so first, im making one with comics and vinyl as my outer fabric so imagine those as one…or use some awesome comics and clear vinyl to make your geeky boyfriend (okay and my geeky self) ecstatic. im also not using velcro and snaps as a closure but rather intalling gromets.

You will need to measure around your waist where you want to center of the belt to sit or right around the middle of your torso. Add 5 inches to that number and that’s about how wide you will want your fabric to be. (additionally if you want part of the straps to be made out of the fabric and not just elastic then make sure you have some extra scraps) the fabric should be about 6 inches tall.

So fabric= (your measurement plus 5”) x 6” (and the same of the lining)

and im using 1/2" seam allowance

here is the fabric folded in half with the pattern drawn out (cut our through both layers, and do not cut the fold)

to see the approx size of my pieces click on the pictures below

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cut out from both your lining and outer fabric

stitch right sides together at side front and side back seams

sew seam allowances down as you would to create boning casing (on both pieces)

you should now have something that looks like this:

now if you wish to create to partial strap instead of just elastic then follow the next few steps...if not, skip to attaching the straps (or elastic for straps)

cut out two each of the following shape in lining and fabric (sort of a rectangle with one side slanting outward to the bottom and 1/2" larger than elastic at each side on top)

now with right sides together and elastic in the middle centered, stitch around two sides and top

creating a tube with elastic stitched inside

now pull on elastic to turn tube right side out. this is your strap. (i stitched around the outside edge of the strap at this point to make the vinyl easier to work with but you dont have to. it will be sewn around later)

pin straps to outer fabric in place

if you wish to use velcro that is unseen as a closure (like i did in the black belt) attach now by sewing (all the way around) the loop side right side up to the lining 1/2" in from center side. on opposite side, pin the hook side of the velcro to lining with hooks facing away from lining (do not sew down, the edge with bee sewn into the seam and will come out of the seam attaching to the velcro on the inside of the belt)

pin lining with right sides together to outer fabric over straps

stitch around front center edge and top to secure straps...

leaving a hole open at bottom edge

clip around curved edge at top

turn right side out. turn in edges at opening and pin. stitch oround entire outer edge (including straps if not previously done)

tada! its finished! add gromets if you would like or a snap closure ribbon or whatever you want!