Sewing the belt loops can be done in a few minutes.If you're making your own, choose any material you want and sew them as you please.Most clothes have between 5 and 7 loops, but you can add a number to your belt.If you reinforce the belt before sewing it back on, it's even easier to repair belt loops.
Step 1: To find the loop length, add 1 inch to the belt width.
Measure the width of the belt so you know how long it will take to make the loop.Adding 1 inch to the measurement will allow you to tuck the ends of the loop under.To get a loop length of 3 inches, add 1 inch to the width of your belt.
Step 2: You can choose between 7 and 5 loops for women's pants.
There are 5 loops in most standard jeans or pants for women.If you're making men's jeans, add an extra 2 loops on the back of the pants.If you like adding more loops, you can, especially if they're lightweight loops for a flowy skirt or dress.
Step 3: Cut a strip of fabric that's long enough to hold all the loops you're sewing.
Take the number of loops you want to sew to your belt and divide it by the loop length.To mark a piece of matching fabric, use fabric chalk.You should make the strip 3 times as wide as you want it to be.If you want to make 5 loops that are each 2 inches long and 2 inch wide, you need to cut the strip in half.
Step 4: iron it flat by folding the fabric in thirds.
The wrong side of the fabric should be facing up.The long edges should be folded towards the middle.To narrow the strip, fold the other long edge towards the center by 1/3.The folds should stay in place if the iron is pressed along the strip.If you don't read the care instructions for your fabric, you might not know what to do with the iron.
Step 5: There is a straight topstitch on both sides of the strip.
Use thread that matches the color of your garment's topstitching to thread your sewing machine.Next, sew the stitches across the long sides of the strip.You should sew as close to the edge as possible.
Step 6: Cut the strip into equal lengths.
Take the loop length measurement again and mark it along the strip of fabric.Attach your loops to the belt by cutting out equal-sized pieces.Since you will be cutting the strip into separate loops, don't worry about sewing the short ends.
Step 7: iron it flat by Tucking 2 inch of each end under the loop.
To hide the edges of the loops, set them on your ironing board and fold 2 inch of each end under.For about 5 seconds, press down on the loops with a warm iron.The ends can't unfold because of the heat from the iron.
Step 8: Pin the middle of the loops to the belt.
Put a sewing pin through the middle of one of the loops.Attach the loop vertically to the waist.The top edge of the belt should be straight against the loop.Pin the rest of your loops around the midsection.In general, put 2 loops on the front of the belt, 2 on side seams, and 1 in the center back.The other loops should be an even distance apart if you're attaching more than 5.The ends of the loops should be hidden.
Step 9: Straight stitches are used to sew the loops onto the pants.
Once you're happy with the positioning of the loops, take the garment to your sewing machine and sew straight across the top edge of each loop to secure it to the pantsIt's even stronger if you sew reverse stitch across the loop.Straight Stitch along the bottom edge of each loop.If your sewing machine can't work through the loop, it's time to switch to a walking foot.
Step 10: If the fabric is torn, trim it.
The hole in the waistband was created by your torn belt loop.Cut away the fuzzy fibers if it is fraying.It's easier to repair when you finish.You can sew over the loop if it came loose from the belt.
Step 11: Attach the piece of matching fabric to the underside of the waistband.
You can make a bigger patch by using the same style of fabric in a matching color.Put the patch over the hole when you turn your garment inside out.Attach the patch to the garment with a few long straight stitches.As you sew this holds it in place.If you don't want to make basting stitches, place strips of fusible bonding tape along the edges of the patch so they're sandwiched between the garment.To make the patch on the garment, iron over the fabric.
Step 12: If you want to cover the hole in the waistband, sew over the patch.
Attach your sewing machine with thread that matches the fabric.Attach the patch to the garment by sewing straight stitches back and forth over the entire hole with the fabric right side up.Then, sew the garment back and forth over the patch to make it stronger.When you reach the edges of the patch, make sure to sew onto the garment.
Step 13: Excess fabric can be removed by trimming the back of the patch.
You can see the back of the patch if you turn the garment inside out.To cut the excess fabric from the edges, use scissors.Don't cut into the stitches of the patch.
Step 14: Pick the stitches from the end of your loop.
The machine might not be able to sew through the tight stitches on the end of the loop.To remove the stitches from the loop's loose end, use a seam ripper.It has a more polished appearance if you remove the stitches before sewing the loop in place.
Step 15: Stitch across each end of the loop when you put it back in place.
Align the loop so it's across the belt by Tucking the raw end under itself.Then, sew small zigzag stitches across the loop so they're 4 inch from the folded edge.It's really secure if you press the reverse button and zigzag back across the loop.The thread should be trimmed from both sides of your garment.Use small, straight stitches across the end of the loop instead of using zigzag stitches if you prefer the look.