008), both of which were part of the James Bond franchise reboot featuring Daniel Craig as the iconic spy.
In addition to his work on the Bond films, Haggis is known for his work on other notable films such as Crash (2004), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Million Dollar Baby (2004), which won several Oscars, including Best Director and Best Picture. His career has been marked by both commercial success and critical acclaim, although his relationship with the Church of Scientology has been a significant and controversial aspect of his public life.
shikha
/ August 23, 2024Paul Haggisis a highly acclaimed Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director known for his work on films such as “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby.” He is a master storyteller who tackles complex and thought-provoking themes in his work, often exploring issues of race, class, and society.
Haggis is renowned for his ability to create compelling, multi-dimensional characters and weave together multiple storylines in a cohesive and impactful way. His films often challenge the audience to confront uncomfortable truths and examine their own preconceptions and biases.
One of the key strengths of Haggis’s work is his attention to detail and his dedication to authenticity. He is known for his meticulous research and his insistence on portraying characters and situations with nuance and depth. This commitment to realism is evident in the powerful and emotionally resonant stories he brings to the screen.
Paul Haggis
/ August 24, 2024The clash between Paul Haggis
and the Church of Scientology is quite a dramatic story. Paul Haggis, the well-known screenwriter and director behind movies like Crash and Million Dollar Baby, was a high-profile member of the Church of Scientology for decades. However, in 2009, he publicly resigned from the church and became a vocal critic.
Haggis’s departure from Scientology was fueled by his dissatisfaction with the church’s practices and its stance on various social issues, including its position on same-sex marriage. In his resignation letter, he criticized the church’s leadership and its treatment of its members, which he felt was inconsistent with the church’s stated values.
The Church of Scientology responded to Haggis’s departure by dismissing his criticisms and attacking his character. They have a history of aggressively defending themselves against former members and critics, often using legal and public relations tactics.
Haggis has continued to speak out about his experiences, and his story has contributed to broader scrutiny of the church’s practices and policies. His case highlights the intense conflicts that can arise when high-profile members choose to leave or criticize Scientology.
Paul Haggis
/ August 24, 2024Paul Haggis is a highly renowned screenwriter and director known for his work in Hollywood. With a filmography that includes critically acclaimed projects like “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby,” Haggis has made a significant impact on the industry. His ability to craft thought-provoking narratives that delve into complex human emotions and societal issues has earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Academy Awards.
shikha
/ August 27, 2024Paul Haggis\]is a Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director known for his work on both film and television. He gained significant recognition for writing and directing films like Crash (2004), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Haggis also worked on the TV show Walker, Texas Ranger and was involved in creating the series In Plain Sight. His career has been marked by both critical acclaim and controversy, particularly involving his later years and legal issues.