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How to repair a trouser pocket: Care & Repair Series #3

How to repair a trouser pocket: Care & Repair Series #3

by | May 19, 2022 | Care and Repair, Haberdashery, Haberdashery Guides, Product Guides, Sustainable Sewing, Tutorials

Welcome to post number 3 in our Care & Repair Series! Hand up if you love a pocket?! 🙋‍♀️ Pockets are a complete joy to dressmakers everywhere… but what if your pocket wears out? In this post we’re going to walk you through how to repair a pocket. This method can be used for trousers or skirts.

You can also use this method to repair a pocket in a shop bought garment if the pockets are too small for your needs. The joys of sewing, eh?!

Read on to learn how to repair a pocket… it’s easier than you think. We’ve even got a no sew option for you…

Pockets are great for keeping all kinds of useful stuff…  from your phone, to loose change, even the occasional biscuit! Because pockets are so well used, they come under huge amounts of wear & tear.

Pocket bags are usually made from a thinner fabric than the outer trousers or skirt and so holes can be commonplace. And instead of outing a garment and sending it to landfill just because your keys are falling through a pocket hole you can learn to replace the pockets instead. It’s a win for the planet!

Soap box alert! When it comes to pockets in girls’ and women’s clothing. As a general rule of thumb, female fashions have sported pockets that are for purely fashion reasons rather than practical ones.

This certainly annoys my daughter who feels the need to fill her pockets with stones and twigs at every given opportunity. So here I am repairing a hole in her jeans pocket but also extending the pocket bags for her.

In this post we’re going to walk you though

  • How to replace a pocket bag using sewing
  • How to replace a pocket without sewing
  • Create larger pocket bags for your garments

Tutorial: How To Replace A Trouser Pocket

Skill level required: Beginner Friendly

Some important notes about replacement pocket products

  • Replacement pockets come as whole pockets. You can cut them down to the size you require or use them to replace the whole pocket if needed.
  • We are concentrating on trouser pockets here but the same method, and replacement pockets, can be used to repair pockets in trousers, skirts, jeans, dresses, jackets and more. Just check the pocket sizes against your garment as each one differs.
  • In this post we are using two different products, a sew-in version and an iron-on version. It is up to you to choose which is the most suitable for your needs.
  • The sew in pockets are trickier to use and require some sewing knowledge but they will last a very long time.
  • The iron on pockets are far simpler to use and don’t require any sewing at all but the repair may not last as long as sewn in pockets.
  • These pockets are are suitable to replace cotton, nylon, or polyester pockets.

    You Will Need:

    How to replace a pocket : The Sew In Method

     

     

    • Identify where the hole is in your pocket.
      • Draw a line in a washable fabric pen just above the damage.
      • If the pocket flap is stitched into the side seam, cut along this edge 1cm.
    •  Trim the damaged part of the pocket away along the line you have drawn.

    Trim the damaged part of the pocket away along the line you have drawn.

    • To mark the new pocket:
      • Lay the replacement pocket underneath the original pocket, lining up the edges. 
      • Make sure the folded edge is lined up with the folded edge of the original pocket and the seamed edge with the side seam. 
      • Allow for as much additional pocket bag as you wish to add.
      • Pin the two pockets together
      • Using the fabric marker, trace the edge of the original pocket onto the replacement pocket. 
    • Turn the raw edges outwards and line them up so that the new pocket and original line up. 
    • Stitch along the circumference to join the two pockets together using a 1cm seam allowance. 
    • Finish the raw edges in your preferred way, either pinking, zigzag stitch, overcasting stitch, or overlocker, to prevent fraying. 
    • Press the seam
    • Top stitch the side edge back to the side seam of the trousers to finish your mending project.

    If you would like to repair your pocket by hand sewing then check out Hemline’s video here

    How to replace a pocket : The Iron On  Method

    1. Start in the same way as you did with the sew in pocket.
    • Mark a line above where the damage is and cut along this line.
    • If your pocket is sewn into the side seam, cut along this edge approx. 1.5cm.
    1. Insert the bottom edge of the pocket into the replacement pocket, making sure the adhesive tape covers the pocket fabric.
    • Pin it in place.
    • Using a hot iron and a damp cloth press the adhesive tape pressing firmly
    1. Repeat the pressing on both sides of the pocket making sure to heat all of the tape.
    • Leave the pocket to cool for 10-20 minutes before moving it, allowing the adhesive to bond properly.

