How to Make Thread Chain Belt Loops (with Video!)

Thread chains make lovely simple belt loops for narrow, lightweight waist ties. You can add them to the side seams on our Safiya dungarees, maternity Bettine dress, and our forthcoming Lyra dress (sneak peek alert!). 

Once you get the hang of the technique, they come together in just a few minutes.

Want to watch the steps in action? Check out our video tutorial...

Cut a long piece of thread (around 1.5m or 60in) and fold it in half. You can use silk thread if you have it to create a strong loop, otherwise polyester thread is fine. Thread the fold through a needle and tie a double or triple knot at the end. The thread should now be four strands thick.

Starting on the wrong side (or inside) of the garment, make a couple of small stitches through the seam allowances where the waistline crosses one of the side seams.

Make a stitch through to the right side (or outside) and back to the wrong side, but don’t pull the thread all the way through – leave a large loop. Insert the needle back to the right side, hold the loop open with one hand, and hold the needle up with the other hand.

With the first hand, grab the needle thread and pull it through the loop to create a new loop, without pulling the needle end through. Pull this new loop down to the bottom of the first loop and keep pulling to tighten it.

Repeat this action, making the next knot right next to the previous one, until you have a chain of knots.

Once the chain is around 6cm (2 1/2in) long, pass the needle through the loop and pull tight to secure it. Insert the needle back through the side seam, and knot it securely. 

And that’s your thread chain belt loop! Now you can make another one on the other side seam.

P.S. If you liked this, you may also like A trick for turning narrow loops.

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Author: Tilly Walnes

Video by Jane Looker, edited by Jenny Lingham-Doe, ft. Nikki Hoar

Photos: Jane Looker