Years ago when I first started Picklefish Products NZ, there wasn't many options for those of us with kids with extra needs. I had to create my own products and through many trial and errors I came up with the varying options you can find in our store. But some of you sew, and maybe can't afford to buy what I offer. To me, its important that others are empowered and their kids supported. So heres my little offer to the community out there, use this wee tutorial to modify store brought Bodysuits, Onesies, sweatshirts or whatever you like. These steps will help you create a bound pocket opening for tube access on items you sew. Please tag me on social media and I am always happy to help or discuss adaptions. These steps and measurements are valid from sizes 5-16 years. You may have to adjust for older or younger sizes. I advise measuring the Peg site down from the shoulder and positioning your pocket where you think its best.
What you need
Fabric scraps
Interfacing
Scissors
Pins
Sewing Machine
Stitch Ripper
Method
Measure down the front of your item to approximately 23-25cm from the left shoulder seam to the left hand side of your top/bodysuit/onesie. Make a mark about 5-6cm in from the left hand seam. Measure across about 10-12cm and make marks on the front of your item. Press hard so the marks will also show on the wrong side and help you align the interfacing in the next step.
Cut a piece of interfacing about 14cm wide by 4cm deep. Iron on the wrong side of your item making sure your markers done in the first step are about centre of your interfacing piece.
Cut two 14cm long by 4cm wide pieces of fabric. Cut 2 x 2cm by 14cm piece of interfacing. Iron each piece of interfacing to the wrong side and one edge of the fabric strips. Fold strips in half and iron flat.
On the front (right side) of your item place each strip each side of your marker you made in step 1. Pin in place.
Using straight stitch, sew each strip close to the raw edge starting and stopping about 2cm from each end as shown in the picture.
Grabbing a stitch ripper, slash a small hole between the two strips of fabric then cut along the marker you made and cut on a diagonal to each end of the stitching making a triangle between the strips. (see photo)
Tuck the two strips of stitched on fabric through the hole you just created. Overlap the strips so you have one piece uppermost (with the opening toward the shoulder of your item) taking care to make sure the triangle pieces are pushed out the way and under your strips. Iron flat and pin together if needed.
Using straight stitch and right side facing you, sew close around the edges of your Pocket taking care not to bunch or close the opening. Iron flat.
Your GTube Pocket is now done, if you want you can add a snap to keep the pocket closed when not in use or to keep the tube from moving about once inserted. I advise only using the lighterweight Ring Snaps (nickel free is best) as the heavier plastic KAM Snaps are too bulky and may tear through from use.
Thanks for following yet one more of my tutorials and good luck creating lots of GTube Pockets.
Vivien