How to Sew a Pocket in Your Purse

Easy to follow directions on how to sew a pocket to the bottom of your purse.

We have an upcoming trip scheduled to visit Spain and France.  With both of those countries having a large number of pickpockets, I wanted to sew a pocket in the bottom of my purse to hold my credit card and cash. 

While this is not a solve all, it does make it more difficult for a pickpocketer to get to my cash which gives me a little bit more peace of mind.  For tips about staying safe in while traveling, see this post.

How to Sew a Pocket in Your Purse

What You Will Need:
Piece of fabric (more than double the size of the bottom of your purse)
1/2 inch Velcro
Sewing machine
Thread

Start by measuring the bottom of your purse.  Then double the width and add 3 inches to your number for seam allowance and to allow your pocket to have space in it.  Add 1 1/2 inches to the measurement of the length of your purse.  Cut your piece of fabric. 

Iron your fabric.  The side of your fabric that will be folding into the center, fold 1/2 inch over with the good side on the outside, and iron.  Then fold 1/2 inch over again and iron.  Repeat on the opposite side of your fabric.

Next, unfold the first 1/2 inch fold and sew on your velcro.  Make sure that the velcro will line up and stitch all the way around the perimeter of the velcro and down the center.  Then refold and sew a straight stitch across the fold to keep the hem in place. (This way you will not see all the stitching to sew the velcro into place.)

 

Turn the good side to the center and sew down both open sides of your fabric (the sides without the velcro).

Turn your pocket right side.  Next, turn your purse inside out and line up the corners of your pocket and your purse.  Make sure the velcro is facing away from your purse.

Using a needle and thread, stitch each corner of the pocket to the corner of your purse.  I did about 5-6 stitches per corner.

Then turn your purse right side and test out your new pocket!

If you decided you wanted to remove the pocket from the bottom of your purse all you have to do is the cut the thread where it is attached at the corners.  Easy, peasy.

Tell me how you stay safe while traveling in the comments down below.