Decided my bag needs Another Pocket (we're at like ten and counting), so might as well document How.
Step 1: put video essay on in the background.
Step 2: seam rip a pocket off another garment. this one is from some thrifting overalls, it's nonstretch cotton. I sewed some bias tape over the edge to stiffen it and cover the raw edge.
Step 3: pin the pocket where you want it (this works for putting it on garments too!). If there are things you want to Not Sew Through (eg other pockets) then pin carefully, with your hand in said other pocket(s) so you don't pin things together.
Step 4: get some strong thread - I'm using tex 70 bonded nylon, but dental floss fucks for this and you can rack it easily. Just needs to be strong and ideally synthetic, makes melting the ends back easier later.
Step 5: Needle, one your thread can go through the eye of EASILY. If the thread needs to be coaxed through with flattening and wetting and such, the needle is too small. Nice needles are really cheap (John James is good), they make sewing much more pleasant.
Step 6: sew that shit on. I'm gonna use red thread so y'all can see. Also, wax your threaddddddd it helps so much. I have a cheap ass beeswax candle I use for it, prevents tangling and that Rat Bastard Bird's Nest that long thread gets.
Step 7: whip stitches, please, they're so easy and work for a solid 70% of repairs and patches and shit. You come up through the new fabric (pocket, patch), put the needle into the base fabric directly next to where the thread exits the pocket, and stitch through on the diagonal UNDER the base fabric and up through the pocket.
Step 8 feat. my chipped ass nail polish: continue until the thread runs out and/or you reach the end of the seam. Do a couple stitches in the same spot, then trim the thread to about 2cm and set it on fire (lighter preferred). When it gets to a little melty blob on the fabric, squish flat with your finger (lick first for minimal burning of yourself).
Step 9: take out the pins! I sometimes do this as I sew, but for larger panels leaving them in place is handy. They WILL catch your thread at some point, if you can't pull the thread for no apparent reason, don't yank, just carefully follow it back for the inevitable knot/tangle/pin.
Done! New pocket (number ten) added to my messenger bag. This is kind of a tutorial, kinda just documenting my process. If you have questions on how I did something or want to know how to sew or make something else, tell me so I can make another tutorial. This was fun! Might do a breakdown of this bag and what I carry at some point.
