• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Call Ajaire

Call Ajaire

You can always Call Ajaire.

  • Blog
  • MashUp
    • Monthly MashUp
  • Designs by Call Ajaire
    • FREE PATTERNS
    • GIRLS
    • SWIM
    • OUTERWEAR
    • UNISEX
    • BUNDLES
    • DOLLS
    • FOR THE HOME
    • ADD-ON
    • SKILLS
      • Neckbands
      • Sewing Knits
      • Topstitching
      • Bagging a Lining
      • Bias Binding
      • Bound Buttonholes
      • Color Blocking
      • Exposed Zipper
      • Gathering Knits
      • Inseam Pockets
      • Handkerchief Hemline
      • Lined Bodice
      • Keyhole Neckline
      • Princess Seams
      • Narrow Hem
      • Neckbands
      • Sewing Outerwear
      • Sewing Swimwear
      • Sewing Knits
      • Tailored Coat
      • Tube Turning
      • Sports Waistband
      • Topstitching
      • v-neck Binding
      • v-neck Hood
      • Sewing with Faux Fur
      • Vented Hem
      • Working with Elastic
      • drawstring casing
    • Checkout
    • Designs by Call Ajaire on Etsy
    • Designs by Call Ajaire Facebook Group
  • About
  • My Account
  • Cart
  • Archive
  • Call Ajaire Facebook Page
  • Call Ajaire's YouTube Channel
  • @callajaire on Instagram
  • Ajaire's Pinterest
  • Call Ajaire on Twitter

Stretchy Bow Belt Tutorial

Apparently this is the week for belt tutorials!  Here is the one I promised I’d post last week for a Stretchy Bow Belt.

With Bean running around all winter, it was difficult to keep a bow or ribbon tied around her waist.  I thought a better option would be a belt with some stretch that snapped in place, since she has a harder time undoing a snap.  Of course I added a bow to make it even cuter, hehe.

It’s pretty easy to adapt this belt to fit your child, but the following measurements worked well for Bean all season at about an 18 month old fit.

You’ll need 8.5 inches of half inch elastic and 42 inches of 4 inch wide fabric cut into the following dimensions:  4″ x 33″ to form the belt; 4″ x 6.5″ to form the bow; 4″ x 2.5″ to form the center of the bow.

Fold each 4″ piece in half right sides together (it will be 2″) and stitch along the long side, leaving the ends open.  Turn right side out and press (in the supplies photo above this step has already been completed).

Fold in the ends of just the 33″ long strip and press – do not sew closed.

On each end of the long strip mark a line about 7 inches toward the middle.

Using a safety pin, begin feeding the elastic through the long tube.

Continue feeding the elastic until the end without the safety pin reaches the first marked line.  Hold that end of the elastic in place with a pin. 

Stitch a line through all the layers at the marked line including the end of the elastic where the straight pin was holding it in place.

Continue feeding the end with the safety pin through the tube (forming some ruffles) until it just passes by the other marked line (about 7 inches away from the end).

Hold the end of the elastic in place at the marked line with a straight pin, making sure that the safety pin is free and can be removed from the open end of the tube.

Carefully remove the safety pin from the open end while the straight pin is holding the elastic securely in place.

Stitch a line through all layers at the marked line where the straight pin is holding the elastic in place.

Then top stitch each end of the tube along the pressed edges, closing the tube. 

Attach a snap to hold the belt ends together.  Depending on the size of the bow I am using, I like to fold under and stitch down an angle at the end of each side to showcase the bow.  If you make a larger bow this isn’t necessary.  It should also be mentioned that you could just use the belt as is with a snap and it’d still be super cute.

If you’d like to make the bow here are some simple steps.  I didn’t get many pictures of this step, but it’s something like this.

With right sides together sew the short ends of both of the remaining tubes (remember we already sewed together the long ends in the first step).

Turn them both right side out and press with the seams in the back.  Then take the bigger bow piece and feed it through the smaller tube which will become the center of the bow.  Then hand sew the center tube to the bow cinching it toward the middle and fluffing out the ends of the bigger piece to resemble a bow.

Hand stitch the bow to the end of the belt over the snap and the belt is complete!

In these pictures, Bean is wearing a Go To Shift Dress (affiliate link) that I made in November in size 18 months.  It’s now a little top, hehe.

I love the little keyhole detail in the back.

I’ve made several versions of this belt and I love them all. 

(Sorry for some of the blurry iPhone pics to follow, hehe)

I made Bean a Maggie Mae Dress (affiliate link) in red and pink to use both for Christmas and for Valentine’s day.  We just used a green belt on Christmas and a pink belt (and jeggings since she’d grown too tall for it to be worn as a dress) on Valentine’s day. 

