How to Make a Maintenance Tool Belt

A tool belt will help you organize tools for your project.

Whether you're performing home maintenance or building something new, a tool belt is a good way to keep your tools by your side. When you have a place to store your tools, you're less likely to misplace them which wastes time. Tool belts can be expensive, but if you're handy, you can make a low-cost tool belt.

Things You'll Need

• Belt
• 1/2 yard heavy-weight canvas or denim
• 1 yard, 1-inch wide cotton or nylon strapping
• Sewing machine
• Size 16 or larger heavy-duty sewing machine needles
• Heavy-duty cotton thread

Instructions

1. Wash and dry your canvas or denim fabric. If the fabric is wrinkled after drying, iron it flat. Lay out your fabric. Cut two pieces of fabric approximately 14 inch by 20 inch.

2. Hem the bottom of each piece. Lay your fabric so that it is taller than it is wide. Roll the bottom edge up 1/4 inch and press it flat, then roll it up 1/2 inch and press it flat again. Sew the rolled edge to finish the hem.

3. Form a pocket and hem the sides of each piece. With the hemmed edge at the bottom, fold the bottom 8 inches up to form a pocket. Baste the sides of the pocket. Fold each side back 1/4 inch and press, then fold each side back 1/2 inch and press. Sew the rolled edge to finish the side hems.

4. Hem the top and create belt loops. Roll the top edge back 1/4 inch and press, then roll the top edge back 2 inches and press again. Turn the fabric over so the roll is on top, then sew along the bottom of the roll. To strengthen the seam, sew across the bottom one or two additional times.

5. Lay out your cotton or nylon strapping and cut three pieces approximately 12 inches long. Form it into a loop, overlapping the cut ends. Sew across the cut ends three or four times to create a strong seam.

6. Hang fabric pockets on the belt by inserting the belt through the belt loops of each fabric pocket. Ensure that the fabric is hanging so that the pockets will face outward when the belt is worn.

7. Attach strapping loops to the belt, one in the center and one next to each pocket. To attach each loop, fold one end over and behind the belt. Pull it below the belt. Insert the other end through and pull tight, forming a loop hanging below the belt.

References

• Etsy: How-Tuesday: Tool Apron from Sew What! Bags