Alright, let’s talk about my latest little project: a gardener’s tool belt. I got tired of running back and forth to the shed every five minutes, so I figured I’d slap something together.
First thing I did was rummage through my scrap pile. I found some heavy-duty canvas – the kind used for tarps. Figured that would hold up to some dirt and abuse. I also snagged some old leather belt scraps I’d been saving from… I don’t even remember. Probably an old pair of boots.
Then came the planning. I just laid out my most used tools – trowel, pruners, a small hand rake – and arranged them on the canvas to see how big to make the pockets. I wanted them snug but not too tight, you know? Drew some rough outlines with a Sharpie.
Next, I started cutting the canvas. I cut one big rectangle for the main belt, and then a bunch of smaller squares and rectangles for the pockets. Didn’t bother with a pattern, just eyeballed it. I’m not trying to win any fashion awards here.
Sewing time! I used my old Singer sewing machine – thing’s a beast, but it gets the job done. I folded over the top edges of the pockets and sewed them down to make a clean edge. Then I pinned the pockets onto the main belt piece and sewed around the sides and bottom, reinforcing the corners for extra strength. I went over each seam twice, just to be sure.
For the belt itself, I folded over the long edges of the canvas rectangle and sewed them down to make a nice, clean hem. Then I cut the leather belt scraps into strips and riveted them onto the ends of the canvas to make a buckle. I even added a couple of extra leather loops along the belt for holding larger tools like my spade.
And that’s pretty much it. It ain’t pretty, but it’s functional. I loaded it up with my tools and gave it a test run in the garden. Everything stayed put, and I didn’t have to keep running back to the shed. Success!
Here’s a quick rundown of what I used:
- Heavy-duty canvas
- Leather scraps
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- Sharpie
- Rivets
- Buckle (from an old belt)
Could I have bought a fancy tool belt online? Sure. But where’s the fun in that? Plus, this way I got to use up some scraps and make something custom-fit for my needs. And honestly, it feels good to make something with your own two hands. Even if it is a bit rough around the edges.
