Quick Tip for Pattern Hacking Pockets

I have a little tip to share today that I actually got from Emily Hallman Designs and it also turns out my mom’s been doing this for awhile now, so I’m behind the curve, but it’s worth sharing, even if I’m late to the game!

Read on for a quick tip for pattern hacking pockets!

So here’s the tip: Emily Hallman put on her Instagram stories awhile back that she keeps a variety of pocket pattern pieces in a folder in her sewing room, rather than putting them away with whatever pattern they came with. I was reminded of this last week when I was working on a pretty basic skirt that I wanted to add pockets to. I’d recently made a pair of pajama pants with unique patch pockets, so I grabbed that pocket piece and used it with my skirt pattern.

I went ahead and started a sleeve in my binder just for pocket pieces that I think I’ll use again. This is a great idea for a few reasons, of which the first is obvious: they’ll be easier to find when I need them. I’ve so often wanted to add or adapt the pockets on a garment, so having all styles of pockets handy just makes sense and saves me from having to draft them or dig through patterns for them each time. Second, when I clean out and get rid of patterns, I’ll still have the pocket piece, and if it’s in it’s own spot, I won’t risk losing a unique pocket idea because I didn’t think to pull the piece out first.

To take this concept a step further, I also keep aside other pattern pieces, like a certain waistband that fits me perfectly and I like the application of. And I kept the skirt portion of a dress pattern I got rid of because it was a good style on me and I’ve added it to the bodice portions of other dress patterns (it has pleats, which often look much better on me than gathers). Similarly, I have a basic pants front and back in my binder because the crotch curve is perfect on my body and I can now trace that crotch curve onto other pants patterns. It saves me time when fitting new patterns!

So there ya go. Short and sweet, but I hope someone finds that tip helpful. Do you do this, or something similar? Tell us about it!

Cheers!

Nikki