The green belt is slightly different – instead of a snap closure I sewed ribbons onto each end and tied it in the back.  It still has the elastic and ruffles, however.  There are so many possibilities with this type of belt!

I have recently added affiliate links for Blank Slate Patterns and Go To Patterns on my sidebar as well as in some of the links in this post, but I sewed using their patterns long before even considering it. These are just great patterns that I truly stand by and I am excited about being an affiliate.

As usual, linking up to:
I Heart Nap Time The Chicken Chick Sew Chatty Photobucket Happy Hour Projects Photobucket

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sissy MacK

    March 28, 2013 at 1:55 am

    Who would have thought about a belt for a toddler, but it works! I think you have designed the perfect accessory!

    Reply
  2. OnceUpona Sew

    March 28, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    I'm jealous your toddler will wear a belt! Great accessory.

    Reply
  3. Sparkling

    March 29, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    I think it's funny that you put so much effort into belts for bean. I can't stand to wear a belt. EVER.

    Reply
  4. Sparkling

    March 29, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    And, I suppose if you made it shorter, this is exactly how you could make cute, stretchy headbands. I dont' wear those ever, either!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Looking for something?

join us on instagram

callajaire

Proof that my children are spoiled 😆😆 This Proof that my children are spoiled 😆😆

This gorgeous Luxe Cuddle throw in Arctic Rabbit Bayou is going to my 6th grader and she may never get out of bed again. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️
#shannonfabrics #shannonfabricscuddle #luxecuddlearcticrabbit
I had fun pulling through my @shannonfabrics Cuddl I had fun pulling through my @shannonfabrics Cuddle scraps for the @postalthreads fillable egg swap again this year! 🥚🥚🐣🐣

These fun (and soft) blue sparkly eggs were sent off to my swap partner today 💕💕
(I’ll post a finished pic once I’m sure it’s been received)

#fabriceggstravaganza #PTeggswap2023
So excited to finally get my hands on this Cloud C So excited to finally get my hands on this Cloud Cuddle!  I was a huge fan of the old Spa Cuddle which was double sided and have been missing it so much!  Now that this super soft double sided cuddle is available, I can’t wait to get sewing 💕💕
(Fabric choices picked by the 6th grader 😆😆😍😍)
#shannonfabrics #shannonfabricscuddle #cloudcuddle #shannoncuddle
We had great time away this weekend, even though t We had great time away this weekend, even though there was no snow (so no snowmobiling, naturally) in the Poconos. In spite of how it looks in the pics even the tween enjoyed herself 🙄😆😆 

Thanks to @staytherex for the lovely accommodations 💕💕
When your baby isn’t feeling well and all the th When your baby isn’t feeling well and all the things get canceled, you take the time to make a new snuggly blanket in her favorite colors, just the right size for her toddler bed. 💕💕

#shannonfabrics #shannonfabricscuddle #shannonfabricsluxecuddle
Current status. So proud of you @patrickhinds_ 😘😘
Fun Valentine’s Day craft with our Moms Rekindle Fun Valentine’s Day craft with our Moms Rekindled group @redeemer.lutheran this morning 💕💕
I made some new step outs for the Larry the Lion c I made some new step outs for the Larry the Lion class I’m teaching at @sewspecialinc this week, so I thought I’d finish up this girl who was made up of my previous ones. She’s perfect for Valentines Day 💕💕

#funkyfriendsfactory #shannonfabrics #shannonfabricscuddle
Instagram post 17881763630739525 Instagram post 17881763630739525
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Affiliates:

Seven Sisters Scones


Jennuine-Design-Banner

Designs by Call Ajaire

Designs by Call Ajaire shop logo

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Project Jet Set – Sardinia With the Rimini Romper
  • Project Jet Set – Travel Pattern Capsule – Sardinia
  • Very Peri Pantone Party
  • Project Happy Holidays – the Galentine’s Shoot
  • Project Happy Holidays – a Collaboration

Subscribe to Call Ajaire via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Call Ajaire and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Designs by Call Ajaire

Designs by Call Ajaire shop logo

I've always loved making. At an early age I started cross stitching and sewing and I taught myself to knit and crochet during college. When our seven year old daughter Bean was born I was filled with all sorts of inspiration, so now I find ways to manage my crafty time and treasure those moments. Though sewing is what I'm most passionate about these days, there's something about the portability of yarn crafts and embroidery that keeps drawing me back in. Read More…

Join our newsletter!

Stay up to date with exclusive offers and coupon codes in your inbox!

Quick Links

  • About Call Ajaire
  • My Account
  • Blog
  • Contact Page

Shop

  • Designs by Call Ajaire
  • FREE PATTERNS
  • Cart
Call Ajaire

Copyright © 2023 · Call Ajaire · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme