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Tips for Better Handmade Bags- interior pockets

July 29, 2014 8 Comments

This post is part of the series

10 Tips for Better Handmade Bags
Tips for Better Handmade Bags

A bag without pockets is a bad idea. Unless it is just a grocery bag, every bag deserves at least one pocket.

Inside pockets are something we are happy to stitch in a hurry to finish a bag. Usually we prepare the fabric for pocket, place it on the lining and stitch on three sides. It’s not a bad thing but we could do more. We could add a little depth and volume to a pocket. Here is how.

Prepare the pocket as usual and place it on the lining in the desired place. Mark the center and stitch as in the picture below.

Tips for Better Handmade Bags
 

Make a fold at 1/2” from the center stitching, to the right. Bring the fold toward the center.

Tips for Better Handmade Bags

And pin.

Tips for Better Handmade Bags

Do the same to the left of the center stitching.

Then pin the rest of the pocket in place and stitch along the three edges. Make sure you backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam.

Tips for Better Handmade Bags

It is just as simple and now you have a better place to keep a few things.
If you want even more volume, you could make folds near the outside edges too.

Tips for Better Handmade Bags
 

Some more tips:

  • Add interfacing to the fabric for pockets; I usually use quilting weight fabric and a lightweight interfacing. Heavyweight fabric doesn’t need interfacing.
  • I don’t like very large pockets. When I open a bag I don’t like to see the content of the pockets exposed.  I prefer to divide a big pocket.
  • If the fabric for lining has a dark color or busy print, it’s a great idea to use a contrasting fabric for the pockets. In this way, it is easy to “see” inside the bag.

You could do even more for keeping safe the content of your bag: you
could add a zippered pocket. More about it in a future tutorial.

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Filed Under: sewing

Comments

  1. Karenkay says

    July 29, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    I love this, Geta….thank you!

    Reply
  2. kayleighinstitches says

    July 29, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    I love this. Going to have to use it on my next bag.

    Reply
  3. Charo says

    July 30, 2014 at 10:50 pm

    I hadn't thought about this tip. I will do it in may next bag. Thanks

    Reply
  4. Silvia says

    August 1, 2014 at 3:34 am

    So simple but so useful! Thanks Geta!

    Reply
  5. Alexandra says

    August 1, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    great tips! 🙂

    Reply
  6. legato1958 says

    August 3, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    I love the pleated slip pocket! It makes a pocket look so elegant!! I agree that every purse needs a pocket in the lining… at least ONE!
    Susie

    Reply
  7. Sarah Martin says

    September 3, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    Nice touch, and so easy to do! Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Kate says

    September 19, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    Great tips, Geta. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply

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