Add a pocket to a jacket. Dress of the Day 786 from Angela Lansbury.

 

Pocket added to jnside of jacket. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Most of my Indigo Moon jackets don"t have pockets.

I emptied a zip up bag which I was given on a Singapore Airlines flight. I am turning larger, stiff zipped make up bags into clutch bags by adding sequins. Other small, stiff bags with zips in bright colours can be turned into small shoulder bags or evening body bags for dinner in restaurants and hotels. 

However, this light, thin bag will make a pocket.

I considered making a slit for a pocket in a side seam, but slant pockets are better for side seams.

If I had one smart zippered bag I could make two vertical slits and thread it onto a dress belt, or a belt for trousers (Americans say pants) or a coat.

One drawstring fabric gift bag which came with jewellery, or a candle. Could thread through a belt on on evening skirt.

lf I had had two elegant matching matching bags they would make matching patch pockets on a shirt, skirt, pinafore dress or coat

But I have just one bag in a neutral colour. Nothing fancy, inclined to crease.

Perfect for a simple hidden pocket. An experiment. A dark pocket, hidden inside a dark colour jacket, making it more practical.

I sewed with doubled thread. For strength.

Should the pocket go on my left or right? Top pockets on shirts and vests of smart suits go on the wearer's left, the right, as you look at the jacket on the table, or hanger or wearer.

When I opened the jacket I had another choice. Behind the buttons or buttonholes. To avoid blocking buttonholes, I sewed the new pocket under the buttonholes.

One last decision. Zip direction.

Where should the zip pull be when you pull it open? At the front near the jacket opening to be handy and convenient? Or at the back, out of sight, safer when travelling?

I filled my pocket with a couple of business cards. Handy when meeting friends and business contacts. 

If I leave it behind anywhere, a friend could identify me. A lost property office could know I was the rightful owner. 

My zip pouch has the word Givenchy.

Givenchy for Singapore Airlines. I could put that prestigious name at the back. Or display it at the front.

What else can go in this pocket? Neither the thin jacket fabric, nor the thin lining, nor the thin pocket can support much weight.

Maybe a comb, lipstick, pen, piece of writing paper, another business card, tissue, or piece of toilet paper.

Purpose of pockets

I felt very pleased at this point. At my ingenuity and skill. And my preparation for my travels.

However, although I was fifty per cent happy, i had achieved only one of my two goals in having pockets.

I like pockets as places to hide my hands. Hide rings or bracelets. So I don't drop jewellery or lose it. To hide cracked nail varnish or lack of nail varnish.

I told my husband.

He retorted, 'Better not to put hands in pockets. That stretches the fabric.'

 But I like to rest my hands.

Never mind. I consoled myself with thought that from his point of view, my new pockets fulfilled their function.

This is the start of many more experiments, sewing pockets into clothes which just needs a small amount of time for a big improvement.

I already had large numbers of airline bags given away free to every passenger before Covid. 

You can buy anti-theft hidden zipper pockets on amazon at about nine pounds fifty pence, free postage, for a pack of two, for one on each side of a jacket, skirt, coat or pair or trousers (Americans say pants).

More information on pockets

https://so-sew-easy.com/types-of-pockets-how-to-make-style-and-identify-them/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/306694386406?_skw=sew-in+pocket (Various colours).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yuiturt-Pockets-Sweatshirts-Accessories-Rectangular

https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-a-Pocket

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