How to Customize Western Belts
"Vaqueros, Cowboys, and Buckaroos" states that belts and other articles of clothing distinguished the type of work and lifestyle of people in a particular region. Though people wearing Western belts are a common sight in the Southwest U.S. or in South American countries, anyone can design and own a customized belt. Most believe the buckle is the only way to add personality to the belt. However, customization can be done in a variety of ways using several different methods. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose the belt material and shape. Belts come in several different materials. Some come in aged leather, while other companies use synthetic leather at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, pick the shape of the belt. Determine if you want a flat, wide belt or one that has no design but is ornately braided.
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Design the leather. Customize your belt by branding words or your name on the belt. Or select a small design like a pattern or shape. In her book "Making Leather Purses and Totes," Lisa Gavin advises placing a wood-burning tool against the leather to make designs. She recommends practicing on scrap leather beforehand. Or you can take the leather belt into a Western products store and have them do it for you.
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Add gemstones and beads. Incorporate color into the belt by embedding small stones or sewing small beads into the belt. Choose which stone you wish to use. Turquoise, apache tears and amethyst are a few common Western stones found in belts. Set the stone in metal first, and then attach the metal to the belt.
For beads, measure the belt and make a bead pattern that fits the measurements. For an ornate pattern, use small seed beads in colors of red, blue, yellow or brown. Native-language.org warns that beading onto leather backing requires extensive experience and is very time-consuming.
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Pick a belt buckle. Buckles tend to be the first thing noticed on Western belts. Buy a belt buckle that displays your name or one with a picture that resonates with your personality, like a horseshoe, snake or scorpion.
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Size the belt. Choose where to place the belt buckle holes. Place the piece of leather around your waist and use your finger to mark the desired size of the belt. Use a light felt marker to dot where you wish to place the first hole. Add two additional holes tighter than the desired size and two additional holes looser. Make the holes one inch apart.
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