Theresa, author of blog Orange Juice Etc. created a fun and simple to follow DIY tutorial to create a leather belt with a cute bow.
- Gather your materials:
- leather fabric in the color of your choice
- contrasting fabric for the bow
- matching thread
- scissors
- Find an existing belt that fits well to use for baseline measurements, and remember, you’ll need to add at least 4-5 inches of extra fabric to create the bow shape.
- Cut your leather fabric in the same size as your existing belt – with 4-5 inches of extra material at the end for the bow.
- Cut out the contrasting fabric (make it approximately 26 inches long) and wide enough so it can be folded over and sewn.
- Fold over the contrasting fabric and sew a seam down the long side and 1 of the ends.
- Turn the contrasting material right-side out.
- Pin the contrasting fabric and leather together and sew together closely for a secure stitch.
- Tie your bow!
The finished product is completely adorable! Add to a simple dress to elevate practically any look. Get creative! Use contrasting colors for your leather fabric to create a bold vibe. We have plenty of veggie leather fabrics to choose from.
Written by Jade Nicolette
Matching Products:
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I like the tip about adding 4-5 extra inches for the bow, that’s the kind of detail tutorials often skip and it makes a big difference in how the belt actually ties.
Adding this kind of tie belt to a simple dress really does elevate an outfit, especially when the bow becomes the focal point as described.
It’s nice that this project uses veggie leather, since it gives the same look without traditional leather and still seems easy to sew for a DIY piece.
Folding and sewing the contrasting fabric before attaching it to the leather seems like a smart way to keep the bow looking clean and structured.
I appreciate how the tutorial emphasizes using contrasting colors for a bolder look, because a monochrome version might not show off the bow detail as much.
The contrast fabric being around 26 inches is helpful, but I’m curious if that length changes depending on waist size or if it stays fairly universal.
Using an existing belt as a baseline measurement is such a practical shortcut, especially for beginners who might otherwise guess and end up with something too short.
The step about turning the contrasting fabric right-side out always feels tricky for me, but it’s worth it for that polished finish on the bow.