Wrist or Ankle Pocket

Here's a really handy item to use whenever you go out walking or jogging and need to carry your key or a little money, but want to make sure they don't fall out of your pocket. This is also a perfect gift for the traveler who likes to go out sightseeing - stash your money and credit cards in an ankle pocket under your trousers, out of sight of pickpockets!

Materials:

- 1 piece of fabric 10 x 15” (approximately – best to look for strips from your stash!)
- 1 piece of terrycloth or flannel 10 x 15” (once again, this is an approximate estimate, on the high side)
- 1 zipper 8-12” long (read instructions below)
- ¾” wide hook-and-loop tape, 2½ - 3” long
- Matching thread

1. Measure your wrist (a) and add 3 inches to that length (for the ankle (b), add 4 inches). (You will need a zipper that same length or longer, that can be cut.)

2(a). For the wrist pocket, cut 4 strips of fabric 1½” wide x the length measured in step 1. Cut 1 piece of terrycloth/flannel 3½” wide x the length measured in step 1.

2(b). For the ankle pocket, cut 4 strips of fabric 2” wide x the length measured in step 1. Cut 1 piece of terrycloth/flannel 4½” wide x the length measured in step 1.

3. Place 2 of the strips of fabric right sides together. Place one side of the zipper between the two strips of fabric (place the top end of the zipper about 1” down from the edge of the fabric). Don’t worry if the zipper is too long – you can trim the excess length after you finish sewing attaching the zipper.

4. Open up the two pieces of fabric away from the zipper. Press. Top-stitch about ¼” from the folded edge.

5. Repeat for the other side of the zipper with the remaining strips of fabric.

6. Stitch the soft piece (loop) of the hook-and-loop tape to the top side of the zipper piece. Sew the other piece (hook) to the right side of one short end of the terrycloth/flannel piece. In both cases make sure you leave ¼” space for the seam allowance.

7. Place the top piece (with the zipper) on the piece of terrycloth/flannel, right sides together. Make sure that the pieces of hook-and-loop tape are on opposite sides. Open up the zipper a few inches. Pin.

8. Sew around all edges with an overcast stitch. (If your machine doesn’t have an overcast stitch, sew first with a straight stitch and then zig-zag the edges.)

 9. Turn the piece inside out through the zipper opening. Poke the corners out gently… and you’re done!

Now, wasn’t that easy?