Patch Pockets - Shore Pants, Cove Shorts, Coastal Cuff Shorts

Generously-sized pockets are an essential feature of a functional garment.  Patch pockets, which are applied flat to the outside of a garment, are a simple way to add some storage capacity.  They are easy to access, and big enough to stash a phone or keys. 

Here, we demonstrate how to sew patch pockets on the back of the Shore Pants, but this method can be used on any project where you'd like to add a simple pocket.  

Getting Started

DOWNLOAD SHORE PANTS/COVE SHORTS POCKET PATTERN PIECES by clicking here
DOWNLOAD COASTAL CUFFS POCKET PATTERN PIECES by clicking here
or
print the bonus pattern pieces directly from your pattern.

Cut out one or two pockets, depending on how many you'd like, from your fabric.  Mark the location of the side notches from the pattern piece.

Note that we will be sewing the patch pockets on flat to the Back pants pieces, before the pants are assembled.  

How to Sew Patch Pockets

1.  Double fold the top edge of the pocket using the notches as a guide.  Press, and stitch along the edge of the foldline. 

Adding a patch pocket to the Fable dress by Twig+Tale

2.  Fold all remaining edges 3/8" (1cm) to the wrong side and press.  This image shows the rectangle pocket, but the method is the same for shaped pockets.

Adding a patch pocket to the Fable dress by Twig+Tale

3.  Position the pocket using the placement line as a guide, as below.  

Adding a patch pocket to the Fable dress by Twig+Tale

4.  Topstitch the pocket to the garment, backtacking at the upper corners for extra strength.  

Adding a patch pocket to the Fable dress by Twig+Tale

That's it!  You now have some functional patch pockets on your garment!

Please feel free to join us at the Twig + Tale Facebook group where you can ask questions, look for inspiration, and of course share photos of your creations.  You can also find us on Instagram - be sure to tag your projects #twigandtale so that we can find you too!

Read Shore Pants, Cove Shorts, and Coastal Shorts fitting resources here: