How Are Leather Dress Belts Made?

If you have wondered how leather dress belts are made, there is no one method because the famous belt makers have their own ways of creating what can become a unique item. Many of the more expensive belts are made to order with the requirements and desires of the customer being incorporated into each facet.

For many years the local harness maker would be the best person to make a belt because he would keep the best leather normally used for bridles and set it aside for his belt customers. He would then make up the belt depending on what it was going to be used for (whether a Sunday belt or one to hold a gun) and make it up accordingly. 

Frequently a dress belt is two belts stitched together. Some belt makers use only fine leather for both belts. Others will cut costs by using real leather for the outer layer and a plastic or otherwise synthetic leather for the inside and perhaps even add a stiffener.

To make the belt, the straps are beveled on the edges and stitched together. The edges are then dyed and slicked.  Next the buckle is fastened with stitching or barrel screws. A single or double "keeper" is then added of hand-sewn leather or metal. Needless to say, there is a wide choice of buckles available to choose from including antique brass, brushed silver, and many other types including collector's items. Today's fine leather belts continue to last for many years, often get even better looking, get softer over time, and actually conform to your body.