The Perfect Pocket for Beginners!

This is THE pocket for beginners! You can hack any pattern to add or create this side seam pocket, and then sew it with relative ease. You got this!
MY FAVE SEWING TOOLS: My sewing machine - Babylock Sofia 2
My serger - an old Kenmore
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
My Wiss scissors - US: amzn.to/48fkFXl Canada: amzn.to/41PJsiZ
C-Thru Ruler - US: amzn.to/3tfqdSS Canada: amzn.to/3TwBAk8
6x24” Olfa Ruler - US: amzn.to/3GEwV8f Canada: amzn.to/486Mm4V
Hip curve - US: amzn.to/41BMkQp Canada: amzn.to/41GVx9V
Erasable Frixion Markers - US: amzn.to/3tfjVCS Canada: amzn.to/3RVq68K
Sharp Tracing Wheel - US: amzn.to/3tfPr3s Canada: amzn.to/41DLF0z
Loop Turner - US: amzn.to/3RH6HIw Canada: amzn.to/483Z30q
Tailor’s Ham - US: amzn.to/3RGEXDG Canada: amzn.to/485SPNN
My cordless iron - similar: US: amzn.to/48kprDb Canada: amzn.to/4aus5rJ
To finish off the waist casing and hem, please watch my boxer shorts video: • Grade 8 Boxer Shorts
To support the growth of my channel, please don't forget to give a thumbs up, leave a comment, SUBSCRIBE and share! Thanks so much!!!
#diyfashion
Music: Dove Love by Qunicas Moreira from the KZbin Audio Library
EMAIL: [e-mail]
INSTAGRAM: @cathbhay
PINTEREST: / cathbhay
Thank you for watching and supporting the growth of my channel!
Until next time, take care!
~Catherine

[@mariabean8627]

Thank you for your tutorials, ❤ You are the Bob Ross of the sewing world , so calm and informative , you make me feel I can make anything. 😊

[@eeddoosshh]

".. red thread in the machine, so I'm just gonna keep sewing" totally my mindset! :) Great tutorial, BTW and I love that you call it "with a bite taken off" =) lovely! Gorgeous red color, too! Way to go ☀️

[@lolawall3561]

The pocket looks difficult but you made it look easy. Thanks for your easy to follow sew along. Really enjoyed this video!

[@robinr6399]

Thanks for the very clear demonstration of this alternative pocket!

[@danamatsukawa4762]

I haven't seen a pocket made like this. It looks easy!

[@sybilfisherable]

I LOVE POCKETS …..and have been planning to ADD them to my pants!! This is a SUPER METHOD!! Love all of your videos, and that you are a Sewing Teacher. I taught home economics for 12 years. My best job!! (besides being a MOM).❤🎉

[@laurajones4088]

Excellent pocket tutorial! This method eliminates gaping at the sides and is a great way to add pockets to knit garments. Thank you, Catherine!

[@firstmoondancer]

I really love this pocket!! And so simple. Thanks for your down to earth instructions!

[@kerstinshadbolt1003]

Great video! My favourite pants pattern has no pockets - now it does! Your design is brilliant in its simplicity and the best feature for me is that it is attached at the waist. It looks great too!🌷

[@nigglemoth]

Wow that is such an easy technique to get a great finish, thanks so much! Next trews I make are going to have Catherine pockets!

[@michellemabelle100]

I like that style of pocket! My easy go-to pocket is similar, except I just do the diagonal opening from the waistline. I'm going to try this one too! I agree, much easier than those side seam pocket where you have to attach them to the front and back pieces and sew all around them. Total pain! :)

[@sylvienayman8441]

yes!!! that's a great and straightforward way to make a pocket. thank you!! always looking forward to your videos.

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

That looks so great! I haven't liked how my grandson's pockets have looked. So now I will have to redraft parts of the pattern and give this a try!

[@joylittle3917]

Absolutely great! This is so much easier than a traditional pocket and it looks really classy!

[@lesleywatkins1172]

Wow, I love your tutorials, you make things so doable! 😊

[@daxxydog5777]

That is so much easier! I wish I had had that available when I did my first decent pair of pants a couple of months ago. I am saving this to my sewing tips playlist!

