Embroidering Tote Bags with Pockets

[maureen patricia]

I am trying to expand my embroidering beyond the basic t-shirt and would like to try a tote bag. The bags I have selected have front pockets. Does anyone have tips on how to do this without closing off the pocket? I have a Rose Viking machine and I am not familar with any attachments that would help. Some one metioned the possibility of embroidering a design and then ironing onto the bag. However, I am not familar with this method either.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Regards.

:)

[Honeybee]

I would take the pocket off and embroider it and then sew it back on

[rosebud314]

That would be my suggestion also. Don't know how to do it otherwise.

[SewAddicted]

I agree, the pocket would need to be at least partially taken off. Maybe the sides could be taken out and leave the bottom in place. The only way to leave it on would be if it were an unusually large pocket.

Pam

[rodneytb]

I embroidered on a pocket one time and I took out the bottom stitches and the sides up to about an inch from the top. It was easy to line it back up after embroidering.

[clae]

I take the pocket off and stitch my design on then stitch the pocket back onto the tote.. It is a little extra work but it is worth it to me...

[Deedles]

I agree with the others....you'll have to take the pocket off or remove some seams.

[MackandMorgan's Mom]

NEVER THOUGHT TO TAKE THE POCKET OFF!! What a good idea..I will have to try it...I always tell people that it will have to be sewn shut...well I won't be telling them my secret but I will do it for my personal projects (especially bags for the girls!)

[rubiesnana]

Itake the pocket off,I do the same thing with t shirts.

[fun2sew]

I agree too, take the pocket off and a seam apart.

[idesign]

If you have one of the semi-industrial machines, there is an after market hoop called Fast Frames that allows you to get into bags, pockets, and other things that are more difficult to sew. If you don't have that, I would take off all but one side, and embroider, then reattach by sewing machine. You won't have to worry about lining it back up if you leave it partly attached.

[just_teachin]

NEVER THOUGHT TO TAKE THE POCKET OFF!! What a good idea..I will have to try it...I always tell people that it will have to be sewn shut...well I won't be telling them my secret but I will do it for my personal projects (especially bags for the girls!)

Or... offer your customers two options:

1. Emrboidering the pocket closed is $XX

or

2. Taking the pocket off, embroidering, and re-attaching the pocket is $XX + $5. (or whatever you'd want to charge- I bet people would pay it!!)

[gingerale]

A woman in my class, in sticky situations like this, embroiders the design on material and THEN SEWS it on the outside of the bag. It may not technically be embroidering onto the bag, but it takes the headache out of it.