POCKETS

Lesson 10
Introduction

Pockets are one of the most visible signs of garment's overall quality and as such, should be constructed
with a close eye to detail. On men’s and boy’s clothes, pockets are used mainly for utilitarian purposes
rather than for decoration. The chief purpose of pockets in women’s clothing is to add design interest.
They should be planned giving considerable attention to the design of the dress and the figure of the
wearer. For this reason, it is safer to design women’s dresses without pockets. Children love to have
pockets in their dresses. The appearance of children’s garments can be enhanced to a great extent by
designing pockets of varied shapes, sizes and locations with decorative details such as bias binding, lace,
ruffles, tucks, pleats, appliqué, embroidery etc. suited to the design and purpose of the dress. Placement
of the pocket on the garment depends on whether the pocket is functional or strictly decorative. A
pocket to be used should be located at a level that is comfortable for the hand to reach. If a pocket is
only decorative, as pockets above the waist usually are, it should be placed where it will be most
flattering.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

1. List and discuss the different types of pockets employ on garments construction.

2. Demonstrate simple pocket construction and attachment on garments.

ACTIVITY

Enumerate atleast 10 benefits of having pockets on garments

1
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Analysis:
1. Using a Venn Diagram relate the listed benefits above to clothing principles of design.
Abstraction:
Selection of Pocket Design First of all you must plan pocket designs that harmonizes with the design of
the fabric as well as the design of the garment and its components (collar, sleeves, cuff, etc.). A striped
dress with rectangular shaped pockets cut on crosswise grain and finished with bias edging is a good
choice. The scalloped pocket harmonize with the scalloped collar of the dress. The sex and age as well as
the figure and personality of the wearer should also be considered while designing pockets. Decorative
patch pockets are suitable for children’s dresses. Scalloped and rounded pockets look good on girl’s
dresses. Straight line pockets are suitable for men and boys. For older women and stout women,
inconspicuous designs such as inside pockets (slashed pockets) are advisable. Women with large bust
line should avoid designs with bust pockets. Finally, the pocket design should be appropriate for the
type of garment and the purpose and use of the garment. For eg., simple straight line pockets are
suitable for school uniforms and casual wear garments, while conspicuous pocket styles with
decorations and trimmings (suited to the wearer) may be used on party wear dresses.

CREATING VARIETY IN POCKET DESIGN

1) Variety in shape, size, location and number: Pockets can be of varied shapes i.e.rectangular, heart
shaped, scalloped, round etc. They may be placed at different positions in the garment. Pockets are
generally used in pairs but single pocket may also be used.

2) Variety in material and grain: Interesting effects can be achieved by planning pockets of material
different in colour, design, texture or grain from the garment material. One can design printed pocket
on a plain garment and vice-versa. In a striped dress design, the pocket can be cut on the crosswise grain
and finished with bias edging while the rest of the garment is cut on the lengthwise grain.

3) Variety in Decorative details and trimmings: The outer edge of the pocket may be finished with
ruffles, bias bindings, lace, decorative stitches etc. You can also design decorative pockets in the form of
appliqué or decorate the pocket with tucks, pleats, embroidery etc.

There are two general pocket classification for women wear.

a) Patch pockets. b) Inside pockets

Patch pockets: These are essentially shaped pieces of fabric that are finished on all
sides and are attached to the outside of the garment by hand or machine. They
may be cut in various shapes and may also be decorated in any of several ways
before being attached to the garment. A patch pocket may be furnished with a flap
which holds it shut or the mere appearance of a flap may be given by trimming the
top of the pocket with a shaped band that looks like a working flap. Sometimes
flaps are used without any pocket merely for decoration. If pockets are to be used
in pairs, take care that the finished pockets are same in size and shape

Inside pockets: Are usually made from a

lining fabric. They are kept on the inside of
the garment and the opening to the pocket
can be made invisible or decorative. There
are 3 types of inside pockets; The In-seam
pockets – which are sewed to an opening in
a seam. Although all finished in-seam
pockets look the same from the right side of
the garment, they may be constructed in three different
ways, depending on how the pattern is designed. In the all-
in-one in-seam pocket, the pocket is part of the garment, so
the two are cut as one and there is
no seam at the opening of the
pocket. The separate in-seam
pocket is made up of separate
pocket and the garment pieces that
are joined in the seamline to create
the pocket. The extension in-seam
pocket is made up of a separate
pocket piece and a garment piece
that has a small projection designed
to extend into the pocket opening. Because inside pockets generally receive a great deal of wear, the
seam into which they are set must be reinforced with a stay to prevent stretching. Use a sturdy lining
fabric for the pocket to reduce bulk.

The front hip or frontier pockets- are attached to the garment at the waist and side seams. Although
these hip pockets can vary greatly in shape and detailing along the opening edge, they are all made up
of two pattern pieces, a pocket piece and a facing piece. The shapes of the two are never the same
because the facing piece finishes off the pocket opening, while the pocket piece becomes part of the
main garment at the waistline. The pocket piece must be cut of fashion fabric, but lining fabric may be
used for the facing

The slashed pockets – are identified by a slit in the garment which is finished with
the pocket itself, with a welt, a flap or with a binding. There are four types of
slashed pockets, which differ only in the way the pocket opening is finished. When
a slashed pocket is finished with the pocket itself it is known as a slit and faced
pocket
 A welt pocket has a rectangular piece, cut separately or as a part of the pocket,
that fits over the pocket opening and is sewed into the lower edge of the slash. The
welt is like a wide lip extending above the pocket opening.

The flap pocket has a flap or extension turned down over the opening. The flap is
constructed separately and is attached to the top edge of the slash.

In a bound pocket, each edge of the slash is finished with binding of

even width. These bound edges are referred to as lips. This pocket
resembles a large buttonhole. The pocket itself is used to finish the
edges of the slit.
Application:

Task 1. Construct the following Pockets; Cloth samples to be made of the following:

1. Patch pocket i.e. plain and decorative. [sample size: 7 ½ ʺ X 7ʺ]

2. Inseam pocket [sample size: 9 ½ ʺ X 3ʺ (2 pieces)]
3. Front hip pocket [sample size: 8 ½ ʺ X 7 ½ ʺ (3 pieces)]
4. Slashed pockets (any one) i.e. Welt, faced, bound and flap pockets [sample
size: 8ʺ X 7ʺ & 10ʺ X 6ʺ]

(Point system: Use Machine sewing rubrics)

Task 2.

Apply one slashed pockets which you think fitting to the used clothing that you have in your closet.

Note: Have picture before and after the construction paste it in an A4 bond paper with atleast 3 paragraph
description of the effect of pocket to the garment that you remodel.
Point system : Rubrics for Machine sawing and Essay.

CLOSURE

W.H.E.W. We Have Ended Well “