While purging my closet, I came across several belts that were a lil’ too big. I thought about asking my boyfriend to punch extra holes into them, but after inspecting his own DIY belt hole job (see last pic below) I decided to pass…
I’ve heard so much about this revolving leather hole puncher on Amazon – I called around and discovered that Michaels Arts & Crafts and A.C. Moore carries it for $10, plus I found printable coupons online for both stores. Silly me forgot my coupon, but ACMoore took it right off my iPhone … score 😀
Verdict: A MUST HAVE for anyone who has ever had trouble finding belts in the right size – whether too big or too small. One of the best $5’s I’ve ever spent! Just compare the holes I punched (bottom) vs. the one my bf poked the old-fashioned way, using an awl (top):
I don’t recommend this for belts that are several sizes too big, because there will be too much length left over. I need to figure out what to do my flopping ends…I’ve heard about fashion tape, but I want a permanent solution! Any suggestions?
Belts can be dismantled at the buckle and cut down to the right size, tho I'm not sure about women's belt. Made a mistake first time buying a belt, I let her punch redundant holes (which now in the middle). What's worse, the promoter offered to cut off the extra length. Used rivets to cover it up lol.
This is brilliant! I've been looking for such a solution for years. I don't have long hair so have no idea what a pony tail holder looks like but am off to Accessorize today. Thank you!
That's an awesome tool! Thanks for the tip, Jean.
Ahh, thanks so much. I'm doing this asap 🙂
crazyshitisee.com
This is so genius!! I already love Michael's for random do-dads so will definitely have to hunt this down next time I'm there.
I don't know why i didn't see this post before :p I tried making a hole in my belt a long time ago and it was nothing but a fail! I'll check out Michael's 😀 Thanks!!
Hi!! i am so interested in this hole puncher, but when i went to michaels, they said they didn't even sell those… 🙁
Stop it!!! I'm now browsing through your old posts and the other day I was JUST wondering if there was an easier way to punch holes in my belts without taking them down to the garage and taking a nail and hammer to them. And you're telling me there's a $5 solution?! Gah! I will be on my way to Michael's to pick one up. You're wonderful!
Love it! My grandparents have one of these that's older than I am. Now that I live several states away, theirs isn't convenient to use anymore, but I'd never seen one for sale anywhere. Good to know where they're sold and that they're available for such a great price! Next time I pass Michael's, I may stop in and pick up one of these.
Rosie – Oh how funny! We really do live in the same hood…I go to Alton too to get my shoes soled w/ rubber ever since my friend Christine recommended him : ) What a cute little man!
oh wow, thanks so much for the idea! wow, $9.99 + a coupon?! that's quite the steal! i definitely need to invest in this contraption. thanks again!
TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
PAG — I go to Alton Place Shoe Repair in Brookline, MA. It is tucked away below ground and is run by a very sweet old Armenian man. He charged me $5 to shorten and punch holes in a leather belt, and $3 to shorten the shoulder strap and punch holes on my Gucci cross-body bag. The end won't end up quite as nice as it originally was, but it sure beats having to awkwardly tuck it in or having it wrap around your back.
OMG I just made two holes on my new belt last night and I totally did it the "old fashioned" way. I hammered a nail on to the belt and voila, a hole was created! But that didn't come without a struggle :p
This tool could be a life saver! Maybe I should start looking for one in Toronto, hopefully one of the arts stores in the city sells it.
Thanks for the review :D:D:D:D
http://www.monochromachic.com
Wow! It's really a fabulous find! Thanks for sharing this.
BTW, your did fantastic job for your makeup. Maybe you can do a post for it also?
Great video! You're so personable on video, hope you do more!
And thanks so much for the review. Just ordered a BR belt and will probably be heading to my local A.C. Moore once it arrives!
Love the blog, such an informative and entertaining read!!
Thanks so much for doing the shopping around. I'm heading to Michael's tomorrow. 🙂
It's so funny reading the different ways you guys punch belt holes.
@ Van5virginia – lol! That seems rather dangerous. I wouldn't trust myself to use a scalding nail.
Thanks guys for all the tips about the flopping end … black/brown plasticy elastics, going to the cobbler. Rosie – do you mind sharing where you go and how much it costs to get the ends hacked off?
Janet – mine is Tandy Leather Factory brand from A.C. Moore. Thanks for the Amazon tip!
Gladys – oh I know what you mean … it's the artificial leather belt smell. Mine from F21 smell terrible! I have no idea other than the air it out by the window?
Anon – it's an old dress from Banana Republic…one of the first few items I posted about ever : )
adorable dress! where is it from?
Great video! I was just telling myself the other day that I need to get a hole puncher like that.
Hi! I have a solution on how to avoid the "tail" of unneeded leather at the end o fa too-big belt. When I find a belt I love, I purchase a size M instead of an XS or XXS. I have my shoe repairman (I'm also in Boston!) cut off the end, including all the holes, and then punch new holes where I need them.
Oh wow thanks for sharing this!! I can never find belts that fit!