    Your pocket repair is complete!

     

    You can also check out Hemline’s video on how to use this product here

    We hope you found that helpful! Do let us know how you get on if you repair a pocket

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    Washable & Reusable Bin Liner Sewing Tutorial

    Washable & Reusable Bin Liner Sewing Tutorial

    by | May 11, 2022 | My Makes, Project Ideas, PUL Projects, Sustainable Sewing, Tutorials

    We’re always looking for new ways to go zero waste here at Plush Towers & one item we have been keen to ditch is the plastic waste-bin liner and we have been looking for a reusable alternative…

    As the world, quite rightly, moves away from single use plastic bags that at one time many of us used to line small waste bins we have been pondering what a zero-waste replacement could be. We thought it was time to unleash into the world a tutorial for a reusable & washable waste bin liner!

    This washable bin liner is the perfect zero-waste solution for all those light use bins in the bedroom, office or bathroom…

    Reusable Bin Liner Sewing Tutorial

     

    Anatomy of the washable bin liner

    Outer Fabric: We’ve used waterproof PUL as the lining fabric in this project.

    Why this fabric you might ask?! We figured it was the perfect fabric choice for handling lightly soiled bathroom items such as cotton pads or ears buds. Choosing waterproof PUL means there there won’t be any unwanted leaks through to the exterior of the bin liner…

    It also means if you live with people that insist on chucking away their banana skins in their bedrooms that get buried & forgotten about you won’t get any leaky food waste either, ha!

    Lining Fabric: For the liner outer we’ve used calico as it’s economical , but you can use any cotton. This part of the liner generally won’t be seen (unless your bin has lots of hole in it) so this is a great opportunity to use up your stash, or this as a great chance re-purpose or upcycle some other fabric.

    Contrast Fabric: We wanted to give you the option to make it pretty so we’ve used a small amount of quilting fabric as an accent to give you the chance to match to your decor, or add a touch of personality to your bin. This fabric is actually part of the lining but appears on the exterior of the bin once folded over.

    The whole liner is held securely in place by fold over elastic at the liner’s opening edge.

    The method we’ve described in this tutorial would also work perfectly for washing baskets, laundry baskets, nappy bins, kitchen bins… You can use the same method for storage baskets (any size) to prevent leaking, damage, snags & scrapes!

    We’re going to show you how to draft a pattern for a circular 3D vessel – in this case your waste bin – which you can apply to a variety of other storage projects! Follow along and you can draft your own pattern to fit any size circular bin or basket.

    By using a liner you will be reducing your plastic use and waste, and become more conscious as to what waste you are producing, sewing a sustainable and useful project! 

    How to launder your reusable bin liner

    • We recommend that your fabrics are pre-washed before you start this project.
    • This liner is designed for light use waste bins so it can usually be laundered at 30 degrees.
    • If you decide to use it for “messier” bins that might harbour higher bacterial growth, you can launder these fabrics at 60 degrees but it’s imperative you pre-wash everything at that temperature first. Washing consistently at 60 degrees may reduce the life of the cotton fabrics.
    • We recommend air drying this project after laundering. We do not recommend tumble drying PUL as regular tumble drying can delaminate PUL fabric over time.

    A sewing project for Adventurous Beginners

    Finished Dimensions: Depends on the size of your bin – we used this bin [affiliate link]

    With the following dimensions: Dia 25.5cm x H 31cm / Dia 10” x H 12”

    Approximate sewing time: An afternoon

    Important Notes:

    • Pre-wash your fabrics
    • 1cm ⅜” seam allowance throughout, unless directed.
    • For steps using machine sewing, straight stitch, backstitching at the start & end using stitch length 2.5 unless otherwise stated.
    • We have overlocked our seams but if you don’t have an overlocker you can check out this post for other seam finishing ideas
    • When top stitching – use a 3-3.5mm length & stitch approx 3mm from the seam
    • Prepare your fabrics as per manufacturer’s care advice
    • RST = Right Sides Together
    • WST = Wrong Sides Together
    • Read through the instructions fully before starting
    • Please note that pins can create permanent holes in PUL. we recommend using clips

    You Will Need:

    The requirements given below are enough for a similarly sized bin to this bin which measures Diameter 25.5cm x Height 31cm / Diameter 10” x Height 12”

    If your bin is a different size draw the pattern out and then calculate what you need from the pattern.

