Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Mitered Patch Pockets
Sew it simple. Sew to have fun. How? It’s rather straightforward after you learn The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew! Pockets are my focus for this blog tutorial. Clever use of household tape will give you the guide to sew the outright simplest mitered corners.
The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Mitered Patch Pockets
1. Interface Pockets
- Cut lightweight fusible interfacing to hemline of the pocket.
- Cut the interfacing along the hemline and trim off a scant 1/8″ of the interfacing on each pocket.
- Position the interfacing as pictured, leaving space between the two interfacing pieces. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of each pocket, following manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Finish the edge of the pocket hem by zigzagging, serging, or turning under 1/4″ and stitching.
3. Fold the hem to the outside of the pocket along the foldline.
4. Stitch the side seams.
5. Trim/grade the seam allowances. Trim the pocket allowance to 3/8″ and the hem allowance to 1/4″. Trim the upper corners diagonally.
6. Turn the hem to the inside of the pocket.
7. Prepare the pocket corners.
- Use the 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge to measure, and mark twice the seam width from each side of the corner. (For example, with 5/8″ seams, mark 1-1/4″ on each side of the corner. For 1/4″ seams, mark 1/2″ on each side of the corner.)
- Place a strip of household tape or Sewer’s Fix-It Tape, on the wrong side of the fabric between the two marks, extending tape to each edge.
- Fold the corner to a point, right sides together, aligning the marks and the tape.
- Stitch from mark to mark, following along the tape edge.
- Remove tape; trim the seam to 1/4″.
- Turn corner right side out. Press. Repeat as needed to miter all corners.
The mitered corner pocket is now ready to topstitch to your project. Easy!
The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Book
Chapters include:
- Sewing Notions
- Sewing Machine Confidence
- Serger Spotlight
- Patterns
- Fabric Facts
- Sewing Basics
- Beyond the Basics
Watch me demonstrate this pocket technique online
The mitered-corner pocket is featured in the third episode of The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew. Watch online to learn more techniques
The random winner of Quick Column Quilts book is Brenda Ackerman. She said, As always, I just love watching your show! I had really never considered a column quilt, yet after reading the post and watching the episode; I will be creating one of these quilts and most likely many more. They are wonderful. Thank you for sharing everything that you do! Have a great day!
Bye for now,
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Maria r
What a great tip. I would see these pockets on a purse
Renea
I will be adding pockets to an apron that I am making for my daughter-in-law. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Cheryl S
I will be putting a pocket on a shirt I am making for my husband. He is so proud of the shirts I make for him. I it so cute when he “forces” people to look at the “Made Especially for You” tag I sew to the back of the collar.
Jackie Weil
I’m making money (envelope) wallets. This will work on the inside cover for a debit card and/or ID. It doesn’t get much more simple now that you know how to do it.
Sue Litman
Great method! I see several aprons and purses on my gifts-to-make list. I’ll try this technique on them. You always amaze me with all your great ideas! Thanks
Randi Grover
What a cool trick. I’ll use that this fall when I attempt to make a jacket.
Joanne P.
Getting ready to make a patchwork style jacket from fabric in my stash and this pocket will work great. Thanks for the tutorial and great idea.
Mary
I will be making a knit cardigan, and am so excited to have a very easy, bulk free way to add pockets! I am a “must have pockets” person – thanks, Nancy!
Alice
I’m sewing bears to give to the first responders in my area and thought a pocket on the front of the bear to put stuff might be fun ( Kleenex, tooth for the tooth fairy).
Peggy
I plan on making a couple jackets for fall. This will be perfect.
Dawn
I saw this tip in one of Nancy’s newsletters years and years ago and still have the clipping. It’s one of the best sewing tips I’ve ever gotten and I continue to use it to this day even though my little clipping has yellowed and the corners have curled. I use it for any mitered corners I do. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.
jrp53
I’d love to add this pocket to the bib front of some overalls for my grandson. Through all my 55 years of sewing I have constantly learned new things. Thanks for sharing this great method.
