How to Make Thread Chain Belt Loops (with Video!)

How to Make Thread Chain Belt Loops (with Video!)
Thread chains make lovely simple belt loops for narrow, lightweight waist ties. You can add them to the side seams on our Lyra shirt dressSafiya dungarees, maternity Bettine dress, and more. You can also use the same technique to 
Once you get the hang of the technique, they come together in just a few minutes.

How to make thread chain belt loops - Tilly and the Buttons

Want to watch the steps in action? Check out our video tutorial...



How to make thread chain belt loops - Tilly and the Buttons


Cut a long piece of thread (around 1.5m or 60in) and fold it in half. You can use silk thread if you have it to create a strong loop, otherwise polyester thread is fine. Thread the fold through a needle and tie a double or triple knot at the end. The thread should now be four strands thick.

Starting on the wrong side (or inside) of the garment, make a couple of small stitches through the seam allowances where the waistline crosses one of the side seams.

Make a stitch through to the right side (or outside) and back to the wrong side, but don’t pull the thread all the way through – leave a large loop. Insert the needle back to the right side, hold the loop open with one hand, and hold the needle up with the other hand.

How to make thread chain belt loops - Tilly and the Buttons

With the first hand, grab the needle thread and pull it through the loop to create a new loop, without pulling the needle end through. Pull this new loop down to the bottom of the first loop and keep pulling to tighten it.

Repeat this action, making the next knot right next to the previous one, until you have a chain of knots.

How to make thread chain belt loops - Tilly and the Buttons

Once the chain is around 6cm (2 1/2in) long, pass the needle through the loop and pull tight to secure it. Insert the needle back through the side seam, and knot it securely. 

And that’s your thread chain belt loop! Now you can make another one on the other side seam.

How to make thread chain belt loops - Tilly and the Buttons


P.S. If you liked this, you may also like A trick for turning narrow loops.

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Author: Tilly Walnes
Video by Jane Looker, edited by Jenny Lingham-Doe, ft. Nikki Hoar
Photos: Jane Looker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I'm Tilly!

I started sewing in 2010 and instantly fell in love with turning fabric into wearable creations. Combining my professional background in education with my passion for DIY fashion, I set about to rethink sewing resources for the new wave of makers. Today, my team and I continue to share the joy of sewing with makers worldwide.