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Bold Leather Flower Belt Tutorial

May 9, 2011 3:08 pm

I’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.

Tons of detail and drama. And SO easy!!

Tags: accessories, DIY, leather belt, recycle, refashion, repurpose, tutorial, women's belt
Posted in other, refashions, Uncategorized, women's clothing | 14 Comments »

Refitting a Leather Jacket

July 1, 2010 7:36 am

I’ve ALWAYS wanted a cool leather jacket. Always. But I could never bring myself to pay for one. So while I was out thrifting, I got this leather jacket at the thrift store for $7. I loved the look of the leather, the great zippers and the overall shape.(It had sleeves. I just cut them off before I took the pictures. oops!) It was in great condition, but it was a little too big. So I thought I’d try to make it my size! For those of you that are freaking out right now, thinking leather is hard to work with- IT”S NOT! It doesn’t even move like a cotton or stretch. I’m telling you- DO NOT BE AFRAID!!

Before you begin:

I recommend using a heavy needle. They make leather needles, but I actually used a denim needle because it’s what I had. I have a button that automatically changes my tension and stitching for leather. ( I know. Thank you Husqvarna:) ) But you can check your machine for the recommendations.

Also, good leather jackets also have a lining. Don’t let that intimidate you! All you have to do is remember that whatever you do to the leather, do to the lining. It’s just on the inside.

Let us begin…

First what I did is cut off the sleeves at the seam. I needed to bring the shoulder line in.