Each pocket design has four files. Two are the embroidery files and the other two are dieline files. File "a" is the embroidery file that creates the pocket, and file "b" is what attaches it to your project. The dieline files are marked with the letters DL. Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the right shape and size. Open the dieline files with embroidery software, and print them.

To prepare the fabric piece for the front of the pocket, spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with temporary stabilizer. Smooth the fabric on top.

Cut around the paper dieline and spray the back of it with temporary spray adhesive. Smooth it onto the fabric and stabilizer.

Cut out both shapes, and remove the paper.

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the proper shape and size, it's time to embroider the design. Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Madeira E-Zee Tear 1.5 oz. or Floriani Tearaway Medium are good choices. Those brands are more fibrous, less paper-like, and will tear more cleanly.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the full embroidery design labeled with an "a" (not the dieline files). Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle, rather than an embroidery needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle, so that will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer. Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be a dieline or outline. This marks the area for the front fabric piece.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the back of the front fabric piece with a small amount of temporary adhesive. Place the fabric right inside the sewn outline.

Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design. A running stitch tack down will sew next. This holds the front fabric in place for the remainder of the design. Next all of the inside elements will be embroidered.

On the color change sheet, look for the note that says "back piece tack down." When you get to this section, stop the machine and remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the backside of the back fabric piece with adhesive. Turn the hoop over and place the back fabric inside the shape on the backside of the embroidery.

Since both sides of the pocket with be seen, wind a bobbin with the same thread used in the needle. 

Attach the hoop back to the machine and continue embroidering the design. A tack down stitch will sew around the outer edge of the pocket, binding the layers together, and a finished edge will sew along the top opening of the pocket.

Once the embroidery is finished, remove the hoop from the machine. Unhoop the stabilizer, and carefully tear it away (the dieline will be removed with the stabilizer).

Print a template of your design from an embroidery software. Place the template where you would like the pocket to go on your project. Using an air-erase pen, mark the center point and the vertical and horizontal axis lines for the pocket.

Spray a piece of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer and smooth it on the back of where you will be embroidering. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together, aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the full embroidery design labeled with a "b" (not the dieline files). Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be a dieline or outline. This marks the area for the pocket to go.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the back edges of the pocket with temporary adhesive, and carefully place the fabric right inside the sewn outline. Be sure that the edges of the pocket line right up to the dieline stitches to be sure the pocket will get properly sewn into place.

Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue embroidering. A final tack down stitch will hold the pocket in place, and the the final finished edges will sew.

Once finished embroidering, trim away the excess stabilizer on the back, leaving about 1/2" around the embroidery.

Slip cooking utensils (or the recipe you're working with!) into the pocket of your apron with this tasty embroidery idea.

Corral all your crafting gear in one place with a fabulous pocket added to the front of your tote.