How To Make Roomy 3 D Pockets For Purses & Totes

Posted by priti

About

I make loads of purses & one thing that is essential for a purse/bag is pockets!!!!!!!
Everywhere I see the pockets are same.Sew on 3 sides & you are done.You know what,I don't like them!!!!!!!!
The pockets should have room to keep things in it....................so I make 3 D pockets & I am going to share it with you all too:)
I will explain how to make 2 types of pockets.

If you make this kind of pockets please link it back here:) And if you have a flickr account post the pics in my flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/1418608@N24/

You Will Need (1 thing)

Matching Fabric From Your Purse Or Tote,Batting(Optional)

Steps (9 steps, 15 minutes)

1

#1-SINGLE PADDED POCKETS FOR GADGETS

Now we all carry gadgets right??????
What would a girl do without her i-phone,blackberry,kindle etc etc ..................
So I use batting to add a little bit of padding.

Cut- 2 pieces from the pocket fabric-6.5" by 6".
1 piece batting -6.5" by 6".

Now stack the pocket fabric right side together & then the batting.(don't put the batting in between the 2 fabric pieces....................after sewing it you will have to grab your seam reaper!!!!!!! yup,been there done that;)
Now sew the 3 layers from 3 sides.
2

It is ok to sew at the edges as after turning it we will be top stitching all four sides.
Now turn this inside out so that the pocket fabric is at the front & back with the batting in the centre.
Turn the fabric on the 4th unstitched side 1/4" inside & top stitch it.So you will get a padded pocket patch of 6" by 5.5".
3

Now to add the pleats to make the pocket 3 D.
From the bottom edge mark a point at 1.5" (A) & another at 0.5"(B).Mark at both the edges like this
4

Now pin point A to point B on both the sides & pin it at the top too so you get an idea of the final size of the pocket.

Stitch the bottom edge only.Remember to backstitch at the pleats so it does not unravel.
5

Now to sew it on to the inner lining.When you keep it on the lining..............if you haven't pinned at the top,it may flare at the top.Have a look.

The first pocket is the right way to stitch it.Pin it if you want.If you sew it like the second pocket then it beats the entire purpose of making a roomy pocket!!!!!!!!.
6

This is how it looks after sewing.Aint it so much spacious than a regular pocket???
Backstitch all the edges.
The final size of this pocket is 3.5" by 5.5".You can change the measurements as per your choice.
7

#2-BIG POCKET WITH COMPARTMENTS

Now to make a big pocket with compartments.Cut 2 pieces from the pocket fabric 13" by 6".Stack them right sides together,sew on three sides,then turn them inside out.Now top stitch the 4th side by tucking it in same as a regular pocket till here.
Now mark A & B on the edges same as before & sew at the pleats.
8

To compartmentalise it ,mark the centre or if you want 1 pocket bigger than another mark it towards 1 side.
Now from the centre make a mark 2cm on both sides.From this ,mark another point 1" to both the sides likes this.
9

Now make the pleats same as before & sew them.Make sure there is a gap of 2 cm between the 2 pleats.Place this on the lining & remember to keep the edges straight & sew on all three sides.Lastly sew carefully from the 2cm gap between the pleats to create the compartments.
This is what you get finally.Isn't it soooooooo much better than regular pockets????????

How To Make Roomy 3 D Pockets For Purses & Totes