Great tool! Those little gadgets make life so much easier.
———————————
I am giving away a beautiful necklace at PetiteLittleGirl.com
OMG thank you for this! i was seriously struggling a couple of days ago because i have a couple of belts that don't fit. Do you have any advise on how to get the stinky smell from the belts?? i have a couple i got from forever 21 and they have this stale stinky smell to them…. thanks a bunch! awesome video!
Love the clear elastic trick too! I have a belt that I love that is too long.
My boyfriend S. might miss creating extra holes (and a mess!) in my belts using his Swiss Army knife. For some of my skinnier belts, I've just been skipping the holes all together and wearing the belt with the metal piece off to one side – I have one AN belt that really stays like that.
Love the idea of using a clear elastic to secure the loose ends!
P.S. What brand is your hole puncher?
Janet
Wow, thanks for the suggestion. Now I may actually start integrating belts into my wardrobe!
P.S. Amazon is offering a free prime membership to students… http://www.amazon.com/student …as a promotion, but a .edu email is required. Free shipping for a whole year!!
–Janet
hello do a make up tutorial! love your make up!!!
woah this is ingenious! I definitely have some belts that i'd love to wear but are too big. I'm going to look for this at michaels.
thanks for the review!
roxy
http://roxybeautyblog.blogspot.com/
My sister showed me a little trick for visually eliminating the extra length in your belt….she takes one of those plastic blendable clear non-tear ponytail holders (they're super tiny and come in clear, clear brown and clear black) and she slips it down the arm of the belt. Once the belt is buckled around the waist you can slip any excess length through the pony holder and it stays secure. These have worked the best for me even if the extra length goes around the back. Also, these holders are almost impossible to see. ; -))
Whoa! That looks like it goes in the petite HG pile 🙂 I will definitely look for that next time. All my belts are super flappy and don't have enough holes.
omg what a great tool! i wish i knew about this a long time ago 😛 btw you look gorgeous! i didn't know you had a channel on youtube, i just subbed! 🙂
This is so genius!! I already love Michael's for random do-dads so will definitely have to hunt this down next time I'm there.
P.S. Wow you worked near SF before, may I ask where? 🙂 It's too bad you didn't get to try any good Viet food here =( I think most Viet restaurants here are just mediocre to be honest.. except for when it's something fancier like The Slanted Door restaurant in my post!
Great video again and definitely much needed! I used to take a few of my belts to a leather worker/shoe repair place to get extra holes added and removing some of the length from the belts. They do a great job and the finish isn't ruined when they cut off the extra length!
Great little gadget and tutorial! I used to punch (actually poke) hole with a pen..the result was, of course, a disaster.
You can take your belts to a shoe repair place and they will shorten it for you!
Ah I don't know what to do about the extra length at the end either! But this hole-punching gadget is amazing and super useful, thanks for sharing with us 🙂
How cool! I wish I knew about this when I was skinny! Will keep it for future reference.
You look so cute in your video!
I'm glad this was helpful! I'm late to the game though…I think all the other petite bloggers already have this gadget. Definitely google & print a coupon before you go!
Janice – yes it's super clingy. I don't even like wearing it to work because it's a little too fitted in the bum!
Thanks so much for sharing!!! I've been looking for a solution for the longest time to get extra holes on my belts! BTW, your dress is super cute!
Great tool! What I've been using for belts and purses (with belt type of straps) is this huge scrapbooking tool my mom has. I have no idea what it's called but it also has the different puncher sizes for the holes. And, it cuts through the THICKEST leather with no effort. =) I like that your tool has more sizes though since ours only has 3 or 4.
Cool! I didn't even know something like that exists! Lol What I would normally do is turn on the stove and use a pair of pliers to hold a nail in the flames. Once the nail turns red from the fire, I would push it against the belt and make a hole that way…Kinda scary and dangerous if you don't have a firm grip on it, but the heat does help to burn through the leather and allow for a relatively clean hole =]
For 5 bucks,I would rather buy this handy little thing!
I'm buying one of those gadgets with my next Michael's coupon!
What a great gadget! Thanks for sharing! And I love that dress on you 🙂
That's such a nifty tool! My dad used to do it the old fashioned way, resulting in scraggly-edged holes. I'm going to let him know about this haha. Thanks for sharing!
P.S. I have that dress too and really like it! Can be a bit clingy in the back though.
AN & PetiteXXS – OH good, lol. I thought I was just extra weak! Definitely glad to hear I'm not the only one : )
D – thanks, hun! If this puncher were not so darn cheap I would just do it the old way too.
OOo. delightful! I'm used to doing it the Bf's way too! haha.
on another note, I really like your outfit and that royal blue looks fantastic on you!
Ah you beat me to it! 🙂 Mine is still on the way from Amazon, but I'm glad it works so well for you. I'm probably going to need a belt-punching helper too… they're handy to have around 😉
I have the exact same one! It's awesome! I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who needs a few extra holes punched in belts. And, yes, I've needed "helpers" to punch holes in thicker leathers too…=)
Also works for strappy shoes.