Tips for Making a Belt

(425 Words)
A belt is an attractive accessory. You can buy many at the store, but you can also make your own. A fabric belt is extremely easy to make. You can make a casual one or a fancy one for a special event.
You first need to decide what to use as the base of your belt. If you want to make it extremely easy, you can buy a piece of lace or ribbon to make a lace or ribbon belt. If you go to a fabric store, you will find a wide variety of lace and ribbon from which to choose, or you can look online and get any color and style you desire. You only need enough that will go around your waist and then leave some extra at the end. Decide how much of the belt you want to hang down and whether you want to make a bow with it when deciding exactly how long to make it.
You may want to instead make your belt with a fabric piece. In this case, look for the fabric of your choice and then get enough so that you will be able to cut a long enough strip to go around your waist as described above.
If you purchased fabric that has raw edges, then you may want to hem it. Cut the strip to the desired width and length. Fold down a small amount on the top and sew in the hem. Repeat this step with the bottom. Depending on the fabric and whether you want raw edges, you may not need to do this. You will generally not need to do this with ribbon or lace because they are generally finished.
You can wear the belt as is or you can add to it. One option is to dye it. You may want a very brightly colored belt or a belt that matches a particular outfit. There are many dyes available. You can also get fabric markers or paint to decorate the belt. A child can personalize her belt with flowers or other motifs that she likes.
You can also add embellishments to your belt. Embellishments include beads, sequins, crystals, pieces of fabric, feathers and more. You will find many different embellishments at a craft store. Sew them on if you can, or you can simply glue them on. Make sure that you give everything adequate time to dry.
A homemade belt can make a great fashion statement. The above steps can help you make a simple belt very quickly and easily.