to pocket or not to pocket???

[cherilyn]

Hi folks
I'm in the middle of TV420 cuirass bodice, which is going really well. But, I'm wondering about pockets in such a bodice. I have a lovely antique ladies pocket watch and albertina chain which I would love to be able to wear with my outfit. But did they put pockets in these bodices, and if so, what type of pockets? Welt ones, like the men's waist coats? And, if pockets were ok, how would that work with the boning?
Any help would be really great.
Thanks
Cherilyn

[Heather]

Ladies watch pockets are typically a very small patch pocket, placed between hip and waist on one side. Just large enough to fit the watch in. They can be very hard to see, and blend in very well with the rest of the bodice.

[cherilyn]

Hi Heather
Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. Much appreciated. No wonder I hadn't seen any in old pictures. My watch will fit beautifully between the two darts. As for the shape of the patch pocket, do you think just a U sort of shape with a flat bottom? I think I will put it on the left hand side, I suppose as a right handed person, I'm used to looking at a watch on my left hand.
Thanks again
Cherilyn

[Heather]

I found two pics in my collection of dresses with watch pockets. These are both decorated pockets so they stand out. I know that I have other, more invisible, but I can't seem to find them.

[Miss Cindy]

Miss Heather,
I just have to say, Wow! The decoration on the second dress is jaw dropping! Wow!
Miss Cindy

[Cathi H]

An other watch pocket.

[cherilyn]

Oh My!
Ladies, those pictures are just fantastic! Thank you so much! Any others, I would be really appreciative.
The outfit I'm doing is nowhere near as fancy as these, its quite a plain day dress, so I don't know that it would be appropriate to have a cute little pocket that stands out. (No matter how sweet they look) Having said that, I may now be inspired to fancy up the outfit!!!!
Thanks again
C

[Tiffers]

I've seen a watch pocket which is basically a hidden pocket in a horizontal waist dart or seam.

That might be more appropriate for a plainer dress.

Tiffers

[Tiffers]

And here is an example

http://www.victorianelegance.com/ve/vec1359e.jpg

Check out the slight seam opening to the right of the centre buttons.

Tiffers

[Cathi H]

Here are 3 photos of my watch pocket. The above photo (red striped dress) was taken 2 years ago and, honestly, I couldn’t remember where to position this pocket. I noticed that it was positioned on the waist seam but that seemed strange, so I have positioned it on the bust dart and higher up. I think perhaps this was a mistake. As the bodice is the TV463 1884 French Vest Bodice (shortened slightly) I don’t have much room to place the pocket below the waist but I could move it down if you think its present position is an heresy.

[Bookwyrm]

This dress at Tidens Toj has a watch pocket in the day bodice. The pattern is available as a PDF for free, and it was translated to English by Your Wardrobe Unlock'd last year. http://tidenstoej.natmus.dk/periode1/dragt.asp?ID=100