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!

Comments

  1. this is so adorable. I would love a wide one too! Im going to go to the fabric store today to see if they have any. this is exactly what I have been looking for! Thanks so much!

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  2. I love this belt and put it on my to-do list as a present to myself for when I meet one of my New Years Resolution Goals. You are simply amazing and I'm so happy I found your blog! :)

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  3. I absolutely LOVE it! I hope I can find some free time soon so I can try it out.

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  4. This is so cute and looks too good to be that easy! I need several for me and my daughter. Love your blog; so glad I stumbled across it a week ago. Thank you for sharing!

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  5. I love your style! The things you make and wear are totally the things I envy in store windows. Right now I'm the mommy with unbrushed hair and spitup on her shirt, but I'd love to make and wear the things in your tutorials, someday!

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  6. Fab as every, really love it!! Great idea.
    Thanks for the tutorial.
    P.S. it looks great on you, as does everything (even big billowy cardigans I am sure!)

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  7. Super cute. Going to go to the store today and pick up some supplies. Shh... Don't tell my DH ;)

    They do have wider elastic, butit's hard to find. I've seen it on-line and only once at JoAnn's.

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  8. Very cute! It reminds me of one of my favorite belts as a girl. BTW, JoAnn's sells 2" and 3" elastic, but I think it is heavy duty elastic. Regardless, when covered, you can't tell.

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  9. I've purchased 3" elastics at Hancock's Fabrics. They are "on the roll" and you have to get your length cut.

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  10. That is the cutest belt!!! It's on my sewing "to do" list now! Love your outfit in the photos by the way!

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  11. This is so pretty! And I love the sewing basics- I have my moms machine, but no one ever taught me how to use it.

    And I know exactly what you mean. I have an hourglass figure, and if I wear todays loose clothes, I look like a big lump. This belt would definitely help.

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  12. Love it! Have to make one for myself. You are so creative!

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  13. http://store.quilting-warehouse.com/102969.html
    It's a lot of it, but there are so many fun things to do with 3" elastic.

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  14. I just started following your blog b/c i saw so many cute ideas. And this one is sooo cute too!

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  15. DISNEY I LOVE IT!! I think I am going to try and give this one a go. I have another idea for you on how to wear it. What about tying it at the back, and then in the front attaching the flower or big brooch? I always love a little cute detail on the back of my clothes! thanks for sharing and as always KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK!

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  16. How stink'n cute! I want one! I'm gonna make one. :D

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  17. Can I come live in your closet for one day? Just one...

    It is gorgeous! So Jackie O! :)

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  18. So Pretty Disney!!! First I am SO inspired by your neutral palette, and such a Adorable and Quick Idea and easy Tutorial! I think I will make myself a wide one also!!!

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  19. Well, I do wish one day - some day - I'll too close my eyes and come up with such a pretty craft idea!!! Thank you again, again and again for sharing all this!!!

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  20. God obviously gave you the gift of crafting and inspiring others. This is GORGEOUS!!! I seriously cannot wait to make one!!

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  21. I want that belt...

    I also want your waistline!

    If only you could do a tutorial on how to get my waistline to look like that:)

    Thanks for the instructions, looks like a project I can tackle.

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  22. What a beautiful and romantic belt! Everything you make drips with femininity. Thanks for the great tutorials!

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  23. how tall are you? I'm 5'9'' and pants shopping is a nightmare!

    Love your blog by the way! We have a lot in common it seems, I also have an asian hubby, a toddler girl and a love of ruffles! I wish I had a sewing machine so I could try more of your projects.

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  24. This is too cute! I wish I could pull off something like this, but yea... after 2 kids, it might be awhile! However, this would be so awesome for my girls!! I just recently started following your blog, I fell in love with all the girliness of it! Thanks for all the awesome ideas! :)

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  25. I love it! I can't wait to try it this weekend!

    Thank you for all of your postings - every day I look forward to reading your blog on my lunch-break. :)

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  26. That is gorgeous!!! I love how the satin adds such a beautiful touch to the ruffles, it's visually striking :) :)

    I'm 5' 9 1/2" and I much prefer to wear skirts...it's easier....although the Gap has tall length in jeans now :) :)

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  27. My friend has that same sweater and it gave me the inspiration to make my own because I couldn't find it anywhere--so I bought a $1 thrift store sweater and I'm going to attempt making it myself!!!

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  28. That is so beautiful! I love your "big girl" projects (since I only have a son... that probably doesn't want to wear ruffles) Thanks for sharing!

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  29. I LOVE this! Can't wait to copy your idea and add some fun fabrics and colors to some for my li'l girls!
    I am so happy that we get to benefit from your inspirations!

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  30. Such a lovely idea. Thank you

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  31. My little girl has just fallen in love with belts- but she only has one (which naturally doesn't match with most of her stuff). I'm totally going to spend the weekend belt making! Thank you for another awesome tute! Btw, I have yet to see a "boring" idea come from your blog (are you even capable of anything less than fabulous?)

