karate belts

[greengirlak]

So...I was helping to clean out my dojo a few weeks ago and we went through this buket of used karate belts, mostly for kids...and we had 6 million of them, so we were going to throw a bunch away and I thought, surely there's a crafty project in there somewhere, eh?  Any suggestions?  I was thinking of purse straps, but they're darn thick to sew through...

[theblackplague]

What are they made of?  If they're a sort of nylon-ish type material, they may melt...you could do something like that, like melt them together for a purse...i dunno, that's probably just the pyro in me...

[zieak]

How about weaving them into a doormat? 

[greengirlak]

Zieak, a doormat is a fun idea!  There was talk of a braided rug...but that seemed like much too much work.  A doormat it is!

blackplague: They're made of cotton, but they're really thick...so I'm not even sure that my sewing machine would like to sew them together.

thanks for the suggestions!

[zengrrl]

Don't know if you're into yoga but I use them for yoga straps--you know, for stretching your legs out supported. Also they make very strong tie-downs for tying things to the roof of your car. I keep a couple in my trunk. I know these suggestions are more practical than crafty, but you are right in not throwing those belts out. They are quite strong and useful.

[silencepainter]

I'd sugest leaving a few at the dojo if you don't already have some spare belts there.  FOr when little ones forget their belt, or bring a friend to try it out (so the friend doesn't feel left out).

Also a lot of places put tied up belts on display, though you probably already have that.  I know mine had one of each belt up, and under it a sign that said what the belt stood for (strength, endurance, concentration, etc). 

I'm tempted to tell you to see if a needle for denim can sew through them.. but they are thicker than jeans.

I love the dormat idea. 

Perhaps use them to hang stuff up with?  Might make a neat design to have them hanging down on a wall with something interesting and colorful hanging from them.

[greengirlak]

We have what seems like a MILLION spare belts at the dojo, which is why we finally decided to part with some of them. 

I love the "tying stuff to the car" idea.  My husband is going to get such a kick out of that...but then what would we do with all our old climbing ropes!??!? (which we already keep in the backs of our cars to tie stuff down with.)

I'll probably end up trying to sew through them, just because I'm stubborn like that. I'll keep you posted.

[little_hobbit_feet]

If you're going to sew through them, probably invest in one of those sharp-as-hell leatherworking needles, or you're going to wind up with finger-damage.

[tofuttibreak]

I'm not sure if yours are long enough, but I have some that I'm thinking of making into guitar straps.  I'm thinking that I'll just punch holes into each end and then stitch the edges.

[xtalkischeapx]

KARATE HAMMOCK!