The use of suspenders has been a staple to most parents for it gives their kids a perfect fit, especially if they have loose trousers or shorts. Surprisingly, using suspenders also decreases the chance of kids developing a habit of slouching, thus improving their posture, not to mention that it also provides its fashionable purposes. But the suspenders in the market usually are expensive. With the cost of living nowadays, parents resort to not buying suspenders and prioritize the more essential items for their kids. Because of this, it is a handy skill for parents on how to make kids suspenders, especially in times like this.
Making the D.I.Y Suspenders
Prepare your fabric
The first step on how to make kids suspenders is finding your chosen fabric; you can use old fabric with your desired design. Measure it about 25” long for a baby/small toddler, and estimate 30” for an older toddler (measure waist-over the shoulder-waist adding 5 inches for a precise measurement) and 4x the specified width.
If you are working with a straight design and want to center the design within the strap, you will have to cut/press/fold your straps carefully. Since your strap is 4x larger than the exact width, and the outer areas will be folded inside, you need to make sure that your design falls within the 2nd or 3rd areas of the strap. You can also pre-made double fold bias tape, or ribbon, or the traditional elastic for the straps, but if you want a more personalized feel on your suspenders, keep on following this tutorial.
Stitching the fabric
To get started, you have to fold the fabric in half lengthwise, press, and unfold (you will only need a center crease). After this, fold the ends to the center crease and press. In order to avoid the layers from moving as you stitch the long sides, you can put a little hem tape in between and iron to meld them together. By doing this, you don’t need interfacing, and you do not need to press the wrinkles.
It’s time to finish the raw edges since we’re dealing with four layers of fabric. If you just fold in the edges, it would make your suspenders too bulky, so we’ll be dealing with the edges later. Now what you’ll do is to trim the edges so it is even, and you do not have any fraying going on and top stitch the long sides. Now you are one more step closer in learning how to make kids suspenders.
Threading the Straps
Now that you’re done stitching the straps, the next step is to thread the straps through the hardware. You will need two ¾” vest buckles and four ¾” suspender clips. With the right side of the buckle facing you and the wrong side of the strap facing you, thread the strap up through the bottom back-to-front and down through the top front-to-back (The front/back doesn’t really matter. If you want a specific side of the fabric to face upward in the finished product you have to follow this steps). Next, fold the end of the strap to about an inch and sew it with a zig-zag or a satin stitch.
By doing this method you can eliminate bulk, you will need to make sure that the buckle is clear from the sewing machine’s presser foot so that it feeds smoothly and you do not have to risk breaking a needle.
Now, you have to thread the other end of the strap through the suspender clip back to the front and back through the buckle. Affix the other suspender clip to the other end, with the right side up, thread the strap down through the clip, front to back, and zig-zag stitch the raw edge in place. When you the 2nd strap, you have to make sure that the length remains even when attaching both clips.
Finishing the Suspenders
Get your straps, and crisscross the ends farthest from the buckle, set some space approximately 2-3” between the two straps and make the X shape approximately 4” above the clips. It is best if you try fitting them on the child to see where you exactly want the suspenders to cross. After doing this, stitch a diamond pattern in the overlapping section of the straps to secure it. Now you’re finished and have learned how to make kids suspenders. Find out more about baby clothes.
Conclusion
Investing your time in learning how to make kids suspenders is a good skill to learn for parents who have free time in their hands. By utilizing the old items in your house in making the suspender, you can channel the inner tailor in yourselves.
Doing this activity can also be a chance to spend time with your children. By letting the kids do the easy tasks, surely you can have a fun and meaningful time.