    Sewing Equipment You Will Need:

    Draw Your Reusable Bin Liner Pattern

    1. Measure & draft the pattern pieces for your bin:

    You need to take a few measurements to work out how to draw your pattern pieces. We realised this can seem daunting for some people so we’ve worked hard to make it as accessible and easy to follow as we can.

    We’ve put together:

    • A video (below) for those that prefer visual instruction
    • Detailed written instructions & a handy printable which has a calculations table for you to complete with your own bin measurements. Use this for fool proof pattern drafting!
    • A worked example

    The video & printable are designed to work together and compliment each other.

    Request the pattern drafting printable

    Measure your bin

    Cutting Out The Fabrics

    Cut the following :

    • From Fabric A (Contrast Top): 4 x Contrast Top rectangles
    • From Fabric B (Calico Cotton) : 2 x side panels & 1 x base circle
    • From Fabric C (PUL lining): 2 x sides and 1 x base circle
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    3. Constructing the reusable bin liner

    • With RST, sew the side seams of the 2 x calico side panels  together, using a 1cm / ⅜” seam allowance
    • Repeat for the PUL side panels
    • Mark the quarter points: On both outer & lining sewn side panels & the base circles, mark ¼ points :
      • On the side panels, fold the fabric on the seam & smooth & fold it across; the seam line is a one-quarter point & the fold crease is another. Bring those points together & smooth the fabric out to the sides; mark where the next 2 folds form.
      • For the base circle, fold it in half, make marks at each end of the fold line. Fold it in half again and mark both layers of fabric where they fold.
    • Take the PUL side panel & base & match up the marked 1/4 points & pin
    • Now pin the fabric between the ¼ points, using the snips to help ease the fabric around the outer edge if you need to. Align the fabric edges & pinning where the seam line will be sewn will help accuracy.
    • Sew in place using a 1cm / ⅜” seam allowance. If you have a walking foot use this as it will help if the fabric is slippery. You could also use your overlocker if you have one.
    • Repeat the same steps on the Calico side panels & base circle
    • Add the contrast panel: Take 2 of the top contrast panels & place RST. At the shorts ends sew in place using a 1cm / ⅜” seam allowance. This will create two fabric “loops”.
    • Repeat for the other 2 top contrast panels. You should now have 2 “loops” in the contrast fabric
    • With RST, pin one top contrast loop to the Calico part of the liner along the top of the exterior bin liner, matching at the seams. Sew in place around the loop.
    • Repeat, sewing the remaining top contrast loop to the the PUL part of the liner.
    • Put the PUL lining of the bin liner, wrong sides together with the Calico exterior. Line up the 2 x top contrast panels, match at the seams & pin. Baste the outer and lining together at the top
    • Attach the fold over elastic: Take your bin and pull the elastic firmly around the part of the bin where the top contrast fold over will sit. Measure where it fits comfortably and then take a few cm off this length so that when in place, the bin liner will fit snugly to the bin & keep the liner in place.

    Measure Fold Over Elastic

    • Apply the fold over elastic using your preferred method: Please refer to our post here for detailed instructions on the different methods you can use to apply fold over elastic.

     

    DIY Reusable & Washable Bin Liner

     

    And you’re finished, well done!

    Feeling proud? Show us your makes! Tag us @PlushAddict on your favourite social media channel!