[@linkay6]

Great! You make it seem so easy!

[@debbiesnyder4778]

Thank you thank you. That is the best pocket I’ve seen so neat and fashionable. Love it !!!

[@mammastreed5070]

Love that style of pocket! I’m currently working on some rompers/jumpsuits and these would be great in them! Also, love that shirt! The fabric is awesome!

[@patsyscott672]

Thank you, thank you. I love these pockets. Pants look fantastic on you. Love the thinner belt too. Very pretty.

[@Sheri...]

This is a fantastic tutorial!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks so much, Sheri! That's great to hear!

[@kriskeuler4455]

Awesome instructions ❤❤❤ you’re the best 🥰

[@janewarnock8855]

Thank you for this video. I've just used all your pocket and construction tips for the 5th pair of my favourite trouser pattern. The finish has come out so much neater!

[@Maplecook]

You got me in your pocket, lady!

[@lucilledaub5991]

I love your new way of doing a pocket.

[@nettiepoohsews]

I just made several pairs of PJ pants for Christmas gifts. These pockets turned out SO nice and they were so easy! This is definitely my new way to do pockets! Thank you!

[@susanbaker902]

Love you instructions. Always clear.

[@carolines2088]

Love it! "Ive got red thread in the machine..." well, youre half way there then to the finished piece! Lovely way of making pockets. Will def try it. My pockets are often sloppy especially in knit fabric so this way seem to be better. Thank you!

[@patbailey-persad6516]

You make sewing look soo easy. Good job!!

[@elainelear4982]

Your videos give me confidence to work on new techniques. Thank you.

[@lorioverman1668]

Thank you for showing this way to make pockets. I look forward to try this method ❤

[@gehanghobrial2449]

Thank you ❤ 🙏 for the great tutorial. I want to learn how to make these pockets for long time, now I can enjoy making them ❤❤ I would love to make a pants with you next week. Could you please put a link to the fabric that you are using or similar to it. I’m a beginner and fabric choice is still difficult for me. I appreciate your help ❤❤

[@oskarmolly]

Your way is so much easier. I've always dreaded the pocket,

[@lelee8165]

I love this pocket. Thanks for the great tutorial!

[@joannecarroll5504]

Hi Catherine, great idea. Ilove your work. Being a sewer of some 50yrs, I am always open to new & different ways of doing things, but quality learning is difficult to find on YT. Most sewing channels are run by the v young, early in their sewing journey & whose sole experience of clothing is the mass produced. While I believe wholeheartedly that people should sew whatever & however it works for them, it saddens me greatly that these channels teach others that an overlocker finish is 'the' professional standard, when it's untrue; experience & learning dictate that it is instead the sweatshop standard & that garments last longer & hold shape better with a couture or tailored finish. While you love your overlocker, I like that you show alternative finishes too & your recommendations to shop secondhand are paramount - choosing 2nd hand over buying virgin plastic fabrics would be something I'd like to see. I'd also like to see much more reference to metric measurements please; I started primary school 50yrs ago this year & even back then, we were educated ONLY in the metric system. There are 1.35bn English speakers & potential viewers in the planet - 94.7% of us use the metric system. Even USA's scientific & mathematical community is metric, plus 20% of under-45s in the US, according to US govt have increased to always using metric. The name itself tells us Imperial reflects an archaic time of colonisation, but being inclusive means including everyone. Don't just 'turn American' like other international KZbinrs currently are in droves. Keep being yourself, but do remember the other 1.28bn of us. Blessings & bonne chance.

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Joanne! And thanks for the reminder to stay true to myself. Like many Canadians, I go back and forth between metric and imperial, which might be confusing for some, but it’s very Canadian!!

[@user-xt9cx1yy1j]

I love this pocket and video. Thank you for making it so easy. Now I'm going to be adding pockets to everything. Thank you❤

[@margaretttowler9404]

Love your tutorials. So glad I found your channel it makes me want to sew more.

[@Silver_Threads_Sewing]

You are always awesome. Love this pocket. Thank you!!!

