18th Century Pockets - Completed? (Patreon)

Well, I finished them!

My 18th century pockets, I mean.

They’re ‘sposed to be worn like this ⬆️ underneath all the skirts and whatnot, with a slit in the outer layers to allow access to the pocket. (Above photo from the Thistle Thistle pattern)

My sewing group advised me to use bias tape to cover up the raw edges of my fabric, which were already fraying. They showed me how the funny folded ribbon-strip folds over the exposed edge of the fabric and is sewed down over it so that it won’t continue to fray from rubbing against things anymore

Having acquired my fabric (formerly a bedsheet) from the secondhand shop Goodwill for $6.99, I returned looking for bias tape there as well but their sewing shelf was uncharacteristically bare so I bussed out to SCRAP, the Creative Reuse center downtown. That’s where I found the exact perfect shade of blue to match my fabric print for less than a dollar. Amazing.

Ok, so long-story-short: I sewed the bias tape on the first pocket… uh. Well, I guess it wasn’t wrong, because the final result did have it folded over the fabric’s raw edge. But. I did it wrong- or, at least, I executed it in a significantly harder way than is necessary. I’d explain, but I just make it sound even more confusing when I try. Fortunately, I spent most of the last week out on the coast with my studio, Helioscope, and got to consult with a far more experienced sewer who showed me how you’re supposed to sew down bias tape.

So! Now I have two hand-stitched 18th century pockets that were mostly made out of secondhand supplies!

In hindsight, I shoulda kept to shorter stitches for the leaf embroideries, instead of the elegantly long satin stitches, since they get all loose and discombobulated when the fabric isn’t being pulled taut.

Safer Insect Killing Soap spray bottle for size comparison.

I’m also not super stoked on how rumply the pockets are when they’re just laying flat. But, on the other hand, they are supposed to be worn on a belt with objects weighing them down from inside, so the rumpliness won’t really be an issue. …Also, they’re going to be worn under multiple layers of skirts, so who’s even gunna see them anyway?

No one will know that I’m carrying Safer Insect Killing Soap among my underthings, but they will notice a considerable absence of Aphids and Spider Mites in my wake.