One of the first projects I created on our new Sailrite LSZ-1  machine was a few “Yacht Pockets” to hang in the galley, salon and head to hold all those little things that tend to end up in the bottom of a drawer or worse! I was surprised how easy it was to custom design and sew them. I estimate that it took approximately 20-30 minutes to cut, sew and finish a medium-sized pocket. We have two in the galley: one holds plastic plates, utensils and the ever-so-necessary-wine pull! Another holds spices and small condiments. In the head, the pocket holds toothbrushes, paste, combs and brushes. And over the salon table, the pocket holds the EPIRP, spare handheld VHF, a couple of chargers and our walkie-talkies.  

MATERIALS: Sunbrella, webbing in matching hue or color, Nylon thread, large pins, heavy duty Velcro or other hardware for hanging, ruler, chalk or white pencil, sample items to store. (I found that it was useful to have a spice bottle or tube of toothpaste handy to make sure the pocket fit correctly).

MEASURING: Decide the finished dimensions based on the space available to hang the pocket.  Measure Sunbrella leaving 2.5 inches seam allowance all the way around the backing piece. (See diagram 1)

Diagram 1 - Backing Diagram 2 - Facing Piece

Cut facing piece about 3/4 longer than backing and shorter since the pockets will not come up to the top of the backing. The best way to know how long a piece you need, is to place the items you want to store on the backing piece and simply wrap them one by one, perhaps tacking down in between, roughly creating the pockets. (Diagram 2)

Sew a 1” hem all the way around the backing piece. Sew a doubled 1” hem across the top of the facing piece before sewing it onto the back. Start on one end of the pocket and sew down the side of the facing piece onto the back. (Diagram 3)

Sew up from the bottom to create the pocket, stopping just before the top edge of the hem on the facing.

Photo 1: Galley Pockets	Photo 2: Head Pocket

Finish sewing up other side after last pocket is stitched. Cut off any excess material so that edges match up. Cut enough webbing to go around the sides and bottom of the finished rectangle or square and tack down with large pins. Sew webbing onto edge folding it in half so that it wraps around the edge making it strong. Use butane lighter to burn ends of threads. You can either sew on heavy duty Velcro to the top hem or attach hardware for hanging. We did both. Photo #3 shows the salon pockets hanging on our sliding storage doors using stainless washers and screws through existing holes in the fiber-board doors. We used the Velcro on the fiberglass liner in the galley.

    
Photo 3: Salon Pockets

Nancy and Jann using there fabulous Sailrite  LSZ-1 in a cow pasture behind the work yard of Marina Seca in San Carlos, Mexico. Our motto: “We sail/sew anywhere!” Nancy & Jann sailed their Alberg 35 – “SAGA” from San Francisco Bay to Mexico and into the Sea of Cortez for a couple seasons. After a 6-8 month break replenishing the cruising kitty, they will return to SAGA and head south.