Are you looking for a quick and easy DIY accessory to complete your doll outfits! A belt is the perfect thing to add some pop and style to her favorite dress, romper, or top!
This tutorial will show you how to create a belt using fabric and a bit of sewing, but you can also use a flat ribbon in a variety of widths and skip all the sewing in Part 1 and go straight to Part 2 for securing the buckle or slide to make this DIY tutorial even easier!
Ok, follow along with the full tutorial here:
Supplies
Doll scale buckles, slides, and d-rings can be hard to find! Here are a few resources to help you find what you're looking for.
Option 1
- 1-1/2″-wide fabric such as microsuede, vegan leather, or vinyl
- Slide style buckle, 1/2″ wide
OR
- 1″-wide strip of fabric such as microsuede, vegan leather, or vinyl
- Slide style buckle, 3/8″ wide
- 1/4″-diameter eyelet and eyelet setting tool (optional)
OR
- Small D-rings (set of two) 1/2" inch works well.
All belts
- Matching thread
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter
- Non-stick presser foot
- Zipper foot
Part 1: Fold and stitch the belt strap. (if you're using ribbon or trim that is the correct width, skip to Part 2)
1. Cut trim to the desired length
- 15-1/2″ for 18″ dolls like American Girl®
- 11-1/2″ for 14″-15" dolls like WellieWishers®
- 9″ for Ellowyne Wilde™ or Barbie®
2. Fold the trim lengthwise into thirds, with the second fold overlapping the first fold.
3. Using a non-stick presser foot, straight stitch 1/8″ from one folded edge, stopping 1/2″ from the end.
Tip: A non-stick presser foot helps the fabric slide under the foot without having to pull to help it along. If you don't have a non-stick foot, you can apply a small piece of scotch tape to the underside or your regular presser foot to create a non-stick surface. Just be sure to only apply it to the metal, don't cover the hole that the needle will stitch through!
4. With the needle down in the fabric, lift the presser foot.
5. Turn the belt to sew diagonally to a point; sew 4 stitches.
6. With the needle down and presser foot up, turn the belt to sew diagonally back to the opposite side of the point; sew 3 stitches.
7. Straight stitch back down the other long side of the belt. When you get to the end, raise the presser foot, pivot, and sew straight up the short end. Backstitch to secure.
8. Trim the ends of the point along the stitching lines, being careful not to cut through the stitches.
Part 2: Attaching the Slide or Buckle
Option 1:
1. Slide the straight end of the belt through the buckle slide, right side up.
2. Fold back 1/2″ toward the belt, wrong sides together.
3. Using a zipper foot, sew the folded end close to the belt.
Option 2:
1. Instead of sewing the buckle/slide, you can also use an eyelet setter and punch a hole and secure it with a tiny eyelet.
Option 3:
Creating a functional buckle closure
Alternately, if you have a buckle with the prong that fits through adjustable size holes, here's how to finish off that belt. This excerpt is taken from the Liberty Jane Motorcycle Jacket pattern,
1. After sewing the belt strip, create a tiny "loop" and secure it 1-1/2" inch from the buckle end of the belt. Then slide the end through the buckle and secure the fabric back to the belt using a zipper foot and straight stitch.
2. At the opposite pointed end of the belt, 1-1/8" in from the end, create markings about 3/8" apart. In this example, we are using 4 eyelets. Using an eyelet setter, pinch the holes through the belt and then secure the eyelet into each hole.
3. Once the eyelets are set, slide the pointed end through the buckle to secure the buckle.
Now it's your turn! Are you ready to make your own doll size belt?
Looking for other types of belts designed specifically for dolls? Check out these amazing doll accessory patterns from Pixie Faire designers!
We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us - What's your favorite way to style a belt, an accessory, or for functionality?
Thanks, everyone!
The Pixie Faire Team
100 Comments
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Nancy
July 15, 2020
I like to use grosgrain ribbon and a cute slide buckle for the doll belt. Sometimes I braid ribbon for a more colorful look.