Style Your ELIOS Blouse with a Belt – How to Sew a Waist Belt with Belt Loops
- Iris John
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 20
The ELIOS blouse already has a subtle waist shaping that creates a flattering silhouette – especially with firmer fabrics. However, depending on the material, the blouse may fall looser and lose some of its shape. No problem! A waist belt with matching belt loops allows you to adjust the look perfectly—without altering the pattern.
Today, I'll show you how to sew a simple belt that accentuates your waist and how to attach belt loops to keep everything in place.
Why Add a Belt to the ELIOS Blouse?
Light, flowing fabrics like viscose or Tencel feel wonderful to wear, but they can sometimes make a blouse look straighter than intended. A waist belt helps emphasize the blouse’s shape, creating a more feminine silhouette.
Personally, I love positioning my belt slightly above the natural waistline (about three finger-widths higher). This creates a lengthening effect and is particularly flattering for petite and curvy figures.
The Perfect Belt – How to Sew It Yourself
Materials & Cutting
To make the belt, you’ll need:
A 10 cm wide strip of fabric in your desired length (e.g., waist measurement + 40 cm for tying room)
Matching sewing thread
An iron for crisp edges
Sewing Instructions for the Belt
Cut the fabric strip: Cut a 10 cm wide strip to your desired length.
Fold & sew: Fold it lengthwise, right sides together, and sew one long edge and one short edge, leaving one short edge open.
Press the seams: Press the belt on the wrong side first so the seams lay flat, then press the seam allowances open for sharp edges after turning.
Turn the belt right side out: Trim the corners and turn the belt through the open short edge.
Close the open edge: Fold the seam allowances inside and topstitch the edge shut.
Topstitch for a clean look: Topstitch around the entire belt close to the edge to keep it flat and polished.
Tip: Depending on the fabric, you can add interfacing to give the belt a more structured look.
Sewing & Attaching the Belt Loops
To keep the belt in place, you can attach discreet belt loops on the sides. These hold the belt at the right height and ensure a better fit
Materials & Cutting
A 2.5 cm wide fabric strip, about 12–15 cm long
Iron
Sewing machine or coverstitch machine
How to Sew the Belt Loops
Prepare the fabric strip:
Fold the long edges toward the center (so the strip ends up about 10 mm wide).
Press the folds for a clean edge.
Sewing the loops (two options):
With a coverstitch machine: Topstitch the loops in the center to neatly enclose the back side.
With a regular sewing machine & overlock: Overlock one long edge, fold the overlocked side over the raw edge, and topstitch one or two lines along the front.
Attaching the Belt Loops to the Blouse
For optimal positioning, align the loops with the bust darts on your blouse.
How to Attach the Loops:
Mark the placement: Measure and mark the desired height (e.g., just below the bust dart).
Secure one end: Sew one end of the loop slightly below the marked position.
Fold & stitch the second seam: Fold the top end of the loop over the secured part so that no raw edges are visible, then stitch it down.
Repeat on the other side.
Styling Tips: How to Wear the Belt for Different Looks
Elegant & Feminine: Position the belt slightly above the waistline for a lengthening effect.
Casual & Modern: Tie the belt off-center instead of in the middle for a relaxed look.
Experiment with Fabrics: A belt made from the same fabric as your blouse creates a cohesive look, while a contrast fabric adds an eye-catching accent.
Whether you’re dressing up your blouse for everyday wear, the office, or a special occasion, a waist belt can completely transform your outfit in seconds.
Now It’s Your Turn!
Feeling inspired to style your ELIOS blouse with a belt? Grab your sewing machine and give it a try! I can’t wait to see your version.
Share your creation using #bluseELIOSbyjohni on Instagram and tag me @byjohni!
