Burda Style For people who sew
Fabric Covered Shoes: Make Your Own
Views
13616
Description
Ever since I saw the fabric covered shoes on Erdem’s S/S2010 runway I have been dying to make a pair for myself. It seemed like a difficult ordeal at first but the process was surprisingly easy, and so rewarding!
I chose one of my favorite Liberty of London peacock prints in cotton lawn that I had left over from a dress I made (I was going for a matchy-matchy look). I used a pair of plain black faux-leather wedges that I didn’t mind experimenting with. The wedge heel for me was a must— I think the covered heel is the most exciting part of the shoe’s silhouette. Next time I would love to try a floral-printed silk charmeuse like the Erdem wedges pictured above!
Material Notes
Shoes (I recommend a wedge), 1 yard of fabric, 1 yards self-adhesive fabric sheet, craft glue (make sure it’s suitable for fabric), scissors, pencil
Difficulty
Novice
Related Techniques
Categories
- Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
- For
- Unisex
- Garment Type
- Accessories
- Style
- Bohemian, Bridal, Evening Wear, Mod, Rock, Victorian
- Material
- Cotton, Silk
Credits
- Created + Styled by
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May 27, 2011, 12.20 AMby PaintonLily
Does ANYONE know what the Krylon Matte finsih is for? and when it is applied!!!!???
1 Reply
Jun 6, 2011, 02.27 PMby burdastyle
It’s for finishing the shoes (see step 9). The matte finish spray extends the life of the shoes by offering a protective outer coating.
— alison
May 25, 2011, 02.32 PMby PaintonLily
You show a can of Krylon Matte Finish, however, you dont’ say why or when to use it! So, what is it for? And why? Thanks.
Feb 22, 2011, 11.48 PMby eremish
I have the perfect wedges for this project! I have never worn them bc the color is ugly…this will be cool!
Feb 22, 2011, 10.42 PMby retrochic
OMG!!! I LOVE this!!!! I’ve always wanted to design my own shoes!!!!!! AAAAAAWWWWWWEEESSSSSOOOOMMMMMEEEEE!!!! (And i love the silk ones, too. The pattern on those is so retro!!)
Feb 15, 2011, 02.37 AMby shedoz213
WOW!! Great job on the shoes…I want to try this. Thanks for the tutorial!
Feb 7, 2011, 04.27 PMby stefanika
Wow! I love it!
Feb 7, 2011, 04.06 PMby aleah
I’ll definitely do this if I’m able to find some cheap and ugly shoes. :)
Feb 1, 2011, 02.20 AMby Sewing And Style
Would a hot glue gun do the job, you think?
1 Reply
Feb 3, 2011, 12.29 AMby alisondahl
I can’t say exactly. The thing about craft glue is that it dries clear— and doesn’t leave a trail. If you left some drops or it touched the outside of the fabric, it dries invisible. My experiences with hot glue have been messy to say the least!
Jan 30, 2011, 10.33 PMby live2exist
Awesome!! I have the perfect shoes that I have been saving in my closet for 2 years!!! I knew something amazing could come out of them :) Thank you for the idea! You’re amazingly creative!
Jan 29, 2011, 11.10 PMby junaluska
This is such an awesome idea! If I ever find a good pair of wedges, I’m definitely trying this! And I agree, it would look great in a silky, shiny print like those Erdem ones.
Jan 28, 2011, 03.03 AMby lizajane09
I am in awe. This is so cool! I’m on the lookout for wedges at the thrift store now.
Jan 27, 2011, 04.44 AMby tobogon
I’m still only on the first page, but I wanted to tell you already that you are amazing and so are your shoes. Your inspiration shoe are awesome too :)
1 Reply
Jan 28, 2011, 07.14 PMby alisondahl
Thank you! I think this project opens up new doors to personalizing your wardrobe— having that extra hand-made accessory, like a fabric covered shoe just makes dressing so fun.
Jan 26, 2011, 02.34 PMby nyphertiti
Wow, wow, wow! Love this idea. It looks so couture but it’s so easy. Definitely going to give it a go when I find the right shoes to experiment with. Thanks~
Jan 26, 2011, 10.47 AMby cadetdee
My mind is blown away with idea – this is so great – thank you for posting. I have painted my shoes with fabric paint with my own designs in the past, esp. canvas shoes, this has also worked well on suede as it took on a look of leather. I have decorated shoes and have glued or stitched fabric on to the shoes in the past – this just takes it to a new level, thank you again for sharing.
1 Reply
Jan 28, 2011, 07.16 PMby alisondahl
Wow, you’ve done so much! I think it would be really fun to create your own fabric to apply to a shoe too. Like tie-dye or screen-printed fabric.
Jan 26, 2011, 07.29 AMby loulourosa
Hmmmm very nice, and such a good idea. But I think it takes some craftmanship to do it, something to do when I have lots of time on my own ;-) and when I have found the right shoes!
