How to construct and sew a belt loop

How to construct and sew a belt loop made of suiting or dress-weight fabrics? Follow the most straightforward tutorials by Vikisews.

Method no. 1

1. Cut a strip of fabric that is 3.5 cm (1 3/8") wide and as long as the width of the waistband + 1.5 cm (5/8") seam allowance on each side × number of belt loops.
2. Finish one long edge on the overlocker.
3. Fold the long edges toward the wrong side and press in place. Ensure the overlocked edge is placed on top of the raw one.
4. Topstitch at 1–2 mm from the fold along both long edges.
5. Cut the strip into belt loops of the same length.

How to attach the belt loop?

1. Place the belt loop right sides together with the garment, below the waistband. Use a triple seam to machine-stitch at 0.5 cm (just under 1/4").

2. Fold the belt loop upward. Tuck its free edge under, place it to the top edge of the waistband, and then machine-stitch. 

Method no. 2

1. Use the same technique to cut a strip of fabric. This time, it should be 3 cm (1 1/8") wide. 
2. Finish both long edges on the overlocker.
3. Fold the long edges to the wrong side, toward the center of the piece. Place a strip of fusible web tape and then press to fuse.
4. Topstitch along both long edges and then cut the belt loop pieces.

How to attach the belt loop?

1. Place the belt loop right sides together with the top edge of the garment. Attach the waistband to the garment.

2. Secure the belt loop with a triple seam. To do so, machine-stitch at 0.5 cm (just under 1/4") from the waistband seam.
3. Use the same technique, as described in method no. 1, to attach the top edge of the belt loop.

How to construct a belt loop made of heavyweight fabric

1. Use the same technique to cut two strips of fabric: one from the main fabric and another one from the lining fabric. The strips should be 3 cm (1 1/8") wide.
2. Place the strips right sides together and machine-stitch along two edges, using a 1 cm (3/8") seam allowance.
3. Trim the seam allowances down to 0.5 cm (just under 1.4").

4. Turn the piece right side out and press. Cut the strip into belt loops of the same length.
5. Follow the bottom placement marking on the garment to pin the belt loop to the garment. Machine-stitch, using a triple seam.

6. Fold the belt loop upward. Tuck its free edge under and pin it to the garment. 
7. Working on the underside of the belt loop, machine-stitch, following de foldline. Trim the extra seam allowance.

Find more useful tutorials here in the Vikisews Blog:

How to sew darts on delicate, sheer, and semi-sheer fabrics

How to sew a drawstring casing

Wrong side finishing