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How-to: DIY a Wide Belt

November 25, 2013 8 Comments

How-to: DIY a Wide Belt at Hands Occupied

I’m a lady with an hourglass figure. I like my figure, but a lot of modern clothes aren’t necessarily designed to flatter my silhouette. Belts, dresses and higher-waisted pieces are staples in my wardrobe. Sometimes I find a cute dress that doesn’t have a tailored waist, or a top that hangs straight down, masking my waist entirely. That’s when a wide elastic belt comes in particularly handy. Wide belts elongate your waist, are super cute, and they’re incredibly easy to make.

Supplies

a piece of wide elastic long enough to fit around your waist plus 4 inches
belt buckle, same height as your elastic
scissors
straight pins
measuring tape
needle
thread

How-to: DIY a Wide Belt at Hands Occupied

Directions

Measure your natural waist with a measuring tape. Cut your elastic to the size of your natural waist plus 1.5 to 2 inches, depending on how wide your belt buckle is. Your belt should fit quite snugly, with just a little stretch to the elastic when you’re wearing the finished belt. I recommend pinning your cut elastic to your belt buckle as shown below and trying it on, pin side out, for size before sewing it together. If it’s too loose, you can increase the seam allowance or trim excess elastic before sewing. Easy!

How-to: DIY a Wide Belt at Hands Occupied

When you’re satisfied with the fit, fold the raw end of the elastic under twice and pin in place.

How-to: DIY a Wide Belt at Hands Occupied

Finally, you can either hand or machine sew the elastic parallel to the belt buckle, removing straight pins as you go.

How-to: DIY a Wide Belt at Hands Occupied

That’s it! A crazy simple DIY belt that’s super slimming for people needing to accentuate an hourglass waist, or for people wanting to emphasize a subtle waist (my mom and I have very different body types – she tells me creating a waist illusion is important). :)

Filed Under: DIY Style, How-to, Sewing Tagged With: belt craft, craft, crafts, diy belt, diy style, elastic belt, flattering belt, Sewing, simple, wide belt diy

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

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Comments

  1. marissa | Rae Gun Ramblings

    November 25, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    ok I so need to keep my eyes open for some belt hardware

    Reply
  2. margaret

    December 8, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    These belts are great to wear with low cut jeans also! Keeps them from puckering in the back….and they are comfy. Never thought to fold under the elastic at buckle. That makes them look better. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Maya

    October 9, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Would you be able to tell me the brand of the belt buckle you used? I can’t seem to find one like it!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 9, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Sure! I got the buckle pictured at my local JoAnn, and the brand was Dritz. :)

      Reply
  4. september heart

    October 5, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Where can I buy 5″ black elastic, preferably cotton gabardine to make cinch belts.

    Reply
  5. Alicia Bouck

    August 24, 2020 at 5:04 pm

    Awesome! I would love to make my own belt. Were do you find your belt hardware?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 8, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Big box stores like JoAnn, but my favorite is local shops and indie online retailers. They usually have interesting finds! :)

      Reply
  6. Joan

    November 15, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    I am so excited to find this brilliant idea.. I never knew they sold the belt Buckle hardware like this..Thanks so much..

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
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Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year update, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have some clarity about what I’m doing next. ❤️ Head to the blog to read all about it, the 1ink is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #creativeburnout
June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is thi June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is this?” 😆
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June’s big ears can get cold in winter, so I’m improvising a doggie ear warmer/hood for her. What are the odds she tries to shred it immediately when it’s done? 
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#knitting #knittingfordogs #handsoccupied #schneagle #wipwednesday #wip
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