How to make a fabric belt

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one belt, standard size)

• Fabric (linen or cotton) — about 140 cm wide × 25 cm (piece it in two if your fabric is narrower)
• Lightweight fusible interfacing — the same
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Fabric belt” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the waist, the belt width and the tie allowance. Presets cover narrow, standard and wide.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   One rectangle. You can rule it straight onto the fabric.
2. Cut the piece
   Cut one. It is long — if your fabric is narrower, cut two and join them at the center.
3. Fuse the interfacing
   Fuse it to the wrong side. Without it the belt twists when tightened.
4. Transfer the notches
   Mark where the tie allowance begins — that is where the waist sits.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew a tube

1. Fold right sides together and sew the long edge into a tube.
2. Leave about 8 cm open near the middle for turning.
3. Pressing the allowance open first gives a straight line on the face.

4-2. Close the ends

1. Sew both ends closed. Cutting them at an angle first gives pointed tips.
2. Trim the corner allowances diagonally before turning so the points come out.

4-3. Turn and topstitch

1. Turn right side out. It is long, so a loop turner or a stick helps.
2. Press flat and close the turning gap.
3. Topstitching all round settles the shape.

✏️ Do not skip the interfacing. Fabric alone twists and rolls the moment the belt is pulled tight. A lightweight fusible over the whole length is all it takes to get a belt that stays flat.

5. Tips & variations

• Length is yours: a longer tie allowance gives more to hang at the front.
• Use the leftovers: made from a dress's remnants it becomes a matching belt.
• Width sets the look: narrow is understated, wide emphasises the waist.