Contrast pocket singlet with embroidered message

Difficulty:

Cost:

$5 for a singlet

It's that time of the year again, Christmas is coming!

Hello hello, Ali here.

I don't know about you, but when it comes to Christmas shopping there is one big group of family members and friends that I always find super hard to find prezzies for - boys!

Whether it's boyfriends, brothers or dads, boys just aren't easy to sort out for Christmas.

You might remember our Badass Pockets post from a while back, when we made super cool tees for Tom and Nick? The tee-shirts were very popular and we've had lots of requests for more. So I decided that another contrast pocket tutorial was in order, just in time for Christmas. 

That special boy in your life will love this personal and very cool new piece of clothing, I know mine did!

I've added a little bit of extra special into this tutorial too so you can embroider a little message or saying onto the pocket too.

Materials:

Singlet

Scrap fabric

Tools:

Quick unpick

Scissors

Sewing Machine

Iron

Needle and thread

Method:

Start by unpicking the original pocket off the singlet.

So you end up with an outline on the singlet and a pocket template.

Place the removed pocket on top of your contrast pocket material, using it as a pattern piece to cut around.

Sew around the entire pocket with an overlocker (serger) or zig-zag stitch to finish the raw edges and prevent fraying.

Next, iron a 2cm seam around the entire pocket.  

Then fold the top of the pocket down again as shown below.

Now sew along this top seam, making a lovely little pocket shape.

Now it's time to embroider on a wee message, yay!

Start by writing your message onto a pocket sized piece of paper so you can make sure it's the size you want it to be. 

Then, using fabric chalk or a pencil, rule some guide lines that you can follow while you embroider. 

** Steeze = Style with ease 

Then embroider away!

I used a white cotton thread on my pocket so it wouldn't stand out too much, and was just a subtle detail.

Lastly, pin your pocket onto the singlet, in line with the outline of the original pocket and sew around all edges except the top, you don't want to sew it closed!

There you go, you're all done!

Below are some pics of my boyfriend Tyler modelling his new singlet.

Looks pretty good right? Steezy even!

Happy embroidering!

Badass Pockets

Difficulty:

Cost:

T-shirt- $6 each

Material- $1

We have seen so many awesome t-shirts recently with every kind of pocket you can imagine! We made these t-shirts for Ali's cute as flatmates, mostly because we wanted to see Nick wearing cats over his heart. The variations of this DIY are limitless, you could add a pocket to any item of clothing, and put whatever you like on the pockets. 

These would make a beautiful personal gift for someone special in your life like a brother or boyfriend.

Materials:

T-shirt/singlet

Fabric

Tools:

Sewing machine/needle and thread

Quick unpick (optional)

Scissors

Iron

 These gorgeous shorts were made by Ali a wee while ago and feature her fabulous cat material. Honestly, how cute are those kittens? 

Method

The first thing you need to do is cut your pockets out.
We used one denim pocket from Ali's shorts and we cut out another pocket using the pocket that we unpicked from one of the shirts as a template.

Make sure that you cut the pocket a little wider than the template as you want to leave some extra material for a seam allowance.
Once you have cut out your pocket iron the seam allowance under the pocket so you have a nice smooth seam like the picture underneath. 

The first bit of sewing that needs to be done is on the top of the pocket.
Simply sew a straight line along the top of the pocket about half a centimetre in. This is what Ali is doing in the picture below. 

Next, pin your pocket onto your t-shirt, making sure you get the placement right.
Finally, sew your pocket on to your t-shirt, sewing around the outside of the pocket. Make sure you don't accidentally sew the pocket shut at the top!

That's all! Finished, just like that! 

Now await the praise that will inevitably come when you gift one of these stunning shirts.

The boys are Tom and Nick. Tom is Amy's boyfriend and both of the boys live with Ali. They are silly gooses.

Happy pocketing,

 Tom, Nick and Ali live in the red block of flats, their very own heritage building.