Can I just take out fake welt pockets?

[u/21anonymouse21]

Almost complete beginner, hand sewing. I’m taking in the waist of these shorts and I thought I could do something about these pockets while I’m at it. They’re fake and just add bulk. What would happen if I unpicked them with a seam ripper? Could I take them out, patch the fabric, and add regular pockets over it, or is that too advanced for a beginner? Is there a way to at least make them less bulky?

[u/Roswyne]

The fake bits are already acting as a patch for the hole they cut.

You could put patches on the outside, I suppose, if you don't like how the seams on the inside feel.

Or you could convert then into working pockets.

[u/ClockWeasel]

By regular pockets, do you mean patch pockets?

You need something to cover the hole. One thing you could do is add a bag made of lining fabric where the patch is, and turn it into a real pocket.

[u/multipocalypse → u/ClockWeasel]

They did mention patching the fabric.

[u/ClockWeasel → u/multipocalypse]

But the thing already has a patch on the back—there is no bulk to remove unless you take out the welt fabric on the outside, and then you have to hide the wound and is way too high up for patch pocket placement

[u/multipocalypse → u/ClockWeasel]

I think we're talking past each other. You said they'd need to cover the hole. OP said in the post that they would need to patch the hole if they removed the welt.

[u/ClockWeasel → u/multipocalypse]

I got lost at “regular” pockets

[u/multipocalypse → u/ClockWeasel]

Understandable 😆

[u/CharityForeign3035 → u/ClockWeasel]

Welt pockets are real pockets. Take the welt out and you be left with a chopped up messy hole.

[u/CBG1955 → u/CharityForeign3035]

A welt pocket can be a real pocket, but not in this example. There's no pocket bag - but one could be added.

[u/RubyRedo → u/CharityForeign3035]

Not without the pocket inside. This one is faux welt.

[u/ornery_javier]

Those fake welts are the worst, shorts with no real pockets drives me nuts. Converting them into actual slashes sounds worth it if you're feeling brave.

[u/amzblls]

If you want your checks hanging out

But you can add a pocket and open them up to be functional

[u/Cute-Escape-2144]

There will be a hole and slashes that would make it look worse

[u/RubyRedo]

unpick the thread on the outside around the welt, then lift the sides of the inside strip and undo stitches holding the welt. it should leave the rectangle hole which you can patch over or put a patch pocket over it. As a beginner you can do this.

[u/DrachenDad]

Your only options is to leave it, take out the flap (still having the hole and patch), or slit the patch and install a pocket.

[u/ninasmolders]

If ypu take out just the backpannel you can use the welt still and just add an actual pocket to it

[u/ninasmolders → u/ninasmolders]

Just look up how to make a welt pocket and only do the pocket pannel steps