How to Weave a Six Braid Belt
Mix different mediums to create woven braided belts using multiple strands. Choose wide- or narrow-width cording or rope -- made from leather, suede or hemp -- to weave a six-braid belt. Design intricate-looking pattern weaves with the six braids, by tying several strands together to form one cord. This technique creates heavy-looking weaves for fall and winter garments or sweaters. As an alternative, use decorative braid for weaving, sold at trim retail shops, to make lightweight spring or summer belts with buckles and decorative tip accents.
Things You'll Need
- Cording or rope -- made from leather, suede or hemp
- Flexible tape measure
- Fabric scissors
- Cutting board
- Leather knife
- Fabric weights
- Jewelry cement
- Belt buckle
- Decorative tip
- Leather cement glue (optional)
Instructions
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1
Measure your waist by wrapping a flexible tape measure around the widest part of the waistline. As another option, if you plan to wear the belt above the hip with a tunic, measure this area.
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2
Use the dimension from Step 1 as the base length for the belt cording or rope. Add 10 inches to the base length to determine the desired strand length. For example, if the Step 1 measurement is 28 inches, your strands should be 38 inches long. Weaving reduces the original length, because of the intertwining.
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3
Cut six cords or braids to the length determined in Step 2, using sharp fabric scissors. If your woven belt design includes multiple strands per cord, multiply the strands needed by six. For example, if you are using three strands per cord, cut 18 separate cords or braids. If you are weaving flat leather or suede strips, place the strips on a cutting board to cut with a leather knife.
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4
Make a simple knot at one end of the cord, to hold several strands together. For example, if you are using three strands as one weaving cord, hold them together and make a loop. Slip the end into the loop to knot together, holding the three strands in place. If you are using single cording strands or braids for weaving, skip this step.
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5
Evenly space the six cords approximately ½ inch apart. Place fabric weights on top of the ends to hold them in place. These weights are commonly used to hold patterns in place when cutting delicate fabrics. They are covered and padded, preventing any marks on leather or suede as they hold the strands in place for weaving.
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6
Split the six cords into two groups. For example, choose one cord color for the three left cords and a complementary color for the three right ones. Although this step is optional, it allows you to practice weaving and to spot skipped weaves within the pattern.
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7
Take the outer left cord, and cross over the two subsequent left cords. Take the outer right cord, and cross over the two subsequent right cords. The two outer cords are sitting in the center of the two left and two right cords. The outer right cord crosses over the left cord at the center of the weave.
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8
Take the outer left cord, originally the middle strand from the left cord group, and cross over the subsequent left cords. Take the outer right cord, originally the middle strand of the right cord group, and cross over the subsequent right cords. The right cord crosses over the left cord at the center of the weave as the remaining left and right cord shifts to the outer cords.
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9
Repeat Step 8 with the shifted left and right cords. Continue to repeat Steps 7 and 8 until you finish weaving the length of the belt. The braid belt emerges as you proceed weaving the cords. You can tighten the weave for a closed woven belt, or choose a loose weave for an open decorative weave.
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10
Dab jewelry cement at the ends of the woven belt. Let it dry for your brand's recommended amount of time.
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11
Insert the end of the woven belt around the back loop of the selected belt buckle, and wrap around. You also can insert the remaining belt end into a decorative tip.
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12
Dab the appropriate adhesive along the edge of the end of the wrapped back loop. For example, if you are working with leather cording, dab leather cement glue along the end of the braided belt to close the wrapped back loop, securing the buckle. Let it dry for your brand's recommended amount of time.
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