Bold Leather Flower Belt Tutorial
May 9, 2011 3:08 pmI’ve been so inspired by these gorgeous belts I’ve seen this year.
marc jacobs
although this is a cuff, it was one of my inspirations
asos
So when I decided to do a belt as a tutorial, I posted it on FB and a reader suggested using recycled leather and I thought it was genius! So in my weekly trip to the thrift store I found this deep eggplant leather skirt.
My first step was taking the skirt apart. You can do it with scissors or a seam ripper. Then make a template of the belt shape you want to cut out. I made mine as shown out of pattern paper. You can use regular paper, cloth, whatever you have.
Next, lie it out on your leather and trace it.
Cut it out. If you don’t have a sewing machine you can just stop here. This belt will look great even as one piece.
But if you want to do an extra step, you can cut out another piece.
Sew it together, inside out leaving a hold to pull it through. I don’t know if all machines will sew through leather well. Mine does it just fine. Definitely use a leather needle to make it easier.
After pulling the belt right side out, top stitch all the way around.
Now that the base of your belt is made we’ll work on the flower. Cut out a bunch of different petal shapes.
Begin piecing them together, a couple at a time. You can machine stitch them together, like I did. But if you don’ have a machine you can sew it by hand. Or if that intimidates you, there’s always glue 
Just add more until you’re happy with the piece.
Then attach it to your belt.
Now, to cover where you stitched it on, get one more petal and sew it as shown.
Then you can flip it over and no stitched show.
For the closure, I added a heavy duty snap that I sewed on.
Here’s the finished result!
I love the way it looks on this simple maxi dress.
Tags: accessories, DIY, leather belt, recycle, refashion, repurpose, tutorial, women's belt
Posted in other, refashions, Uncategorized, women's clothing | 14 Comments »
By Anna Rasmussen on May 10, 2011 | Reply
Yay! That looks amazing. I have an old leather jacket that I never wear. This would be a great way to get to “wear” it often!
By Morgan on May 10, 2011 | Reply
Beautiful!! Love how this turned out.
By Megan on May 10, 2011 | Reply
Love it! So classy. Isn’t it amazing how home-sewing can look just as professional as store bought? People always seem shocked to hear that “you can make that?!” but I say, “well, yeah, someone had to!”
By Maria on May 11, 2011 | Reply
This is great! Thanks for sharing! I was thinking if doing a belt with recycled leather, although it won’t be as cool as this one
By carrie on May 11, 2011 | Reply
WOW! Love this!
By Cathie on May 12, 2011 | Reply
LOVE IT! what a great way to use outdated leather clothes. I have a light leather coat I was hoping to find something to do with. Now I have it.
By Lisa Bass on May 12, 2011 | Reply
Lex,
I actually like your belt more than the one in the photo of the catwalk! Your floral design is much more delicate and feminine.
By crystal on May 23, 2011 | Reply
OMG I love this. LOVE.
By Misha on May 28, 2011 | Reply
That’s fabulous!
By Tine on May 29, 2011 | Reply
This is really cool. That belt looks fantastic, it gives every outfit a special touch.
By Alida@IMakeStuff on Jun 2, 2011 | Reply
I just made a maxi dress and now I’m wishing I had something leather to cut up to make this belt! AAAAAH!
By Fabra DiPaolo on Jun 17, 2011 | Reply
Amazing project! Love your blog.
By Reduce Reuse Recyle on Jun 25, 2011 | Reply
I agree with other comments that your belt is much more attractive than the inspiration belt.
I have a wool skirt that I think I’ll use for this as I don’t have any leather I want to sacrifice to the cause. If that goes well I just may try it again with a raw silk blouse that I have that has a couple of stains in all the wrong places.
By Amanda on Jul 13, 2011 | Reply
What a great knock off! I’ve featured this post on Copy Cat Crafts today, you can view it here
http://www.copycatcrafts.com/flower-belt-from-a-leather-skirt/
We’d love it if you’d like to display a featured button! You can grab your button on the right hand side of your post. Thanks!