Monica AD
GREAT info … FIESTA 🙂
Angela B.
I just bought a new jacket pattern. The pattern doesn’t have pockets. I plan to use your tutorial to add them.
Patricia Hamilton
Your clear and concise directions will make it easy to sew mitered pockets on some aprons I am making for my sister-in-laws. I’m re-purposing some vintage linens for these aprons. Thanks for the helpful tips.
Diana G.
My granddaughter starts college this so we will be working on jackets, shirts and even some skirts. Thanks for article and thank you for the chance to win your book (I let my granddaughters have these books so she can be a great seamstress as she thinks you are a great role model for all kids!)
LadyD
My husband is a must-have pockets person, and I am making him a couple of new shirts. The pattern I intend to use has no pockets, so this tutorial will be of help when I get to that stage. Thanks much for the help with what should be a simple task.
Karen R
I am making a quilt for my Daughter and wish to put a personal hand written note in a “pocket” on the back after it is quilted and completed.
tina
Wow, you make it look so easy. I would like to try this method on an apron.
Sandy Nettles
Thank you for showing me how to attach this pocket with no little “corners” sticking out on the edge. As usual, Nancy nails the technique.
Marsha Lawrence
I’m about to make a jacket for my mom (first time ever attempting a jacket) and it has patch pockets so I’ll be using this technique instead of what’s in the pattern instructions. Your tips have already made my sewing so much easier! Thanks.
Liz M.
I’m teaching my granddaughters to sew and know this would be a great tool for them
Sandy K
I will use this on a jacket I am making. Wonderful tip. Thanks.
Sandy K
I will use this on a jacket i am making. Thanks for this great tip.
Jessy Rushing
I sew Little Dresses for Africa using a very simple pattern. I usually add two contrasting pockets, so now I can have more professional looking pockets on my Little Dresses.
Jackie Bowden
Purses are my absolute love to make so they would definitely end up on a purse first, but from there who knows?!
Jeanne Jabour
Brilliant! Thank you so much for taking the mystery out of the mitered corner for pockets! I am making a utility apron (now with loads of pockets – LOL), and a dress for my niece who loves pockets!! Instead of dreading the pocket process and hoping for the best, I know each pocket will be exactly the way I intend them to look. Amazing how you simplified this process! Many, many thanks, Jeanne Jabour
Kim Harrington
This way of doing a mitered corner is very simple! Mitered corners on just about everything look so professional.
Connie Cain
Love learning new ways to do things! 🙂
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Christina Gonzalez
Will add to the pocket to my new overnight bag.
Donna G.
I’ll be adding them to a casual jacket I’m currently making. Great technique!
W Lawrence
Ill be adding this pocket to a top I’m making.
Berenice
My daughter wanted a pair of shorts with a pocket on the back. This looks like it is much easier than fiddling to make sure all the ends are tucked in at the corners!
Pat Bartholomew
what a great way to do the corners, always had trouble with making sure the corners were squared up. Making a bath wrap around for granddaughter with a cute pocket, this tip will help a lot.
Deb Brasel
Looks easy, and creates a nice finish! Would put this on a skirt or jumper for my granddaughter.
Peggy
What a great tip for pockets. This will really reduce the bulk in the corners of the pockets.
Mary Ellen
Terrific idea! I can add pockets to sweatshirt cardigans; thanks for a quick solution to the mitered corners.
Kathleen King
Terrific instructions! I will trying this on doll clothes first.
Starla
The mitered pocket technique looks do-able!
Grannies Connie
Oh my! I see these pockets begging to be used on little boy’s shirts and little girl’s skirts. My grandkids LOVE pockets so this tip is so very helpful. Thanks a bunch.
Judy H.
Thank you for this GREAT TIP – I have always disliked the bulk at the corners of pockets so now this takes that away. I am making Lion’s Club Vest for our local Lion’s Club members and will definitely get to use this tip twice per vest.
Thank you again Nancy and I continue to pray for your complete and full recovery.
