Create a fun surprise on any garment with these adorable Pocket Pairs. This tutorial will walk you through placing your embroidery design on your project and crafting the perfect sized pocket for your character to pop out of!

To create your own pocket surprise, you will need:

• Your favorite Pocket Pairs embroidery design
• Pocket fabric
• Printed pocket template, available here.
• Sheer mesh cutaway stabilizer, such as Sulky Soft 'n Sheer or Floriani No Show Mesh
• Temporary spray adhesive
• Scissors
• Pins
• Air erase fabric pen or tailor's chalk

Begin by embroidering your character onto your garment or project. Using printed templates of the embroidery design will ensure perfect placement on your project. (Here's more on how to print templates.)

We recommend using a sheer mesh cutaway stabilizer adhered to the back of the fabric with temporary spray adhesive for best results. Make sure to hoop both fabric and stabilizer together taut before stitching.

Use this PDF template and a fabric marking pen to trace your pocket size around the text embroidery design. The largest Pocket Pairs designs go with the "large" pocket, middle size with the "medium" pocket, and so on. To make sure your text is centered within the template, it's easier to use the back side of the embroidery with your template. After you've traced the template shape, cut a 0.5" seam allowance around your shape.

Use pins to fold back your seam allowance on all five sides.

Stitch a 0.25" seam around your pocket using matching thread. Make sure to back tack on both ends for a secure hold.

Next, pin the pocket in place over your embroidered character. Make sure to tuck the bottom half of any characters (and the bottom left corner of the camera) underneath your pocket square.

Finish off your project by stitching a 0.25" seam around the sides and bottom of the pocket onto your garment (leaving the top of the pocket open).

The result is a sassy pocket with a surprise when you look inside!

Whether you're stitching onto your new favorite tee, tote, pillow, or project, this Pocket Pair is sure to generate some excitement!