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

Creating a wedding gown belt is a simple way to add a personalised touch to your wedding dress. Wedding dress belts are typically made with ribbon as the main material, making them easy to add to any style of dress. The first step is to decide on the type of fabric and colour that will complement your gown. Satin, silk, tulle, rose gold, ivory and white are all popular choices. The next step is to decide on any embellishments you may want to add, such as rhinestones, crystals, pearls, or lace. You can purchase these materials and embellishments from craft stores or online. Once you have your materials, you can follow online tutorials to make your own belt, or you can glue or stitch a pre-made crystal applique to a ribbon.

Choosing a ribbon

When choosing a ribbon for your wedding gown belt, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the width of the ribbon. If you plan to add heavy crystals or appliques, opt for a sturdy satin ribbon that is at least 1.5 inches wide. On the other hand, if you prefer a more lightweight or simple design, a sheer ribbon would be a better choice.

Next, consider the colour of the ribbon. You'll want to choose a colour that coordinates or complements your gown. For example, you could opt for a classic white or ivory ribbon, or add a pop of colour with something like a sage green or dusty blue ribbon. You could even match the ribbon to your wedding theme or choose a colour that complements the season of your wedding.

The texture of the ribbon is another important factor. A smooth satin ribbon will give your belt a sleek and elegant look, while a velvet ribbon will add a touch of luxury and opulence. You could also choose a ribbon with a floral or metallic design to add some extra sparkle and texture to your belt.

Lastly, don't forget to consider the length of the ribbon. Most wedding dress belts are made in a one-size-fits-all style that ties around the waist, so choose a ribbon that is long enough to comfortably wrap around your waist with enough room to tie a bow or knot.

With these considerations in mind, you'll be well on your way to choosing the perfect ribbon for your wedding gown belt!

Adding lace

Choosing the Right Lace

Select a lace that complements your wedding gown. Consider the colour, pattern, and width of the lace. You can opt for a lace ribbon or purchase lace fabric and cut it into your desired width. If you want to add other embellishments like rhinestones or pearls, choose a lace with a simple pattern that won't overpower the other decorations.

Preparing the Lace

Cut the lace to the desired length, keeping in mind that you will need enough to wrap around your waist with some overlap for fastening. If you're using lace fabric, fold it in half lengthwise with the right sides facing each other, and stitch along the long edges, creating a tube. Then, turn the tube inside out through one of the short edges.

Attaching the Lace to the Belt

Position the lace under the edges of your ribbon or fabric sash, and carefully stitch it in place. Do this for both edges of the sash. Make sure that the lace lies flat and is securely attached. You can use a simple straight stitch or a more decorative stitch, such as a zig-zag pattern, to attach the lace.

Embellishing the Lace (Optional)

If you want to add extra sparkle or detail to your lace, you can attach rhinestones, crystals, pearls, or beads. Sew these embellishments directly onto the lace, focusing on the centre front area of the belt. You can also layer different types of lace or add fabric flowers for a more dimensional look.

Finishing Touches

Check that all your stitching is secure and that any loose threads are trimmed. Try on your belt with your wedding gown to ensure it sits comfortably at your waist and complements the style of your dress. If needed, adjust the placement of the lace or add additional embellishments to create a cohesive look.

Using appliques

Appliques are a great way to add dimension, texture, and shine to your wedding gown belt. You can try a simple floral applique or add some beaded options. Appliques can even be layered for a more unique design.

Step 1: Choose your appliques

Decide on the type of appliques you want to use. You can choose from a variety of options such as floral, beaded, rhinestone, or pearl appliques. Consider the colour, size, and shape of the appliques, and whether you want to layer them.

Step 2: Gather your materials

In addition to the appliques, you will need a sturdy ribbon, preferably satin, that is at least 1.5 inches wide. You can also use lace ribbon or full lace fabric if you want to incorporate it into your design. Other materials you may need include a needle and thread, scissors, and any additional embellishments like crystals or rhinestones.

Step 3: Design your belt

Before you start attaching the appliques, lay out your design. Decide where you want to place the appliques on the ribbon and how many you want to use. If you are using multiple appliques, play around with different arrangements until you find a composition that you like.

