Single Layer Pocket

These instructions are for a single layer side seam pocket. You only need to cut out two pocket pieces. If using a woven fabric, serge or zigzag around all pocket edges except the edge with the opening marks.

Method one, pocket opening exactly on the seam

Cut four long strips of interfacing 1" wide and 2” longer than the pocket opening, with the less stretchy direction along the length. Do the following for each pocket.

Fuse this to the wrong side of the pocket opening location on front and back.

Stitch the pocket right sides together (RST) to the back, matching the pocket opening dots or notches, but with a narrower seam allowance. Press the pocket away from the back bodice.

Stitch the side seam but with longest stitches (aka basting stitches) at the pocket opening and backstitching at both ends of the opening. Press the seam open and topstitch the front around the pocket open location.

Press the pocket towards the front. Pin and stitch around the pocket. I would use a medium zigzag stitch when topstitching on knits.

Remember to remove the basting stitches!

Also see this on my blog.

Method two, pocket opening inset

This picture represents the facing. The blue line is where the facing is along the edge of the front. The dotted line is the stitching. Read on...

Cut two facings, long strips of fabric 2" wide and 2” longer than the pocket opening, with the less stretchy direction along the length.

Cut two long strips of interfacing 2" wide and 2” longer than the pocket opening, with the less stretchy direction along the length.

Do the following for each pocket.

Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the facing.

Pin the facing to the front of the garment RST centered over the pocket opening. Stitch the top of the pocket opening from the fabric edge to 1” in, turn and stitch to the other end of the pocket opening, then turn and stitch towards the fabric edge, forming a flat U shape.

Inside the U-shaped stitching, cut diagonally into both corners, but not beyond the stitching.

Turn the facing to the wrong side of the front. Press and topstitch around the opening.

Place the right side of the pocket on the wrong side of the front, matching the pocket opening dots or notches. Pin and stitch around the pocket. I would use a medium zigzag stitch when topstitching on knits.

Here's where I used a curved opening.

I hope this helps.

Love Notions Classic Tee

I have owned this pattern for five years, and it has become a staple - in my mom's wardrobe!

My first one was a pink-striped poly-spandex from FabricmaniaBoutique on Etsy, with short sleeves for me.

My second one was coordinating blue DBP fabrics from JoAnn's with long sleeves for my mom.

My third and fourth were white jet fabric from Walmart bundles with short sleeves for my mom. I like to use variegated thread in the loopers of my coverstitch machine.

My fifth one was a mod flower print poly-lycra (possibly from JoAnn) with long sleeves for me.

My sixth one was a feather print poly-lycra (possibly from JoAnn) with long sleeves for me.

My seventh and eighth were cotton-lycra and DBP with short sleeves for my mom.

You can find the pattern here.

I will be sure to make this again, some other day!

Pocket Tissue Holder

 Here's a fun and easy project, which is great for using up woven scraps.

I made two a while ago and sent at least one to my mom.

You can see that I overlapped the ends of the opening.

I got the instructions here.

Enjoy!

Cutting out Different Ways

This post is to show different ways of cutting out patterns that are placed on fold for both front and back. Currently, this post is mostly pictures with minimal instructions, but will be updated later. All the pictures are small samples just to show the ideas.

These first pictures show ways to cut out a garment when the print is directional, ie, has a one-way pattern.

If both pieces take up less than the total folded width, the fabric can be folded from both sides and the pattern placed on both folds.

If a flare is wanted for the same situation, a long ruler can be used to add the flare if the fabric is enough.

If a wider flare is desired and there is enough fabric, the pattern pieces can be placed along the same fold and flared with a long ruler.

This set of pictures shows ways to cut out a garment when the print is not directional.

Whether or not the fabric is wide enough for both pieces to fit across from each other, this is the method I use.

One side of the fabric is folded just enough to accommodate one pattern piece, whether it's flared or not.

The other side of the fabric is also folded just enough to fit the other pattern piece. The armscyes are placed as close to each other as possible.

Here is an example with a flare added.

Here is what it looks like after cutting out.

Here is an example of adding more flare.

I will eventually add more information - later!

Rocky Tee by 5 out of 4 Pattern Company

I found this stretchy (89% polyester, 11% spandex) fabric at Walmart and just knew it had to be good for something. When I took it home, hubby said it would make a great sleep shirt.

As it turned out, I had just the pattern for it here, but I had to straighten the sides and adjust the length.

I assembled it with my serger and used zigzag stitching for the hems.

Yes, I attached the sleeves in a method called "on the flat."

Hubby liked it so much that he offered to pose.

I liked it so much that I made the same size for me, but shorter. However, it's in his rotation since I made another one closer to my size (scroll down to see mine).

After a while, I traced this pattern in a smaller size to make a labor-and-delivery gown for a coworker. I added loops at the side seams so she could adjust the unstructured belt I made for it.

I split the front with a Vee shape and added a band before hemming (because I forgot to hem the band first.

Except for closing the turned band, it was made entirely on my serger, including the bands that I added to the sleeves. Here's how it turned out.

At some point, I bought a dark blue shirt in hubby's size which he thought might make a good sleeveless, either casual or for sleeping. I placed the sleeveless template over this shirt and added bands with the gray fabric.

It turned out great, but he eventually disliked the blue fabric and it was donated away.

He wanted more sleep shirts, so I ordered some super-soft bamboo lycra from Sincerely Rylee Fabrics and made him another sleep shirt in a longer length.

I made him another one with the gray fabric, but sleeveless. He's wearing it now!

I made one to fit me in a double-brushed poly (DBP), but I don't recall where I bought it. I had recently gotten a coverstitch machine, so I hemmed the sleeves before I attached them.

Using a fabric that I found in the Walmart bundles section, I made a nightshirt for a friend. She seems to love it, but is camera-shy.

I hope you've enjoyed this tour through my projects.