How to put holes in a too large belt
I had a black belt which was too large. I had gone on a diet. The belt slipped sideways. I looked lopsided.
Holes Needed
A fabric belt, which has no reinforcing, can be tied. But a stiff belt needs holes. Especially if you have a pretty buckle to show off.
I remembered from long ago that I had made holes in belt when I was alone. I had used small scissors. Awls. Anything to hand. This time I had family to help, my practical husband.
MARKING THE HOLE DISTANCE
The solution was simple. My husband made two holes. The same distance apart as the original ones. You could use a ruler to measure the distance, or even a piece of string marked with biro or tailors' chalk.
Chalk Marks
Then mark the belt with the tailors' chalk. Why tailors' chalk? Because it rubs off easily without staining. Without lots of chalk dust.
Ties To Tighten
However, I intended to turn the belt buckle to the back because I had lost the tab which holds the end in place. With a fabric belt, you could sew on a hook and eye.
You can make a ribbon tie.
Add elastic.
MAKING THE HOLE
But with a plastic belt, you have to make a new hole.
I remember making the first hole, DIY amateur style. I used a tie pin. You need a tie pin with a firm pin which won't bend or break. Do not risk damaging something you care about. Select one whose only use will be as this tool.
I then used scissors. The big ones made a big slit. That did not hold the buckle in place. It risked tearing across the belt.
A smaller hold with the tip of nail scissors risked damaging the tip of the scissors. And spoiling the cutting edge.
I had looked in the DIY tool cupboard and tool box for an awl.
This time, my husband made the hole with a drill. His first job was to select the drill bit of the right size.
I was afraid he would drill through the work surface. However, it was a hand operated drill. You turned the handle slowly.
Two minutes later, job done.
REINFORCING THE HOLE
If you have any doubts about the security of the hole, or the risk of the belt cracking open, you can invisibly reinforce the belt by adding a patch glued on the back over the hole, with a matching hole in the patch.
USES OF DIY BELT HOLES
This trick also works if you want to add holes to a large man's belt for wear by a smaller lady. Or for a large belt bought from a charity shop. Or for a belt bought on the internet which is the wrong size.
Angela Lansbury B A Hons is the author of ten books by regular publishers, plus another ten self-published books.
About Angela The Speaker & Trainer
Angela Lansbury is a teacher of English and other languages to Toastmasters clubs and businesses.
Angela has several blogs: speeches, comedy and song writing and organizing. She writes intermittently on the less popular bogs, but writes almost daily on these three:
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