Free Belt Pattern and the Sew Fab Sale!

I'm bringing "home" my tutorial for this AWESOME belt and belt buckle!  It was originally published on the Sewing Rabbit blog and since then my little guy has worn it many times!

In fact, the shirt that he's wearing in these pictures was a prototype of the Cupcake Top that is part of the Sew Fab bundle!!!  You get 20 patterns for $29.95!!!  An INCREDIBLE deal! Before I post the tutorial, here are the facts on the pattern bundle!

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase the Sew Fab Bundle through those links I earn a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting the Sew Fab Sale! We all appreciate your business! 
 

It's the Spring 2014 Sew Fab Pattern Sale!

  It's that time of year again… time for the original pattern bundle sale, The Sew Fab Pattern Sale! I'm so excited to announce this season's pattern bundle to you today. The excitement has been building over the last few weeks, and today it's finally available. Nineteen incredibly talented pattern designers, some who are very well known in their field and some who are quickly making a name for themselves, have come together to bring you a great bundle of patterns that will take you through the spring and summer. For one week only, you can have nineteen patterns (plus a fun bonus pattern), chosen specifically for this sale, for only $29.95! That's over 80% off the retail value of the bundle! Plus you can enter to win one of two amazing sewing themed giveaways!

For less than $30 you get a library of sewing resources that you can use over and over again.

 If you’ve never sewn with a PDF pattern before, let me tell you how great it is! After downloading your pattern, you will print out the pattern itself, creating pattern tiles, if you will. Simply tape the tiles together to create the full pattern! At that point you can cut out the size that you need and pin the paper pattern directly to your fabric, or you can trace the pattern size that you need onto sewing paper or tracing paper and cut it out, saving the paper pattern for later when you need to sew another size. PDF patterns are so convenient because you can print them out as many times as you need!

Now for the part you've been waiting for… the patterns!

A collection of 19 PDF Patterns from 19 well-known and up and coming designers are instantly accessible to you by PDF download upon purchase of the Sew Fab Pattern Bundle. Imagine all of the combinations that you can put together with this bundle of patterns, with many transitioning to fall and winter as well! Here are the patterns that you will receive (click on the links below the collage for more information about each pattern.):

 The Laurel Dress or Tunic by Greenstyle Creations, The Satchel Bag by Handmade Therapy, The Lexi Knit Dress and Top by MODKID, The Piko Top by EYMM, The Bowling Shirt from Scientific Seamstress (unisex), The Seraphic Pant by Figgy's (unisex), The Tulip Pinafore by Too Sweets Patterns, The Big Tote Bag by Things for Boys, The Doll and Carrier by Patchwork Posse, Poppy and Pip Penguins by Betz White, Leather Accent Foldover Pouch by LBG Studio, The Norah Dress and Tunic by Mouse House Creations, Crayon Art Folio by Gingercake, The Tennis Skort (12M-12Y) by Heidi & Finn, The Ruffled Bustle Top by Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Long Beach Board Shorts (unisex) by Terra's Treasures, The Cupcake Top (unisex) by Sewing Mama RaeAnna, The Saffron Twirl Dress from Paisley Roots Designs, The Sweet Tea Shorties by Molly Blossom Designs.

 New this year is the Sew Fab Pattern Tour! Some of our favorite sewing bloggers will be sharing their versions of the Sew Fab patterns on their blogs this week, so be sure to check in with them throughout the week of the sale to see how versatile these patterns are! Here are the stops on the pattern tour…
 
This Sew Fab Pattern Bundle is only available for one week and will never be available again! You can purchase the bundle from May 5th at 8 a.m. EST through May 13th at 11:59 p.m. EST and there will be no late sales offered. Due to the nature of the sale there are no refunds. The pattern bundle expires six months from the end of the sale, so please download and save your patterns upon receiving them.

You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to purchase a ready made collection of 20 PDF sewing patterns from 19 of the best designers out there!

 

And now for the always exciting Sew Fab Giveaway!

This spring there are two prize packages up for grabs, and both will inspire you in your sewing! I’m so excited about these giveaways! Can’t buy the pattern bundle? It’s okay… purchase is not required to enter. There are lots of chances to win and each entry applies to both of the giveaway packages. Just use the Rafflecopter widget below the prize descriptions to enter as many times as you want, no purchase necessary.

Prize Package #1 includes...

