Patch pockets are among the easiest types of pockets to make. By their nature, they give you all sorts of design options. Let me show you some of my favorite ways to play with them.

First, make a template

Make a template from your pattern piece.

To do this, trace the pattern piece onto a piece of cardboard or poster board, then trim off the seam allowances so your template is the size of your finished pocket. Place the template on the wrong side of your pocket, and press the seam over and around it to easily make the pocket conform to the desired shape. This works well for almost any shape of pocket.

Camouflage

I don’t mean Army issue. I mean make your pocket blend so well with the background fabric, that you can’t see them from a distance! This is simple to do. It just takes a little forethought when cutting out your pocket to match your prints. But the results are very designer. Here, the only giveaway that there is a pocket is the stitching:

Even more options

Maybe you don’t want to camouflage your pocket. Make your patch pocket a design element by playing with grain and cutting it on the bias. Or for a very hip look, use a contrast fabric.

You can also apply trim to the edges of your pocket, leave the edges raw and fringe, or sew a dramatic or subtle design on the pocket, as shown.

Patch pockets give you such great options for creativity and design. Let your imagination run free and have fun with them. See “Creative Patch Pockets” for more ideas.

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