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Crafte's Inferno: Crafting on the Fly and Under Pressure

How to Make Customized Pockets for Your Daily Essentials

cal patch, contributor

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The pocket's pleat and elastic keep my wallet safe and secure.

Cal Patch

These are some of the things I grab repeatedly on a daily basis.

Cal Patch

Measure the width and length of each object for which you are making a pocket.

Cal Patch

The pocket's pleat and elastic keep my wallet safe and secure.

Photo: Cal Patch

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Call me obsessed. I have spent far too many minutes of my life fishing around for the one elusive object that I need at that moment, which seems to defy being found at the bottom of my bag. Whether it's late at night on my Brooklyn doorstep, or with the less-than-patient bus driver staring me down as I search for my MetroCard, my frustration increases with every passing second. Every time this all-too-common scenario plays out, I promise myself that I'll make a tote that houses each of my daily essentials in its own custom pocket, and I'll never go fishing again!

I've attempted this before, with not entirely successful results. I made a nice, extra-deep pocket for my wallet but forgot to make it wide enough for my hand to fit in. I made the perfect little lip gloss pocket, but the fit was so close, it worked like a push-up popsicle. And since I had cleverly placed it right near the top of my bag (for easy access), bye-bye lip gloss... I learned a lot from that first, er, prototype. Now you can benefit from my trials.

1. Assess your items. Empty out your purse and figure out which ones warrant their own pocket (like your phone or wallet) and which can be grouped together (like, say, pens and crochet hooks). Make a list of the pockets you'll need.

These are some of the things I grab repeatedly from my bag on a daily basis.

2. Measure each object.

Measure the width and length of each item for which you are making a pocket.

For the width, be sure to measure the depth as well as the actual width by wrapping a tape measure fully around three sides. Add at least 1/2 inch to 1 inch extra for ease, depending on the size of the item. Also consider the slipperiness and variability of your possessions; my phone is slippery and always the same size, so it can fit pretty snugly in the pocket and still be accessed easily. My wallet, on the other hand, expands and contracts, and the leather is a little stickier, so I'm adding some extra space to this pocket. For all pockets, add 1 inch to the width for the seam allowance (1/2 inch each side) and 1-1/2 inches to the length (1 inch for the hem at top and a 1/2-inch seam allowance at the bottom). Write down the measurements you need for every pocket, and cut them out.

Be sure to measure the depth of non-flat items.

Draw the dimensions of each pocket and cut it out.

3. Make the pockets. Finish the top edge (the opening) with a 1/2-inch double-turned hem. Press the remaining three sides under by 1/2 inch. For objects with significant depth, you might experiment with dimensional pockets, rather than flat. I added a pleat to my wallet pocket and threaded elastic through the top hem to keep my wallet secure (and hidden).

The elastic top and pleat will keep my bulky wallet safe and secure.

You could also put flaps over some pockets for the same reasons. Take some time to consider what details will work best for each specific item.

The extra width of this pocket will accommodate the depth of my phone.

4. Attach the pockets. Placement is almost as important as size when it comes to the functionality of your customized pockets, so take care in planning where each one will go. You might want to mock up the tote with safety pins to really visualize how it will all come together. Some things to consider: Which side do you carry your bag on? Which items will be reached for most often? (These should be placed in front.) Pockets for heavy or valuable items should be near the bottom of the bag. Once you have determined the placement, pin everything in place, and edgestitch the three pressed-under sides to attach. Reinforce both sides of the opening with extra backstitching; since you are sewing all of these pockets to the lining of the bag, you won't be able to repair them by machine without stitching through the outside or taking the whole bag apart!

My phone fits perfectly into its own little pocket.

5. Finish the bag. Now that your hyper-efficient interior is completely outfitted, you can proceed with sewing the rest of the lining together and completing the bag.

Enjoy your new tote! Every time you pull out your date book/pen/glasses in the blink of an eye, thank yourself for your effort. This is one project that can actually improve your quality of life!

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Comments (4)

LooseButtons writes: Thank you for submitting this idea. I was considering putting pockets "easy" pockets where special things you need to reach in a hurry will and can be found. I look forward to adding this to my bags of tricks. Check my blog out. Google: zionsnana2000@gmail.com Thank you! Posted: 2:02 pm on October 13th

soggs74 writes: I love this! If you make the pockets and attach them to a separate piece of fabric, you can switch them from one bag to another...
Posted: 7:12 am on October 4th

CalPatch writes: thanks! can't wait to see yours... post it in the gallery when you're finished! Posted: 2:31 pm on October 3rd

ifthebirdsknew writes: Wow that's awesome...love your fabric! I am gonna get cracking on that pocket RIGHT NOW! do you think you might wanna do a sling tutorial? Posted: 7:57 am on October 2nd

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