Front Pockets (61 minutes)
I like to use cotton fat quarters for my pocket linings. There are lots of interesting prints and designs from which to choose and are relatively inexpensive. Before cutting out the pieces, I pre-wash the fabric so that it doesn't shrink and cause any pulling on the front.
1. Before attaching the front yoke to the front pocket facing, I serged the bottom edge to prevent raveling. The front yoke faces the inside of the pocket and is prone to wear and tear if you use this pocket a lot.
2. Pin the wrong side of the front yoke to the right side of the front pocket lining. Edgestitch about 1/4" around all sides.
3. Right sides together, pin the front pocket facing to the yoke/lining unit.
Sew along the un-notched edge (on the seamline) from the top (waist) around to the bottom. Again to prevent raveling or fraying, I serged the edges.
Some people like having the printed part facing outside so that when the jeans are turned inside out, you can see the right side of the pocket fabric. I like to have the right side facing in so that when I look into the pocket, I can see the print. If you'd like the printed side out, just flip the pieces accordingly.
4. Right sides together, pin the pocket unit to the jeans front. When I first made this pattern, I didn't quite understand how this was supposed to look. The illustration in the instructions seem to suggest that the pocket unit will lie flat. This is impossible if you stitch the un-notched side first. As you can see in the photo on the left, the yoke/facing unit is sort of bunched up beneath the seam that is to be sewn next. It's not hard to maneuver around this area - just be careful not to stitch over the bulk. Stitch on the seamline from the corner (before the orange pin the picture) to the side seam.
Clip the curve.
5. Turn the pocket unit to the inside and press. At this point, the notches on the pocket unit side seam should match the notches on the jeans side seam. Press the entire front-pocket unit.
6. Keeping the pocket unit free of the front pocket edge, topstitch or add decorative stitching. Next, pin the pocket unit and front together at the notches. Stitch through all layers just in the area of the pins, inside the seamline.
Give the front and good press.
Up next is the zipper. I have a lot of work work to do over the next couple of days and really want to contribute to Faye's Essential Top Sew Along before it ends. I should be able to put some time into completing the front of the jeans this week. At least, that's what I'm hoping for!
Time recap:
1. prep - 33 minutes
2. back pockets - 91 minutes
3. back - 30 minutes
4. front pockets - 61 minutes
Total time: 3 hours, 35 minutes
Until next time, peace!
L
