DIY Network

Rope Belt Braid up a custom rope belt. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-302

Braid up belts to go with any outfit.

You can have the perfect belt for any outfit when you braid your own rope belts with Michele Beschen. The B. Original host shows how to combine fun ropes and cords with a sassy buckle to create a belt that’s all yours.

These belts work for any kind of rope—and any combinations. Try regular nylon or cotton ropes from the hardware store, fancy cords from fabric shops or other kinds of cords you purchase or find around the house. With a little rope and a little time, you can fill your closet with belts without emptying your wallet.

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Rope Belt

Materials:

cotton or nylon rope
belt buckle
upholstery needle and upholstery thread
leather cording
matches or lighter

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Tie six strands of rope to the loop on the buckle. Michele Beschen used two different colors, with three strands of each. When tying the strands to the buckle, make sure to leave enough space for the finished belt to pass through.

• Separate the strands into three pairs and braid. Keep the ropes as straight as possible while braiding to keep the finished belt flat (figure A).

• When the braid reaches the desired length, use the upholstery needle and thread to tack the strands together at the end of the braid.

• Conceal the stitches by wrapping leather cording around the belt (figure B). Weave the cording into the end of the braid to keep the belt flat.

• Trim the ropes, leaving a few inches of loose rope at the end of the belt.

• To prevent nylon rope ends from fraying, melt the ends slightly with a match or lighter.

  Safety Alert: Be extremely careful when melting the rope ends. The freshly melted ends will be very hot. Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.