How to Add a Slip Pocket to ANY Bag

April 8, 2025

Pockets are a super fun aspect of bag making but what happens when the pattern you're using doesn't call for the pocket you love. Well, you add your own and I'm here to show you how.

Let's learn how to add slip pocket to any bag!

Here's a video tutorial. There's also a written tutorial below.

First, we need to determine how big our slip pocket will be.

For the purposes of this tutorial we'll be placing the slip pocket the Outer Panel piece

Measure the width of the Outer Panel and then determine how tall you want your clip pocket to be and add 1/4" (for the seam allowance if the raw edges pocket lines up with the side and bottom raw edges of the Outer Panel)

OR add 1/2" (for the seam allowance if the pocket needs to be places above the bottom seam. For example: if there are boxed corners)

For the slip pocket, cut TWO in your fabric and TWO in SF101.

If the raw edges of the slip pocket are intended to line up with the side and bottom raw edges of the Outer Panel do the following:

If the raw edges of the slip pocket are intended to line up with the side side seam raw edges ONLY due too something like boxed corners of the Outer Panel do the following: