16 cm pocket entrance
The marked attachment edge gives a clear start and end point for the side-seam opening.
Pocket construction
Create an in-seam pocket pattern
Generate a hidden pocket bag for skirts, dresses, pants, or shorts. Choose compact, standard, or deep proportions, use separate bag pieces or a folded one-piece construction, and export the result at full scale.
Check before cutting
Place the opening marks on the garment side seam and test hand access, bag depth, seam finishing, and show-through before cutting final fabric.
In-seam pocket bag
Generated example
A usable pocket bag drafted from dimensions
Live geometryThe preview uses the same geometry engine as the downloads and includes the attachment edge, opening notches, grainline, cutting line, and seam allowance.
17 × 27 cm standard bag
The rounded standard preset gives practical hand room and carrying depth without excessive bulk.
Dimensions remain full size through SVG, copyshop PDF, and tiled A4 export, with a 5 × 5 cm scale-check square.
Choose separate pieces for a conventional construction or a connected folded bag to reduce the outer bag seam.
Related guides
Generator
Basic skirt pattern
Generate a skirt block with waist, hip, darts, side seams, and silhouette presets.
GeneratorBasic pants pattern
Create front, back, waistband, crotch, inseam, outseam, and hem guides.
Trouser and skirt detailSlant Pocket Pattern
Generate a diagonal or curved front-pocket opening with matched pocket bags, a self-fabric facing, waist anchors, notches, and seam allowances.
ConstructionSeam and hem allowances
Read solid seam lines, dashed cutting lines, construction seam allowance, hem allowance, curves, and corners.
In-seam pocket guide
A hidden pocket bag sized for the side seam
The generator turns the required pocket opening and bag dimensions into a print-ready pattern piece. Use these notes to place the opening and select a construction that suits the garment and fabric.
Opening marks, grainline, seam and cutting lines
Every export includes the pocket-bag outline, start and end notches for the opening, grainline, selected seam allowance, cutting instructions, and a 5 × 5 cm test square.
Match the entrance to the wearer and garment
Measure a comfortable hand opening and confirm its position on the garment side seam. The opening should sit below the waist treatment without colliding with a zipper, waistband, or hip shaping.
Choose practical carrying room
Bag width controls hand room away from the seam, while bag depth controls how far the pocket extends downward. The generator protects a minimum depth below the opening.
Separate bags or one folded piece
Separate construction uses two bag pieces per pocket and is familiar to sew. Folded construction joins both halves at a fold, reducing one seam but requiring a larger fabric area.
Control bulk and show-through
Use stable lightweight pocketing where possible. Check opacity, stretch, seam finishing, and whether the bag needs anchoring to a waist seam in soft or loose garments.
SVG, copyshop PDF, or tiled A4
Print at actual size or 100%, disable page fitting, and measure the test square before assembling pages or cutting fabric.
Hidden pocket integration
Fit the opening and bag into an existing side seam
An in-seam pocket is invisible only when its opening follows the garment seam and the bag hangs without pulling, showing or entering the hem or closure. The generator supplies the bag geometry and opening references; the garment pattern still controls placement, seam allowance, support and available interior space.
Choose a hand opening, not only a notch distance
Opening length must admit the wearer’s hand comfortably after seam allowance and any stay tape are considered. Mark upper and lower notches on both garment pieces from the same reference. A very long opening can gape; a short one can make a deep bag unusable.
Check the opening on the body
Place the upper notch below a waistband, waist seam or pocket obstruction but high enough for natural reach. Sit and walk with the marks pinned on a toile. A mathematically neat position may be uncomfortable when the garment is worn or may collide with a hip curve.
Provide depth without entering other construction
The bag should hold the intended object while clearing hem, zipper, vent, lining and seam allowances. Rounded bottoms reduce sharp corners where lint collects; straighter shapes can use space efficiently. Let the paper bag hang from the opening to inspect its real interior footprint.
Prevent the pocket from dragging the side seam
Pocket contents add weight. Stabilize the opening with suitable tape or interfacing and, where the garment allows, support the upper bag at a waist seam or stable allowance. Do not pull the bag upward so tightly that it distorts the side seam or changes garment balance.
In-seam pocket integration check
Test the bag on a traced garment side seam before cutting final fabric.
- 01 Transfer identical upper and lower opening notches to front and back garment pieces and compare the finished hand opening.
- 02 Hang the generated paper bag from those marks to check clearance from waistband, zipper, hem, vent and lining.
- 03 Confirm mirrored cut pairs and grainlines; two identical rather than mirrored halves can twist when closed.
- 04 Sew and understitch a sample opening, then test whether the seam rolls inward and remains closed when empty.
- 05 Load the sample with the intended object and check side-seam distortion, bag support and comfort while sitting.
How and when
Generated from application code
This generator converts the entered measurements into vector geometry. Where a construction has related seams, the software can calculate their lengths; preview, SVG, copyshop PDF, and tiled A4 PDF are produced from the same geometry. These software checks do not replace printing, sewing, or fitting a test sample.
Last recorded review of the generator implementation and documentation: 2026-07-27. The output has not been certified through physical production testing; verify measurements, print scale, seam relationships, fabric behaviour, and fit for your project.
Common questions
In-seam pocket pattern FAQ
Is the in-seam pocket generator free?
Yes. Enter the dimensions, preview the generated bag, and download SVG, copyshop PDF, or tiled A4 PDF.
How long should the pocket opening be?
It should comfortably admit the wearer’s hand. Test the opening on the actual garment and consider seam allowance, waistband position, and any closure.
What is the difference between separate and folded construction?
Separate construction uses two bag pieces for each pocket. Folded construction connects both halves at a fold, removing the outer joining seam but using a taller fabric piece.
Which pocket-bag shape should I choose?
Rounded bags distribute contents smoothly and are easy to finish. Straight bags use clearer corners and can suit structured or utility garments.
How should I print the A4 pocket pattern?
Print at actual size or 100%, disable fit-to-page scaling, and confirm the test square measures exactly 5 × 5 cm.
Workflow
01
Choose pocket size
Start with a compact, standard, or deep pocket preset.
02
Set construction
Adjust opening length, bag width and depth, shape, construction, and seam allowance.
03
Export full size
Download SVG, copyshop PDF, or tiled A4 PDF for printing at 100%.