Molly's Sketchbook: Elastic Fish Buckle Belt

Often I introduce a new pattern by talking about the stroke of inspiration that got me started. But in the case of these ultra quick, ultra cute belts, I’m afraid I can’t take much credit. Page, one of Purl Soho’s owners, has wanted us to make belts for as long as I can remember, I suspect because belts are the perfect vehicle for Page's favorite thing, a pop of color! Page is a true lover of statement-making color, a dash of neon, a touch of citrus, a burst of tomato. At a recent meeting she breezed into the store wearing a white shirt, white pants, and a blinding orange scarf, managing to make the wild shade seem playful and chic at the same time!

So when we started carrying D-Rings and Fish Buckles we all knew what would soon follow: belts! We picked the prettiest of all our trims and elastics in vibrant eye-popping colors, added some creamy neutrals for balance, and I set to work sewing a slew of them.

I came up with two incredibly easy belt patterns, this one using fish buckles and elastic and another using d-rings and cotton webbing, twill tape, and ribbon. Sized for adults and kids, these one-of-a-kind belts would make an ideal party favor or gift because they literally take five minutes to sew and because they're seriously cute! I have a feeling Page will soon be sporting a new belt for each day of the week! -Molly

PS For my D-Ring Belt pattern just click here!

Materials

To make one belt up to 34-inches in circumference:

• One yard of Neon Elastic (if you're making a belt with a larger than 34-inch circumference you'll need 2 yards.) I used green in the example.
• Neon Thread to match your elastic. I used Limedrop in the example.
• A large silver Fish Buckle
• A handsewing needle

Sewing

Measure your waist or the waist of the person you're making the belt for. 

Cut the elastic 2-inches longer than the waist measurement. For the example the waist measurement is 29-inches so I cut the elastic to be 31-inches long.

Whip stitch back and forth across the two raw ends of the belt to keep it from fraying.

Close the fish buckle so that the two round portions of the buckle are tightly fitting and right side up. Loop the ends of the elastic over the flat sides of the buckle one-inch towards the elastic's wrongs sides and pin them in place as shown above.

Unfasten the belt and work on one end at a time. Starting 7/8-inch from the fold take a few whip stitches, going in and out of the same hole, over the top edge of the belt sewing the fold together at this point.

Take a few running stitches in a straight line down the width of the belt, sewing through the back fold, until you reach the bottom edge. Just like you did for the top, sew a few whip stitches around the bottom edge. 

Tie a knot at the back of the belt.

The back should look like this, with the end securely sewn down.

Repeat this for the second end of the belt and you're all done!