Tutorial 2: A new pocket variation for the Smooth Sailing blouse

Do you love pockets? Even just decorative ones that don’t hold anything?
Well, I have the pocket pattern just for you!

Here’s what it looks like in the flesh…I spotted this pocket design on a vintage pattern, and knew that it would work really well on the Smooth Sailing blouse (or any blouse pattern, honestly).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pocket is purely decorative, and really simple to make – I’ve made the pattern piece available to download at the end of the Tutorial. I drafted it to fit the SS blouse, but you could use it on any pattern you like by just adding some placement lines.

Step 1: On your Smooth Sailing pattern, square out the bottom corners of the pocket placement lines, and transfer the placement to your fabric. (It’s easier to attach the pockets before sewing darts, seams etc).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Cut 4 of the pocket pieces on the fold.  With right sides together, stitch down the curved edge only (yes, I did stitch the wrong seam and had to unpick them, ouch). Seam allowance is 1.5mm or 5/8″. Clip the curve, and turn right-side out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Press! You can also add any trim if desired at this point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4: Lay two of the pocket pieces together matching the bottom edges and corners. Pin in the centre to hold them together.
Turn up the seam allowance on the bottom edges, pin and press. Trim the corners diagonally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: I like to have my pockets opposite each other (one opening left, the other right) and this is where you would decide how you want them.

Step 5: Pin the pocket piece to the blouse, matching the bottom corners to the placement lines. Stitch carefully around the outside approx 1mm in from the edge (i.e. very close).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6: Finish sewing up the rest of your blouse!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, it’s a piece of cake!
To get your own pattern piece, right click on the below image and select ‘Open in a new Tab or Window’. You’ll need to print at a size that matches the measurements in the test square for accuracy.