Wanting to make your DIY life a little bit easier? Or in need of a last minute gift? This free tool belt sewing pattern is a simple and quick make that I promise will make you think ‘why didn’t I do this earlier!’

Since we’ve moved back after a 9-month long house renovation (more on that later) we have been deep in a never-ending list of DIY’s. And like a lot of couples, we DIY together a lot. But some of us have different methods when it comes to keeping things organised. Despite me being the “messy” one in general, he is 100% the messy one when it comes to DIY (which is super surprising if you know him!) I’m forever looking for/passing him things he’s randomly left on the other side of the room. I don’t know if he does it on purpose or if he knew that I was one more “where’s the…” away from making him a tool belt but here we are! I actually winged the original pattern by measuring around the tools but after lots of you messaged me on my Instagram I thought I’d make it into a printable pattern for you to be able to make yourself one too!

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Free Tool Belt Sewing Pattern

What is it?

A tool belt made up of three different pockets which sit on a simple adjustable waist belt: a multi-tool pocket, a measuring tape pocket and a hammer pocket. Each pocket slides along the belt so you can move them around to a practical and comfortable position while you work. While it’s been made with DIY tools in mind, I’m sure you could use this for other activities such as craft, or as a base for a gardening belt with some adjustments.

Multi-tool pocket

This is the largest of the 3 and has splits into: 1 x larger pocket (designed to hold pliers), 2 x medium pockets (designed to hold screwdrivers) and 1 x skinnier pencil pocket.

Measuring tape pocket

This pocket has a box pleat which means it can fit more square shaped/thicker tools e.g. measuring tapes.

Hammer pocket

This pocket has two features, a small flat pocket and a thicker belt loop style band made to house a hammer. The loops can also be used with a carabiner.

What you’ll need

  • Main fabric, approx 1 fat quarter or 50 x 50cm: this should be a sturdy medium-to-heavy weight fabric. I’m using a plain cotton canvas.
  • Lining fabric, approx 1/2 fat quarter or 25 x 50cm (a little less): this can be a lighter weight fabric e.g. quilting/craft cotton.
  • Interfacing, approx 1/2 fat quarter or 25 x 50cm (a little less): use medium-to-heavy weight fusible interfacing.
  • Matching good quality thread
  • Denim/Jeans sewing machine needle (this is a must as you will be sewing through multiple layers)
  • Nylon Webbing, 1 inch wide: length depending on waist size but I used approx 1.5-2m.
  • Quick release buckle and slider, x1 (1 inch wide)
  • Optional: D-ring (1 inch)

I actually used this set Taufiq had bought from Amazon to repair a backpack (affiliate link) which had all the bits and bobs I needed.

How do I get it the pattern

I’ve sent out the PDF of the print-at-home file to existing subscribers, so if you are already subscribed to my blog have a look in your inbox and check your spam/junk inbox in case it has been filtered off. For new subscribers you will find a password in the ‘Welcome’ email which will give you access to download the pattern on this page (I’ll be adding other free downloads off my blog here too!)

Tutorial

Printing and assembling the pattern pieces

Print out the pattern at home and assemble according to the layout below.

Make sure you print it to ‘actual size’ and do a test print with page 1- this will have the 5cm x5cm box scale for you to check everything is printing to the right size.

Use your preferred method to assemble the pattern, either overlapping the edges so the triangles meet to make a diamond or trimming down the paper. Alternatively, if you prefer to draw out your rectangular pattern pieces directly onto the fabric, page one has the measurements you need.

Cut all your pattern pieces as instructed on the pattern. Mark any markings with removable fabric chalk/pen. I block fused my pocket lining pieces.

Making the pockets

The pockets are broadly made in the same way, with a bound edge on the pocket front and then bagged out to avoid fiddly bias bindings around corners. But each one has a slightly different finish to accommodate specific tools which I’ll highlight below.

For All 3 Pockets:

  1. Prep the binding by folding it in half length ways and press with the iron to mark the middle. Open up and press the sides in to meet at the middle so now it’s divided into 4.
  2. Sew the binding to the outside layer of your pocket (labelled as ‘___ pocket piece’), enclosing the top edge. You can do this as a 2-step method but I’m lazy so just pinned and stitched across using a 1cm seam allowance (SA).

Measuring Tape Pocket

  1. We’re going to make a box pleated pocket. Start by having your pocket piece right side up. Fold inwards along the outer marking
  2. Pin and stitch along the inner marker line. You should go around 2cm deep with this stitch line. Backstitch and secure in the end to make a dart.
  3. Repeat on the other side to finish the pleat and press the pocket.
  4. Pin the pocket piece to the main pocket, lining them up at the bottom edge and baste in place.

Hammer Pocket

  1. We’re going to make the belt loops. Similar to the binding, fold and press the piece in half length ways. Open up and press the sides in to meet in the middle.
  2. Fold in half and top stitch down both lengths
  3. Pin both the pocket piece and the belt loop to the main pocket (with the belt loop sitting just above the pocket opening) and baste in place. The belt loop will have lots of slack in it, keep this out of the way for now.

Multi-Tool Pocket

Pin the pocket piece to the main pocket, lining them up at the bottom edge and baste in place.

For All 3 Pockets

  1. With right sides together, pin the lining and main pockets together.
  2. Stitch around the pocket using a 1.5cm SA and leaving a 3-4cm gap to pull/bag out the pocket through. Trim the seam allowance (I used pinking shears).
  3. Pull the pocket to the right side through the gap you’ve left (this is called ‘bagging out’ and can be a bit fiddly, take your time.)
  4. Gently poke out the corners and then press to flatten/neaten it out.

Hammer Pocket

Using the slack we left from before, we’re going to create the loop for the hammer to sit. You may want to measure this against your tools as home as each one will have a different width but for reference sake:

  1. Starting from the left side and pin the belt loop down at 1cm, then left 7cm of the loop free (with slack for the body of the hammer) and pinned it to the main pocket 4cm along from the last pin.
  2. Pin again 1cm along from this and the 1cm from the right end (leaving slack in the middle for another loop). You should have created two loops like the photo.
  3. Stitch down between the pins to secure in place. I used a square and cross method (see last photo in black dotted line) to make it really strong.

Multi-Tool Pocket

Create the multiple tool pockets but stitching down along the marked lines. I finished off at the top with a bar tack for extra strength but you can easily do a zig-zag if your machine doesn’t have that option.

For All 3 Pockets

  1. Fold over the top of the pocket by 3.5cm and edge stitch along the bottom to create a channel for the belt. Again, I used a bar tack stitch at the end for extra security. Your pockets are all done!

Main Assembly

Now onto putting the belt together with all the notions!

  1. Thread your nylon webbing through the pocket channels. The order is up to you but I’ve put the hammer pocket on first (left to right), followed by a D ring (optional), the measuring tape pocket and lastly the multi-tool pocket.

Then follow the instructions for your fastener (these can vary so I’ve just put photos of mine). Again secure the stitches with a box and cross stitch or solid rows of zigzag stitching. Tip: You will want to seal the cut ends of the nylon webbing by carefully melting it close to a candle flame to stop it from unravelling.

I know that seems like a hefty tutorial, but it really is quite a quick make! Do let me know if you make the tool belt and tag me @thelittlepomegranate and #TLPToolBelt so I can follow along.

love,

4 replies on “Free Tool Belt Sewing Pattern: DIY Organiser for Home, Crafts, and More”

  2. I’ve been thinking about making such a belt. Thanks for providing this! Can’t wait to make it 🥰

    Reply

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