Tutorial: How to Add a Pocket to your Pants

This tutorial is intended to help people who have already taken my class on adding a patch pocket to pants. It should help you remember each step, so that you can add more pockets to more pants after you've finished the class. If you have trouble, please e-mail me at cbeery@fantasticfabrications.net.

Step 1: Choose your fabric

Quilting cotton is the easiest fabric to use for this project. It doesn't stretch, and it creases easily. If you choose a different type of fabric, make sure that it doesn't stretch, it creases easily, and that it is machine washable.
After buying fabric, it needs to be preshrunk before you sew with it. This tutorial describes how to preshrink fabric: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/preshrink-fabric-for-sewing-2977522
Make an easily visible test mark, with the chalk or other marking tool you will use, near the edge of your fabric. That way, you will know whether it will or won't come out in the wash.
If you are sewing by hand and don't own pinking shears, you can stitch the raw edges by hand in large spirals or wash the fabric in a lingerie bag.

Step 2: Trace your pattern

     Line your template up with the grainline of the fabric. If your fabric has a selvedge, you can use it for the top of your pocket.  Use chalk to mark your lines on the right side of the fabric. You can use something that makes longer lasting marks, but make sure that they wash out of the fabric entirely, or mark your lines on the wrong side of the fabric.

Cut out Fabric

Fold Edges Over Twice

Lay fabric with right side down. Fold over along one edge until you see the outermost fold line. Press fabric. Fold up other three sides. Repeat this step, folding to the second fold line, to create clean edges all the way around your project.

Create Creases for the Pleat

Fold outer pleat lines, right sides together. Press, then unfold.

Outer Pleat Creases Pressed

Unfold before making inner pleat creases.

Fold Inner Pleat Creases

Fold inner pleats with the wrong sides together. Press carefully, making sure that you don't uncrease the outer creases.

Form Pleat

Fold along the creases and the pleat will form.

Pin and Stitch

Pin through all fabric layers to hold the pleat in place, then stitch several loops through all but the very top layer to secure the pleat. Do this at the top and the bottom. Machine stitch along the top edge for a more finished look.

Front view of Pocket

No matter which way I turn this picture, it looks upside down. . .

Stitch to Pants

Either hand stitch along the edge on the sides and bottom or machine stitch near the edge on all three sides. Be careful not to stitch the front of the pants and back of the pants together.