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Quick Patch Pockets & Appliqué

By Sallie Jo Russell, SJR Sew With Class

This quick pocket construction technique can be used for any patch pocket. Any appliqué design that has a large central shape can be adapted to this technique. The design may need to be enlarged so that the pocket portion is of sufficient size and 1/4" seam allowances added to the pocket piece edges. The materials list and instructions that follow are for the accompanying turtle pocket appliqué but can be adapted for other designs. Enhance the turtle or other designs with the easy machine stitched bugs.

Appliqué Materials:

• 1/8 yard or scrap of solid fabric for head, legs and tail
• Thread for appliqué including black for eyes
• 1/8 yard of fusible transfer web
• 1/4 yard tear-away stabilizer

Pocket Materials:

• 1/4 yard of swirled or small print fabric for turtle shell
• 1/4 yard fusible interfacing
• Small scrap of fusible interfacing

Appliqué Construction:

a) Trace the head, legs and tail onto the transfer web.

b) Fuse the web onto the wrong side of the solid fabric and cut out the design shapes.

c) Remove the paper backing and position the appliqué pieces onto the garment, fuse.

d) Position the stabilizer under the design area; set the machine up for satin stitching and stitch around the designs.

Pocket Construction:

a) Use the turtle’s shell for making a pocket by adding a 1/4" seam allowance to the outer design edges. Cut two pocket pieces from the shell fabric; cut one of interfacing. Fuse the interfacing to the outer pocket piece.

b) If using a solid fabric, transfer the interior scallop stitching lines onto the outer pocket piece. Do all this stitching before making the pocket (figure 1).

c) Wrong sides together, stitch the two pocket pieces together do not leave an opening. Near the pocket bottom, cut a one inch slit in the lining only. Turn the pocket through the slit. Cut a small piece of fusible interfacing out with pinking shears and fuse it on top of the slit (Figure 2).

d) Edgestitch along the pocket opening only. Position the shell overlapping the head, legs and tail like the appliqué and edgestitch the remaining edges of the pocket in place (figure 3).

Machine Stitched Bugs:

Use brown and gold thread for machine stitched bugs. Make the bug’s wings using the satin stitched scallop or triangle found on many machines. Stitch one scallop. Do a mirror image for the second or simply turn the fabric around. Make the bug’s body using a satin stitch tapered on each end or an elongated satin stitched oval found on many machines.

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