How to attach this antique buckle?

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Ok, I'm stumped.

Anyone know how to attach both ends of a sash or belt to a buckle with only one central pin with teeth, without hiding either side edge of the buckle?

Clearly, it can be done, as this is a very common style of antique buckle. But until I figure it out, I can't wear mine.

I suspect it's a simple answer and I'm going to be embarrassed, as usual. That's fine.

I may end up just pushing the teeth through the pointy end, as shown, and then pinning the belt closed beneath with a safety pin or whatever.

But it's bugging me. Anybody? The central bar swivels. The teeth are super sharp. Ouch.

 

[lkranieri]

I have buckles like that, too, and on my “buckle list” is my intention to search for an answer to the same question. I wonder, however, if we can do THIS same procedure with our buckles.

EDITED TO ADD: Um, now that I enlarged your last photo, I think you have it exactly right...and the teeth poke through the fabric.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

These buckles certainly can "ruin" the fabric and your fingers too!

 

[Jonathan]

This looks like hat buckle that I don't believe was intended for anything but as a decoration on a hat. They are usually sewn to the hat, with a fancy silk ribbon pulled through, and the prongs just ornamentally piercing the surface of the ribbon.

 

[Jonathan]

Here's an example of one in use

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Yup, ....what he said! A hat buckle for sure. It could be used for a dress sash but would quickly tear and spoil most fabrics.

It does not necessarily have to been sewn to the hat, on some fabrics such as silk velvet it holds itself in place on the hat after pulling the fabric or ribbon through as you have correctly done in your last photo. But usually a tack stitch or two can help it stay in place especially if it a large one. And if you do not wind the ribbon through, then of course it needs to be sewn on. I guess it depended on the fabric, size of the buckle, etc.

I love those, even if they DO prick my fingers.

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

This is what I was thinking, a hat buckle, but was too embarrassed to suggest it. Sometimes i am completely wrong . And feel this way . LOL

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

The shoe buckle has a way to thread the first/lower side through AND pierce the leather of the second/upper side. The ones I have do not have this second option.

Furthermore, saying it's a hat buckle doesn't change the question. How do you attach BOTH ends?

Note the similar buckles on Romantic and Mid-Victorian ensembles. Some are sash buckles -- just a loop behind to thread a sash through, which then ties or latches behind the wearer. But some are clearly REAL buckles, with teeth that have pierced the belt at the end we can see. What I want to know is what's happening at the end we can't see. The lady in the last dress photo is wearing a belt that very much resembles my own very tall mid-Victorian model, as shown last. You can see the teeth:

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Jonathan's example is a "sash buckle" (call it a hat buckle if you prefer) which has a loop at the back to thread the sash or ribbon or belt or whatever else through. No teeth. No piercing involved.

 

[Pinkcoke]

Liza I don't see why you couldn't pierce the first end of the fabric through too - fold it over and sew to itself as normal when making a fabric belt. Second end goes through and is either held in place by the teeth without piercing, or with, as preferred.

 

[Jonathan]

The problem is Liza, you are trying to make an ornamental buckle into a serviceable buckle, and you aren't going to have any luck doing that. If you want to use it as a waist buckle, then you need to construct a belt with a hook and eye closure, and only use that buckle as an ornament to have over the part where the ends overlap, creating the illusion that its workable. However, those large hat buckles are usually made of very soft metal, so you will find that if you bend over, you will likely fold the buckle in half... The 18th century shoe buckle won't help you because the prongs aren't long enough to pierce the outer belt, and there is no anchor for the other end of the belt.

 

[claireshaeffer]

Liza, my knowledge of historic costume and accessories will fit into a child's thimble. However, I have some ideas that have not been mentioned.
Most ladies had needlework skills. Their tools included an awl which could be used to make eyelets.
For your project. you can make eyelets in one are both sides of the sash.
Do you need holes on both ends of the sash--this depends on how you want the sash to look when you wear it. I would make the holes on the non-buckle end first to see how they look. Then decide about the buckle end.
Make a hole. There's a tool that comes with eyelets to make a nice round hole. This is easier than making a hole with an awl.
Embroider around the hole with buttonhole or blanket stitches. Blanket stitches are probably ok since you wear this a lot.
When you put the holes on the non-buckle end of the sash, the holes should be finished with eyelets so you know 1. where to fasten it, 2. avoid making holes in the fabric.
If you want to make buttonhole stitches around the eyelets, I can post an easy way to make them.