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Sewing Circle: Fancy skirt pockets!

Speaking of skirts for fall... today's Sewing Circle question is from Sara, about how to make a super cool skirt pocket. Sara's question...

Q: I'm trying to make this skirt...

It's a simple A-line skirt, but how on earth do you make those pockets? I don't even know if there's a name for pockets like that. I imagine it's some sort of welt pocket concoction? I'm at a loss here and I'd really appreciate it if you and your readers could help.

A: Hello Sara,
Great question!! I hope I can help you with that cute skirt, although I haven’t seen a pattern for the exact thing. Unfortunately I don’t know the name for that kind of pocket, either. It could be constructed sort of like a welt pocket but without the pieces surrounding the opening. I’m sure you could figure it out if you played around with it a little, and then also the top stitching on the pocket shape.

I’d say start with a pattern like this but don't cut it with the pleat...

...or maybe this...

...and add the top stitching for where the pocket is inside or cut the pocket shape separately and pice it like a quilt top, very carefully clipping in at the corners, of course! I recommend checking out the Viking Husquvarna “Sewing Room"--they have great visuals for simple and more complicated sewing concepts. Click “Sewing Techniques” and look at some of the pockets and maybe even buttonholes.

You also could look for a pants pattern with similar pockets, sort of like this one, and modify it using a miniskirt pattern or just measurements to get the skirt shape right, and again top stitch to show the inner pocket shape.

Wish I could be more help!! Readers, do you have any ideas???

How would you make such a skirt? (Maybe a refashion, even!?)


  1. Maybe one of these can be of help?
    It's a quilt made of pockets, and I think there's tutorials for most of the pockets. There's none exactly like your inspiration, but maybe it will help?

  2. It doesn´t look like top-stitching, it looks like special cut of the top of pockets. Hmmm! Don't know how to explain. I can try to ask in one sewing forum, may be they help%)

    1. True, it's sort of like a pieced rectangle... tricky!

  3. It looks to me like the pocket is a separate panel, essentially a patch pocket, only it's sewn in on all sides, including into the side seams, and has a faced slit for an opening.

    Cut out the panel shape, 2 self, 2 lining. With right sides facing, pin the lining on top of self, and mark where you want the slit to be. Sew a long skinny rectangle around that slit line. Cut the slit and into the corners of the rectangle. Now stuff the lining through the slit, press and understitch. Now sew the pocket panels to skirt face. This skirt is not topstitched, which makes it a much more difficult feat, especially with that corner, but not impossible. But if you aren't confident in your ability to sew it in nice and flat from the inside, I would just topstitch it down, like a patch pocket.

  4. I'm with melodycharlotte on how to go about constructing the slit for the pocket. I can see another option for incorporating the pocket into the skirt, though. What if, instead of looking at it like a patch that you're applying ONTO the skirt panel, you look at the pocket like a piece inserted INTO the skirt panel? Then the only tricky part is how to set up the backside of the pocket.

    I'd construct the pocket as melodycharlotte describes, but instead of two self panels, cut four so you have two for each pocket. Once you have the slit pressed and understitched, place your second self piece beneath your pretty pocket top, right side to wrong side (so the right side of the bottom self piece shows through the pocket slit) and stitch the edges together. Basically, you create a pocket sandwich with a top self layer (right side up), the lining in the middle (giving you a nice finished edge on the pocket slit) and a bottom layer of the self fabric (right side up) to create the back of the pocket.

    Then all you have to do is stitch this magnificent pocket creation into your skirt panels. Just treat the corners like very square godet or gusset points and you've got it made! If you're using a lightweight wool (and not trying to match a pattern!), I betcha that top curve will be so much fun to stitch! Piecing the pocket in makes the stitching a little bit easier than having to top-apply the pocket through the pocket slit; unfortunately, this does mean that the pockets will be thicker than the rest of the skirt. Everything's a tradeoff!

    Hope this is helpful!

    1. Definitely--like making the first part of a welt pocket. Thanks!

  5. Anonymous10/10/2012

    Hi guys, I'm the one that sent the question in. First, thanks Suzannah for posting my question! Second, thank you guys for your answers! I'd say I'm a pre-intermediate level sewer? I can follow instructions pretty well :) Like you said, those pockets *are* inserts and I was stumped but now I'm understanding how to make them, I really appreciate your help!


  6. I'm no advanced stitcher, but it looks a bit like the pocket, with welt/slit opening, itself is a separate pattern piece that is inset into the skirt body. I'm not sure how the pocket innards would work, but you might just apply a welt pocket to the pocket inset.

    This is one of those times I'd try to find a real life example and look at its innards if possible.




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