DIY Cummerbund Bridal Belt + Detachable Flower Pin - boho wedding dress part 4

Mar 14, 2023



Here is part 4 and my final blog series of this boho wedding gown.  Sorry for the delay from the last post, life just keeps me so busy, especially alterations! In this post, I'll show you how to create a cummerbund style bridal belt with a detachable flower pin. 

This belt was created from a peach pillowcase the bride kept from her grandmother.  She wanted me to incorporate this into the belt.  She also gave me peach tulle to use over the pillowcase material.  The style of this belt has an ethereal and airy look which compliments this boho gown.  It's such a special way to wear something made from your loved one's belongings - especially on your wedding day.




This sketch was my idea I started with. This belt has 4 layers in this order: cotton muslin lining, fusible interfacing, upcycled peach pillowcase, peach tulle.  The pattern I made is for the first 3 layers.



I created a custom pattern from the bride's waist measurement.  There are cummerbund patterns out there to use, I just decided to create my own.


This is half of the pattern. The wide end gets sewn together to form the belt. I cut out cotton muslin and fusible interfacing. 


Here is the lining and interfacing I already cut out – I’m placing on top of the peach pillowcase material which I will cut out also.



I placed the two lining/interfacing pieces of the belt right sides together and stitched down the front (widest part) to form the belt as one piece. I followed the same step for the peach pillowcase material.  



I placed my long rectangle piece of tulle over the peach pillowcase material. and pinned it.


I stitch along one edge as shown.


Trimmed excess off the one side.



I sewed along the long edge on the other side, taking up the tulle so I can gather it.  Here I'm showing you each stitched edge and the gathering of the tulle in the middle.  The tulle is much wider than the other fabric so I can make many gathers.  I basically formed a long tube which I'm going to be turning next.


I stuck my hand all the way through the tube and turned it. 


Here, I'm randomly gathering pleats.


I'm pinning down my free hand pleats.


I stitched down the gathers at each end (short ends)


Now it's time to put the belt together.  


I placed right sides together of the two pieces.


Stitched down each long edge of the belt.


Sewing other side.


Trimmed excess fabric off near the seam.


Before I turn this belt, I placed a safety pin in the end to help me turn this.


You could use a safety pin alone or a loop turner, I used my flexible loop turner here which I attached to the safety pin.  


I pulled it through the other end.  This makes turning tubes a breeze.


After pressing the belt, I placed pins where the ends of the belt will be.


I marked with my pencil a new cutting line.


Trimmed off the excess fabric.


I used a chopstick to tuck in the ends.


Pinned ends.


Stitched down the ends.



I kept my stitching close to the edge so it appears neat.  I also used clear thread. 


I decided to use 3 sets of hooks and eyes to fasten the belt.  Here, I'm sewing on the hooks.


Now, I'm sewing the eyes in place so they are flush with the hooks.


Now it's time to create the flower pin! Here's a few flowers with wires.  I just simply twisted the wires to keep the flowers in place.


I made a circular back piece from two pieces of felt sewn together.


I hand stitched the felt piece to the back of the flowers.  I went around each flower stitching until I reached the end.


I took a brooch pin back clasp and hand stitched it to the felt piece.  I thought of using hot glue, but I was afraid it would be too messy.

All finished!  The following pics are the final looks of the belt and flower pin.  




This concludes the final series of the boho wedding dress alterations. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and thank you for stopping by! See you next time!


Happy Sewing! - Diana

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