Money Belt

Do you ever worry about your valuables whilst on holiday or simply taking a trip around your home town?

A back-pack can be easily accessed from behind and a 'bum bag' is often an uncomfortable bulk around your waist. This subtle money belt is the perfect solution. It is simple to make, can be styled to your own comfort and is adaptable to your personal needs. Made from thin fabric, this belt can fit secretly underneath any outfit. You'll never have to stress over your important items again!

MATERIALS:

Fabric

Velcro

1 x Zip

Thread

EQUIPMENT:

Fabric Scissors

Pins

Collect your fabric and the fabric scissors.

Iron your fabric to remove any creases.

This will ensure that you are able to cut accurately sized pieces in the next step.

Measure out two rectangles, a little bit larger than the size you want your final pouch to be.

This can be done in two different ways. Either draw the rectangle onto the fabric using textiles chalk or use a paper pattern.

Using the fabric scissors, cut out the two rectangles.

Fold over the top of each rectangle, as shown above, and iron to hold in place.

Collect the zip and the two fabric rectangles.

Position them as shown above.

Flip the rectangles over so that the folds are against the table.

Place the edge of the rectangles with the folds onto the zip, as shown above.

Pin into place.

Using the sewing machine, stitch along the line of pins on both sides of the zip.

Collect your fabric and the fabric scissors again.

Iron the fabric to remove any creases.

Cut a long strip of fabric, twice as wide as you would like your final strap to be.

It should be long enough to fit around your waist and overlap with the pouch slightly.

Fold the fabric strip in half width-ways and pin along the edge that is opposite to the fold.

Using the sewing machine, stitch along the line of pins.

Turn the strap that you have created inside-out.

Iron the strap flat so that the seam sits along the bottom, as shown above.

Collect the strap, the zipper and pins.

Line one end of the strap up with the side of a fabric rectangle, as shown above.

Fold the rest of the strap up so that it all sits on top of the same rectangle.

Fold the top rectangle over, so that it lines up with the bottom rectangle.

The strap should remain on the inside.

Secure into place with pins.

Using the sewing machine, stitch around the edges of the pouch.

Ensure that the end of the strap is sewn into the seam as well.

Using the fabric scissors, cut the corners of the pouch off, ensuring that you do not cut the seam.

This will ensure that the corners of your pouch are sharp.

Fold the pouch inside-out.

Fold the loose end of the seam into itself and pin to secure.

Using the sewing machine, stitch along the line of pins.

This will ensure that this end of the strap does not fray.

Collect your pouch and the velcro.

Cut one piece of each side of the velcro, long enough to extend the width of the strap.

Pin the rough side of the velcro to the end of the strap.

Using the sewing machine, stitch around the square of velcro.

Pin the soft side of the velcro to the side of the pouch.

This should be the side opposite to that which the strap is already sewn into.

Using a needle and thread, stitch around the edge of the velcro square to secure in place.

Fasten the velcro and your Money Belt is complete!