Creating A Wedding Belt Sash: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding belt sash is a great way to add a unique, handcrafted element to your bridal attire. It can be made with a variety of materials such as satin, silk, or tulle fabric, and embellished with rhinestones, beads, pearls, or flowers. The process involves measuring, cutting, and gluing or sewing the materials together, and can be done within a few days. With some creativity and patience, you can create a beautiful faux couture bridal sash at a fraction of the cost of store-bought ones.

Choosing the right fabric and length

The length and fabric of your wedding belt sash will depend on the type of sash you want to make. The first type of sash is worn around the waist with dresses, and the other is worn across the body from one shoulder to the other hip. This tutorial is for the first type.

Any neatly finished fabric piece that is about 2 meters and above in length can be used as a sash around your waist. The length of a sash can range from 80 inches to 160 inches, and the width can be anywhere from 1.5 to 3 inches. Wider sashes are sometimes preferred, depending on personal preferences and body shape.

Satin ribbon in a complementary colour to the gown is commonly used for sashes. However, you may prefer fabric, as satin ribbon, unless it is of top quality, can pucker and look bad soon. A sash can be made more substantial by using satin or silk fabric. Silk Charmuese, Duchess Satin, and Tulle are all preferred fabrics for making bridal sashes. It is important to ensure that the fabric you choose has a good drape.

When choosing the length of your sash, consider the style you want to create. A fitted sash will require a different length than a bow-tying sash. For a fitted sash, measure around your waist and add 1.5 inches to this measurement to get the length of the fabric you should cut. The width of the fabric should be 6.5 inches for a 3-inch wide sash, or 3.5 inches for a 1.5-inch sash.

If you prefer a bow-tying sash, you will need about 2.25 meters of fabric for a decent bow and tails. More length will give you longer tails after the bow is tied. You can also add tails to a fitted sash by cutting a longer piece of fabric.

Keep in mind that the length and width of the sash can be adjusted to your personal preferences and body type. You may want to make a longer sash with more fabric for a dramatic bow or a shorter sash for a more subtle look.

Now that you have chosen the right fabric and length for your wedding belt sash, you can move on to the next steps of creating your own beautiful and unique sash for your special day!

Using glue or hand-sewing

If you're making a wedding belt sash, you can use glue or hand-sewing to join the ends of the fabric together. Here are the steps you can follow for each method:

Using Glue:

• Assess the damage and prepare for repair: Before starting, inspect the belt to understand the extent of the damage. Look for cracks, tears, or splits, and determine if the damage is localized or affects a large portion of the belt.
• Gather materials: You'll need a high-quality belt adhesive, a clamp or heavy object for applying pressure, and a sharp knife or scissors for trimming.
• Select the right adhesive: Choose a glue designed for leather, which will provide flexibility and a strong bond. Ensure it is compatible with your belt's material.
• Apply the glue: Spread a thin, even layer of adhesive on both surfaces to be joined, being careful not to overapply.
• Clamp and bond the belt: Carefully align the belt ends and use clamps or a heavy object to apply consistent pressure along the bond line.
• Allow curing time: Refer to the product guidelines to know how long to let the adhesive set. Maintain pressure during this period.
• Trim excess adhesive: After the glue is fully cured, gently trim away any excess with a knife or scissors, being careful not to damage the belt's surface.
• Condition the leather: Apply a leather conditioner to blend the repair area with the rest of the belt and restore suppleness.

Hand-Sewing:

• Cut the fabric: Cut a piece of fabric that is about 2 meters long and 6.5" wide for a 3-inch wide sash. If you prefer a narrower sash, adjust the width accordingly.
• Fold and stitch: Keep the fabric piece folded in half, with the right sides facing each other. Stitch the long edges together, creating a tube.
• Turn the tube inside out: Use one of the short edges to turn the tube inside out.
• Finish the ends: Use bias binding strips of fabric to finish the ends of the sash neatly.
• Attach fasteners: You can use hooks and eyes, or other fasteners like velcro, snaps, or buttons for the sash opening. Attach them to the ends of the sash.
• Embellish the sash: You can add rhinestones, sequins, beads, or fabric flowers to decorate your sash.

Adding crystals, rhinestones, and pearls

Choosing the Materials:

• Decide on the type of crystals, rhinestones, and pearls you want to use. You can choose from a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes to match your wedding dress.
• Purchase high-quality materials that will last and ensure your gems stay put. You can find these materials at craft stores or online.

Designing the Layout:

• Measure your waist to determine the length of the ribbon and the area you want to cover with rhinestones/crystals/pearls. This will help you plan the placement of your gems.
• Choose at least five different styles, textures, and sizes of beads to create an interesting and varied design.
• Before you start gluing, lay out all your beads and decide on an overall design. You can create a pattern or go for a more random arrangement.

