How To Make A Skirt With Hidden Pockets

I love wearing skirts during the spring and summer time. The only problem I really have is that some of them don't have pockets! I mean, I could carry a bag but sometimes I want to put small things in my pocket without having to dig for them in my bag. Keep reading to learn how to make this easy skirt!

What you'll need:

• Opaque fabric
• Thread
• Elastic
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Chalk

1. Cut out two rectangular pieces of equal size.

• The length: determine how long you want your skirt to be and add in about an additional 3 to 3.5 inches. The extra fabric will account for seam allowances and the waistband area. For example, I wanted my skirt to be 15 inches long so I would then cut my rectangles to have a length of 18 to 18.5 inches. If your waistband elastic is very wide or thin (my measurements are based off a 1 inch wide elastic), adjust the measurement accordingly.
• The width: this part is all up to you. The wider you make your skirt, the fuller the skirt will be. You can always use an existing skirt you have as a guide. I say a good measurement would be between 25 to 30 inches.

4. Repeat step 3 for the remaining two pocket pieces on the other rectangular piece.

5. Flip the pocket pieces over so that they stick outwards (it will look like two little arms sticking out). As of now, you should have two large pieces, each with two pocket pieces sewn on each side. Take one of the layers and lay it on top of the other, aligning all the edges together. The right sides should be facing the inside/touching (i.e. the stitches made in steps 3 and 4 are facing the outside). Sew the edges of the pocket layers together (as shown by the pins below) and sew together ONLY the area above the pocket and below the pocket.
6. It's time to work on the waistband! To make a casing, you would want to fold the fabric down about half an inch. Fold the fabric down a second time, this time folding it down about [your elastic width + 0.5 inches]. For example, I would first fold the top edge of the rectangle piece down half an inch; my second fold would then be folded down around 1.5 inches. Straight stitch the fold down all around the skirt to make a small case for the elastic to go through. Stop sewing once once you have about 2 inches left over.


7. Cut out a strip of elastic that is your waist measurement. Attach a safety pin to one end and loop it through the entire casing. Once the two ends meet, sew them together tightly.
8. Sew the remaining part of the casing shut.

9. To keep the elastic from moving, sew along the midpoint of the elastic all around the waistband once OR sew along the top and bottom edges of the elastic, each once around. Make sure you stretch your elastic while you do to ensure that your fabric doesn't bunch up.

Edit: an easier alternative is to just sew down the two sides of the elastic right above where the pockets are to the skirt.

10. Finish the skirt by hemming the bottom!