How to Make Suspenders

Co-authored by Shaelynn Haning

Last Updated: December 5, 2023

Suspenders have been around for centuries, coming in and out of fashion. Called braces in England, suspenders take the place of a belt for holding up a pair of slacks. Learn how to make a simple pair of X back suspenders. You can always use them for a costume when they are out of fashion. This is a simple sewing project that can be a lot of fun.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Measuring the Elastic

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Purchase around 2-4 yards of 1" thick elastic (depending on your height and weight), two suspender buckles, and four suspender clips. You can find all of these things at any fabric store. You'll also need scissors, pins, a sewing machine or a needle and thread, a tape measure. ^{[1]
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2
Cut the elastic into two even lengths. You'll want cut them longer than they'll be in the end, because you'll be making them adjustable with the buckles.
- To make sure you don't cut your elastic lengths too short, measure yourself first. Hold one end of your measuring tape to one side of your waist.
- Have someone pull the tape across your shoulder and back down to the same place on your waist on your backside.
- Add 6" to 12" to this measurement to make the suspenders adjustable. This should be how long your elastic straps should be cut.
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Hold the two pieces of elastic at the belt line (where they will be clipped on to the waistband).
Have someone help you bring the other ends of the elastic straps over your shoulders.
5
Crisscross the two pieces of elastic. Have someone hold the two ends of the straps to your belt line in the back. Each end should go to the opposite sides so that they cross over each other. The two strips will form an “X" across the small of your back.
- Once you've done this, take the elastic straps off and proceed with attaching the clips and buckles.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Attaching the Clips and Buckles

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Start from the bottom of the buckle and pull up, then down through the other side. Have the elastic extending about 1/4" out of the buckle.
Fold the end of the elastic sticking out 1/4" from the buckle back through the buckle. Then stitch the elastic in place.
Put the end of the elastic through the hook and fold it over so that it slightly overlaps the rest of the elastic. The front of the suspender clip should be on the opposite side.
4
Pull the elastic through the buckle. Take the end of the elastic that's open and pull it through the buckle. Insert it through the bottom and then back through the other side.
- This will make the suspenders adjustable.
Put the end of the elastic through the hook and fold it over so that it slightly overlaps the rest of the elastic. The front of the suspender clip should be on the opposite side.
Take a pin and pin it through the elastic where it's folded over on itself. This will keep the elastic in place while you sew. ^{[2]
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Use your sewing machine or needle and thread to sew the elastic in place. Be sure to back stitch a few times on both ends—this stitching will hold the clips onto the suspenders.
For the other elastic and suspender clips, repeat the same process. Now you have your two suspender straps.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Sewing the Back

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Put on a pair of pants that fit you well. Then attach the two lengths of elastic to the back of the pants using the clips.
Bring each strap up and over each shoulder, forming an “X” in the back.
Pull the straps over your shoulders and to the front. Attach the front clips to your pants.
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Have someone help you pin the two elastic straps together where they meet in the back. This will hold the crisscross in place so you can sew it together.
Take off the suspenders first by undoing all the clips. Use your sewing machine or a needle and thread to sew a diamond of stitches where the suspenders overlap, securing the "X" shape. You'll need about 5 stitches in each direction.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Making D-Ring Suspenders

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For suspenders that meet in the back with a D or O shaped ring, you'll need: 2-4 yards of 1" thick elastic (depending on your height and weight), one d-ring or o-ring, three suspender clips, thread, a needle, and scissors. Most of this can be bought at any craft store. A d-ring or o-ring can be bought at a hardware store if you cannot find it at a fabric or craft store..
2
Attach one of the suspender clips. First, you'll make the back piece. Start by running one of the suspender clips about an inch up one end of the elastic. Fold the end back through the clip and then sew it in place.
- Sew about five stitches. You can reinforce the seam by going back through a few times if you'd like.
3
Attach the d-ring. Next, you'll want to cut the elastic about a foot up from the suspender clip. Then wrap about an inch of the open end of the elastic through the d-ring and sew it in place.
- Sew about five stitches. You can reinforce the seam by going back through a few times if you'd like.
- Remember to make the folded over end on the right side, the same side as the back of the suspender clip.
Cut two equal length strips of elastic that are as long as the length of your torso plus half the length of your torso. Slide the clips about one inch down the elastic straps. Fold the ends over and sew them in place.
5
Cut the elastic straps in the front down to size. You'll need a friend to help you measure how much of the strap to cut off.
- Attach the back suspender clip to the back of your pants and have a friend hold the d-ring in place in the middle of your back.
- Attach the two front clips to the front of your pants. Have your friend pull the straps back over your shoulders and to the d-ring. Mark where the front straps meet the ring.
- Cut the front straps an inch or two away from the mark, to give it some slack.
6
Attach the front straps to the d-ring. Pull an inch of the open ends of the two front straps through the top of the d-ring. Sew each of them in place. ^{[3]
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- Sew about five stitches. You can reinforce the seam by going back through a few times if you'd like.

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Question

Can I use a slider instead of an elastic to make suspenders?

Shaelynn Haning
Professional Tailor & Business Owner
Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College.

Shaelynn Haning

Professional Tailor & Business Owner

Expert Answer

Yes, you can use a diagram as an example, such as an adjustable bra strap. Then you can look at the mechanics of it and mimic that when you make your slider. That allows you to use a woven, non-stretch fabric and adjust it so that it stretches out. Unlike an elastic strap that goes longer and longer when it gets worn out.

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How do I make them without sewing?

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You could use something like hot glue or some kind of adhesive. Hot glue tends to work well with fabrics (I use it instead of thread all the time).

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Tips

Allow for some slack when measuring so that you don’t make the suspenders too tight; too tight suspenders are as uncomfortable as a too tight belt.

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Although 1” (2.54 cm) wide elastic is recommended, you can purchase wider strips of elastic if you want to make heavy duty suspenders.

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Some people prefer to let the suspenders hang at their sides. If you like that style, you don’t need to wear X back suspenders; simply clip each elastic strap to the front and the back of your trousers, then slide the suspenders down from your shoulders and arms and allow them to hang loosely at your sides.

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Things You’ll Need

3 yards (2.7 M) of 1” (2.74 cm) wide elastic (any color)
Measuring tape
4 suspender clips
Sewing machine
Scissors
Pins

[1]

[2]

[3]

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How to Make Suspenders

Steps

Measuring the Elastic

Attaching the Clips and Buckles

Sewing the Back

Making D-Ring Suspenders

Expert Q&A

Tips

Things You’ll Need

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