Pocket embroidery size
A pocket design is usually about 2 to 3.5 in (50 to 90 mm) wide and 1.5 to 3 in (38 to 75 mm) tall. Center it between the side seams, about 1/2 in (13 mm) below the top edge. A 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) hoop holds most of them.
| Typical size | 3 × 2.5 in (76 × 64 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width range | 1.5–3.5 in (38–89 mm) |
| Height range | 1–3 in (25–76 mm) |
| Smallest hoop | 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) |
| Machines that fit it | 80 in our guide |
Where to place it
Center the design between the pocket's side seams, with the top of the design about 1/2 in (13 mm) below the top edge of the pocket. That is the figure on AllStitch's placement chart. Measure your own pocket first: the design must be clearly narrower than the pocket, with some clear fabric on each side so stitches do not run onto a seam. Print the design at full size and hold it against the pocket to check the look. Pockets on children's and fitted garments are smaller, so scale the design down to match.
"Pocket" can mean two spots. One is a design stitched on the pocket itself, such as a small logo or initial on a work shirt, cardigan or apron pocket. The other is a design just above a pocket, which sits on the chest like a left chest logo (see the left chest page for sizes). Keep designs off thick seams, because embroidery can struggle there. On a sweatshirt or hoodie pocket, stitching across the pocket seam and the front panel at once stacks layers, so many people place the design above the pocket instead.
Size by garment: pockets on adult shirts and aprons take designs about 2.5 to 3.5 in (65 to 90 mm) wide. Pockets on children's and baby clothes, and pocket-top spots on small garments, take about 1.5 to 2.5 in (38 to 65 mm). These are common decorator ranges, not fixed rules, so measure the pocket you are working on. A design that is only slightly too big looks crowded and is more likely to cross a seam.
Lettering needs care in a small space. Keep text to one to three short words and use a bold font with thick strokes. As a common rule of thumb, avoid lettering shorter than about 1/4 in (6 mm), because small letters fill in and lose their shape.
Stabilizer follows the fabric. On knit pockets such as sweatshirts and t-shirts, use cut-away backing. Embroidery Library recommends a medium cut-away for medium or heavy fabrics such as denim and a lightweight cut-away for soft, light fabrics. Tear-away is only suited to small, simple designs. A pocket is often too small or awkward to hoop, so float it on hooped stabilizer with temporary spray adhesive, and make sure only the front of the pocket is under the needle, not the back of the pocket or the garment behind it.
Tips
- Print the design at full size, cut it out and pin it to the pocket to check size and position before you stitch.
- Mark the design's center point and the horizontal and vertical lines on the pocket with an air-erase or water-soluble pen, and line them up with the marks on the hoop.
- If the pocket is too small or awkward to hoop, float it on hooped stabilizer with temporary spray adhesive and keep the back layer clear of the stitch area.
- Stop short of the pocket seam instead of crossing it, and trim the backing to about 1/2 in (13 mm) around the design when you finish.
- Choose a short, bold design: a simple logo, monogram or one-color motif reads better than fine detail at this size.
Check this size on your machine
Machines that can stitch a pocket design
These machines hold the typical 3 × 2.5 in size in one hooping.
- Brother SE700 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother PE800 (5 × 7 in)
- Brother SE2000 (5 × 7 in)
- Brother PE900 (5 × 7 in)
- Brother SE600 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother PE535 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother PE545 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother PE770 (5 × 7 in)
- Brother SE1900 (5 × 7 in)
- Brother SE725 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother SE400 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother NQ1700E (6 × 10 in)
- Brother PR1055X (14 × 8 in)
- Brother SE625 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother PRS100 (8 × 8 in)
- Brother PR680W (12 × 8 in)
- Ricoma EM-1010 (12.2 × 8.3 in)
- Brother SE630 (4 × 4 in)
- Janome Memory Craft 550E (14 × 8 in)
- Brother LB5000 (4 × 4 in)
- Brother PE550D (4 × 4 in)
- Janome Memory Craft 500E (11 × 8 in)
- Brother PE500 (4 × 4 in)
- Janome MB-7 (9.5 × 8 in)
And 56 more. See all machines.
Frequently asked questions
How big should an embroidered pocket design be?
Most pocket designs are about 2.5 to 3.5 in (65 to 90 mm) wide on an adult pocket and smaller on a child's. Measure the pocket and leave clear fabric between the design and the seams. This is a typical decorator range, not a fixed rule.
How far below the top of a pocket should the design start?
AllStitch's placement chart puts a pocket design about 1/2 in (13 mm) down from the top, centered between the side seams. Adjust for your own pocket and check with a paper printout.
Can I embroider a pocket that is already sewn on?
Yes, if you can keep the back of the pocket and the garment behind it out of the stitch area. Float the pocket on hooped stabilizer when it is too small to hoop. A machine with a free arm makes small, tube-shaped pieces easier. If you are making the garment, stitching the pocket piece flat before you sew it on avoids the problem.
What stabilizer should I use on a pocket?
Match the garment fabric. Cut-away suits knits such as sweatshirts and t-shirts. Medium cut-away suits heavier fabrics such as denim, and lightweight cut-away suits soft, light fabrics. Tear-away only suits very small, simple designs on stable cloth.