Tutorial: How to Make a Braided Belt With T-shirt Scraps
Learn how to make a quick braided belt using leftover fabric scraps. You can use as many strands as you like for this braid, but in my instructions I’ll go over how to braid 5 strands together. Have fun with your unique creation.
Check out more DIY belt tutorials
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Supplies Needed:
Step 1
Cut the knit fabric into strips
For this braid, I cut 5 long strips of fabric. Make sure they are long enough to fit around your waist at least twice. You can make them longer and trim them at the end.
Also, make sure you’re using knit fabric for this (such as jersey). While you can braid woven fabric, it tends to wrinkle and crinkle, so you need to be more precise when folding the braids. Knit fabrics are more bendable and flexible.
Step 2
Optional: sew your strips into tubes
If you’re using fabric that has a clear right and wrong side, it’s a good idea to sew them into tubes before braiding. This will prevent the wrong side from showing up in the final braid. However, if you have a fabric that’s the same color or design on both sides, this step does not matter as much.
Step 3
Turn the tubes right-side out
Using a loop turner (or what ever tool you find easiest to use) turn your fabric strips to the right side. You do not have to press the tubes after turning them (but you can if you want to).
Step 4
Sew the ends together
Fan them out a little when sewing together rather than stacking them all on top of each other. This will make it a little easier to start the braid cleanly.
Step 5
braid the strands together
To braid 5 strands together start with the strand on the far left. Bring that strand over one and under one so that now it’s sitting in the middle. Then move the strand on the far right. Move that strand over one and under one. Go to the far left strand and move it over one and under one. Then back to the far right, and so on.
Continue with this pattern until you have finished the entire braid.
Step 6
Sew the end and trim strands to match
When you get to the end, sew across all of the strands. Then trim them so that they match in length.
Step 7
Wrap one end around two D-rings
Wrap the cut end around two D-rings and hand-sew it in place.
Finished!
