Look who’s bringing the milk in! It’s me in my new Canadian Tuxedo with patch pockets.

I made a denim version of my Lotta Jansdotter’s Everyday Style Pilvi coat. Now that I have altered the patten to my liking, it’s a very fast make ~ maybe half a day to cut, make and bind the seams. This version has a folded back collar with snap fasteners.
You can see I had finished the coat and was playing with different button ideas on my mannequin.

Then, I decided I wanted to add patch pockets to the front. These are much more convenient and don’t pull the coat out of line with the weight pocket items or my resting hands, and I like the look. I think of it as Canadian Scientist.

I kept the side seam pockets. After all, more pockets = happy wearing. Patch pockets are quick to whip up if you have a fusible tape on hand.

If you aren’t using Steam-a-Seam or fusible hem tape in your sewing room, run, don’t walk, to your nearest supplier and get some! It’s my favourite sewing room tool. I did a test this week to compare two brands: Steam-a-Seam and Hemline hem tape. They both worked really well on the cottons I tested them on and stood up to washing and scrubbing without coming unglued. I like to have the narrow 1/4 inch on hand as well as a wider one.

Four Easy Steps to Perfectly Square Patch Pocket Corners

1. Mitre corners and stick them down with 1/4″ Steam-a-Seam.
2. This is how they will look on the right side. (Sorry for the wet steam patches)
3. Cut a length of steam-a-seam for each side, fold in place and set with hot iron.
4. Do this to all sides of the pocket and you are good to go. I use washi tape to hold the pocket in place where I want to sew them to the garment, rather than distorting the shape of the pocket with pins. You can sew right over the Washi tape and rip it away later.
   Nice square patch pockets, with the pattern matching easily and perfectly.

This denim was also available in this ecru version. It was lovely to work with. It surprised me how supple a twill weave can be without any lycra in it. This fabric would make a great dress or culottes.