Anne
Love the way these pockets will look on an unstructured jacket. Great instructions as always!
Becky M
Thank you for this great tip! By the way, I love the knit jacket you featured. May I ask what pattern that is?
Jan N.
Very cool technique! I would use this technique on everything I make that includes a rectangle/square pocket…dresses, tops, bags, and aprons.
Audrey Cook
This is wonderful! Thank you! My husband has asked for pajama pants with patch pockets. Now I know how to make them!
Michelle J
Thank you Nancy! I am making a jacket and will now use this technique. I wasn’t going to put a pocket on as I was not confident with the outcome.
Kimberly Hubbard
I am a nurse, these mirrored pockets will go perfect on my scrub tops!
Marcia
I would like the pattern information also. GREAT PATTERN! I love it it fleece.
Cecilia
This technique could be used for so many sewing projects, what a great tip.
Allan Kovarik
l would like to know what patter was used for the jacket.
Candice
I once made a shirt, that had similar instructions. The pattern is long gone, and so was the technique (ok, I forgot about it!!) Thanks for another great tip!! I can’t wait to use the idea on the bags and aprons I’ve got planned. Best wishes on your continued recovery.
diane
in the process of making a jacket and this pocket will make it so easy to do. pattern doesn’t call for a pocket, but was going to add one anyway. thanks again
Shirley Aufdenberg
I will be adding the perfectly mitered patch pocket to some boy’s shorts that I am making as a donation for a mission trip a friend is making to Africa.
Eileen Head
I am excited to try the perfectly mitered on shorts for our 7 year old grand son and our 2 year old foster grand son. The 7 year old is learning to sew , and I plan to teach him and some of his buddies sewing classes this fall. Your new book , The Absolutely Easiest Way to Sew, beginner sewing, would be a welcome help in our beginner class. Prayers and best wishes for your recovery.
Gail Beam
Great tutorial! I think these would be great pockets to add to a tote bag or purse.
L. Brownell
Am doing pillowcase dresses for shoeboxes to go to Haitian orphanage to be shipped in Nov by my church(18 done so far) I am going back and put a contrasting pocket on each, this will make it easier. Dresses are for ages 4-10. What little girl doesn’t like a pocket?
Marty
Hadn’t planned to add one, but I now realize that my grand-daughter’s new dress needs a pocket!
Elaine W
I have been making a lot of purses and tote bags with interior and exterior pockets. Your way would work especially well on thick fabrics like denim.
Sue Baldwin
This is absolutely the greatest, think that I have struggled with these all my sewing life, since I was 10 and am now 74!! Thanks for all your help!!
Aggie
I plan to use the pockets on my grandaughters’ jackets. I have enjoyed your sewing tips over the years and am passing them along to my grandaughters as they are starting to sew. Thank you.
Ginger
Love the cleaver way to do a pocket. I’ll be adding that to my son’s shorts.
Ell
This would be a good pocket for a lightweight jacket.
Peggy V
Love this technique, sew clever!!! Will try this on a tote I am making!! Thank you for yet another wonderful method!!!
Carol
I can use this tip on aprons for the grandkids as well as doll clothes! Wish I had known this before — great tip, as always!
Thanks so much!
Lorij
I have some India suits. None have pockets and I will be adding pockets to all of them on the inside.
Linda Rupe
I used to line all of my patch pockets to avoid that corner problem, but now I don’t have to do that! I put these mitered pockets on everything – we all need pockets.
The pattern is Nancy Zieman’s Cape Cod Jacket. I’ve made several for my mother and myself. It’s a great pattern, fantastic instructions and easy to wear.
Liisa Friesen
What a great tip! This will come in very handy for the ‘pockets purse’ I’m making! Thank you so much.
Nicole
What a great technique! I will use this on my aprons that I’ve been making as gifts. . .now my pockets will turn out much better.
Karen
A very neat finish for a pocket, thanks for sharing!
Shiloh Demille
It’s actually a cool and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.