Match the Pattern on a Pocket...and Stitch It.

I made the tiniest little boy shirt out of this fabric and since the shirt was so small, I wanted to minimize the busyness of the pattern by matching the pattern on the pocket.  Actually, if I were to be completely truthful, I really wanted to match the pocket because I love matching patterns and probably would never have another chance to line up "googly eyes".  Learning to match a pocket is quick and this method works for prints, stripes as well as plaids.

 Here's how to do it:

1. Transfer pocket placement dots to front of shirt.

2. Place pocket pattern on the shirt so dots match.

3. Trace design of fabric onto tissue ( I marked the "googly eyes" of the crab using a water soluble marker just in case it bled through the tissue and onto the fabric. This may or may not have happened in the past. Hmmm.)

4. Place pocket pattern over shirt fabric, matching "googly eyes". Cut out the pocket.

Here's how to prep the pocket and stitch it on:

1. Fold over hem allowance.

2. Fold under 1/4" under hem allowance for clean edge.

3. Fold hem back along the foldline, right sides together.

4. Stitch along hem allowance line (in this example it's 5/8").

5. Turn the hem so the right side is out and press in along stitching line. Using the line as the guide insures that the pocket is even.

6. Stitch along top of pocket at hem (I completely forgot to photo this part...we will use our imaginations and pretend it's there, uh-hem.)

7. Place pocket on shirt, pin in place and stitch (I use my ditch foot for a really clean line.)

There's our pocket all ready to go!