Make your shoes even fancier with these DIY projects!
Even the most boring pair of shoes can become very not boring with these easy projects. From canvas to leather to vinyl, there’s a way to fancy up nearly every kind of shoe below, so pick your favorite and start crafting!
Dyed Suede
Dyeing suede looks scary, but it’s actually one of the easiest makeover projects! You do need genuine suede/leather dye and the right application supplies, but the process itself is simple, and the results are stunning. This is an especially good way to makeover dingy suede, since a darker dye will also conceal wear.
Embroidered Converse
You can literally stitch right on top of your Converse! All you need are a needle and embroidery floss, although water-soluble self-adhesive sheets help a LOT. My favorite part of this project is how you can do this on any color of Converse by choosing the right colorways of embroidery floss, and it will always look stunning.
Fabric Markers on Canvas Sneakers
I LOVE the amount of detail you can achieve with fabric markers! These wear super well on canvas sneakers, and I think they’d be a fun way to make a plain pair of Keds match your favorite outfit, or to jazz up a toddler’s sneakers with their current favorite thing. Even MY kid would have willingly put her shoes on if they’d had diplodocuses drawn all over them!
Glittered Sneakers
Take care to source eco-friendly glitter for this project, since I’ve never known a glittered object not to somehow also manage to share some of its glitter with the world, ahem. A good sealant can help with this. These sneakers won’t wear as well as non-glittered sneakers, but think how great they’d look with a prom dress!
Hydro Dipped Vans
This tutorial calls for spray paint, which is not an eco-friendly product. However, if you’ve got a Restore or similar home improvement thrift store nearby, you can rescue another DIYer’s old spray paint for a smaller environmental footprint.
Iron-on Fabric
You need iron-on printable transfer paper and an inkjet printer for this project, but after that, the possibilities are endless. I love the floral pattern used in this tutorial, but I’m obsessed with the idea of using Canva to make a custom graphic to apply to each part of the shoe. With some careful designing, printing, and ironing, I feel like I could make it look like I have Captain America on my feet!
Needle Felting
Needle felting canvas shoes is a WILD concept, but it works great! Wool is pretty warm, so these probably won’t be your summeriest shoes afterwards, but they will be so fun. And because you can needle felt the most detailed, elaborate, intricate scenes, I’m super excited by the idea of doing this for a high-fashion event.
Painted Rain Boots
The intricate designs on these boots are mesmerizing! Dimensional fabric paint really helps with that mandala-like look, although it means that you’d always need to be a little careful with them, since that type of paint won’t lock into the vinyl. For the best longevity, top with a clear, flexible sealant.
Painted Saddle Shoes
These aren’t proper saddle shoes, but if you just need a cute pair for a costume party (to go with your DIY poodle skirt, perhaps?), or you want the look but in a color that isn’t usually made (how about purple!), this painting method works great. The tutorial uses regular acrylic paint, but I’d be inclined to spring for a professional-grade fabric paint. Fabric paint has more give, and if you heat-set it, it’s washable!
Removeable Sandal Embellishments
Having embellishments that you can remove means that you can have endless pairs of sandals that all look different! Don’t sub out the linen called for in the tutorial, since linen is a cool, breathable fabric that will help keep your feet from getting too hot even with the extra fabric from the embellishments.
Tie-Dye
Here’s a method for blending fabric dye that makes your canvas shoes look tie-dyed! This is especially fun for summer, or as a way to get some more wear out of dingy Converse or Keds.
Woodburned Leather
Because you can wood burn leather just like you can wood burn wood! Bonus points for wedges, which have wooden soles that you can also wood burn.
Do YOU have a favorite method of embellishing your favorite kicks? Let us know in the Comments!
