heirloom techniques: smocked pocket

Smocking is known as slow crafting, and a large smocking project can feel overwhelming to someone giving it a try for the first time. So here is a nice little smocking project that is perfect for beginners. It’s smocking on pockets, the rounded and gathered ones from the Puppet Show Shorts or Jump Rope Dress. This demonstration will be done by Sharon. You may remember her School Photo Dress tutorial or when she shared her favorite pattern. These smocked pockets turn out absolutely adorable and it’s details like this that a good seamstress will appreciate. We’re so happy you’re here, Sharon!

 

Smocked Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket

 

Hello and thank you for having me here today! Smocking is one of my favorite things to do and I love adding this little detail to my daughter’s wardrobe. When I was making a smocked pinafore top a few weeks back I knew that the Puppet Show Shorts would go perfect with it. Then I got to thinking “Could those gathered pockets be pleated and smocked?” I had to try it out and was so thrilled when it worked out great! I am going to show you today how to do just that!

First take your fabric and trace out both pockets and be sure to transfer the markings as well. Trim fabric to a 1” border around the pocket outline. (Do not cut out pocket yet!!) I am making a size five so for the smaller sizes you not need as many rows of pleating.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Now time to pleat the pockets. For the size five I pleated eight rows, not all of these rows will be used for smocking but are needed to help hold the smocking in place as the pocket is constructed. The first pleated row needs to start a ½” above the top of the pocket.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Then start your pleating in the row with the corner of the pocket. I did baby waves on mine, five sets in two rows. You can do whatever design you like best but I like these due to the tiny size of them on the pockets.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Next stitch the ½” seam allowance for the pocket as called for in the pattern.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Now remove the last three rows of pleating, from the pocket corner and down. Cut the pocket bottom out, only the bottom of the pocket for right now.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Take your top band of your pocket. Press the 3/8” of seam allowance as called for in the pattern and then flip the band over and press the ½” seam allowance on this side. This will help place the band above the smocking stitches.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Carefully place your top pocket band at the top of the pocket by using the folded press line as your guide. Start out by matching the two outer ends by placing the top of the band at the top of the pocket corner.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Bend the smocking down a bit and carefully pin in place the rest of the top band right above the smocking. (There will be a bit of the top curve of the pocket that is traced that will be sewn onto the pocket, it will be trimmed away in the next few steps).

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Stitch on the fold line of the top band.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Check to make sure that the smocking is right under the band, then press the seam allowance up.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Remove all pleating threads and then trim away the extra fabric form the top of your pocket. Trim the seam allowance to a ¼” to make sewing the top easier.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket tutorial

 

Finish the pocket according to the pattern instructions. And you have a lovely smocked pocket! I am going to be giving these a try on the Jump Rope Dress next.

 

Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts smocked pocket

 

Smocked pockets on Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts

 

The pockets go great with a classic look to a fun summer look. A great detail to add to any wardrobe!

 

Smocked pocket on the Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts

 



 

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8 Comments

  1. Linda Madson

    Thank you for your tutorial. I also love to smock and was wondering how these pockets were assembled. Perfect little pockets!

  2. Oh, this is so cute! Thanks for the tutorial, Sharon! This is a great way to learn how to assemble clothing that incorporates smocking before committing to a fully smocked dress. And the pockets are darling!

  3. Sharon k

    Thank both! I love adding smocking to my sewing projects. These shorts have to be her very favorite by far. I love that these can be made all in a days time. Thank you for such a wonderful pattern Liesl!!

  4. Kate

    I absolutely love these! Thank you for sharing. I so need to tackle the long lists of clothes I want to try and love the idea of small scale smocking. Your pockets are just beautiful!

  5. Such a cute detail. I love chambray anything with just a little extra like this! Nice one Sharon.

  6. So cute! And this is such a small and doable smocking project, even I could tackle it! Thanks Sharon! Great tute.

  7. Beautiful detail, Sharon! Will have to try it out…

  8. Jordan

    I stumbled across this gem of a blog this evening as I contemplated how I could pleat a pocket on some toddler cloths. Thanks for sharing. Know that your blog lives on! hahaha.

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