How to Sew Belt Loops - Easily & Quickly

Learn how to sew belt loops! Belt loops are an essential part of any article of clothing needing a belt. Decorative or functional, a belt will not stay on the band or waistline without some loops to hold it in place. A simple coat may only need loops at the side as the belt is tied at the front. In contrast, a pair of long pants or denim jeans need loops at the side, back, and in the front. 

How to Sew Belt Loops

Step by step guide to making your own belt loops:

Step 1 - Cutting

• Length - Measure the finished length you require for the belt loops and add 1 inch (2.5cm) each loop for folding. Them multiply that by the number of loops you require.
  • FORMULA >> (finished length +1) x number of loops
• Width - The width of this strip will depend on the desired width of each loop. A medium weight fabric will use four times the width of the finished loop.
  • FORMULA >> (finished width) x 4

Using your pre-determined measurements, cut a rectangle of fabric to make one long strip that will be cut into equal loops when completed. 

EXAMPLE - To make 4 belt loops with a finished size of ¼ inch wide by 2 inches long, cut a rectangle of fabric that is 2 inches by 12 inches

Step 2 - Fold Lengthwise

Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press.

Step 3 - Press to Center

Open up the fabric and press the raw edges towards the middle crease.

Step 4 - Fold in Half

Fold in half again lengthwise and press.

Step 5 - Stitching

Stitch down each side of the strip to secure the loops. Use a small stitch length.

Step 6 - Cut Up

Measure and cut the long loop into the number of smaller loops you required. For our example, you will cut every 3 inches.

Step 7 - Fold

Fold the ends over by ½ inch (12mm)

Step 8 - Stitch

Pin your belt loops on your garment and stitch across the top and bottom securely. For fine or medium-weight fabrics, use a straight stitch. For heavy fabrics like denim, use a narrow zig-zag stitch for extra strength.

How to Sew Belt Loops - Different Types

In the above instructions, you have made a simple straightforward belt loop out of medium-weight fabric. Here are some tips and ideas on how to make belt loops out of different weighted fabrics or different materials. 

Belt Loops for Thick Fabrics

Thicker fabrics like denim will not fold up multiple times. 

1. Adjust the width of the fabric rectangle to only fold once to the middle of each side, do not fold twice. This means the cutting width will just be double the finished width.  
2. Serge or zigzag the raw edges. 
3. Cut some double sided fusible tape the width of the finished loop width. Place the fusible tape firmly down the middle of the loop strip. 
4. Fold the edges to the middle and press to fuse the loop together. 
5. Stitch on either side and there is your loop of thicker fabric. The neatened edges will be in the middle of the loop and not visible from the outside.

Thread Belt Loops with Zig-Zag

It is possible to make thread belt loops either by hand or with your machine using a zig-zag stitch over the threads. Here is how you make quick and easy thread belt loops.

1. Choose a neutral or matching thread colour. Wrap the thread around a book four times.
2. Take the threads off the book and straighten them out making eight threads altogether.  
3. Tie the loose thread ends together in a knot.
4. Set your machine on a zigzag stitch. A number 4 is a good medium width. 
5. Put the threads under the presser foot and hold the loops at the front and the back.
6. Zig zag over the threads and hold them taught. 
7. Pull through slowly from the back as you zig zag over the threads.
8. Use a large eye needle to thread the loop you have made into the waistband.
9. Stitch over the threads to secure them into the waist seam. If you attach the loop as you are putting the garment together then you can successfully add the loop into the seam.

Other Styles of Belt Loop

• CROCHET - A crochet chain stitch serves as an easy option for a belt loop. The thread chosen should either be a crochet cotton or a number of cotton threads used together.
• SCRAPS - Pieces of leather, lace, wool or yarn threads make interesting belt loops.

How to Sew Belt Loops - In Conclusion

Belt loops are a vital part of clothing where wearing a belt is part of the style.  When the belt is a feature of the garment, learning how to sew belt loops will give you the finishing touch you need.