Tutorial: Adding a flap to a back pocket

I bought new jeans, and wanted to keep my cell phone from falling out of my back pocket. Since you may want to do the same thing, here is a tutorial to help you do so.

A word about fabric selection. I am doing this project with blue jeans. I have several colors of denim in my stash, so I chose the closest one. You could use fabric from your stash that matches, or contrasts. When in doubt about the matching, wash all fabrics you will be using.

Make a pattern piece for yourself. I used ¼ inch graph paper that started the same size as the cut pieces.

For each pocket, cut two pieces of fabric that are 5½ x 3¾ inches.

Pin two of the fabric pieces wrong sides together.

Using a pencil or chalk or an evaporating pen, trace the outline of the point from the pattern onto the fabric.

Sew ¼ inch seam along the sides, pivoting at the points.

Cut the excess fabric off at the marked line.

Your piece should look like this.

Notch the fabric at the points to allow more room when you turn it right side out.

Turn the flap right side out.

Use a turning stick or strong pin to help the corners extend fully.

If you pin the seams once, you won’t have to wrestle with them in the middle of sewing.

Edge stitch. If you are doing more than one pair of pants, you can chain stitch them.

Do a top stitch if you like – it would coordinate more with the denim look.

Cut hook and loop tape 1½ inches long.

Sew the loop side of the tape to the underside of the flap.

Sew the hook side of the tape to the top of the pocket. You will have to wrestle the rest of the pants out of the way.

Sew the flap onto the pants about 3/8 inch from the top of the pocket.

Fold over the flap and sew down with edge stitching (1/8 inch from edge), and top stitching (1/4 inch from edge).

Your pocket will look something like this:

If you want, you can sew on the hook and loop tape after step two. You will want to leave enough space between the tape and the edge of the flap to allow it to be turned right side out.