Slash Pocket: Easy Tutorial for Beginners with Free Pattern

User avatar placeholder

1 June 2024

In this post, you will learn how to sew and attach slash pocket with free sewing pattern.

Love what you see ? Support me by snagging some cool items from my shop! Every purchase helps me bring you more awesome content. Thank you! Shop Now

Welcome to my beginner-friendly sewing tutorial on how to sew and attach slash pocket to your favorite garments! Whether you’re working on pants, shorts, or skirts, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring you achieve professional-looking results. Slash pockets are a fantastic addition to any piece of clothing, adding both style and functionality.

Free sewing pattern

In this tutorial, you’ll find everything you need to get started: a free sewing pattern for the slash pocket, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial to visually guide you through each step. By the end of this post, you’ll have the confidence to sew slash pockets onto any project you’re working on. Let’s dive in and get started on creating perfect slash pockets!

A woman wearing beige shorts with slash pocket.
If you like these shorts check out this step by step beginner friendly tutorial on how to sew them with free pdf pattern in 9 sizes.

What is a Slash Pocket

Slash pocket fashion illustration.

A slash pocket is a type of pocket commonly found on pants, shorts, skirts, and jackets. It is characterized by its diagonal or slanted opening, which typically starts at the waistband or near the side seam and extends downward toward the front of the garment. The design of the slash pocket makes it both functional and stylish, providing easy access for the hands while maintaining a sleek and streamlined appearance. Slash pockets are often reinforced with topstitching or bartacks to ensure durability and can be found in both casual and formal clothing.

Materials & Tools Needed:

Before you begin, gather the necessary materials:

Materials and tools needed to sew slash pocket.
Materials
  • Fabric: Choose a medium-weight fabric like cotton, denim, or linen. These fabrics provide structure and durability for the pockets.Read more on fabrics here.
  • Interfacing: Lightweight interfacing adds structure to the pocket opening, preventing sagging.( Optional)
  • Thread: Matching or contrasting thread, depending on your design preference, to ensure strong and durable seams. Learn more on threads.
Tools
  • Pattern Paper: For adjusting an existing one to fit your measurements.
  • Sewing Machine: A basic sewing machine with straight stitch and zigzag stitch options for all your stitching needs.
  • Pins or Clips: To hold fabric pieces together securely before sewing.
  • Scissors or Rotary Cutter: For cutting fabric and pattern paper accurately.Learn more on using scissors.
  • Measuring Tape: For taking precise measurements and ensuring your pockets are the correct size.
  • Iron and Ironing Board: For pressing seams and hems to achieve a professional finish.
  • Fabric Marker or Chalk: For marking fabric accurately before cutting and sewing.
  • Seam Ripper: In case you need to correct any mistakes.learn how to use it here.
magnetice seam guid and magnet on table

You will also need a magnetic seam guide or a magnet to help you sew evenly.

With these materials and tools, you can sew perfect slash pockets.

Suggested Fabric

Fabrics needed for sewing slash pockets .

When sewing a slash pocket, the choice of fabric is crucial to ensure durability, ease of sewing, and the overall look of the garment. Here are some fabric recommendations that work well for slash pockets:

  • Cotton:
    • Quilting cotton, cotton twill, or cotton canvas.
    • Casual pants, skirts, and shorts.
  • Denim:
    • Lightweight or mid-weight denim.
    • Jeans, denim skirts, and casual jackets.
  • Linen:
    • Pure linen or linen blends.
    • Summer pants, skirts, and shorts.
  • Wool:
    • Wool suiting or wool blends.
    • Formal pants and skirts, tailored garments.
  • Polyester Blends:
    • Polyester-cotton blends, polyester-spandex blends.
    • Everyday wear, workwear, and garments that require stretch.
  • Gabardine:
    • Wool gabardine or polyester gabardine.
    • Tailored pants and skirts, professional attire.
  • Corduroy:
    • Lightweight or mid-weight corduroy.
    • Casual pants, skirts, and jackets.
  • Silk or Silk Blends:
    • Silk twill or silk blends.
    • Dressy or formal garments.

Learn more on non stretch fabrics and choose best for this project.

Sewing Tip and Tricks

When choosing fabric for your slash pockets, consider the following tips:

  • Match the Fabric Weight: Ensure the pocket fabric matches or complements the weight of the main garment fabric to avoid bulkiness.
  • Sturdiness: Select a fabric that can withstand wear and tear, especially for pockets that will be used frequently.
  • Ease of Sewing: Beginners may find it easier to work with stable fabrics like cotton or polyester blends that don’t stretch or fray excessively.

By choosing the right fabric, you’ll ensure that your slash pockets are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Free Sewing Pattern For Slash Pocket

To get started, download the free pattern provided here.

