Side Seam Pocket Please Help!

[Lemon Syllabub]

I can't get the side seam pockets of my coat to look even vaguely presentable.   
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Before I unpick the seams AGAIN and attempt to resew them (or sew them up altogether and add patch pockets! ) I thought I'd ask you lovely lot if you could recommend any tips, tricks or magic dust to remedy the problem.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Greybird]

Don't have any magic but they might look better after pressing?

[Ohsewsimple]

I was going to say the same as @Greybird.  One thought, is the edge or opening stabilised with a lightweight fusible interfacing?   What is the fabric you’re using?   If there is any polyester in it that I might account for the bouncy look.  Can’t think of another way to put it!

[Syrinx]

Always press after sewing them - look way better. And when sewing the seams I always try to sew them both in the same direction so any slight stretch is in the same direction which means they sit better (so sew both sides up to waist or down to hem, not one up to waist and other down to hem if that makes sense).

It may also be that the pocket needs understitching

[toileandtrouble]

It look almost as if the lining is too tight on the side that sits out.  The pattern matches, so it should lie flat.

[b15erk]

I don't know if it will be any use on this project @Lemon Syllabub , but I found a Burda method described by Catherine Daze HERE

It's the easiest method I have come across, and far better than the Vogue one I was trying to follow.

Jessie

[Elnnina]

What is the coat fabric?  If this has any wool in, one way of getting this flat is to use a wet cloth and hot iron to press this and then use a clapper - i.e. a wooden gadget and hold this down over the area.  If you do not have a clapper, then a wooden (clean though) rolling pin will work wonders.  Wooden rolling pins are relatively cheap, and if you have to get one then please keep this in the sewing room and use only for this purpose.  For some reason the wood absorbs the steam created and gives a lovely finish.  If in doubt about this use some scraps of the coat fabric, make a little seam, press and use the clapper or rolling pin and see the difference.  Banging away with the wooden gadget whatever is is very satisfying and can make such a difference to anything that is rather bouncy.

[Lemon Syllabub]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this forum. 

Thank you so much for your advice.

 

I'll let you know how things progress. 

[Lemon Syllabub]

Phew!
Much happier. 
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Brilliant advice 

[Elnnina]

What a difference, no wonder you are pleased with the result.  Look forward to seeing this finished.

[Ohsewsimple]

What did you do differently @Lemon Syllabub ?

[Lemon Syllabub]

@Ohsewsimple I unpicked and re sewed part of the side seams. I used interfacing on the inside edge of the pockets and understitched them. I snipped into the side seam allowance where the side meets the top and bottom of the pocket. I pressed everything in place using a damp cloth and bashed it with a clapper until it surrendered! 

It still isn’t perfect but thanks to all your help it’s so much better than it was… and if I keep my hands in the pockets hopefully no one will ever notice! 

[Ohsewsimple]

Well they look great!   :thumbsup:

[charlotte]

I love a happy ending! Well done, it looks fabulous! 

[Lemon Syllabub]

Super quick update ...I've finally finished 
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Thanks again for all your help.



Just wanted to add... please ignore the scruffy jeans and gardening clogs.... in my head I'm wearing a sixties style A-line skirt, white knee length boots and a Baker boy cap.