How to Make a Braided Belt

Making a braided belt is relatively simple. At first glance, it can appear impossible. Once you know the trick, you will find that you can create beautiful belts very quickly. The design is created by leaving the ends of the belt intact, while cutting the center part of the belt into thin strips and braiding them.

Things You'll Need

• Strip of Leather or "Pleather" (leather alternative)
• Razor Knife
• Flat Work Surface
• Pencil
• Straightedge

Instructions

The first steps

1. Equally space and mark two lines along the length of the belt. You are effectively dividing the belt into three equal portions. Make sure you use your pencil and straightedge for this endeavor.

2. Using your razor knife, cut the leather along the lines. Leave about three inches on each end of the belt uncut. The center of your belt should now be cut into three equal strips.

3. Using your razor knife, cut the leather along the lines leaving about three inches on each end of the belt uncut. The center of your belt should now be cut into three equal strips.

4. Bring the bottom of the belt up and push it between the left strip and the one that is now in the center. Then pass the belt end under the center and the right strips. Push the belt end through as far as you can, and pull it down toward the bottom.

5. Now reverse the process. Bring the right strip to the center, and then the left strip to the center afterwards. Again, place the strip on the right into the center position. Alternate as though you were braiding hair. Bring the bottom of the belt up and push it between the right strip and the one that is now in the center. Pass the belt end under the center and left strips. Push it all the way through, and pull down.

6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until you have completed braiding the entire length of the belt. You should stop braiding when you have an even braid top to bottom. In other words, if you started with the left strip, you should finish with the right strip in order for it to look uniform.

7. Apply your choice of belt buckle using rivets. Punch holes for securing the belt on the other end.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to cut your original length of belt long enough to accommodate the person you are making the belt for.

• Any necessary dying of the leather should be done prior to the marking and cutting of the braiding strips.

• Be careful to allow for some shortening due to the braiding process when measuring and cutting the original length of the belt.