Saskia makes pocketses!

What has it got in its pocketses? Well the way the Establishment makes them, you'd be lucky to fit the One Ring, let alone an actual mobile phone. When I had the awful combination of a new (bigger) phone, and a different brand of jeans, there was suddenly no compatibility. I can't go running around the lab with a handbag, so what is a modern woman to do?

Stick it to the Establishment, the Fashion Industry, and the Patriarchy, that's what.

So here is a guide to extending a pocket in existing jeans. Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for ruined


jeans, lost possessions, or sudden feelings of freedom.

What you'll need: 
1 pair of jeans
1 piece of fabric for your new pocket
Needles, thread etc.
Sewing machine optional, it's only little, and I'm not convinced the fiddling to get it under the presser foot saves any time compared to hand-sewing.

Step 1: Measure the old pocket. 
What we're attempting to do is the least possible amount of undoing good sturdy industrial sewing. So we're extending the existing pocket to make it fit the phone, with a bag the same width as the existing pocket.


Step 2: Cut fabric, sew into a tube
I made the new pocket deep enough to fit my entire hand. The bottom is about halfway down my thigh. I used a French seam for sturdiness and hiding raw edges. In short: sew wrong sides together, which in this case are the right sides because you want the inside of the pocket to be the pretty bit*. Then cut the fabric very close to the seam, and turn the whole thing inside out. Now sew along the edge you've just sewn, and eh presto, French seam.

* Yup, good luck working that out. I've got a headache just thinking about it. I suggest much pinning and turning.

Step 3: Cut the bottom seam off the existing pocket. 
The scary bit: no going back after this! Cut as close to the edge as possible to have some room for the seams. I did this on brand-new jeans too!

Step 4: Attach the new pocket tube
I didn't french seam this but I should have. The one I did six months ago is still holding out, though, so it will probably be OK. Line up the new-pocket-tube and the open bottom of the existing pocket and sew together.

Step 5: Decide how deep your pocket should be and sew up the bottom 
I French seamed this one again, so stuff wouldn't catch on fraying edges.

Step 6: Hands-free whatever you want to do!
I only did the left pocket because that's where I like to put my phone. The right one just about holds my keys as is, and I don't want those any lower.