How to Make a Ribbon Belt

Making ribbon belts is an excellent first project for children and teenagers learning to sew. All they have to do is find a ribbon they like and follow these steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ribbon
• Thread
• Two D-rings

Easy Version

1. Wrap the ribbon around your waist and overlap about 6-8 inches. This is the portion of the belt that will go through the D-rings and keep the belt on. Mark how long you want this to be. Cut a piece of ribbon twice this long.

2. Put the ribbon through both D-rings. Bring the rings to the middle of the ribbon. Make sure the ends of the ribbon match, and then sew a line just past the D-rings to keep them in place.

3. Sew a line down each edge of the two layers of ribbon, starting at the D-ring and continuing toward the end. At the end of the belt, fold the ribbon ends under the inside of the belt. Sew across the end to finish the belt.

The Even Easier Version

4. Wrap the ribbon around your waist and overlap about 6-8 inches. Cut the belt to this length, leaving an extra inch or so to hem the ends.

5. Put one end of the ribbon through the D-rings. Fold and sew down.

6. Wrap the ribbon belt around your waist and put the ribbon through the D-rings to secure the belt. Fold the end of the belt under and pin it. Remove the belt.

7. Sew a line on the folded end of the belt where you pinned it.

Tips & Warnings

• A fun way to make the ribbon belt into a more advanced project is to sew together multiple layers of ribbon in complementary colors and patterns.
• You also can sew a layer of lace on top of a wider layer of patterned ribbon. Add beads or sequins if you have time.
• Another variation on the ribbon belt is the woven ribbon belt. You can create a simple version by braiding 3 ribbons together and sewing a line across the end. Or make a small fabric tab to fold over the ribbon ends and sew down for a neater finish.