#pocketwin: Lagenlook Aprons

[ysabetwordsmith]

While researching something else, I stumbled across lagenlook aprons. These come in nice fabrics with big pockets, and are designed to be worn over other clothes.  They differ from kitchen aprons in that they are meant as fashion wear, not just for messy tasks; but they still add pockets for practicality.  Alas, they are also ruinously expensive; see examples from America and England.

However, aprons are among the easiest garments to make. Even if you can't sew, you could probably make one with fabric glue or ironing tape. You just take a rectangle of fabric, taper the top if you wish, put a wide strip across the bottom and make channels to divide that into pockets, then attach a neck loop or ties and waist ties.  You can actually put a lot more pockets than that, but remember weight; the more pockets you want, the heavier the fabric needs to be.  For a lightweight fashion fabric like calico, one bottom row is probably plenty.  With denim, you can trick it out like a carpenter's apron if you want to.

Here are some patterns so you can make your own tie-on pocket garment:

https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/make-a-no-sew-waist-apron

https://shop.mybluprint.com/sewing/article/how-to-sew-an-apron/

https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2012/01/16/free-patterns-for-three-apron-styles

https://abeautifulmess.com/2018/01/sew-your-own-half-apron.html

https://weallsew.com/charming-pocket-apron/

https://www.allfreesewing.com/Aprons

Comments

[mama_kestrel]

Big pockets that match each other are one thing. Big pockets that sag because they're stretched out of shape? I consider that poor design. Of course I may be in a minority there.

The problem with big saggy pockets designed that way is that if they're set at an angle they'll dump whatever is put in them if the wearer moves the wrong way, like leaning over to the side. I have a jacket that looks like the pockets should be perfectly adequate, and feels like it when I stick my hand in - but the minute I sit down and change the angle at which they sit, the contents spill out all over my chair, or my car, or whatever. I consider that a major #pocketfail. They either need to be an inch higher, or set at less of an angle (which I can't fix), or about 3 inches deeper. As it stands I can put gloves in there (non-slippery), but they won't hold onto either my phone or a tube of lip balm. So if I'm designing? Non-saggy pockets.

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Big pockets that match each other are one thing. Big pockets that sag because they're stretched out of shape? I consider that poor design. Of course I may be in a minority there. <<

It is poor design. Since the feature is hyped, I gather it is for fashion purposes.

The problem with big saggy pockets designed that way is that if they're set at an angle they'll dump whatever is put in them if the wearer moves the wrong way, like leaning over to the side.<<

I have that problem with some pants. Occasionally it can be fixed by throwing a few stitches along the opening, but that relies on having a large enough opening to sacrifice a quarter-inch or so to create a trap. Another reason is if the pocket is lined with slick material, as coat pockets often are, and there's not fixing that unless you re-line the damn thing with more tractive fabric. >_<

>>I consider that a major #pocketfail. <<

Sustained.

On the garments I saw, the fashion-saggy pockets appeared to be horizontally aligned patch pockets on the front or sides. That doesn't meant things will stay put, though.

[zeeth_kyrah]

Alternately, a fastener. My winter-weight jacket has zippers on its outer pockets, and a Velcro square on the inner pocket for just-in-case.