leather belt

Hi to all,

I want to make a simple skirt with a nice belt. In a shop with sewing supplies I?ve found a nice piece of leather, good for a short skirt, but better for a nice gathered belt, simple but feminine, I think. The colour is natural a little bit champaigne yellow with a small serpent print, same colour. I've also got long leather strings, for the side to make about 3 or 6 knots

I know, that leather is easier than fabric to sew, I can use glue as wel.

This belt will not cover my belly button, because I've lost more than 15 lbs now!

1.Has someone here made a similar belt?

2.Have I to cut it on bias?

  1. is cotton thread ok? or cotton/polyesther?

  1. Shall I make a try with a piece of fabric before using leather?

Suzan from Amsterdam

Reply to
Pampeliska
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Dear Susan,

Are you sure that this piece is leather? It sounds more like a faux leather because of the color and print.

You need to measure where you're going to wear the belt; not your natural waist, as belts are being worn lower these days. Cut a piece of brown paper the length you want and the finished width. Put it around you and secure it. If there are gaps around the top, you need to shape it by slashing in several places and overlapping on the top side only until it lays flat against your body. Use this as your pattern. Add seam allowances and line it. Depending upon whether you want this to be a soft, crushable belt or a rigid one, will determine what to use for interfacing. Don't omit interfacing, in any case--it won't last.

If it is faux leather, use a fine needle; if it really is leather, use a leather needle. If you topstitch, use a long stitch so that the fabric is not split.

Teri

Reply to
gpjones2938

Use poly thread if it is real leather...cotton will react with the leather and disintegrate over time.

SewsyQ

Reply to
SewsyQ

it is faux leather, thanks Teri.

Suzan from Amsterdam

Reply to
Pampeliska

Teri,

My idea was a shape like open U form indeed, Teri. low from my waist, but I only don't understand your words: Don't omit interfacing, in any case--it won't last. Have I to use fabric on the wrong site or a facing? I will make a pattern from brown paper and give it a form that doesn't gape on the upside. But I think some gathering left and right on the sides will be nice? Interfacing and lining, hm.., is the lining with a small band 1/4" not enough? Tell me more, please.

Suzan from Amsterdam

Reply to
Pampeliska

Dear Susan,

Interfacing is used to give body to a garment. Lining is used to make it look finished and neat. Since your belt is not going to be straight, you'll have to cut a lining piece from the same pattern as your belt. Interfacing the same. If you work very carefully, you can glue the interfacing to the pleather. Cut the interfacing without any seam allowances, and then fold the seam allowances of the pleather over the interfacing edges.

I don't think I understand how you want to gather it, but if you do, you must allow extra material for this so that when it is gathered, it will still fit.

Please write again if I'm not clear.

Teri

Reply to
gpjones2938

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