How to Make a Doll Belt – With Liberty Jane

Sassy comes in small packages. Accessorize your dolls for every outfit and occasion with these quilt-to-make doll belts. Jazz it up with rhinestones and play with fancy fabrics like faux leather, suede, or vinyl. Dress it up with a snazzy buckle and voilà! Your doll is ready for the runway. Because dolls dress up, too, you know!

Supplies

Option 1

• 1-1/2″-wide purple snakeskin
• Slide style buckle, 1/2″ wide

Option 2

• 1″-wide strip of microsuede or thin vinyl
• Slide style buckle, 3/8″ wide
• 1/4″-diameter eyelet and eyelet setting tool (optional)

Both belts

• Matching thread
• Shears/scissors
• Non-stick presser foot, such as BERNINA Non-Stick Straight Stitch Foot #53 (optional)
• Zipper foot, such as BERNINA Zipper Foot #4

Option 1 – PURPLE SNAKESKIN BELT

Step 1) Fold and stitch the belt strap.

Cut trim to the desired length

• 15-1/2″ for 18″ American Girl Doll
• 11-1/2″ for 18″ Slim BFC, Ink Doll
• 9″ for Ellowyne Wilde or Barbie

Fold the trim lengthwise into thirds, with the second fold overlapping the first fold.

Using a non-stick presser foot, straight stitch 1/8″ from one folded edge, stopping 1/2″ from the end.

Tip: A non-stick presser foot helps the fabric slide under the foot without having to pull to help it along.

With the needle down in the fabric, lift the presser foot.

Turn the belt to sew diagonally to a point; sew 4 stitches.

With the needle down and presser foot up, turn the belt to sew diagonally back to the opposite side of the point; sew 3 stitches.

Straight stitch back down the other long side of the belt. When you get to the end, raise the presser foot, pivot, and sew straight up the short end. Backstitch to secure.

Trim the ends of the point along the stitching lines, being careful not to cut through the stitches.

Step 2) Add the belt buckle.

Slide the straight end of the belt through the buckle slide, right side up.

Fold back 1/2″ toward the belt, wrong sides together.

Using a zipper foot, sew the folded end close to the belt.

Option 2 – MICROSUEDE BELT

Step 1) Fold and stitch the belt strap.

Cut trim to the desired length

• 15-1/2″ for 18″ American Girl Doll
• 11-1/2″ for 18″ Slim BFC, Ink Doll
• 9″ for Ellowyne Wilde or Barbie

Fold both long edges in toward the center, with raw edges meeting at the center of the belt.

Stitch following the instructions for Option 1: Using a non-stick presser foot, straight stitch 1/8″ from one folded edge, stopping 1/2″ from the end.

Step 2) Add the belt buckle.

Slide the straight end of the belt through the buckle slide, right side up.

Fold back 1/2″ toward the belt, wrong sides together.

Use a 1/4″-diameter eyelet and an eyelet setter to punch a hole and secure an eyelet to hold the folded end in place.

Tip: If not using an eyelet to secure the belt buckle, stitch as for Option 1.

For more doll clothes and patterns for American Girl, BFC, Ink, and Ellowyne Wilde, visit Cinnamon Miles at Liberty Jane Clothing.com.