Fun Shoe Redo!

Here is a quick (about 1 hr) project for all of the shoe-fetish ladies out there.  I picked up 2 pair of fabric flats from the ginormous big-box store a few days ago- you may already have some that could use a face lift.  These were under $10/pair, the trims and fabrics I had on hand.  

For supplies gather:

fabric shoes, any color or style

ribbon trim- takes about 12" total per color- per pair

buttons to cover, or fabric flowers, etc.  You pick!!

craft adhesive, like goop or E-6000

toothpicks to spread adhesive

a few clothespins or clips to help hold stuff on

old socks to stuff in toes

X-acto or craft knife- razor blade if you are brave

I sealed them after completion with Scotchgard spray

Cut your ribbon pieces to length, plus a few inches leeway on each side.  If you are using covered buttons, cut fabric and cover buttons according to instructions.  I used pliers to bend the shank down flat on the back of the button.  If you are using regular buttons with a shank, cut it off or bend it down.   Stuff  old socks into the toe of the shoe so you have something to push against, and to help it hold shape.  I spread out my ribbon on a paper plate, and squeezed a small amount of adhesive into a blob on the plate.  Don't squeeze out too much, because it starts to set up quickly, and you will just end up wasting it.  Use your toothpick to get some adhesive, and smear it smoothly onto the back of the ribbon.  Don't smear the whole thing- remember- you cut it long, so you have both ends free to work with it!  If you don't get the adhesive quite far enough, don't worry, you can lift up the loose ends from the shoe and add some to the backside of the ribbon and get it just right.   I eyeballed the ribbon placement- you may want to mark the shoes with disappearing marker.  

Tip:  Hold the ribbon taught w/ both hands, and lay it across the shoe, and smooth from the middle outward.  There is a little bit of play and open time, but not much!

Add some adhesive to the back of the button or flowers, and press into place.   Move the socks out of the way, but you can push them under the clips to help hold them just right.

The clothespins/clips need to stay on just a few minutes.

They will look something like this:

After adhesive has set up, trim off excess ribbon with craft knife or (if you are very brave!!) a razor blade.  As you can see, I'm not that brave!!  You just use the edge at the sole as a guide.

Add a little extra adhesive to the edges by the sole.  This looks messy, but I spread it out more neatly with the toothpick, and removed the excess.   Let the shoes dry completely- preferably several hours or overnight.

Here are the results!  I would love to see yours!! 

Good Luck and Have Fun!!