Removable Lace Cuffs

I want to show you how to make fun, removable lace cuffs. I was inspired by historical fashion exhibition I saw recently. They are a fun addition to any wardrobe and can make a regular outfit more outrageous.

• tulle or/and lace fabric
• shirt fabric for cuffs
• sawing machine
• fabric pen
• pins, thread, needle
• snap fasteners

Both tulle and lace have to be ruffled and there are two easy methods to do it.

The one that works best for tulle is to cut a length of tulle a bit more than twice the wrist circumference+2cm. So, for a 20cm wrist, it's 44cm. Width can be anything you like, mine are 8-10cm, and they end just before the knuckles or just after the knuckles.

Set the sawing machine to the lowest tension setting and run a loose stich along one edge of the fabric. Keep the leftover thread long. Pick one loose thread from one side of the tulle and pull it gently while sliding the fabric along the thread. Continue pulling until fabric is bunched up. Spread it around evenly and arrange it so it's about 22cm long. Gently tie the loose thread on both sides and cut off any loose thread.

For lace, you can use the same method as tulle, but I recommend using a fork to create pleats.

You don't want to cut the length of the lace straight away, leave it long and play around with the pleats to determine how ruffled you want it to be. Lay it flat, with a pen, mark a spot about 4cm off the edge. Then, measuring from this mark, measure and mark 8cm intervals (if you mark more than 8cm, you will end up using less fabric and you will get fewer plates, if you mark less than 8cm intervals, you will use more fabric and create more pleats). Place the fork tines between the fabric, make sure the most outer tine of the fork aligns with the marked spot and twist the fork and fabric 180 degrees. Use your finger to hold the fabric in place while pinning it. Repeat until the length of the pleated fabric matches the length of the cuff.

Use a sawing machine saw the pleats together.

Cut cuff fabric about than 46cm long and 12 cm wide.
Iron the rectangle.
Then fold it length wise and iron again.
Run a straight stitch along the folded edge.
Measure 20cm+2cm (your wrist circumference +2cm overlap), draw a line with a pencil and run a stitch along.
Cut any leftover fabric.
Measure and trim the width of the cuff to 9cm.
Now the cuff fabric is 22cmx9cm.
Turn it inside out and iron it, so the stitched sides lay flat.
Fold 1-1.5cm edges along the long side of the fabric and carefully iron them to keep them in place. Repeat on the other side.
Now fold the fabric width wise while holding the hems inside. And iron the folded edge too.

Place ruffled tulle or lace or both inside the open cuff, and fold the fabric over the ruffles. Pin in place. Run a stitch along the edge. But leave the sides if the cuffs open.

Sew snap fasteners to the cuff, using only one layer of fabric, so that the thread doesn't show on your cuff when you are wearing it. Run a stitch along the sides of the cuffs to close them.