Watching a tailor in Chicago completely changed how I think about pockets

I was at a small shop on Armitage Ave and saw him cut a single piece of fabric to form a hidden pocket and the side seam at the same time. It was so clean and efficient, I've been trying to work that technique into my own designs. Anyone have other cool pocket construction tricks?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_hayden1mo agoTop Commenter

Nah, that single piece trick is a total gimmick for anything you'd actually use a pocket for. Try it with denim and watch it fall apart after you put your keys in it twice. That clean look only lasts until real weight and wear get involved. Those fancy methods are for show pieces, not clothes that need to function. A separate pocket bag sewn in strong is boring but it works forever.

cora8131mo ago

Wait, I've actually used that single piece method on heavy canvas and it held up fine. I mean, maybe @the_hayden had a bad experience, but a strong seam and the right thread makes a big difference. It's not just for show if you do it right.

shah.xena1mo ago

That's a really neat trick, cutting the pocket and seam as one piece. I saw something similar with a welt pocket on a jacket, where the tailor used the lining fabric to make the pocket bag itself. It made the whole thing feel lighter and lay flat. Do you think that single-piece method only works with certain fabrics, or could you use it with something heavy like denim?

blair99011d ago

Honestly, is your tailor secretly a wizard or something? I can't even wrap my head around making a pocket bag out of lining fabric and having it not look like a total mess.