Step 4: Attach the appliques

Once you are happy with your design, it is time to attach the appliques. You can sew them onto the ribbon, or you can use fabric glue if you prefer. If you are using multiple appliques, work on one applique at a time to ensure a secure attachment.

Step 5: Add additional embellishments

After attaching the appliques, you can further embellish your belt by adding crystals, rhinestones, pearls, or other decorative elements. Sew or glue these embellishments onto your belt, filling any gaps left by the appliques and adding extra sparkle or texture.

Step 6: Try on your belt

Finally, try on your belt with your wedding gown to ensure a comfortable fit. Adjust the ribbon length as needed, and make any necessary adjustments to the placement of the appliques or embellishments.

Your wedding gown belt is now ready to be worn on your special day!

Incorporating vintage trims and buttons

Vintage trims and buttons are a great way to make your bridal belt unique and sustainable. You can find these at most fabric stores or online. Etsy, for example, has a wide variety of vintage trims and buttons to choose from.

When selecting your trim, consider the width of your belt. If you're going for a more lightweight or simple design, a sheer ribbon would work well. For heavier crystals or appliques, choose a sturdy satin ribbon that is at least 1.5" wide.

Lace is also a popular choice for bridal belts and can be purchased as a full fabric or trim. If you want to add dimension or texture to your belt, consider using lace fabric and incorporating it into an applique.

To attach your vintage trim to the ribbon or fabric of your belt, you can use a strong fabric glue or carefully stitch it in place.

If you're using buttons, you can create a button closure for your belt by sewing or gluing them onto the ends. You can also use buttons as decorative elements by sewing or gluing them onto the front of your belt.

When incorporating vintage trims and buttons into your bridal belt, don't be afraid to mix and match different elements to create a one-of-a-kind accessory that reflects your personal style.

Stitching beads and crystals

When stitching beads and crystals to a wedding gown belt, it's important to have the right supplies and follow a careful process to ensure a beautiful and secure finish. Here's a detailed guide to help you achieve that:

Choosing the Right Materials:

• Select your crystals: Opt for popular options like Swarovski crystals or explore other types considering size, shape, and color. Preciosa crystals, for example, offer high-quality craftsmanship and extraordinary brilliance at a more affordable price.
• Gather essential supplies: Ensure you have materials such as satin double-faced ribbon, navette rhinestones with settings, round sew-on rhinestone crystals, resin pearls, an ultra-fine felt-tipped pen, a sewing needle, and colored thread.

Preparing the Base:

• Cut out circles: Create a pattern with three linked circles of specific sizes (50.88mm for the center and 44.45mm for the side circles). Trace these onto ultra-fine felt using a circle template and carefully cut them out.
• Knotting the thread: Cut a piece of thread, thread the needle, fold the thread in half, and knot it by wrapping the ends around your pointer finger. Pull the loop off your finger and hold the edge to create a tight knot.

Stitching the Crystals and Pearls:

• First row: Alternate between pearls and crystals, stitching them securely onto the felt pattern. Pass the needle through the holes of the crystals and slide them down to the felt before securing them with a hand stitch.
• Second row: Continue adding pearls in a tight formation just below the first row.
• Third row: Fix 6mm round loch rosen crystals right below the second row, sewing through the center hole and securing both sides of the crystal.

Embellishing the Center:

• Center crystal: Sew a 12mm crystal in the middle of the center circle, holding it in place and stitching through the holes on both sides.
• Almond-shaped crystals: Add six almond-shaped navette crystals around the center crystal, securing them by passing the needle through all four holes in the setting. Leave some space between the center stone and the navette crystals.

Attaching the Applique to the Ribbon:

Fold your chosen satin ribbon in half and apply strong glue to the back of the crystal applique. Ventilate the area to avoid inhaling glue fumes. Carefully place the applique in the center of the ribbon and hold it down for a few minutes to set the glue.

Finalizing the Belt:

• Angle the ribbon ends: Once the glue dries, cut the ribbon ends at an angle for a neat finish.
• Try it on: Tie your handcrafted bridal sash or beaded belt around your waist, positioning the crystal applique at the front and tying a beautiful bow at the back.

Remember, if hand-stitching is too challenging, you can always purchase a completed crystal applique and glue it to your chosen ribbon. This project allows you to add a personalized touch to your wedding gown while keeping costs low and creating a potential family heirloom.

Frequently asked questions