The Scrunch Belt

First of all:

Thank you everyone.

I have to admit that when I posted those sewing tutorials yesterday, I was scared to death of the response I was going to get. I just knew that everyone was going to say "Duh! Boring! We all know this already!!", but your comments were all so encouraging! Which, by the way, is exactly what I should expect from you all by now. You must be the sweetest readers that anyone has ever had. Thank you! :o) I can't wait to start the next round of "sewing basics"!

But on to today's tutorial!

Do you ever have those moments when you close your eyes and a craft idea pops into your head?

I had one of those yesterday, and it was this little scrunch belt. Oh, how I love it!! Being a person who's only "thin section" is at my waist, it's hard to get away with those billowy tunics and oversized cardigans without something to cinch them at the waist with. So belts are my best friends! I can never have too many :o)

My favorite cardigan ever from Old Navy. Look how ridiculously short it is on me!

Sometimes I do not like being tall.

This belt was so easy to make, it will blow your mind. Really!

Start by cutting a length of elastic that fits around your waist, stretching comfortably.

Then cut a strip of fabric to cover the belt. Make it twice the width of your elastic + one inch for seam allowance. And 1.5 times the length of the elastic.

For example: 25 inches of 1" wide elastic would need a 37.5" x 3" strip of fabric.

Fold the strip over, right sides together, and pin.

Sew all the way down the edge, backstitching at the start and finish.

Stick a safety pin in on end, and scoot the pin through the strip, scrunching the fabric down as you go, to turn it right side out. Then use the same method to scoot the elastic through. (it should be a fairly tight squeeze, but still workable.)

Then cut two 16" lengths of satin ribbon, and fold over the sides on one end of each, until they are the same width as your elastic. Pin.

Sew one ribbon to each end of elastic, being sure that the underside of both ribbons are on the same side of the elastic.

Then fold under the ends of your fabric, just covering the end of the elastic, and sew them on well.

All done!

Wrap it around yourself, and tie the ribbons into a bow!

Add a flower, brooch, or rosette if you'd like!

I would die to have one of these in a 2"-3" wide elastic. Does it even come in that width? It must. They have everything these days!