Hide-a-way Cuff

by SewMagical

This project will make use of the leftover pillowcase hem from the walker caddy project from a couple of weeks ago.

Do you ever have to run out to the store, but don’t want to carry a purse?
Or maybe you use public transit and want to keep your fare handy, without having to search through a large handbag.
Here is one answer to that problem.
It is a fabric cuff-style bracelet with a secret pocket to hold your ID, cash, or a credit card.

Supplies:

• Left over pillowcase hem from the walker caddy project.
• Hook and loop tape or other closure of your choice
• Embroidery design (this project uses design Celtic2008 from the Celtic2 set, found at http://www.designsbysick.com/details/celtic2.)
• Basic sewing supplies

Start by opening out the remaining side seam on the pillowcase.

Stitch your design on the wide section of the hem, between the folded
edge and the piping.

The folded edge will have the pocket opening, and the piping will be at your wrist. Keep this in mind when choosing and placing your design. You can probably make more than one
cuff if you don’t place the design too near the end of the strip of fabric.

I measured about 5 and a half inches from the center of the design, making a mark on either side.

My arm where the cuff will come to, is about 9 inches, so the marks give me some room to play with.

Cut off the embroidered section from the rest of the fabric, at the marks.

Fold a small hem down towards the wrong side of the fabric and press in place.
Fold the piece with wrong sides together, matching the folded hem of the pillowcase with the fold you just made.

On my case, there was enough fabric to leave a small amount showing beneath the piping.

Place a strip or 2 small squares of hook-and-loop tape above the design, where the two edges of fabric meet.
Fasten in place.
For this project I used an iron-on product, but sew-on will work just as well.

Make sure the stiffer side of the tape faces outward, and the softer side faces inward.
This will be less irritating if the tape comes in contact with your skin.

Now, fold the cuff in half, with right sides together.
Stitch along each short side and along the top edge.
Don’t stitch in the area where you have the fastener.

I angled the side seams slightly, to give a better fit.
(Fabric is flat, and needs some help to make it go around a 3-dimensional
object like your arm.)
Trim seams, clip corners, turn right side out, and press.

Place a strip of hook-and-loop tape at either end of the cuff to fit your wrist.
Put a line of stitching either side of the design, to create the pocket and keep things from sliding around.

Now, you can go out and no one will know about your secret stash!

Construction options:
Make the cuff longer, and use it as an armband
Sew a zipper along the top edge instead of the hook-and-loop tape.
Make a matching cuff, with or without the pocket, and wear the pair.