Pockets

I think we can all agree that the fashion industry has long been missing the mark and letting us down in relation to pockets in women's garments.  I hate carrying a purse but pockets in dress trousers, and now even jeans, are either absent or absurdly small.  I figured out how to add some space in trouser pockets but I also wanted to create an external pocket that would play off the shape and functionality of a Miser's Purse.  This ingenuous little purse often had a rounded end and a flat end.  

For my purse, I wanted it to hold my phone in the flat end, which would be carried inside the waistband, and my keys in the rounded end which would hang on the outside of the waistband.

My first attempt:

My first attempt was purposely made with a light cotton that was left over from another project.  It was too flimsy but I expected that.  I just wanted to make sure it would work practically and it did.  For this version, I sewed the foundation front and back together and did the same for each of the pockets before sewing the pockets onto the top of the foundation.

The pattern is absurdly simple.

The foundation section is 5 x 14 inches.  Mine has one square end and one rounded end. For the second attempt, I cut 2 pieces, one of a heavier fabric and one of a quilting cotton.

The phone pocket is 5 x 7 inches.  I cut 2 pieces of the lighter fabric.

The key pocket is 5 x 4 1/2 inches.  I cut 2 pieces of the lighter fabric.

The flap is 5 x 3 1/4 inches.  I cut 4 pieces, 2 of each flap.

To make the proper version, I cut according to the instructions above.  If you want to just hem the top of each pocket, you would need to cut only 1 piece each.  

The first thing I did was sew the 2 pieces for each pocket together then turned and pressed them to give me a finished edge at the top. 

I then put together a sandwich of one foundation piece, right side up, each of the pockets in their place and then the second foundation piece, right side down.  

I sewed around the sides and rounded end but left the square end open so I could turn the sandwiched fabrics right side out.  I actually went back and sewed a second time around the rounded edge to give it added strength then trimmed the seam close to the stitching.

After turning out, I gave it a good press, being careful with the seams since I've got a heavier and thinner fabric.

For the flaps, I sewed them around the sides and rounded edge, leaving the flat edge open so I could turn it out.  To attach them, I turned the flat edges in ever so slightly and sewed it to the foundation through the turned in edge.  I then pressed it so it folds over the key pocket.

For the bottom edge, you could turn it in and sew but I had a little strip of the foundation fabric left over  so I used it as an accent to bind the bottom section.

And that did it!  

Now that I have the pattern tested, I want to make one with embroidery on the key pocket and flap.  I'm thinking maybe my initial on the flap and a spray of flowers on the pocket.  There are so may possibilities!