For the first step in our Floreat sewalong, we are actually going to tackle a quick detail – the waist belt and separate belt for the dress versions! The belt, of course, is optional. So if you are making a blouse or are choosing a loose, flowy, tie-less dress, you can skip this post.
I’ll actually be going over two options for your belt – inseam (attached to the centre back seam) or a separate belt. Both are great, so it’s up to you which option you choose. With the attached ties – you never have to worry about losing a belt and it doesn’t move around! But having a separate belt allows you to change up your look – wear it loose and flowy sometimes and belted other times.
So which will you choose? Let’s get started and you can decide. They are slightly different methods of construction, so make sure you pay attention to the right one!
INSEAM WAIST TIES
Place two waist tie fabric pieces together with right sides together. Pin in place along all sides except the shorter straight end.
Repeat with the other two tie pieces.
Sew around the three raw edges, pivoting at the corners, and leaving the short straight end open.
Clip the corners and trim the seam allowance if necessary.
Turn the ties the right way around through the open straight end.
Use a point turner or other tool to reshape the tie points. Press the two ties well.
Finish the raw edge of the two short straight edges with your preferred method.
Place the two ties on top of each other, aligning the short straight ends. Sew together just under 5/8″ from the edge.
Finish the raw edges of the two center-back pieces with your preferred method.
Place the ties on top of the right side of the right back piece, lining up the top of the ties with the notch on the centre back.
Sew in place 5/8″ from the raw edge. Now it’s in place and you’re all set to stitch up the centre back seam, which we will go over in the next post!
SEPERATE WAIST TIE
Place two waist tie pieces together with right sides together. Do the same with the other two pieces.
Line up the short straight edges on both sets. Pin in place.
Sew each one together 5/8″ from the raw edge.
Press the seams open.
Place the two, now long, belt pieces on top of each other with right sides together. Match up the centre seams and all edges.
Sew together 5/8″ from the edge around the belt, pivoting at the corners, and leaving a 3-inch gap open.
Clip the corners.
Turn the belt the right way around through that 3-inch gap you left open in the stitches.
Use a point turner or other tool to shape the point ends. Press the whole belt well.
Close the gap in the belt by either topstitching close to the edge or hand stitching.
That’s it! Now you have a separate belt that can be tied around your dress when you want to.
LOOKING FOR MORE FLOREAT POSTS?
Here’s the full list of Floreat posts and tutorials:
- Pattern tester round-up
- Inspiration + Ideas
- Waist tie and separate belt (this post!)
- Center back: zipper and slit options
- Pockets and seams (sleeved dress and blouse versions)
- Neckline facing (sleeved versions)
- Sleeves
- Sleeveless version: facing and seams
- Hemming
- Bonus: Knit version
- Inspiration: Floreat as maternity
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNfloreat and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
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