Field Notes: Hand Sewing Pockets; or, I Learn Another Reason I’m Glad I Wasn’t Born in Ye Olden Days

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3.10.2026

Shocking exactly zero people who sew, I have more projects than time to do them.

Current State

I started Sew DIY’s Lou Box Dress maybe two years ago? (what even is time) because I wanted a comfortable something to wear in the ten days in late summer when it is actually hot in Maine. And that one random scorcher in June. And Sew DIY sews for someone my height and this looked like it would turn out well even with my inexperienced skillset.

I made quite a bit of progress early on but stalled out when I reached the pockets. Because of my (lack of) experience, I decided to do the patch pocket option – because no pockets is not an option, and I am not ready for in seam pockets. I didn’t think I’d be able to over stitch them well, so I decided to hand stitch.

Except I didn’t know how to hand stitch, and also I didn’t know that I liked hand stitching.

So the whole project has been waiting for me.

…this will need to be ironed before it’s …added to wherever it needs to be added. I look forward to remembering what it is.

Past me did figure out a plan: to more or less backstitch in two rows about a thread apart on the edge of the pocket.

Not a great photo, but you can sort of see the stitching I started on the right-hand side in the bottom corner. Now that I say it, you can see it?

Oh and I basted it! I don’t know why I did but wow. That really helped. I might do it again. I think I learned it from this course by Bernadette Banner (not an affiliate yet but maybe someday because this was really helpful).

So I pulled up some thread that might be what I started with and continued on.

What I’m Noticing

Delightfully handmade here: inconsistent stitches, but much better than when I started. Which just shows what practice can do, which is to make you marginally better.

There are two pockets so I pinned up the second.

So while I was sewing on my pockets – and enjoying the process, sincerely – I kept thinking that this is taking a very. Long. Time. And that if this had been the 19th century, I’m not sure I would be wearing clothes. It would just take me too long.

And then I also thanked the Powers That Be for modern medicine and the labor, civil rights, and feminism movements.

Promising Trends/Refinement Needed

One pocket down, one to go.

The fabric is pretty forgiving. I don’t remember much about it except that I’m fairly certain it is linen. My stitch variation probably won’t be noticed by anyone more than 3 feet away. And I’m feeling confident the pockets will be able to hold things.

Something I could change is keeping better notes on my fabric.

Next Steps

Finish the other pocket. Then, I think I can sew up the side seam? But what are all those other cut fabric pieces for? I guess I’ll find out.

Then, try it on to see if it still will fit. Two years is a long time.

Kit’s Stitchbook