The Lane Raglan Pattern from Hey June, an organic fat quarter bundle of the yet unreleased Everyday Party Collection by Emily Isabella, from Fabricworm, The Washi Dress Pattern from Made by Rae, a $50 gift certificate to The Delhi Store, a free class from Craftsy.com, a fun gift package from Sew You Studio, a custom made Geranium Dress from Nest Creations, a Sew Happy print from Pen+Paint, and a $15 gift certificate to GYCT Designs!

Prize package #2 includes...

The #ISEW necklace from Hello Cheeseburger, created especially for the Sew Fab giveaway, a collection of vintage buttons and 20% off your purchase at Anna Mia Clothing, the Playdate Bag pattern from Fishsticks Designs, The Kensington Dress and Tee Pattern from Hey June Handmade, a $30 gift certificate to Casa Crafty, a $40 gift certificate to Girl Charlee, 3 yards of laminate fabric from Anne Kelle, The Essential Sewing Reference Tool by Carla Crim, a "Happiness is Handmade" print from Pen+Paint! a Rafflecopter giveaway Sign up for the Sew Fab Newsletter to get the latest Sew Fab News!  Winners will be announced in the newsletter as well as upcoming sales and other news pertaining to the Sew Fab Sale and the world of PDF patterns.

The Sew Fab Spring Pattern Sale!

Sew much inspiration, right at your fingertips...

only $29.95!

Get your bundle now!

 **For answers concerning sale terms and customer service questions, please see the FAQ page.



Phew!!!  Ok - now on to the tutorial!  Seriously though, I would SOOOOO LOOOOVE it if you purchased the bundle through my links!  As it is stated at the top, a small percentage of the sale is paid back to me if you purchase through my link.  Every little bit helps as I try to grow my sewing business! (I will edit this post and remove the sale information after May 13)

Velcro Belt and Interchangeable Belt Buckle DIY

I’ve been meaning to make a velcro belt for my son for quite a while now!  My kids are long and skinny so when I am not sewing their pants, I usually have to make sure they have a belt or adjustable waists on store bought pants!
This fun craft tutorial will teach you how to make your own velcro belt for easy on/off and there’s an added fun tutorial at the bottom for interchangeable felt belt buckles!

Belt Tutorial

Materials needed:

• Medium-heavy weight woven material.  (Suggested fabrics: denim, duck cloth, twill.)
• Various colors of thread
• Velcro

Let’s get started!
Step 1.
Cut two strips of fabric using the measurement guide below.

• Size 2/3 – 29″x1.5″
• Size 4/5 – 31″x1.5″
• Size 6/7 – 34″x1.5″

Press each long end 1/4″ toward the wrong side.

Step 2.
Lay one strip on top of the other wrong sides facing and pin in place.  If you are using a light weight woven fabric you could probably create a “tube” and sew right sides together and turn out.  Turning a long tube from heavier fabric would be a difficult task.  Stitch in place along the top and bottom of the strips.

Step 3. (optional)
Use several colors of thread to create a fun texture on your belt!  I mixed and matched with the top thread and the bobbin thread to make the belt really colorful!  You could also experiment with different types of stitches; zigzag, straight, decorative, etc.


Step 4:
Fold one raw edge over and stitch in place.

Step 5:
Cut 2 pieces of velcro and place on your belt as pictured.  The soft side will go over the short raw edge.  The bumpy piece will go 1.5″ to the left.  This will allow the belt to fasten around the side belt loop.

Step 6.
Cut a strip of soft velcro about 3 inches long and pin in place about 1-2″ to the left of the small bumpy velcro piece.  Sew in place.

Step 7.
Turn the other raw edge over and stitch in place.  Cut a small bumpy piece of velcro and stitch in place over the raw edge.

You’re finished!

The small loop fastens to the side belt loop and then you will overlap the belt and fasten in place along the strip of velcro.
This makes it so easy for children to undo by themselves!
Now, for the fun interchangeable belt buckle!

Materials needed:

• Colored craft felt (heat safe for ironing)
• Heat transfer vinyl scraps (I bought mine from a Pick Your Plum deal but you can find it at your local craft store or online)
• Printable template (download here)
• Velcro

I hope you have fun with this tutorial!  I’m planning on making a girly version for my daughter with some sequin material!  And I’m thinking a Minnie Mouse belt buckle will make her day!

(A few more pictures of my cute little buddy boy!  The t-shirt is handmade by mama!  The knit stripe was on clearance at $2.50 a yard! Yay!  Pattern is the Cupcake Top without a pocket – which you can find in my shop!)