Khaki stretch woven shorts
These shorts have replaced a similar style pair which are now worn out. In an improvement over the old pair I added zipped pockets into the side seams.
In these shorts I inserted a zipped pocket in both sides, but I often only put one in the right side (as I'm right handed).
How to Install a side zipped pocket when sewing trousers/shorts etc
1. For each zipped pocket you need one concealed zipper and 2 pocket pieces. If you have front slash pockets, construct these first.
2. Finish the side seam of the garment and the matching area on the pocket pieces (as you won't be able to do this later).
3. Open the zipper. With right sides together install the zip into the side seam using a concealed zipper foot. Check the zipper works!
4. With right sides together sew one pocket piece to each side of the zip using a standard zipper foot. Leave the bottom 2.5cm (1 inch) unsewn.
5. Close the zipper and lay the garment face down on a flat surface with both pocket pieces towards the front. Due to the zip tape width they will not line up perfectly, this is how it should be. (I find it easier to cut two identical pocket pieces and then offset them, rather than having different sizes and remembering which way to put them!)
6. Pin the pocket pieces together and stitch round the pocket, turning back the seam allowance of the piece underneath (use a zipper foot for the tricky bottom bit), then neaten the edges.
7. Sew up the rest of the side seam, up to the point where the concealed zip was sewn in. From the top stitch down about 2.5cm (1 inch) to make sure the zipper tape doesn't show there.
8. Stitch the excess zipper tape to the side seam.
9. Finish constructing the garment.
These are a bit fiddly to do, swapping between the concealed zipper foot, zipper foot and standard foot, but I love having both types of pockets, especially when travelling.
The pattern used was the trousers from New Look 6216, shortened to knee length.
