Patch pockets are flat pockets sewn onto garments, often used due to their low cost and ease of installation. They evolved from small bags or wallets tied over clothing, and can be made from coordinating or contrasting fabric and decorated with buttons or embroidery. While not ideal for storing heavy or lumpy items, they are useful for thin, flat items like business cards.
Patch pockets are flat pockets sewn to the outside of a garment. They are generally unfit and can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many garments are made with these types of pockets, as they are inexpensive and relatively easy to install compared to other pocket designs. It is also possible to add patch pockets to an existing garment, should the need arise. Since these pockets are external, they are also potentially endlessly configurable, which can be quite convenient.
The origins of the pocket are centuries old. Originally, pockets were actually small bags or wallets that were tied over clothing. Numerous pockets could be a sign of social status during the medieval era, as a woman would have needed pockets for house keys, along with utensils such as scissors that were traditionally possessed by the highest-ranking women in the household. Over time, people began to sew pockets onto their garments, and the patch pocket evolved.
To make patch pockets, pieces of fabric are cut and sewn directly onto a garment. The edges are usually turned down so that they face the inside of the pocket and do not fray or look unsightly. A pocket can also be lined or reinforced with fabric to make it especially strong. Since the pocket is sewn onto an already finished garment, it looks like a patch, and some patch pockets are in fact purely ornamental, as are many patches.
Typically, a flat pocket is deeper than it is long and may have rounded or square edges. Depending on the design of the garment, these pockets may be made of a coordinating or contrasting fabric. It can also be decorated with buttons, embroidery or other sewing notions. Because this type of pocket is flat, it can also interrupt the line of the garment, so it is usually placed carefully to ensure it does not put stress on the seams.
In general, a flat pocket is not the best place to safely store items, as their shape will be clearly visible through the pocket. Heavy or lumpy items can also drag parts of the garment down, or just look unsightly. It’s ideal for thin, flat items like scraps of paper and business cards. Because the patch pocket isn’t terribly functional, some people consider them purely ornamental. As with all pockets used for storage, it’s a good idea to check the bottom seams of pockets periodically to make sure things won’t fall out while the pocket is in use.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
