A stiff leather belt and metal buckle can dig into the stomach when an someone bends over or crouches down. This project is a softer alternative. Leather belts also can be expensive, so this craft is a cheaper way to hold up pants – provided the T-shirts are usable ones destined for the trash bin, or are on sale at a craft store.
Most non-fabric belts come in the limited colors of brown and black, with metal ones being gold or silver. This is fine if someone needs a neutral belt that matches a pair of work slacks, but is rather limiting if the wearer wants something that pops. This project is customizable as the fabric and ribbon color choices are up to the crafter.
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Materials
- 3 solid-colored T-shirts (different colors, identical size and style)
- Fabric shears
- Painter’s tape
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue
- 2 spools of satin ribbon, 2 to 3 inches wide, any colors
- 3 solid-colored T-shirts (different colors, identical size and style)
- Fabric shears
- Painter’s tape
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue
- 2 spools of satin ribbon, 2 to 3 inches wide, any colors
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Place the T-shirts flat, one on top of another. Smooth out the shirts and line up the three hems.
1. Place the T-shirts flat, one on top of another. Smooth out the shirts and line up the three hems.
2. Rotate the shirts so they are horizontal. Cut three 3-inch strips parallel to the hem, cutting through all three shirts with each strip.
3. Slide the scissors through each end of the strips and cut through to open the fabric. Separate the colors.
4. Place matching colors one on top of another and smooth out the fabric. You should have three strips, each being one color. Tie a knot at the bottom of each strip.
5. Place the three strips next to one another. Tape the knots to a work surface. Tightly braid each of the three strips for a total of three braids.
6. Tie a knot at the end of each strip. Hot glue the three top knots together. Let them dry.
7. Tape down the three braids next to one another on a work surface. Braid the three braids. Hot glue the three bottom knots together and let them dry.
8. Lay out the large braid. Cut two 16-inch lengths of one color of satin ribbon (ribbon 1).
9. Glue one end of one piece to the loose ends of the braid above the knots. Cut the other end of the ribbon at an angle. Glue one end of the remaining piece of ribbon 1 to the loose ends of the braid above the other set of knots. Cut the other end of the ribbon at an angle.
10. Cut two 8-inch lengths of the other satin ribbon (ribbon 2).
11. Glue one piece perpendicular on top of ribbon 1, where it is glued to the braided fabric. Wrap ribbon 2 around ribbon 1 until it is wrapped smoothly, without a seam. Trim ribbon 2 and glue it to the back of the braid. Repeat wrapping and gluing for the opposite end of the braid.
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12. Let the glue dry before putting on the belt and tying it.