there are a few things that i have found that really works for me!!

theres a material called pleater tape. its tuff and strong. only thing is is only about 5 or 6" wide. and if i wanted to do a belt that has shape to it its not gonna work! So if thats the case, i use buckram. But i also fuse it with a jean material or a thick canvas type material. on each side of the buckram. then i cover it with the material i want to use underneath my beading.

the fringe i sew on individually directly onto the belt. I learned from another dancer that she does french knots at the end of each strand. Its been a faster process since i learned that part!! ill go find the link to where she explains that.

i use upholstry thread when i do all my beading and fringe. i also double it up.

I've used heavy denim, and I've used that fusible interfacing, in a thick weight.

Either works just fine for me. I double the interfacing, and I use as many layers of the denim as seems necessary.

I used a layer of heavy denim (inside layer), a layer of buckram (middle layer), and a layer of heavy felt (top layer) before covering with my satin. It's holding up great and gives the belt a good balance of shape and flexability. For the fringe, I use extra strong thread and double it up, using a bead at the bottom to anchor it so that there's no chance of the beads slipping over a knot and coming off.