Is that an ipod in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

2 WAYS TO CREATE AN IPOD POCKET IN A GARMENT

I have been told I should start out by mentioning that tonight is my anniversary.   

And I'm blogging.  

Yep.  We have been married for 9 years, but together for 16 total!  

I know!  

Here's the thing-- about a year ago (July 9th, 2009) I started running because my brother made a comment that I looked "good with a few extra pounds on" me.  A couple of minutes later my dad asked me if I was going to do the 5K with them.  The what?  

And so it began.  

I did turn 40 this year, by the way-- if, in any way it makes me seem more awesome (and not less awesome).

I googled a running program called 'couch to 5K' and got on my treadmill.  

I ran the race with my dad, brother, and sister in September, then followed with several more 5K races over the next several months.  

In June of this year I ran the 20K Dam to Dam race which will most likely top the list of my most amazing accomplishments in my lifetime.  

I say "most likely" since one of the most amazing things is that I'm STILL running after more than a year.  To celebrate that fact,  I decided to finally buy an ipod.  Woo Hoo!  

(The actual setting-up of the ipod is a whole saga unto itself that involves an afternoon and a box of kleenex.  i would have to know that you were truly "there" for me for a few hours at least.  It's best just not to ask about that.)

Moving on to after the horror...I obviously wanted to go running with my ipod so I got the special ear thingys that go around your ear and hold securely unlike ear buds that constantly fall out.  

I noticed that some of the exercise clothes I had bought recently had actually come with pockets for ipods sewn in.  That is awesome!  The more I ran, though, the more I realized that I didn't always have the ideal top or shorts for running with my ipod because I didn't have anywhere to put it.  Why not just mimic the pocket on my other garments?  Easy!

This is a my model for the chest pocket style.

Here you see a top that I love.  It came with the ipod pocket at the chest.  I decided this type of ipod pocket is SUPER-EASY to imitate on any top that has a built in 'shelf' bra.  

Look to see that there are 2 layers of fabric in that area.  

That is all you need.  

(Bear in mind that you can apply any of these tips to pants as well.)

This is an outline of my ipod with the disappearing fabric marker.

I traced the outline of my ipod on the area of the top just below the collarbone with the disappearing ink marker.  You can see in this photo the cut line.  Its placement is just "eyeballed".  No measuring here, just what feels right.

You make sure (with pins) that you stabilize the fabric.  I sewed (with my machine) just on the outside of my marker lines.  Really though, if you don't have a sewing machine, just use safety pins or hand stitch--even really large stitches would do--they don't need to be pretty.  Basically, what needs to be done is you need to mark out an outline of the ipod  to hold it in position.  

 

When you cut a knit fabric (like a T-shirt) you'll notice that it really wants to roll up.  In this situation, it's to your advantage.  You will basically roll up a tiny bit and stitch it down to make the top of the pocket your ipod goes in to.  

This is the straight-across slice, rolled up, and stitched down.  Makes a cute oval.

Super cute!

There is a second style that I noticed and that is to have the pocket down at the waist.  

This is a top that already has an ipod pocket.  Love it.

I have a couple of tops like this one and they are great.  I bought a really cute top recently and want to put a pocket in that one too:

What you see in this picture (in preparation for the lower ipod pocket) is 2 lines of stitching, and a pre-existing bottom seam (the side seam of an old t-shirt).

Placing it where I want it.  Again...eyeballing.  No biggie.

I slipped the "pocket" through the slice I made.

Finished pocket.

I folded over the part that showed on the front.

Is that cute or what?  Any clothing item can be made to "conceal' your ipod.   This is too awesome and easy not to share!  Enjoy-- and happy manipulating.