It’s almost Father’s Day so I thought this was the perfect time to create something I’ve wanted to make for a long time. A utility belt for construction or gardening tools from recycled jeans. While this will make a fantastic Father’s Day gift. I actually want one of these for myself. I suffer from the curse of female clothing – no pockets! This makes it hard to carry my tools and bits and bobs around. When I do have pockets I tend to wreck them (and my legs) by putting screwdrivers, snips or other hard, sharp objects in there that tear holes. The washing machine doesn’t like it when I leave things in my pockets either.
A utility belt seems to be the solution. Could I buy one? Of course I could but where’s the fun in that? So here, after literal blood, sweat and tears, I present the recycled denim utility belt.
A word on safety
Denim is a tough material. That’s what makes it perfect for this project and also why it is difficult to sew, particularly if you have multiple layers. Take time to ensure you are using the correct needle and tension on your sewing machine. This will reduce the strain on the machine and reduce the chance of breaking a needle or the machine. If you are sewing any sections by hand, use a thimble and go slow. Make sure your thimble and the needle are stable before applying pressure to the needle. I did my best to minimise the number of layers of denim that need to be sewed in this project but if you reuse belt loops or pockets you may find you are sewing through several layers.
Sourcing Material
If you are making this for someone else, see if you can get their old jeans as this sizing should be about right. You can make the belt out of one pair of jeans but if you have two pairs you can pull “parts” such as pockets and belt loops off the second pair to use on the first. If you want to keep this a surprise or can’t get jeans for the person is for, don’t worry. The detachable pouches can act as an adjustable section to expand the waist section and if you need the waist smaller you can add extra buttons on the waist band.
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Getting Started
1. Lay the jeans on a flat surface. Measure from the top of the waist band, down the fly to just above the crotch seam. Note the measurement.
2. Measure the same distance from the waist band down the jeans at several points and mark with tailors chalk, or pins.
3. Cut across the jeans at the measurement to remove the legs. You now have the base for your utility belt.
4. Cut up either side of the fly to the waist band.
5. Cut along the waist band about 1/2 inch to allow for a fold back.
6. If you want to save the zipper, unpick some of the stitching at the waist band to remove the end of the zipper. Otherwise, cut off the zipper at the waist band.
Hem the base
7. Turn the denim so the wrong side is facing. Zigzag stitch along the cut edges.
8. Fold a 1/4 inch hem paying attention at the corner to ensure now raw edge is sticking out.
9. To complete the corner, fold the corner in first, then fold each side over as shown in the picture.
10. I did two rows of straight stitch on the hem for decoration and to ensure the hem was securely fastened and not likely to catch on clothing worn under the belt.
11. Turn the belt over to the right side. If you have a second pair of jeans remove the back pockets and pin them to the from of the belt being careful not to pin through the existing cloth pocket on the inside.
12. Use 2 rows of straight stitch to secure the pockets to the front of the belt. Again, ensure you do not sew the inner pocket at the same time.
If you are just using one pair of jeans, follow the steps below to make the extra pockets.
Making pockets
- Take a piece of paper and trace over the back pocket of the jeans.
- Tidy up the lines and cut out the template. Check that it will fit on the front of the belt.
- Place the template on the leg material we cut off earlier and trace around with tailors chalk,washable crayon.
- Cut out the pocket shape.
- Zigzag along the top of the pocket.
- Fold over a 1/4 inch hem and stitch with two rows of straight stitch
- Pin the pockets to the front of the jeans
- Use a zigzag stitch to overlap the edge of the pocket onto the belt. This will secure the pocket and prevent the cut edge from fraying.
- Sew around the inside of the zigzag with two rows of straight stitch for added strength and for decoration.
- Through out the process ensure the inside pocket does not get caught up in the stitching.
Hanging loops & detachable pouch
13. Take a couple of belt loops from the back of the utility belt or from the spare pair of jeans and sew at an angle onto the side to hang tools from.
14. To make pouch, you need a cylinder of material. Chose a section the jeans leg and cut it off to create the cylinder.
15. Cut a rectangle of material to fit into the bottom of the cylinder.
16. Turn the cylinder the wrong way out and pin it in place the rectangle with the wrong side facing out. This will form the bottom of the pouch.
17. Carefully sew the two pieces together using straight stitch and then use a zigzag stitch on the outer edge to prevent fraying.
18. Turn the pouch the right way out and and push out the corners at the bottom. All that remains now is to add a tab to the top of the pouch so it can be attached to the utility belt.
Attaching the pouch
19. Cut a rectangle that fits comfortably along one side of the pouch opening and will be 2-3 inches in height when folded in half along the longer length.
20. Zigzag around the edges. Fold in half along the longer length, wrong side facing out and hold in place with pins.
21. Sew together the short sides to about 3/4 of the way from the fold to the ends. You have formed a small pouch. Turn the whole thing right side out and push out the corners.
22. Pin this over the back edge of the main pouch so the rim of the main pouch goes between the two sides of the small pouch.
23. Use a zigzag stitch to sew across the cut edge of the small pouch where it attaches to the bigger pouch then one or two rows of straight stitch to finish.
24. We are now going to make button holes on the tab we just added. You could also use large press-studs (poppers) or some strong hooks and eyes if you prefer.
25. Mark the position on each side of the tab where you want your button holes to be. Don’t place them too close to the edge.
26. Measure your buttons and mark the correct length for your button holes. Use the button hole function on your sewing machine to create the button holes. You can stitch button holes by hand too. A quick study of any button hole on clothing should show you the stitching required. Once the stitching is complete the last step is to carefully cut the hole between the stitches. I like to cut from one end towards the centre and then from the other end to the centre to avoid cutting the end stitches.
And finally...
We are almost there!
27. Sew buttons on the waist band to attach your pouch too. You can use the button that is holding the belt and just put that button through the pouch hole too, or you can add a new set of buttons. Consider whether the person who will be wearing the belt is left handed or right handed when positioning the buttons.
Congratulations! Your utility belt is complete!
Want to do more?
You can add extra loops as you please or consider adding some decoration to the belt using fabric paint, embroidery or patches. How organise the belt and the size of the pouch depends on the specific use. This version is fairly universal but I plan to make a large harvesting pouch for mine that will take potatoes or carrots and the like. Possibly with some shoulder straps to provide extra support for the weight.
Although a little tricky this project is great fun to make and will make a great gift to yourself or someone else. Let me know how you get on.
Next week I’ll be providing a update on the garden. You won’t believe how it’s grown.
Stay safe, stay home and always be creative.
Just looked at this , great idea, might have to make it for gardening.