[@dianek4354]

Hi Catherine, thank you for your clear and thorough explanations of what you’re doing. It’s so helpful to my sewing. On the topic of pockets, can you do a video on just doing pockets for knit garments ? I really struggle with this.

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Diane! This pocket works well on knit garments like sweatpants. What other kinds of knit garments are you wondering about?

[@dianek4354]

I want to put pockets in a knit pant pattern I am making with some heavier (10 ounce) cotton Lycra jersey. In general, while I love sewing with knits, there are some challenges 😅really stumping me. 1. pockets, 2. Like when I’ve accidentally used a fabric with much more ( or less) stretch than called for by the pattern. Are there any guidelines for adapting in this situation?

[@sandragee2864]

Thank you! I have a few shorts & pants without pockets that I want to put pockets in. This seems less onerous than the side seam pockets.

[@jleegri2484]

Love this. Thinking of adding a pocket to a dress I just bought.

[@afghanbunny1]

Thank you so much for this! I really love your tutorial videos. I might try this, but I'm not sure it will work for my shape. I have a tummy and pockets often gape on me 😢. But it does look like a neat & easy method.

[@joycehagberg1]

Oooohhh, I like this pocket! 🙂

[@barbarakushner5718]

Thank you so much for the pocket demo! I am going to use your design for all my pockets!

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

I could add pockets to existing sweatpants!

[@annholmes9650]

Fabulous pockets, great stuff, thanks for sharing x x

[@helenv2906]

Excellent info and video! I was wondering if you have a video on doing a zipper extension. I just bought a pant pattern that has button instead of a fly and was asking another $10 for purchasing the pack extension. I'm so sick of those indie cie that like to squeeze you more and charge a heathy price for the pattern itself. So would love to learn it and now I'm not stuck with anymore button hole and buttons instead of zipper. Thank you!!

[@ginalibrizzi5204]

I DO love this pocket! Thank you! ❤

[@ArtsBridge2011]

Catherine, do you offer online classes? You are such an excellent teacher and you explain so well!

[@CatherineSews]

I’ve been asked that a few times, so I’m thinking about it. What would it look like to you?

[@lucyall1898]

Thanks for these wonderful pockets !!!

[@annfhallahan4347]

OMG, fab. Great idea

[@bonniecrowe1531]

Great ideas. Always useful info.

[@francinelundeen435]

Nice pocket can't wait to give it a try, thanks

[@themamachar]

Love the videos. You are so smart. Thanks.

[@sarahl2481]

Saved 🥰🥰🥰 I used the sleeves of a t-shirt one time to add pockets to a skirt 😁 DO you have an outside pocket pattern for tight skirts/pants, where having and inner pocket would cause too much bulk/show too much?

[@nancynewman6592]

Wow Thanks! Love this :)

[@lizhart901]

Brilliant!

[@janetwilliams7705]

Thank you!

[@annholmes9650]

Brilliant, thank you x x x

[@lindabrotherton1225]

You are so amazing

[@clothingalterations]

Great video 👍👍🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@PrayNow4all]

Cool!

[@marygersetich8709]

I really like those pockets. But I imagine they wouldn't work easily to add to an existing garment. Also, maybe not great to add to a skirt with a lot of gathering at the waist?

[@saf3508]

Awesome! Would this work for ready-to-wear? I have several dresses that need pockets.

[@fondabadger9617]

Do you have a video on adding a side pocket to pj pants?

[@marilynheath68]

What is good method for establishing the rear crotch length and curve for a full seat when a sway back is also part of the mix? Yep, that's me and pants have always been a challenge. Any advice will be appreciated! Love the videos and your methods.

[@mrstokes5427]

Great technique! Would this also work for a traditional pocket with an opening that slants diagonally from waist to side?

[@macuisinesanssulfites4101]

Not an expert but yes I have done it myself. It depends on the other features of your garment. Mine was a dress with a square collar so I wanted to keep angles rather than curves. @Catherine: thank you for this super clear tutorial. You even show what can go wrong and what not to worry about. You rock!

[@wallysworld3435]

How do you put pockets in pants/skirts, store bought, that don’t have pockets?

[@amydo3557]

' What kind of iron do you use? Thanks!

[@janicemurray7655]

Love that you measure in inches xxx