Easily Add Belt Loops to Pants {TUTORIAL}

Have you ever wanted to attach belt loops to pants that have none?  Nope, me neither.  I'm just not a belt kind of person.  However, my husband is.  He likes to wear a belt everyday.  He is a Sous Chef and his favorite type of pants to wear to work are "Chef-type" pants.  They are a little baggy and have lots of pockets with a elasticated drawstring waist.  Unfortunately they don't come with belt loops, so that's where I come in.  Chickadee to the rescue!

Add Belt Loops to Pants--TUTORIAL

For this tutorial I am using pre-made single fold bias tape which can be found at any fabric store.  Specifically, I used Wrights 117-200-031 Single Fold Bias Tape, Black, 4-Yard which is 1/2" wide and is 50% poly/50%cotton.

You could also make your own.  Here is a link to a great method at coletterie.com.  You will need a bias tape maker, but trust me these save so much time and give such nice results   I got mine from Amazon, but you could probably pick one up a well stocked fabric store.

So here is a picture of my SINGLE-Fold bias tape.  It also comes as double fold, but that is not what you want.  The single-fold will have one flat side and one side with the fabric edges coming together in the middle.

The first thing to do is to mark where you want the belt loops.  Pictured here is the front of the pants.  The front two belt loops will be placed in a little closer together.  Measure to make sure they will be the same distance on each side from the center of the pants. Put a pin (or use a fabric marker/ chalk pencil) to mark your belt loop placement.

I put two in the front, Two on the side seams and one at the back seam.  From there you can measure the distance from the back seam to the side seam and place a pin in the middle for a total of seven loops.  You can add more or less depending on your preference.

Measure the width of the belt you would like to wear with the pants.My husband's belt is a little less than 2" wide so my belt loops will be perfect at 2" long.  You will also need to add 1/2" so you can fold each raw edge over.

At 2.5" x 7 belt loops I will need a strip 17.5" long.  Add 1.5" in length to account for imperfect cutting, etc. for a total of 19".

Sew a narrow edge seam on each edge of the bias tape.  This will stop the bis tape from stretching out and adds a finished look.

Cut your strip into seven 2.5" pieces (or whatever your measurement is x number of desired belt loops). I found using a clear ruler and rotary cutter was easiest but you can use scissors.

Press each end over 1/4" to the side with the line running down the middle.  I recommend you do this with your fingers (finger pressing) by just pressing firmly and/or using your fingernail to get a crease.  Using an iron for this project will probably get you burned because these are such small pieces.

Pin the Belt loops to your pants in the places you marked previously, creased side down.  Sew back and forth 3 times at the top close to the edge of the loop.  I know, this seems like a lot, but your belt loops get tugged and pulled and the stitching needs to be secure. Trim your threads close and repeat on the bottom part of the loop.  Do the same for the remaining loops.

Now you have belt loops where no belt loops have gone before.