How to Make a Belt Out of Belt Buckles

Everyone uses a Belt from time to time. Why not make a STYLISH Belt made from BeltBuckles?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Several Belt Buckles
• A Leather Belt or Pieces of Belt Leather
• Leather Working Tools
• Some Creativity

1. Making a Belt of Buckles isn't the toughest project, but will require some Basic Leather Working skills, and some patience
   
   Begin by gathering as many buckles as you will need.
   Measure your waist and decide if the belt will be tight or loose fitting.
   Next measure the buckles, as well as the material connecting them together.
   
   Buckles can be obtained from On line Auction sources, Flea Markets and Thrift Stores.
   You will likely need around 6 to 8 buckles depending on size.
   Try to choose what you like, AND buckles that match (I.E.Silver or Brass).
   Also, choose enough leather. Approximately 2 feet or 24 inches.
2. There are several ways to attach Belt-Buckles to Leather or even buckles together. We will concentrate on a technique I have actually used.
   Rivets and snaps to attach the buckle and "Looping the belt through like a standard buckle.
   
   You will need a Leather rivet tool or Snap tool. They are available online or through Leather working supply firms.
   Heavy duty devices are best, but a hand held "Squeeze" type will work.
   If you want the ability to change buckles from time to time, use the "Snap" tool to install "Snaps" on the leather ends.
   Gather your Buckles together and lay them out in the design you would like to assemble.
   Measure the "Belt" with spaces between each buckle. Next, cut strips of leather for each "Space". Cut them long, and trim later.
   
   Now that your belt is laid out and "Roughed out", it's time to assemble.
3. Assembly is fairly straight forward.
   Cut the leather to fit the buckle. Many buckles are different in the way that they attach, but most use two "Strips" that wrap around the end of the buckle and rivet or snap to themselves.
   Once you buckle is attached to the leather strip, the other end should be trimmed to fit the next buckle and 3 or 4 holes punched with a Die or Awl.
   This is also an EXCELLENT time to do a little leather "Tooling" to the strips of leather!
   Practice makes perfect! Experiment on some scraps before you try the "REAL THING".
   Each strip will attach to a buckle, loop through the next buckle which will attach to the next strip. So on and so forth.
   The last strip will loop through the first buckle!
   Measure carefully so that each "Strip" is equal.
4. Once you are finished, TRY IT ON! You can adjust each buckle with the holes. Get them all equal and WEAR YOUR NEW STYLISH BELT MADE FROM BELT-BUCKLES!

Tips & Warnings

• Try to be creative.
• Don't be afraid to "Go Out There" with Bright colored Leather!
• Practice before you try to assemble expensive pieces of leather!
• DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!