Serving as a kind of hand bag or purse, tie-on waist pockets are beloved objects traditionally worn under a woman’s skirt, between the 17th and 19th centuries.

Remaining examples of these beautiful handmade accessories can be found in museum collections around the world, and range from modestly undecorated to elaborately embroidered.

These pockets are curiously evocative, and immediately transport the viewer to intimate imaginings of the original owner’s life. Something about the obvious opening for the hand, into a place meant to keep secreted and precious objects has us relating deeply to our own desire to keep cherished items near.

Join teacher Karen Stevens as we pay homage to this historical garment, while adding our own artful spin. Karen will take us through the pattern, and suggest ways in which we can personalize our work for a unique outcome.

Dates
Saturday, February 11th, 2023

Time
2pm – 4:30pm ET

Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class.

Cost
$45

**This class will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session.

Materials Required

• (1) 9” x 24” piece of medium to heavy weight linen (or lightweight cotton canvas. Vintage linen tablecloths or runners/napkins can also make great pockets!)
• 2yds 3/4” cotton twill tape
• 12 inches of 1/2” double fold bias tape OR an additional 12” of the 3/4” twill tape
• embroidery floss
• sewing thread
• embroidery needle
• sewing needle
• various patches (optional)

Don’t want to source your own materials for this class? Wearable Tie-On Pocket Class Material Kits are also available! Browse all our pocket kit options here:

OUR TEACHER
Karen Stevens

For the last 25 years, Karen has been a freelance CAD instructor, training textile and fashion designers to create knits, prints and wovens for the garment industry. But these days you are more likely to find her in her creatively cluttered studio than on her computer, adding one more vintage patch to a favorite pair of jeans or double gauze shirt. Her love of visible mending, natural fibers, hand dyed fabrics and slow stitching has recently turned into a small side business, creating one of a kind stitched curiosities.

Karen lives in rural Northwest CT with her family, a menagerie of pets wearing party hats, and an indigo dipped laundry line.

“You repair the thing until you make it completely.”    – Louise Bourgeois