Scrap Ribbon Belt - Tutorial

I have so many ribbon scraps that are under 2" and I've contemplated throwing them out many times. This is what I came up with to use them all up....a ribbon belt. But you could use this technique for tons of other things....a headband, a purse strap, a drink coaster.....I had to narrow it down eventually!

Update: Project time is about 2 hours. Sewing the belt in small increments actually makes it go faster than you think.....

The belt pictured is reversible to the pink and green jacquard backing.

I used every ribbon combination imaginable. The more colors, the more interesting. Making the belt I worked in small 6 inch sections and tried to limit the repeat of ribbon throughout.

Grab your scraps and let's get started!


Before starting you'll need the following materials:

:: Ribbon Scraps
:: 1.5" cotton webbing
:: Dritz Fray Check or thread glue
:: 1.5" D Rings
:: Coordinating thread
Tools needed: sewing machine and scissors


Before starting you'll also have to measure your waist or hip area....(where you like for your belt to sit) and add 8" to that measurement.

Step 1: Cut your cotton webbing for your belt length based on the measurement above.

Step 2: Take scrap pieces of ribbon and line up next to each other on your cotton webbing. You can pin the ribbon......

.....but it is easiest just to put each ribbon on one at a time as you sew down the side of the cotton webbing (about 1/8" from the edge of the belt). Just make sure to leave your needle down when you lift the foot up to place the next ribbon. Stop once you get 6 or 7 inches of ribbons added (I refer to these as your "short" ribbons). This 6 to 7 inch length is about all that is manageable to weave at one time.

Step 3: Place 2 to 3 ribbons perpendicular to the ribbons you just sewed on (I refer to these as your "long" ribbons). Sew these ribbons onto the cotton webbing.

Step 4: Weave the long ribbons over and under the short ribbons.

Step 4: Making sure all the ribbons fit tightly together, sew the other end of the long ribbon pieces to secure them to the belt.

Step 5: Carefully sew the short ribbons securely to the belt (about 1/8" from the edge of the belt).

Step 6: Trim your shorter ribbons on each side so that they are flush with the cotton webbing....

.....and trim your longer ribbons leaving about 1/4".

Step 7: Repeat all of the previous steps starting with laying a piece of short ribbon over the 1/4" ends that were just trimmed. Continue until you have another 6 to 7 inch length of short ribbons sewn on to the belt.

Step 8: Add your 2 to 3 longer ribbons by sewing directly over the stitch that secured the previous long ribbons. Then trim these ends to about 1/8".

Note: In between steps you might want to add Fray Check to your ribbon edges if they start to unravel.

My assistant was a huge help in picking out each sequence of ribbons.

Step 9: Use a zigzag stitch to sew all the edges of the belt.

Optional: I cut a long piece of ribbon jacquard (1" shorter than my belt length to leave room for the D rings) to sew onto the back of the belt for decoration and attached it with the zigzag stitch.

Step 10: Place your D rings on one end of the belt.....

......and fold your belt end back, and sew the fold closed. You may have to use a zipper foot here if your D rings get in the way (I had enough room and was able to use the regular foot).

Step 11: Trim any frayed edges or threads and add thread glue or Fray check where needed.