Slash pocket
Pattern pieces cut out and ready for sewing slash pockets.

Printing and Assembling Instructions

Check out my detailed posts on how to print, cut-out, and assemble PDF patterns.

How to print and assemble free PDF patterns

How to cut out sewing patterns with tips and tools

Sewing the Slash Pockets – Step by Step

Learn how to sew and attach slash pockets to your pants, shorts, or skirts with this beginner-friendly tutorial.

Prepare the Pocket Pieces:
  • Cut out the pocket pieces from your fabric and interfacing using the free pattern.
Pinning the front pocket piece to the front of the shorts with right sides together.
Attach the Pockets to the Shorts:
  • With right sides together, pin the front of the pockets to the front of the shorts at the sides.
  • Sew along the pinned edges using a straight stitch.
  • Trim any excess fabric from the pocket entry location.
Sewing the pocket pieces to the shorts using a sewing machine.
  • Iron the seams flat on both sides, then turn the pockets inside out.
  • Sew along the pocket opening with a straight stitch for a clean finish.
Ironing seams flat for a professional finish on slash pockets.
Attach the Pocket Back:
  • With right sides together, pin the back of the pocket to the sewn pocket piece.
  • Using a straight stitch, sew the pocket along the edges.
  • Secure the pocket to the waistband of the shorts, ensuring it’s neatly aligned.
Attaching the back piece of the pocket to the sewn pocket front.
Finish the Pocket:
  • Ensure the pocket is securely sewn in and lies flat against the shorts.
Finished slash pocket sewn into the shorts, showing clean and professional stitching.

Watch the Video Tutorial on Sewing Slash Pocket

Check out my YouTube channel for a detailed, easy-to-follow tutorial on how to create a slash pocket. I’ll guide you through each step of sewing a flawless slash pocket and provide you with valuable tips and tricks for guaranteed success.

You can watch the video here.

Make sure to give a thumbs up, leave a comment, and hit that subscribe button on my channel to get more sewing tutorials. Don’t forget to share your results with me on Instagram or Facebook. I’m really excited to see what you come up with!

Tips for a Professional Finish

  • Press Seams: Always press your seams as you go for a crisp, professional look.
  • Use Interfacing: Adding interfacing to the pocket openings helps them maintain their shape and durability.
  • Topstitching: Topstitching around the pocket opening not only looks professional but also adds strength.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Incorrect Placement: Double-check the placement of your pockets before sewing to ensure they are even and aligned.
  • Uneven Topstitching: Take your time with topstitching to ensure even and straight lines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Can I add slash pockets to any garment? Yes, you can add slash pockets to most garments, including pants, skirts, and dresses. Just ensure you have enough fabric and adjust the pattern accordingly.
  • How do I prevent the pocket from sagging? Using interfacing on the pocket openings and securely attaching the pocket to the waistband or seam of the garment can prevent sagging.
  • What is the best way to finish raw edges if I don’t have a serger? If you don’t have a serger, you can use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to finish raw edges. This will help prevent fraying and provide a clean finish.
  • How can I make my pockets more durable? To increase the durability of your pockets, use high-quality fabric and thread, reinforce the seams with additional stitching, and finish the raw edges properly. Additionally, consider using interfacing for added strength.
  • Can I make these pockets without a sewing machine? While it is possible to sew these pockets by hand, it will be more time-consuming and may not produce as strong and durable a result as using a sewing machine. If you choose to hand-sew, use strong, even stitches and reinforce all seams.

Ready Slash Pocket !

A woman wearing beige shorts with slash pocket.
If you like my blouse check out this step by step tutorial on how to sew similar.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to sew and attach slash pockets to your garments. With these new skills, you can now add a stylish and practical touch to your pants, shorts, skirts, and more. I hope this step-by-step tutorial has been helpful and inspiring for your sewing journey.

Don’t forget to download the free sewing pattern and watch the video tutorial if you need a visual guide. I’d love to see your finished projects, so feel free to share them with me in the comments or tag me on social media.

Happy sewing, and stay tuned for more beginner-friendly tutorials to help you master the art of sewing!

In this post, you have learned how to sew slash pocket with free sewing pattern.

Disclaimer: All the patterns that I provide on this blog are for private and personal use only. You are not allowed to sell, distribute, modify, or share these patterns for any commercial or profit purposes. These patterns are my original creations and intellectual property, and I reserve all the rights to them. Please respect my work and do not violate these terms of use. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

This post has affiliate links * Affiliate Link. This means that if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a small percentage of your purchase (at no extra cost to you).

Image placeholder

I create sewing patterns, refashion projects, and practical tutorials designed to make sewing feel less intimidating and more creative. Most of what you see here starts with something I wanted to wear, remake, or figure out for myself, then I turn the process into a tutorial you can try too.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Sparrow Refashion

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading