How to Make a Belt Out of a Shoelace

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

A shoelace belt is a very simple way to add a bit of color and sass to your outfit. It's an inexpensive item and you may even have suitable shoelaces lying around the house. Choose from a single shoelace belt, a twisted shoelace belt or two forms of braided shoelace belt.

Steps

1
Choose the shoelace(s). Select shoelaces in colors and designs that you like. If you are making a single shoelace belt, then all you need is one long shoelace. If you're twisting or braiding the shoelaces to form a belt, you'll need several shoelaces.
- If you can't find suitable shoelaces, consider purchasing plain white ones and decorating them with fabric paint. Use patterns, geometric shapes, animal shapes, etc. to make the shoelace more interesting.
- You'll also need hair ties or elastic bands if you are braiding the laces.
- Use ribbon, lace, etc. for decorating the shoelace belt.
2
Choose a belt design. Consider whether you want to keep things very simple and just use a single shoelace or you would like to use a double twist or braid the belt. The latter requires basic braiding (plaiting) skills.
- The braid can be a basic one or a fishtail.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Single shoelace belt

1
Choose a shoelace that is long enough to go around your waist and still tie up.
2
Thread the shoelace through the belt holders of the pants, shorts or skirt. Where it joins, tie in either a double knot or a bow.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Double twist shoelace belt

1
Wrap the elastic band tightly round the top of both shoelaces. You may want to use the same colored elastic band as the shoelace; if you use a contrasting colour against the shoelace color, then it may look odd, but that's up to your sense of style.
2
Twist the shoelace. Twist one shoelace around the other until you get to the end. When you reach the end, tie off with another elastic band.
3
Add decorations where you want. Studs and diamonds add a nice effect.
4
Poke the needle with the thread on through the lace. Thread until your heart's content with various thread designs.
5
Cover the elastic bands with a ribbon. Stitch or glue in place.
6
Wear. To wear, thread the belt through the belt holders of your pants, jeans or skirt, and tie in a knot or bow.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

French braid shoelace belt

1
Attach three shoelaces at one end. Wrap an elastic band tightly round the top of all three shoelaces. This will keep it in place.
- You can vary the colors of the shoelaces, just as long as the colors complement one another.
2
Take the three shoelaces and put the right lace into the middle. Then place the left one into the middle, right into middle, left into middle, right into middle, left into middle. Keep repeating until you reach the end of the shoelaces.
3
Tie off the end with an elastic band.
- Add decorations where you want. Studs and diamonds add a nice effect.
- Cover the elastic bands with a ribbon. Stitch or glue in place.
4
Wear. Thread the belt through the belt holders of your pants, jeans or skirt, and tie in a knot or bow.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Fishtail braid shoelace belt

1
Attach three shoelaces at one end. Wrap an elastic band tightly round the top of all three shoelaces. This will keep it in place.
- You can vary the colors of the shoelaces, just so long as the colors complement one another.
2
Take the four shoelaces and lay them out flat.
3
Put the far right lace into the middle. Put the far left lace into the middle, and repeat the above process until the end.
4
Tie off the end with an elastic band.
- Add decorations where you want. Studs and diamonds add a nice effect.
- Cover the elastic bands with a ribbon. Stitch or glue in place.
5
Wear. Thread the belt through the belt holders of your pants, jeans or skirt, and tie in a knot or bow.