Attaching the Gems:

• Use a strong adhesive like E6000 glue to attach the gems to the ribbon. This glue takes up to 24 hours to dry, so plan ahead.
• Work in small sections, about 2-3 inches at a time, to ensure precise placement and even glue distribution.
• Place your beads on a small piece of felt to prevent them from rolling around.
• Work on a flat surface covered with waxed paper to protect it from glue stains.
• For larger beads, add glue to the bead itself and then to the ribbon. For smaller gems, spread the glue on the ribbon and place the beads on top, pressing them firmly.
• If using beads with holes, use a toothpick to turn them and hide the holes.
• Allow each section to dry for a few hours before moving on to a new area. This helps prevent accidental smudging and speeds up drying time.
• Once you've finished gluing, check that all the gems are securely attached by bending and touching each bead. If any pop off, simply re-glue them.

Alternative Method: Hand Sewing

If you prefer not to use glue, you can hand-sew each bead to your sash. This method takes more time and precision but can be just as effective in attaching the gems securely.

Remember to take your time and be patient during the process. With the right materials, a creative design, and careful execution, you'll have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind wedding belt sash!

Attaching the sash to the dress

Measure your waist:

Before you begin, it is important to measure your waist accurately. This will ensure that your sash fits comfortably and securely. Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the circumference of your waist, just above your navel.

Cut the ribbon to size:

Using the measurement from Step 1, cut your chosen ribbon to the desired length. It is recommended to add a few extra inches to the length to account for any adjustments or overlaps when tying the sash.

Create a secure closure:

You can choose from a variety of closure options to ensure your sash stays in place. These include hook-and-eye closures, snaps, buttons, or velcro. For a more elegant and discreet finish, consider using hooks and eyes. Attach them to the ends of your ribbon, positioning them so that they will not be visible when the sash is tied.

Test the fit:

Before permanently attaching the closure, test the fit of your sash by wrapping it around your waist. Ensure that it sits comfortably and securely, adjusting the closure as needed. Mark the desired length, taking into account any fabric that may be needed for the closure.

Finish the edges:

To prevent fraying and create a neat appearance, finish the cut edges of the ribbon. You can do this by folding and stitching the raw edges or using a product like fray stop glue. This will give your sash a polished and well-crafted look.

Attach the closure:

Once you are happy with the fit and the edges are finished, attach the chosen closure to the ends of the ribbon. If using hooks and eyes, hand sew them in place, following the previous markings. Ensure that the hooks and eyes align and can close securely.

Embellish the sash (optional):

If you want to add a touch of sparkle or elegance to your sash, consider embellishing it with rhinestones, beads, pearls, or other decorative elements. You can glue or sew these embellishments along the length of the sash, focusing on the centre front section that will be visible when tied.

Final adjustments:

Try on your sash with your wedding dress to ensure it sits comfortably and securely. Make any necessary adjustments to the closure or fit. If needed, you can also add a small piece of non-slip material to the inner side of the sash to help it stay in place.

Your wedding belt sash is now complete and ready to be worn on your special day! This handmade accessory will add a unique and personal touch to your wedding ensemble.

Embellishing the sash

Rhinestones, Crystals, and Pearls

Add some sparkle to your sash by gluing or sewing on rhinestones, crystals, and pearls. You can create intricate patterns with these materials or simply scatter them across the sash for a more subtle effect. If you're gluing, be sure to use strong glue like E600, and lay your sash on wax paper to prevent it from sticking to your work surface. Sewing the embellishments on is an option if you're not a fan of glue.

Fabric Flowers

Fabric flowers are a beautiful and delicate addition to your sash. Cut circles of satin fabric, singe the edges with a candle or lighter for a textured look, and stack them on top of each other. Add small beads in the center, and stitch the flowers onto your sash. You can also make these flowers with chiffon or tulle fabric.

Bows

A large bow can be a stunning focal point for your sash. You can add a stitched bow to the back of a fitted sash or attach it to the front of a ribbon sash. Play around with different fabrics and colors to find the perfect match for your wedding gown.

Lace

Lace adds a romantic and elegant touch to your sash. Cut lace to the length of half your waist measurement, and stitch it onto the edges of your ribbon or fabric sash. This creates a delicate trim that will elevate the overall look.

Bead Edging

Bead edging can add a subtle shine to your sash. Measure half of your waist circumference and mark this on the center of your sash. Start adding the bead edging to the top or bottom edge, or both, ensuring you don't go beyond the waist measurement.

With these ideas, you can mix and match different embellishments to create a unique and personalized wedding belt sash.

Frequently asked questions