Sunday, December 4, 2011

Putting your best foot forward

I saw this phenomenal DIY project on love Maegan a few weeks ago: she reupholstered shoes.  I obsessed over them, pinned them, dreamed about them, looked at her tutorial daily. I decided it would be my Christmas break craft project.

And then I got anxious. I have this problem that when I think of an idea or project I want to do, I want it done immediately. Waiting these few weeks has been miserable. So last night I embarked on a reupholstering shoe adventure. And, let me tell you, it is just as satisfying and fun than redoing chairs (and takes a fraction of the time!)


I dug these old $7 Target shoes out of the bottom of my shoe bin, grateful once again for my inability to get rid of anything:

I didn't follow her instructions exactly - especially around the heel, since it didn't quite work out with such a little heel. That's where my upholstery skills came into play and I was able to figure out how to manipulate the fabric enough to make it work.

And within about 40 minutes they were transformed into these:


And this is where things got dangerous. . . . I loved them so much (admittedly, I think I loved the process more than the final result) I just HAD to do one more pair. So back to my shoe bin I went and I dug out another old pair of $7 Target flats. Also black and mostly unworn for the last 2 years.
I was so excited I didn't take a before photo but how cute are these!?



And then I was officially addicted. So I transformed this 2005 purchase I made in Galway (which I probably have not worn since said trip to Galway . . . . ):



Into these, which I am sure to wear now:


This could have gone on all. night. long. I just ran out of ugly, unworn shoes.

Here's the best part though: if the fabric gets dirty, I change my mind on a pattern, I can just rip that fabric right off and make a new pair!

And so the obsession continues. In case anyone wants a Christmas break tutorial to help feed my obsession but prevent me from spending our savings on shoes and fabric, I'd be happy to oblige.



1 comment:

  1. I saw your pin about this! I have a pair in mind, but they have a strap in the back... not sure that would work well. I'll have to check out my other shoes. Super cute work!!
    And I know what you mean about needing to do things immediately. I needed a hot glue gun for a current project, which meant that I had to go buy one at 9:00 Saturday night, even though I knew I wasn't going to use it for a couple days. I did manage to make myself wait until Sunday afternoon!

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