The Mel Vest is originally drafted with welt pockets, but the idea of a patch pocket version was actually part of Mel from quite early on.
I had originally drafted a patch pocket for Mel, but while I was pregnant I somehow managed to lose the original pattern piece. At that point, I decided to continue developing Mel with the welt pockets and leave the patch pocket idea behind.
During testing, however, several testers made more than one Mel, and that made me revisit the idea. I realised it could be a lovely way to give the pattern another look. Both for anyone who prefers patch pockets and for those who would like to make another version that feels a little different from the original welt pocket design.
I also didn’t want to simply add a conventional topstitched patch pocket. I wanted to take the construction a little further and create something with a cleaner finish.
The result is this floating patch pocket. It is fully lined, sewn entirely by machine and attached from the inside, so there is no visible topstitching around the outer edge.
Alongside this video tutorial, you’ll also find a separate PDF with step-by-step photo instructions and the printable patch pocket pattern pieces. This file is included in your pattern library together with the Mel Vest pattern.
Because the original Mel pattern is drafted for welt pockets, it does not include placement markings for the patch pocket. The video tutorial and the extra PDF will guide you through preparing the pocket, choosing the placement and attaching it to the vest.
You can make Mel exactly as originally drafted with the welt pockets, or use this optional extra to create a different version with the floating patch pocket.