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MADE IN U.S.A. Copyright Roberta Amundson 2008. This set contains copyrighted and licensed designs for home use by the original purchaser only and is protected under U.S. Copyright Laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this product, or any portion of it, is forbidden.

Roberta*s Creations
1222 Milan
Oceanside, CA 92056

These designs were stitched with high-quality, 40-weight thread, which is recommended. If a different weight thread is used, the results may vary from the sample designs.

POCKET PIZAZZ

Please note that instructions are very detailed and some instructions are repeated for each design so you do not have to refer back and forth for how-to instructions. Pockets are prepared and completed very quickly. Once you have done one pocket, a quick glance at the pictures will easily remind you of what comes next.

Heavy weight fabrics are not suitable for these pockets. Use light weight fabrics. However, you can attach the pockets to fabrics of any weight or type. It is only the pocket itself that should be made from lightweight fabrics. Be sure any fabrics you use can be ironed.

General Supplies Needed:

Embroidery thread -- See the individual pocket design for specific thread colors needed

Fabric as indicated specifically in pocket design you have selected
Badgemaster Aquafilm (Heavy weight) or similar clear film water-soluble stabilizer
Light-weight stabilizer
Embroidery spray adhesive such as Sulky 505 or KK2000 spray
Steam-a-Seam 1/2" width, two-sided adhesive tape or similar product (available in fabric stores and on-line)

HeatnBond or similar appliqué product available at WalMart and other stores.

Washable Glue Stick available in office section of stores such as WalMart
Masking tape
Template 4-1/2" x 6-1/2", design is provided or you may cut the correct size and label the top and sides as shown below.
You will be choosing thread colors depending on fabrics you are using.

TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS

This basic template will aid you in preparing the fabric for the pockets.

To make the Template:
1.  Load the Template design into your machine.

2.  Hoop light weight stabilizer in a 6"x9" hoop and attach the hoop to your machine.

3.  Embroider the design. Any color of thread may be used, but a dark shade works best.
4. Remove the hoop from the machine and stabilizer from the hoop.

5. Cut the thread jump stitches on the front and back, if your machine does not do so.
6. Cut out the template with a rotary cutter and cutting ruler using the outside stitching lines as a guide.

Cut on the lines so the stitching is actually cut. Just brush away the cut threads.

Finished Template piece should measure exactly 4-1/2" high x 6-1/2" wide.

This is the way the pockets will sew out in the hoop. All the pocket designs are rotated in the hoop with the top of the pocket facing toward your left or the open throat area of your machine.

 

Pocket Preparation

To make sure your pocket will be the right size use the template as instructed below for perfect results.

If you have a clear ruler with a grid, you can use it as shown below to easily turn under 5/8" on fabric. Or you can use a ruler gauge or similar method to turn under 5/8" on the first side of the fabric. Make sure you turn under the side fabric edges to start.
Use masking tape to define 5/8" line on ruler. This makes it very easy to locate the correct measurement for the fold.

Place the fabric right side down on the ironing board and lay the ruler along the side edge to be pressed.

Turn the side edge of the fabric over the ruler so the edge of the fabric is aligned with the 5/8" line on the ruler and the ruler is pressed firmly against the fold to ensure a correct measurement.

 



Do not iron on the ruler, but move the ruler's position down about 2" and set the iron on the fabric. Keep the edge of the ruler firmly against the fold of the fabric. Press.

 

 

  With the iron still in place on the fabric, move the ruler down further and press.

 

 

 

 

Continue to move the ruler down until the entire side is pressed. This only takes a few seconds.

Using the template, slip the template under the pressed edge of the fabric with the edge against the fold.
 
.

Turn the opposite edge over the template, using the template edge as a guide.

Press.

Move the template down and repeat until the edge is finished as shown.

Remove the template.

Fold the fabric in half, aligning the top and bottom raw edges as well as the pressed sides of the fabric.

Press the fold so it creases well.
Open the fabric piece back up with the wrong side up and folded edges exposed.

Place the template so bottom edge is on the center crease and sides are aligned.
Fold the top edge down over the template and press.
Repeat with the bottom edge.


Optional: Open the top and bottom fold and apply the Steam-a-Seam tape to the top and bottom raw edges. Turn back to the inside and press before applying the tape as shown below. I liked the finish on the pocket better after adding this step.
Use Steam-a-Seam doubled-sided adhesive tape or similar product and lay a strip of the tape along the fold of both the right and left side edges beginning at the center crease and ending at the raw edge.
Apply tape across bottom edge along the fold. Remove any paper backing so only the adhesive tape remains.
Spray the wrong side (with the tape applied) with embroidery spray adhesive.

 

Hint: To spray fabric pieces with embroidery spray adhesive without having to worry about the spray ending up on other items, hold the fabric piece inside a trash basket lined with plastic liner while you spray.

Fold the fabric in half along the center crease, again. Make sure the sides as well as the top and bottom are aligned before pressing.


Press according to the Steam-a-Seam package instructions.

Above you can see the finished piece. The pocket is exactly the right size for embroidery and the fabric will not shift or move during the embroidery process.
FABRIC INSET PREPARATION
1. Spray the wrong side of both pieces of pocket insert fabric (such as Butterfly, Lady Bug, etc.) and both sides of the light weight stabilizer with spray adhesive.
2. Make a fabric sandwich with the stabilizer in the middle and the fabric pieces, wrong sides together, on the outside. Smooth with hands or press if needed. 

Both the front and back sides of the fabric should have the right side of the fabric showing.

Hint: To spray fabric pieces with embroidery spray adhesive without having to worry about the spray ending up on other items, hold the fabric piece inside a trash basket lined with plastic liner while you spray.

ATTACHING POCKETS

To attach your pocket, you can simply pin it in place and stitch around the edges. However, I like to use Steam-a-Seam, once again, to secure the pocket before stitching, especially as I like to use decorative stitching around pockets to make them stand out. This is optional, but I do recommend it. Instructions for attaching with Steam-a-Seam are below.

Instructions for attaching with Steam-a-Seam are below.
Turn the pocket to the back side. Apply Steam-a-Seam tape to sides and bottom.

Turn pocket to the right side and position it as desired on your project.

Finger-press in place around edges.

Press around the edges to activate the Steam-a-Seam, following the directions on the package. Your pocket is securely in place, ready for stitching.

This is a great time to play with the decorative stitches on your machine. Experiment first with scraps of fabric to get the exact look you want. Use tear-away stabilizer underneath for a nice finish. I used a decorative stitch around the edges and then a triple stitch inside of that to finish my pocket.