1 Reply
Jan 26, 2011, 10.47 PMby alisondahl
I was home alone one evening and finished the shoes from start to finish in about 2 hours. I think using a vibrant, colorful print, like the cotton I chose, helps make the show look cleaner perhaps? Cotton is flexible and surprisingly malleable.
Maybe break it up— do the pattern pieces one day and the gluing the next day.
Jan 26, 2011, 04.15 AMby JordanMayTwigs
I am in love with these heels. I’ve got the perfect pair to use for this too!! Thank you so much for sharing!! And great job!!
xx JordanMayTwigs. <3
Jan 25, 2011, 09.47 PMby Sewing And Style
We have wedges for sale at 14 euro- always in stock and supercomfy! Definitely going to get a couple of pairs for future creations
Jan 25, 2011, 09.44 PMby choctawcharli
If you have an embroidery machine, you can also add an embroidery motif to the toe (or heel – but recommend only the toe) of your shoe. Instructions are available on Sue Haufman’s Sew America Web Site. (www.sewamerica.com)
Jan 25, 2011, 08.17 PMby heatherbrown
Sorry about that. I see this has already been answered. It’s a great idea though. I used velvet once to cover a pair of boots and they were lovely while they lasted.
Jan 25, 2011, 08.15 PMby heatherbrown
Would it be possible to use Mod Podge or some other finish to give the shoes a shiny finish and a bit more durability and cleanability? Any suggestions as to what to use?
Jan 25, 2011, 08.01 PMby domestic-divaonline
Great instructions, beautiful job! I’ve done my share of this but never an entire shoe. Your details and photos are wonderful. Everything is so complete but may I just add a small suggestion? Why not actually sew that back center seam for a bit cleaner look? it would allow perfect shaping of the seam without overlapping multi layers. Very creative project!
2 Replies
Jan 25, 2011, 10.17 PMby alisondahl
Yes— I think sewing the raw edges under would definitely offer a cleaner, finished look. I am guilty of favoring the quickest method to do things, so I folded it under with a dab if Stitch Witchery ;)
Jan 26, 2011, 06.32 AMby vegan
I had a similar question! The instructions mention a seam allowance, but I didn’t see a step that involved sewing. Are the none of the pieces sewn together?
The shoes are beautiful and I can’t wait to try this!
Jan 25, 2011, 06.37 PMby Alisa Michael
Dear Alison ure the bomb!! thanx 4 this idea,its so great & easy.
Jan 25, 2011, 05.40 PMby wzrdreams
This is so great Alison. Thank you for the idea and the great instructions. I will be keeping my eye out for some cheap wedges now.
1 Reply
Jan 25, 2011, 05.58 PMby alisondahl
I’m so glad you like it! I’ll be hunting too for thrift store wedges to cover some more.
Jan 25, 2011, 10.06 AMby pixelink
I always thought you needed the shoe making expertise to do this, so thank you very much as I will most definitely give it a go. I sell a similar wedge in my gallery by a lady whom makes them all on her own and doing very well, visit… www.damesanddivas.com.au, she also makes flats and kitten heels
1 Reply
Jan 25, 2011, 03.04 PMby alisondahl
Mary Wales Loomis (an adorable older woman) makes shoes too! My mother gave me her book as a gift last year and it’s charming. The next step is to make an entire pair yourself, which seemed daunting, but not so much anymore.
Jan 25, 2011, 08.29 AMby zaarissima
wow! wow! wow! Fantastic!!!!
Jan 25, 2011, 06.12 AMby littletrill
thank you so much for posting this darling, I love to try this _
Jan 25, 2011, 02.35 AMby susanne2011
Love the fabric! I guess you could maybe spray the shoe with some sort of water repellent spray, so it can protect against rain etc.?
2 Replies
Jan 25, 2011, 03.02 PMby alisondahl
Right— I noted in the instructions that I sprayed a “Mod Podge” matte finish on the shoes to protect them from water & wear. The spray does take away from the soft texture of cotton though— it becomes stiff and slightly shiny (looking like there is a thin layer of glue on top) so I haven’t found the perfect protectant for cotton yet.
Jan 25, 2011, 10.17 PMby popbabe7
That’s great, I was wondering if they would de waterproof (here in Wales we know a thing or two about rain).
Jan 25, 2011, 12.11 AMby delfinelise
Love this! Great idea so inspiring! Thanks! :)
Jan 24, 2011, 11.58 PMby oonaballoona
whaaaaat?! i am in love with this, and eyeing a 10 dollar pair of sarah jessica parker wedges from the sadly defunct steve&barry’s line…
2 Replies
Jan 25, 2011, 12.04 AMby alisondahl
Ha! The perfect template for a fashion overhaul.
Jan 25, 2011, 12.07 AMby oonaballoona
ain’t it tho?
but i have to admit, i cried when my red velvet heels of the same line died. on my birthday. i mean, really.
Jan 24, 2011, 11.02 PMby laugh434
Fantastic! I’m certain I have a pair of shoes (or two or three pairs) that I can use for this!