Toddlers and belts don't always mix. While cute (and often necessary), the standard belt buckle is very difficult for a two year old to manage. Since Jude has been using the potty solo for quite a while now, I needed to drum up a solution. He has mastered the safety clip (found on car seats, grocery carts, etc.), so I figured I could make him a "safety belt". Of course, I couldn't stop there because it felt a little plain. Nothing a few studs couldn't fix!
Want to make one?
DIY Studded Belt Tutorial
You'll need:
- 1" wide nylon strap (long enough to go around your child's waist plus some)
- safety clip or quick release buckle for 1" straps
- optional (sort of) 1/2" studs
- optional: bottle cap or large stud for the buckle, plus epoxy
- sewing machine or needle and thread
- lighter
- pliers
How to:
- Thread one end of the strap through the clip so that the tail is in the back and sew it closed. Trim any excess and use a lighter to burn the edge closed.
- Thread the side of the strap through the other side of the clip so that the tail will be on the outside, making it easy to adjust. Try it on your little one. Leaving a few inches for growth and adjustment, trim any excess and seal with the lighter.
- Now the fun part, stud that bad boy. I found the nylon warped a little less if I alternated the way the studs went in. Use a pair of pliers to pinch down the brads on the studs. Make sure you don't stud right up to the edge of the clip with the tail or you will have less adjustment room.
- Optional: I used epoxy to glue a star stud to the buckle, a bottle cap would be cute as well, but it's already cute without any buckle flair.
- Clip and enjoy!
Here's to rad little dudes! Happy Crafting!
