Cinch Belt Semi-Tutorial!

Finely, I've some free time!
So I thought I'd upload some directions on making a snapped cinch belt.  Hopefully I'll find some batteries soon to take pictures to go along with the directions and doodle.
(Psst.  This is my first actual sewing tutorial.  How exciting!)

Alrighty, so here goes.

Supplies:
Enough fabric to go 'round waist plus a little extra, and at least 7 inches wide (prewash and iron!)
Interfacing, stiff cotton, or similar the same length and width as fabric (I used felt 1/2 inch short all way round to decrease bulk)
Snaps of some sort (I found some gripper snap fasteners at the local thrift store for 10 cents.)
Tool(s) to apply snaps (hammer, pencil, spool, or whatever your snaps require)
scissors/rotary cutter
pins
sewing machine
iron

The first thing you need to do is measure your waist.  This is the part of your trunk that is naturally the smallest (think possibly under the rib cage).
Take this measurement and add about 3 1/2 to 4 inches.  Broken down, this is approximately 1 inch for seam allowance and 2 1/2 to 3 inches for your snaps.
(Make sure you write this number down somewhere so you don't forget it.  If you're like me, you'll forget your measurement AND misplace the bit of paper you wrote the number down on.)

Next thing to do is to measure and cut your fabric.  It needs to be your ending waist measurement long by 7 inches wide (for a 3 inch finished belt).  Measure twice, cut once!  All seams are 1/2 inch.
Fold your rectangle in half (like a hotdog bun), right sides together, and iron.  If you're using some sort of interfacing (stiff cotton, iron-on, etc.), fold and pin to rectangle.  Sew along one short side and the long open seam.  You now have a tube that's closed on one end. (1, 2).  Trim seams to 1/4 inch (except the open end), clip corners, and turn (3 [this may be a little difficult with the interfacing; just be patient!]).  If you want, migrate the seam to the middle of the belt and press.

Fold  the open end inwards (press if necessary).  Use a straight stitch and top stitch all the way 'round the edges (1/8 to 1/4 inch, depending on your preferences [4]).

Use your original waist measurement to place the snaps (5).  (Let's say my waist was 33 inches, so I measured 33 inches on the belt and found I had 3 extra inches, which I divided evenly among the ends.)  Mark with pins or washable fabric pencil.

Now it's time to apply the snaps!  Follow the instructions that came with your snaps (or look up on YouTube for a how-to; some thrift finds come without instructions).  Use desired amount of snaps on the ends (REMINDER!  Make sure you put the female snap on the opposite side and end from the male snap.  If not, your belt will be twisted and very uncomfortable!)
(ALSO:  make sure your snaps line up correctly before applying.  They are a pain to remove, and 9 times out of 10 will ruin your project)

Now pull out that flowing dress or roomy top and flaunt your new belt!  (If you had to go out to the Beau's shop to apply snaps, you might want to remove the sawdust first)

Cheers!