Monday, March 28, 2011

Easy Belt Loops

This is the easiest/ cleanest looking way to make belt loops that I have found. 


Materials:

coordinating fabric scraps

Construction:

1.  Start with a fabric rectangle.  Mine is 2 1/2"x 3".  This size rectangle will accommodate a 1" wide belt when finished.  Increase the length (and width if desired) to accommodate the style of belt you plan to use with the belt loops.

2.   If you are using a serger, serge off 1/4" from both short ends of the rectangle.  If you are not using a serger, fold over each short edges 1/4" and iron flat.  I did one of each to demonstrate both.

 



3.  Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.  Serge off 1/4" down the long end.  Or sew with 1/4" seam, zig-zag and trim. 



4.  Iron flat so that the seam is in the middle of the belt loop.  It will look like this on the back:


and this in the front:


5.  Top stitch along both long edges to hold in place.


6.  Pin the belt loop onto your clothing with one of the serged (or folded) edges down.  The right sides of the belt loop and the clothing should be touching.  Your belt loop will stick up like this: 

**Above: You are looking at the right side of my fabric and the wrong side of the belt loop.

7.  Sew the belt loop on with 1/4" seam.  


8.  Fold the belt loop over and iron flat against your clothing piece.  Pin in place.

**Once folded, you are looking at the right side of the clothing and the belt loop.

9.  Top stitch (1/8" seam) along the top and bottom of the belt loop to hold in place.  I went over the seam 2 or 3 times to secure.  



Now you have hassle free, beautiful looking belt loops.  



Enjoy!


3 comments:

  1. These are adorable! I love the look of the paperbag waist in denim. I wonder if these would work on a boy minus the belt?? I might just have to try a pair for my little guy...I have a feeling they would look pretty cute on his chubby legs!

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  2. This is sort of how I do my belt loops, but I'm definitely going to try this way. Belt loops are such a pain but work so well!

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  3. These are such cute shorts!! And I love the addition of belt loops....May I suggest a tip that I use when making belt loops....follow your instructions for the finished size of your belt loop (or whatever size needed) and instead of cutting into small rectangles, simply make one long rectangle (equal to the TOTAL length needed) then, after pressing seam to the center, cut the long strip into the correct smaller strips for each individual belt loop....it's easier then having to work with a fiddly smaller rectangle under your presser foot. Hope that makes sense!

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