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Belt Making Looking for wide belt backing
Cathy Loves Fabric   Intermediate USA Member since 4/16/04 Posts: 1819	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/27/08 0:20 AM Being a large waisted lady, finding belts is a real challenge. I did find a brown belt at Igigi, but my wardrobe plans require a little more variety. Being the resourceful sewer that I am, and deciding that if people on PR can make shoes and gorgeous leather jackets and purses, then I can learn how to make belts. I'm starting with the March 2007 Threads article, some inexpensive vinyl and belt buckles and some 2" belt backing on order from Greenberg-Hammer.com. The problem is that I'd like to make the belts 3-4" wide in places. According to Greenberg-Hammer and SteinlaufAndStoller.com the 3" backing is not manufactured any longer. Since I haven't received the backing yet and don't know how it feels and works, I'm wondering If I can sew the 2" together to get the width I want? Or is someone aware of a source or substitute for a wide belt backing. I need it to be pretty stiff. Are there any belt makers with words of wisdom? Thanks. ------ My hope is to sew to the very end. They'll find my head slumped over my precious Kenmore 19606 and have to pry the seam ripper from my cold, dead hands.
Tom P   Intermediate NY USA Member since 3/16/07 Posts: 887	Login to reply to this post In reply to Cathy Loves Fabric Like this post Date: 2/27/08 1:59 PM Once you see it, you'll have a better idea what would be a good substitute, but I assume it's an interfacing, right? If so, then it has all the normal properties. Is it woven or nonwoven, how firm is it, is it fusible? You may be able to substitute something like a waistband interfacing or a timtex. Maybe something on this site?
Cathy Loves Fabric   Intermediate USA Member since 4/16/04 Posts: 1819	Login to reply to this post In reply to Tom P Like this post Date: 2/29/08 12:16 PM I saw that waistband material Tom, but it doesn't look like it's very wide either. Thanks for responding. I'll wait to see what the belt backing looks like when it arrives and figure it out from there. ------ My hope is to sew to the very end. They'll find my head slumped over my precious Kenmore 19606 and have to pry the seam ripper from my cold, dead hands.
Kathi R   Intermediate USA Member since 2/28/05 Posts: 2052 PR Weekend Volunteer	Login to reply to this post In reply to Cathy Loves Fabric Like this post Date: 2/29/08 2:48 PM Maybe something like buckram used in drapery headers? If you need some PM me with your address -- I bought a 50 yard bolt because it was cheaper than buying the number of yards I need. ------ 2012 : starting stash 386, net additions 206, used 164, ending stash 428
lilyofthevalley   Advanced NY USA Member since 3/9/07 Posts: 1478	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/29/08 3:28 PM Not a belt maker, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't lay two pieces of the 2" wide belt backing side by side on your sewing machine, and zig zag them together. I'd probably use a wide zig zag, rather close together, to assure the strength and viability of the joined pieces. If after joining, the zig zag seam leaves a valley-like depression down the center of the belt backing, cut a long narrow strip of fusible interfacing the same width as the zig zag seam depression. Use as many strips of fusible, in varying widths if necessary, to produce a strong flat base for your belt fabric. (I'd probably strengthen both sides of the belt backing joined base, until experimentation proves that strengthening only one side is sufficient.) Seems to me it should work perfectly. Oh, one note: before putting time and effort in making a strong flat 4" wide belt backing, make certain that belt buckles (or closures of your choice) suitable to accept a 4" wide belt are readily available for purchase. --Lily ------ Lily
kate s Advanced IL USA Member since 10/30/03 Posts: 15	Login to reply to this post In reply to Cathy Loves Fabric Like this post Date: 2/29/08 8:12 PM If you aren't going to wash it, buckram will work. You can dryclean, but not wash. Washing makes it soft. I bought a roll of belting from JoAnn.com, but it was far narrower than you are looking for. It's quite stiff, & keeps it's stiffness when washed. I don't think sewing 2 pieces together would work very well. It would fold in half becaues of the "weak" join. If you are really into exploring, what about tablet weaving? http://www.weavershand.com/ You don't need expensive equipment. A belting shuttle & a deck of playing cards with holes punched in them will do. If you wanted a softer look than fabric covered belts, garment leather would work. Kate
CandiMarie Intermediate Member since 6/14/05 Posts: 49	Login to reply to this post In reply to Cathy Loves Fabric Like this post Date: 3/1/08 1:12 PM I've made lots of belts--Lots and lots of them--They're easy as can be to make and I love to have belts that are a perfect match to pants, skirts and dresses that I make-- If you're using real belt backing, trying to use two widths laid edge-to-edge will result in a belt that will (you'll pardon the unintended pun please) buckle in the center (lengthwise, that is)--And it's way too thick to overlap the edges-- Fusing two or three layers of buckram together may be a better solution to get a nice, stiff belt base if you want something wider than 2"--C -- Edited on 3/1/08 1:13 PM --
Al Johnson Beginner MN USA Member since 2/17/07 Posts: 1179	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/1/08 10:37 PM Anything here http://www.paragear.com/templates/parachutes.asp?group=31&level=2&parent=193 that might help? ------ A sewing machine is just a welder for textiles.
Cathy Loves Fabric   Intermediate USA Member since 4/16/04 Posts: 1819	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/2/08 3:48 AM Thanks everybody for your belt-making experiences and suggestions. I'm still waiting for the belt backing to arrive, so I think I'll look at buckram and other non-typical sources for wider backing. Home Depot may be a good place to look. I'm glad to know other people have made belts and it's not so hard! Thanks again for your help. ------ My hope is to sew to the very end. They'll find my head slumped over my precious Kenmore 19606 and have to pry the seam ripper from my cold, dead hands.
cybermom   Intermediate FL USA Member since 4/19/04 Posts: 158	Login to reply to this post In reply to CandiMarie Like this post Date: 3/12/08 6:17 AM Are there instructions somewhere on how to make belts? This sounds very interesting and usefull. ------ Janel

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