    Fabric Guide – Using Eco Bamboo Fabrics

    Fabric Guide – Using Eco Bamboo Fabrics

    by | Apr 14, 2021 | Bamboo towelling, Fabric, Fabric Guides, Fabric Information Guide, Fleece, Product Guides, Sustainable Sewing

    We’re kicking off Eco-Week sharing share some information about Bamboo Fabric., considered to be one of the most eco-friendly fibres available. Have a read of our guide to learn why, and about the different types of bamboo fabric that are available.

     

    Bamboo fabric is a natural textile, made from plants called Bamboo, which are known as the ‘plant of a thousand uses’ as they have been used for centuries as building material, but Beijing University managed to develop the super sustainable plant as bamboo fibre. 

    Bamboo plants grow quickly like grass, so often need a trim and will carry on growing.

    Boring Legal Bit: If you follow any tutorial or guidance found in this post, or on this blog, you agree to be bound by our disclaimer which can be viewed here

    Bamboo fabric is very soft, smooth and lightweight, yet strong. Also, it does not go under much chemical processing to make the fabric, which makes it easy to wear if you have found your skin is sometimes irritated by fabrics. 

    The fibres have a criss-cross texture which makes it a fantastic moisture absorber but also good for breathability. 

    Not only is bamboo fabric more environmentally friendly, but it is also super absorbent. This means it’s great for re-usable items like cloth nappies, reusable wipes, yoga towels, women’s cloth pads, mattress covers, pet beds and so much more! 

    The textile industry have found in comparison to cotton, it is 3 times more absorbent and keeps you cool and dry in sweaty situations! It can also adapt to weather conditions, keeping you cooler than cotton would in the heat but warm and cosy in the winter. 

    Lab tests on the material have proved that it is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal thanks to the natural substance called ‘Bamboo kun’ which protects the plant from pests. Even after 50 washes, the bamboo fibres continue to have antibacterial properties! 

    Bamboo fabrics comes in a wide variety of types such as velour, towelling, jersey and stretch terry.

    Check out these makes below where bamboo fabric has been used as an absorbent insert.

    Photo Credit: Bumble Bees Modern Cloth Nappies

    BAMBOO TOWELLING

    Read our 13 Tips for Sewing with Bamboo Towelling Fabric here

    One of our best selling bamboo options is the Bamboo towelling. Ideal for cloth wipes, bibs and towels, it is super soft and the premium version is lush with a gorgeous sheen for that luxury feel.

    There is no stretch to struggle with while sewing but can be quite lofty as it has terry loop on both sides. 

    Bamboo towelling comes in a few different neutral colours too!

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    BAMBOO VELOUR

    Another bamboo option we have is a knit fabric with a super soft velour finish. It makes GORGEOUS snuggle blankets & has a great drape for loungewear. It is also a popular choice for nappy making as it’s very soft to touch and is thinner than bamboo towelling. 

    When sewing, be careful as it has a little stretch so make sure to use lots of pins, a walking foot and a ball point needle. In addition, it makes a fantastic blank canvas for your own colour palette, as it takes dye well. 

    BAMBOO FRENCH TERRY

    Bamboo French Terry is a super high quality premium fabric that comes in a variety of colours. It has a smooth knit side and dimpled weave effect on the reverse. It’s great for lounge wear as well as sports wear as it’s super absorbent. It’s can be used for any item where absorbency is needed.

    Bamboo jersey

    How about some super soft leggings? Bamboo jersey is ideal for sportswear as it’s soft, breathable, strong and lightweight. Also perfect for t-shirts & dresses. Don’t forget those anti-bacterial properties too, ideal for those sweaty gym sessions!

    You can use bamboo jersey any where you might use a regular jersey fabric.

    CHECK THE WEIGHT

    When browsing for absorbent fabrics, take a note of the fabric weight (normally written as gsm which stands for grams per square metre). The higher GSM the fabric is, the more it will absorb. 

    What can I make with bamboo fabrics?

     

    Looking for project ideas for bamboo fabrics? Here’s some suggestions

    For free tutorials and other ideas, check out our blog series.

     

    We hope you loved learning all about Bamboo Fabrics! Don’t forget to sign up to the newsletter to make sure you never miss a fabric guide or tutorial again!

     

    For more content on our Eco Week, you can check out Plush Addict on all the socials below.