Pockets

Pockets were not sewn into clothes in the 1860s. Pockets were wore under the skirt and the skirt had openings in the sides to access the pockets. Now my modern skirts don't have openings or pockets so I can choose how I wear pockets i can wear them under my skirt, under my apron, or over my skirt and let the world see it (because honestly I don't care).

First I found some antique examples and then when I had a fair idea of what I was going to do I began.

Here's how I made pockets:

Let's design a pattern.

You'll need a 8½x11 inch piece of paper.

Fold in half to 4¼x11

Round the corner. I free hand the curve. But it is 2½ inches along the 11 inch side and 2 inches along the 4¼ side.

On the other side mark 1 inch along the 4¼ side opposite of the fold. Then measure down 8 inches and mark a line on the diagonal. Cut along the lines.

Open the pattern and mark a 6 inch line along the fold.

Mark over a ¼ inch on each side of the line.

Then cut out 6 pieces. 2 fashion fabric and 4 plain white. I paired 1 white and 1 fashion fabric right sides together and sewed along the dotted lines. Then cut down the center and to the corner of the seams, along the solid lines. Then I top stitched

I need to get a better picture of that.

Now lay the second white fabric over the fashion fabric right sides together and stitch around it leaving the top open. Turn and top stitch around the outer edge of the pocket.

Then sew on a belt the length depends upon your size. It needs to be long enough to go around your waist and tie in a bow. I measured my waist and added 12 inches and cut a piece of white fabric the length I measured by 3 inches wide. It is the perfect size for a nice tie. Center the pocket on the belt and sew the pocket to the belt. Turn the edges inside and pin and top stitch it closed. Now you have a pocket to hide your 21st century life in.