"Kangaroo" Pockets

I really wanted pockets on the tunic. I had originally thought of making hidden welt pockets with a zipper and the finished patchwork fabric was not as thick as I had originally thought it would be but it was still too thick.

I was left with the option of making pockets set in the seams but I wanted large pockets. So i looked at my sweatshirts and came up with the idea of sewing my version of a kangaroo pocket. I was told yesterday in one of the facebook groups that this wasn't really a kangaroo pocket as that is one piece and not 2 so, I am a creative. and can call it whatever I want to.

My "kangaroo" pocket

This is the pattern piece that I created for the size pocket that I wanted on the tunic.

The pocket pattern

I cut 2 outer pieces and 2 lining pieces from this pattern, I added a seam allowance of a cm all around the pattern but one could cut the pattern to include the seam allowance, my piece of paper wasn't large enough for that so I added the allowance onto the fabric.

4 pocket pieces

Placed the right side facing down on the lining fabric and began stitching approximately at the center line on the long side.

Stitching from the center

I will be leaving a "window" on the long side, an area that I do not sew in order to leave an opening to be able to turn the pocket inside out.

The seam allowance has to be perfectly the same size on the side where the window is. If it is not, when we close the window the line will not be straight. I line the foot of the machine up exactly with the edge of the fabric.

Foot lined with edge of fabric

And make sure when I come around after stitching the pocket to the other side that my stitching line lines up with my beginning point. If you are not sure that you can do this then jsut mark a line with some chalk.

Lining up the seam

After stitching all around the pocket it should look like this.

The stitched pocket

My window is perfectly lined up and in the center, not beginning at a corner . From experience leaving a window gap at the corner of the fabric makes it very difficult to line the side up when turning the pocket inside out which is why my windows are always in the center of a line.

Checking the window

I snip the excess fabric off the corners.

Snipping the corners

And tun the pocket inside out via the window,

Turning inside out

The right side is now facing outwards.

Turned out pocket

I iron the window flat and closed.

Ironing the pocket

My fully lined pocket. When I attach it to the tunic with a top stitch the window will close.

Finished pocket