Sewing Tiny Pockets - The Slash Pocket

In Part Three we continue with our look at Sewing Tiny Pockets as we dive into the classic slash pocket. Slash pockets are a classic inset pocket style with a tailored aesthetic. Unlike patch pockets, which are sewn onto the surface of a garment, the opening of a slash pocket is carefully integrated into a garment with the pocket bag attached inside. Except for the opening, the pocket is completely hidden, providing a discrete and secure way to carry items while minimizing any distortions to the silhouette of the garment that may be caused by them.The smooth and streamlined look of the slash pocket is just as sophisticated for formal wear as it is practical for casual wear. Despite its tailored design, the most well known version of slash pockets are the ones we find on jeans today.With the opening of the pockets secured in the side and waistline seams, they are not only easy to access, but incredibly durable for the daily wear and tear jeans are subject to.Here's a video from our Perfect Pockets topic showing examples of slash pockets and sharing some tips for sewing them! The slash pocket is made with three main parts.The first is the pocket opening that is cut from the garment between two seamlines. This can be shaped in a variety of ways, but the most practical is the simple curve commonly used on jeans.The second part is the back pocket facing which is made from the part that has been cut away from the garment above the opening and reworked to include the back of the pocket bag.The third part is the front pocket facing that follows the edge of the pocket opening on the garment and the pocket bag on the back pocket facing.Together the two facings make the pocket bag inside the garment while finishing the edge of the opening. For a clean edge, finishing techniques such as understitching, topstitching, or piping can be used along the opening to prevent the pocket facing from rolling to the outside. When done properly, the design of the slash pocket produces a neat pocket opening that blends seamlessly with the garment.Just because slash pockets were designed to be inconspicuous, doesn't mean they have to be. The three parts of the pocket that work together to blend it into the garment can also be used to make it the focal point by choosing contrasting fabrics.The examples featured here are the Dolphin Romper, All Occasion Dress, and the Jeans ("Back to School" patchwork project). When women first adopted the use of pockets in the Edwardian Period, they found a variety of interesting ways to make them more fashionable looking than their male counterparts who were less inclined to eye-catching details. The easiest way to dress up these pockets is to use contrasting fabrics on different parts of the pocket to create a layered effect. For may Laura Skirt pattern, I ran the pocket opening up through the waistband and added a flap on the bottom edge to give it a kind of nautical appearance.Watch my tutorial to see how I put the inset pocket for the Laura Skirt together. Edwardian ladies used a variety of flaps, bindings, and embellishments to dress up their inset pockets. Can you think of any ways you can apply some of their ideas to dress up a plain inset pocket on a modern day garment? The Harper Skirt is a nice example of a modern day skirt with a slash pocket design, it also looks great with a button embellishment!

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