Show your style by making your own custom button suspenders.
Larry King made button suspenders famous and stylish during his career, but he wasn't the first to rock them. Suspenders were created in France during the 18th century. They fashion trend moved to England where a British designer named Albert Thurston created the modern-day version of button suspenders. You do not need to be a tailor to make them. The simple stitch and buttonhole stitch are all you need to know to make your own suspenders.
Instructions
1. Cut a 20-inch length of the 1-inch elastic, using fabric shears. Insert 1 inch of the elastic piece into the O-ring. Fold the elastic over the O-ring to make a loop.
2. Stitch the end of the folded over piece onto the elastic piece, using a thread and needle. The O-ring is secured inside the folded over loop. The elastic piece makes the single suspender leg for the back of the pants.
3. Cut a 60-inch length of the 1-inch elastic. Insert the elastic piece into the O-ring. Pull the ends of the elastic until both sides of the elastic are even. Match the elastic pieces so they are on top of each other.
4. Stitch the pieces together at the middle bend a 1/2-inch from the outside of the O-ring. The O-ring is secured inside the second folded over loop. The elastic pieces make the double suspender legs for the front of the pants.
5. Cut six 1 inch by 1 inch canvas squares using fabric shears. Place one canvas square on top and one canvas square on the bottom of the end of the elastic piece. Stitch the border of the canvas squares into the elastic. The canvas squares provide support for the suspenders. Continue until all three ends of the suspender legs are secure with canvas.
6. Cut a buttonhole the same size as the diameter of your pants buttons, using a utility knife. Sew the inside of the holes, using the buttonhole stitch method. Insert the needle downwards through the fabric. Place the tip of the needle over the thread to make a loop. Pull the thread tight. Continue until the edges of the hole are stitched.
7. Insert buttons into the two front suspender legs and single back suspender legs. You have now made a button suspender.
Tags: elastic piece, suspender legs, button suspenders, canvas squares, folded over