Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Snazzy DIY Pockets With Piping [Tutorial]


Let’s talk about this super easy DIY pocket project. Every-time I use piping in a DIY pocket project I always get a lot of compliments. You can use piping to add a subtle detail to your project or you can take the project up a notch by adding piping in an opposite color for the “wow” factor.

You can add this detail to the pockets on a pattern of your choice or you can add your own pockets to a project that did not have pockets. For this tutorial I made my own pockets for a skirt front panel, which I finished the waistband and hemmed. I will reuse this skirt panel as a teaching tool. If you are a sewing instructor this would be a really cool way to show a project to your class.
Materials to add Piping to Pockets

  • 1 Package of Pre-made piping (or you can create your own piping trim)
  • Sewing machine
  • Zipper foot 
  • Iron and pressing surface (I used my new toy, an Oliso Pro)
  • Coordinating sewing thread
  • Optional serger to finish pocket edges

Let’s get started! If you are following the instructions to a pattern you will just add the piping to the edges of your pockets and continue with your instructions.
Step 1: Cut out your pockets and finish your edges with pinking shears, zig-zag stitching or you can use a serger as I did.Step 2: Turn under the edges that will not be sewn into a seam about a 1/4 inch.While we are at this point can I talk to you about this Oliso Pro itouch technology iron from Brewer Sewing? To know me is to know that I am serious about ironing as I am about sewing. Not only is it necessary to iron your seams as you go but you can get immediate satisfaction in your work with a simple pressing. I used to dream about this iron and now I own this beauty. When you put your hand on the handle because of the itouch technology it goes down to touch your fabric, once you remove your hand from the handle the hydraulics lifts the iron off of your fabric. No need to move the iron away from the fabric and sit it up-right on your ironing surface, this is the part that is going to take a little time to get used to doing. So far I love this iron.
Step 3: Prepare the garment area where you will be adding your pockets.Step 4: Cut your piping to fit your pockets.Step 5: Pin your piping to your turned under edges (this step is optional, you can sew on your piping without pinning).For one pocket, I added two rows of piping adding another dimension to my pocket.Step 6: Using your zipper foot secure the piping to the turned under edges by stitching as close the edge towards the piping as possible.Step 7: Add the pockets to your garment by pinning them in place.Step 8: Stitch the pockets to the garment and finish constructing your garment.This is my finished skirt panel showing both pockets.In the above image, I used two rows of piping and a thread that matched my fabric to stitch the pocket to the skirt front. In the image below I used only one row of piping and a different color thread along with two rows of visible top-stitching. I have two totally different looks that I can add to any project.I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you want to find more tutorials and updates on my new sewing magazine that I have in the works, stop by anytime! This post is sponsored and I will give you the 411 on this iron in about a month! In the meantime stop by Brewer Sewing for those hard to find things like fabric belt kits! Tell them Michelle sent ya!
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15 comments

  1. Very cool tutorial! I recently used one side of a zipper to embellish the pockets on a pair of short I made. I hope to try this some time soon.

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    1. I have using zippers on my to-do list, I'm pretty sure that looks cool!

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  2. You are the Bomb!!!!!! Thanks for sharing. Beautilovve

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  3. Thanks for the tip/info. So what pattern is that jeans dress with the white piping your daughter is wearing in the last photo

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    1. It's a vest and a skirt: http://www.thatblackchic.com/2016/06/my-nine-to-five-indie-pattern-picks-sew.html

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  4. Thank you Michelle,

    I'm currently working on Simplicity Vintage Pattern 1166 and I was thinking how in the heck am I going to do the piping on the skirt! Now I know and I'm excited, I will send you a pic when I'm done.

    Dee from BWHAT
    Bust Waist Hips and Thighs
    www.bwhat.org

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  5. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Such a wonderful tutorial. Rest assured, I'll be using this tutorial.
    Lee.

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  6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog! Thanks for the tutorial. I have really gotten into sewing with blue jean because of your blog and can't wait to try this on a project. I am so excited about your magazine coming out as well.

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    1. Thanks Reesie! The tutorial is a way to add WOW to your project. The magazine will be coming later in the year but it's coming along, a lot of work but it will be worth it.

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  7. Very nice work Ms. Michelle! It's all about the details sometimes and here's a great example of them!

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  8. Love it. Making my daughter some scrub pants with pockets. I might have to add a bit of piping for some style! Thanks

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