How to Make a Belt Buckle Purse Strap

Adding a new strap to an old purse can give that purse a face lift. Adding a belt buckle strap makes it funky and contemporary. Scour thrift stores and flea markets for vintage, cheap belts with funky buckles. Choose a belt with a leather or fabric strap either to match or contrast with the purse. Use a children's belt for a smaller strap and a more dainty look, and a large men's belt for a longer strap.

Things You'll Need

• Belt
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors
• Old purse

Instructions

1. Buckle the belt and fold the strap in half.

2. Cut the belt strap in half on the fold.

3. Cut the old strap off the purse, cutting as close as you can to the body of the purse.

4. Place one edge of the belt strap on the purse, directly over the area where the old strap used to be.

5. Open the purse and place the sewing machine foot directly underneath the placed belt strap. Make sure the other side of the purse is out of the way.

6. Sew the strap to the purse using a machine straight stitch. Sew a 1-inch square (or as wide as the strap allows) at the bottom of the strap, 1/8 inch from the strap edges.

7. Sew an X-shape inside the square, from the top left corner to the bottom right and the top right to the bottom left corner using a machine straight stitch. This is to re-enforce the sewing.

8. Repeat Steps 4 through 7 on the other side of the purse to secure the new strap completely.