DIY Network

Rings and Things Here are four projects that won't have you running around in circles. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-408

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza are on a roll as they take on fun ring-themed projects.

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Hippie Disk Belt

The '60s are back, and they brought this cool disk-decorated belt with them. It's a great-looking, inexpensive accessory that's sure to fill you with good vibrations.

Hippie Disk Belt

Materials:

measuring tape
2" Cardinal Woods wood disks (amount determined in step 1)
1/16" and 5/32" drill bits
ruler
pencil
waxed hemp cording
Stiffy® fabric stiffener
Fabri-Tac® glue
1/8 yd. cotton fabric or scrap fabrics
scissors, punches or a die cutter
4 yds. faux suede cording
decorative beads with large holes (to fit onto the suede cord)
wood stain or paint (optional)

1. Measure around hips at the point where the belt will be worn. Divide this number by 2 and the answer will be how many 2" wood disks are needed.

2. Leave disks plain or paint or stain them before gluing stiffened fabric onto wood (the ones used in the demo were stained before being drilled). They can be stained after drilling, but make sure the holes are left open. Center and line up ruler across each disk; use a pencil to mark drill holes, marking on each side of the disks, 1/8" from the edge (figure A). Using a drill and a 1/16" drill bit, drill through all holes, except for the two designated end disks (figure B). On these two, drill one side with the 1/16" bit; drill the other side with a 5/32" bit (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

3. To decorate the disks, apply Stiffy to fabric, follow the manufacturer's instructions (figure D). When the fabric is dry, use scissors, punches (if punches are used, make sure they are sharp) or a die cutter to cut fun shapes like paisleys, daisies, etc., from the fabric. Use Fabric-Tac glue to attach the fabric shapes to the wood disks, making sure not to cover the drilled holes (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

4. String disks together by threading hemp cord (3 times the length of the belt) through the holes of the disks using a backstitch-type stitch. Starting with the second disk, thread hemp through, leaving a little tail. Next, thread hemp through the first disk’s smaller hole (figure F). Turn the disks over and securely knot hemp (figure G). Thread hemp through the third disk, then back through the second hole of the second disk; flip and knot. Repeat for the remaining disks (figure H). This prevents the disks from flipping around and facing the wrong way.

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

5. Cut 4 pieces of the faux suede cording, each approximately 3' long. Thread 2 pieces through the larger holes at the ends of the belt (figure I). Thread a bead onto both ends of each piece of cording and tie a knot to keep the bead from slipping off the end (figure J).

Figure I

Figure J

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