Lucy Locket Lost her pocket Lydia Fisher found it, Not a bit of money in it Only broidery round it. —Old nursery rhyme (sung to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”) These [pockets], in fact, were convenient receptacles where all good housewives carefully stored away such things as they wished to have at hand; by which means they often came to be incredibly crammed. —Washington Irving

Pockets were indispensable parts of a woman's, and occasionally a man's, wardrobe. (In fact, they were often called “indispensables.”) Unlike today's pockets which are sewn into our clothes, the historic variety were usually detached and carried, or worn tied around the waist—sometimes over and sometimes under a woman's skirts.

A woman might tuck a wide array of things into her pocket or pair of pockets. Historic accounts mention looking glasses (mirrors), handwarmers, money, food, and beverage containers as common contents. Made of silk, velvet, satin, handkerchief linen, dimity, horsehair, and such materials, some pockets were practical; other were fancy and decorated with beadwork or embroidery.

They were important enough in people's lives to appear in inventories of households and to be left to friends or family in wills. In their letters, ladies often speak of “working a pocket” for a friend. A popular handmade gift, pockets could display a young girl's newly-learned sewing and embroidery skills.

---

HOW TO MAKE A PAIR OF POCKETS

Materials:
Fabric (approx. 1/4 yd.)
String, ribbon, or yarn long
   enough to tie around your waist
Glue
Scissors
Beads, markers, ribbon, etc.
   to decorate (optional)

1)     Cut out two hourglass-shaped pieces—the size is up to you (18–36" tall works well.). It is best if the hourglasses are symmentrical and the same size. You will turn each hourglass shape into a pocket.

2)     Cut a slit at least halfway down one side of each hourglass.

3)     For each hourglass shape, do the following:
* fold the hourglass in half
* glue or staple only the edges of the sides together. Leave the top edge unglued and open.

4)     Place the yarn or string 1/2 to 1 inch from the tope edge of both pockets.

5)     Fold the top edges over the yarn and glue shut.

6)     Decorate as you like.

7)     Tie your pockets around your waist. (They were worn both over
and under clothes.)