A Trick To Stabilize On-Seam Pocket Bag Layers In The Sewing Process

It is no secret that stitching abruptly-curved fabric edges and seams can be quite challenging for sewing beginners. It can even be tricky for moderate-to-advanced dressmakers that are not quite comfortable with their sewing machine, or working with a difficult-to-control fabric. This is especially the case when sewing on-seam pocket applications as these are often constructed of circular pocket bags. 

Here's a sewing tip: When stitching a curved-bottom pocket bag, use a temporary hand basting stitch to keep the curved pocket bag edges perfectly aligned during the stitching process. Even if you choose to only pin the top and bottom portions of the seam housing the pocket, hand basting just the pocket bag will provide an extra layer of stability and provide accurate alignment along the entire seam. 

Once hand basted, the curved pocket bag layers can be stitched more comfortably thus allowing you to focus on applying a smooth stitch as opposed to worrying about the two pocket layers shifting out of place as they feed under the machine's presser foot. This is particularly helpful if working with light, flimsy fabrics as they tend to be slippery during the alignment and stitching process.

​To ensure the hand basting is easy to remove when no longer needed, stitch right next to it and not directly on top of it.

When the pocket bag is complete, the hand basting stitches have served their purpose and are no longer needed. At this point, use a seam ripper (or a pair of small scissors) to pull the hand basting threads out.