Sewing Glossary: How To Sew Cargo Patch Pockets Tutorial
Pockets are a vital addition to any garment. Not only they are practical but can also act as a beautiful design detail. In this tutorial we are going to show you how to sew Cargo patch pockets. They look a lot like inset pockets but are external and topstitched onto a garment. And they most certainly add a stylish rugged touch to any piece of clothing.
Materials & Tools
Fabric of your choice (we are using our IL042 894 Premier Finish Medium Weight Linen)
Matching sewing thread, pins, ruler, scissors, chalk, fabric marker, pen, sewing machine
Difficulty
Beginner
Time
1/2 hour
Pattern
Even if you are working with a pattern that doesn’t feature Cargo patch pockets, you can easily draw them yourself. Depending on a specific garment design, determine the width and the length of your desired pockets and draw a rectangle. Then add a curved line and 1/2″ (1,4 cm) seam allowances around all edges.
Steps
Note: Prewash your fabric and tumble dry it until it is still slightly moist, let this dry in room temperature. Iron the fabric so it is easier to work with.
1. Fold the curved edge twice to the wrong side (1/4” (7 mm) to 1/4″ (7 mm)) and pin in place.
2. Topstitch along the curved edge. This is your pocket’s opening.
3. Fold and press the rest of the seam allowance twice (1/4” (7 mm) to 1/4″ (7 mm)) and pin in place.
4. Position your pocket on the garment and pin all the edges in place to make sure that your pocket doesn’t move when you stitch.
5. Topstitch your pocket in place around all straight edges leaving the curved edge unstitched to create an opening. Remember to backstitch.
6. Give your pocket a good press and you are all done!
By drawing a horizontal rectangle with two curved angles at the top, you can easily transform a Cargo patch pocket into a Kangaroo patch pocket and attach it to your garments by following the same steps.
Have a browse through our selection of linen and see which of our fabrics inspire you to use your new skill!
Leave a comment
Related posts
Sewing Project: How to Make a Linen Ruffle Tote
If you have a bit of extra fabric and want to make something equally whimsical and practical, might I suggest a ruffle tote? Here’s how to do it! Step 1: Select some lovely linen and cut out the tote bag pieces. I used midweight signature finish linen in Evergreen. Ruffle – two pieces 4” x…
Tutorial and Free Pattern: How to Make a Christmas Stocking
A few years ago, my brother flew home for his annual winter visit. Shortly after he arrived, we sat around the fire drinking Chamomile tea together. Maybe it was the hardship of the year, or maybe it was the reality of seeing parents and people getting older that made him say, “We should make Christmas…
How to Sew a Blind Hem Using Your Machine
Most people who sew are familiar with a simple hem but what is the blind hem? This hem is meant to be almost hidden. If you’d like to make your hem less noticeable or have wondered how clothing manufacturers achieve that hem that looks like a couple dash marks that seem to be farther apart…
Tutorial: Shirring with Elastic Thread
Shirring with elastic thread is a great skill for you to add to your sewing knowledge. Shirring on tiny baby clothes, a flirty summer tank top or even a great additional panel on the back of a dress that adds interest and size flexibility to a piece much like the FS Rhea Dress. This technique…
Tutorial: How to Add a Spot of Delight to Your Home aka Make a Linen Bunting Banner
Four years ago, I found an old brick house that had been a rental property for years. The realtor wasn’t convinced this was a good house for me because it needed so much work. It was a winter day when we first visited, but the yellow sunshine streaming in the big windows made the house…
SEW THIS LOOK
Latest Posts
8 Comments
Deborah Comeaux
Thank you for the tutorial, very helpful. I would love to see a tutorial for the other cargo pocket – the one that has a gusset and a flap – just in case anyone else is interested.
Rima Khusainova
Great idea Deborah! We’ll try to do this other cargo pocket version soon!
Doris Lin
Those are cute patch pockets, but I don’t think they are cargo pockets. Cargo pockets have a gusset or a pleat in them, to hold a lot of stuff.
Doris Lin
I’ve googled it, and I now withdraw my comment. It seems that a cargo pocket doesn’t always have gussets or pleats!
Rima Khusainova
No worries, I can totally see why this is confusing 🙂
Rima Khusainova
Thank you for your comment Doris. To be honest with you, I spent some time researching what these pockets could be called and saw this title in a couple of sewing books. There are actually several variations of cargo pockets and looks like this is one of them.
Chantal Lapointe
Thank you for this tutorial! I will bookmark it to use on a future jacket project.
Rima Khusainova
Thank you Chantal! Hope it’ll come in handy one day 🙂