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  32. ...also, couldn't you sew a few rows of elastic together to make the width you are after (if you can't find it, that is)?

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  33. What a great idea! This will go onto my to-make-list.
    And, yes, you can get wide elastic at stores. I know they have it at Joann's for sure.

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  34. I hear you on the tall thing! That belt is great though and with the color will look good with just about anything!

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  35. Thank you this is so cute; I am going to try this one, as soon as I get some elastic!

    Thanks so much!

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  36. This is fabulous! Too bad my skinny part isn't my waist... maybe a garter belt is in order? LOL!

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  37. first of all your tips on the last post were so helpful I am a beginner with sewing at best (actually that might be offensive to say around people that actually sew trust me I am that bad.) And i love the belt idea and tutorial. I have the same prob with jackets and shirts I'm long in the torso so everything is always short on me.

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  38. That is very cute!! Love it! Would be perfect for some of my Sisters-in-Law!

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  39. Wow I love this belt! great idea! I am going to make Hayden one too! She loves belts! Thank you!

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  40. Disney, I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this post. I had this exact (almost) idea last week! The only thing I was going to do different is put metal belt rings on the end but I love the ribbon too!
    Wow! I must be more creative then I thought if I'm thinking on the same lines as you...I'm proud of myself. ha-ha

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  41. Adorable! You are so tiny, you wear it with style.

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  42. LOVE THIS! Linked today @ Ready, Set, Craft!

    xo
    Joanne
    http://www.readysetcraft.blogspot.com

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  43. Your blog is on my favorites list and I check up on it everyday.I sew pretty well but its always inspiring to see how you transform so many things. I have not copied any of your tutorials but they have inspired me to be more creative and less scared of trying new things.Hope you carry on with all this wonderful stuff.

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  44. Love this!! I'm a huge fan of the cinched waist too. Being tall is awesome!!

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  45. Hi Disney - I have no idea how I found you, just linking thru blogs blogrolls and your scrunch belt came up on my screen. I fell in love. What a great idea. It looks wonderful and I love the way you layered your tops with it. Dressing mannequins is my day job, I think I am going to make one of these to use.

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  46. This is so cute! What a creative idea! I'd love to share a link to this tutorial on sewwhattoday.blogspot.com on February 8!

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  47. Adorable as always. I lost my waist a while ago, I just can't seem to find it any more! This would make a sweet hairband too, ya think?

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  48. GAH, this is so so cute! Perfect for my mixed media class since we're getting started on sewing machines! :) Ah, I can't get over how adorable it is! Thank you for the tutorial!

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  49. That is too cute! I am not a huge fan of belts, but I could definitely work with that style. Thanks!! :)

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  50. This belt is FABULOUS!!!

    I blogged your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-romantic-scrunch-belt/2010/02/06/

    --Anne

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  51. Oh this is SO cute! thanks for sharing!

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  52. Just found your blog - had to comment. Love all of your tutorials, you're so creative! Can't wait to see what you come up with next :)

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  53. Gorgeous. Normally I have an hourglass shape, but I wonder if I could pull it off being seven months pregnant, haha.

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  54. I made one with a bracelet to match! I made them for a friend for her birthday, but I'm seriously considering keeping them...

    Here's the link to my blog entry about it!

    http://imakestuff4fun.blogspot.com/2010/02/channeling-disney.html

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  55. Just wanted to say that the Joanne Fabrics in my area has 3 inch elastic you can buy by the yard:)

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  56. Couldn't help adding this lovely belt and your cardigan makeover to our "link luv roundup" today! Great job! Come by for a peek http://bit.ly/d9rBZB
    We also have "featured on luvinthemommyhood" buttons now. If you are interested in sporting one, send an email my way.

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  57. This is pretty cute. I'm thinking it would be a great accessory for my tiny little girl. I might figure how to add a snap to make it easy for her.

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  58. That is sew cute! I have the opposite problem as you - my middle is my biggest part and it's impossible to find long enough belts that are still fashionable. Excellent idea!

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  59. This is so pretty! And I love the flower with it!

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  60. This is beautiful! Initially when I saw the picture I actually thought it was a headband but its even cuter as a belt! Thanks so much!

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  61. this is adorable!!! love it. will have to see what scraps I have to make it and will link to you when I do.

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  62. Super cute! I made a skirt and had some fabric left over so I made a matching belt! Thanks for the inspiration! ALSO, I used 1.5 inch wide elastic and it turned out super cute. I'll have to link the picture to you.

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  63. Thank you for sharing this idea. I had tried to made 2 pieces.

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  64. Thank you so much! I have been trying to make my own wedding garter, but couldn't figure out how to get the clean line scrunchie look. This is perfect!

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  65. Love this so much. Found you through your idea on someones pin board and now will be following your blog. Love this idea you created and appreciate you sharing your ideas with us.
    Gretchen

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  66. How absolutely lovely! And you look so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this project. I must make one for myself and one for my daughter. I know she will love it too.

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  67. PS: I am 6'1" and my daughter 6'2"--and we love being tall! The cardigan looks adorable on you, silly girl!!!!

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