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6.09.2009

Tutorial Tuesday - Shoe Make-over



LoveMaegan posted a plea to help her create her own version of this Christian Louboutin shoe last month (this shoe IS hot).

So, I posted this idea:


Little did I know that I would lay awake nights, dreaming of creating this shoe! Come on, girl, let's Re-do your shoes:

Supplies:

Shoes with an ankle and toe strap (you could even do this with a flat sandal, don't be afraid)
Ribbon
Coordinating Needle and Thread/Sewing machine
Scissors
Pins
Matches

I pulled out an old pair of shoes from my closet (these were a TJ Maxx special about 4 years ago). Really, any shoe with an ankle strap would work.



I decided to work with a wide, black grosgrain ribbon. I already have plans to use suede, satin, linen, or even tulle (like Maegan did) for additional options with color and texture.

Begin by measuring, on your own foot, the length of the ribbon you will use a base (apologizing in advance for the bunion):



Fold the ends of the ribbon over the straps and pin in place, then sew (you don't need a machine for this).


I used a contrasting thread to show the stitches:


See how your ankle strap slides right through? At the bottom I stitched it in place, but if I'd had any Velcro I would have sewn that to the bottom to make it removable.


Now, begin cutting the ribbons for your loops. I used 5 ribbons, 3, 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, and 5 inches in length (cut two of everything of course). It is really important to burn the edges of each raw end of ribbon to avoid fraying.


Now stitch each length into a loop. (You might be able to glue this)


Here is your collection of loops:


Now begin to attach each loop, overlapping, onto the base ribbon. Begin at the bottom:


The four ribbons should be sewn onto the base like this:


Now, leave your smallest loop round and tack it, from the inside bottom, onto the base ribbon, like this:


Tada! You really could match any dress with one basic strappy sandal. Imagine if these straps were a nude color...the possibilities!!!


These would dress up a simple black dress or spice up some jeans.


Carrie Bradshaw would approve:


109 comments:

  1. You are my hero. Those shoes rock...the pics are amazing.

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  2. Carrie Bradshaw's exact quote when she saw those shoes was, "Hello, Lover!"...and you got it exactly right! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

    I'm going through my shoes in my mind to figure out which ones I can spice up like this!

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  3. Wow! That really does give new life to old shoes! Looks great!

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  4. Those are really cute, and you look super hot in them!

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  5. OOH..I love the shoes! How about some funky ribbon to dress up some jeans!

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  6. Found you from SITS...and so glad I looked!

    Oh my goodness....sooooo cute! And it looks simple too! What a cute way to dress up any outfit!

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  7. Sista!!!!!!!! Hot.Hot.Hot!!!!!!! You gotta wear them Thursday night!!!

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  8. So Hot! Love love love them! My husband would pass out if I wore a pair of those!

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  9. i'm with john deere mom on this one...you are my hero, too! i love love love these! i can't believe you made them on your own! i am totally trying this!

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  10. YOU RAWK! I dropped my from SITS and ABSOLUTELY glad I did!

    Will you be joining us at SITScation??

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  11. Those shoes are crazy-hot! So so creative and fun!

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  12. HOLY COW GIRL! You are amazing!! You just designed your own freakin' shoe!! Ok, you rock!!

    Just found your blog through SITS! glad I did! :)

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  13. Stopping by from SITS...

    I must admit that I didn't like the shoe at first, but your version of it is AMAZING! Well done!!!

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  14. you so totally rock the shoe make-over!

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  15. Wow is all I can say! What an amazing transformation!!!!

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  16. Did you actually come up with this on your own??? OMG - You are my hero also. The creativity is scary!

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  17. Wow they came out awesome! I am doing this as soon as I get home!

    P.S. Great blog!

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  18. Cute shoes!!! Saw your link on SITS. Love your blog. Blessings!

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  19. Love your blog. I have prettied up shoes in the past with bows and rosettes to match outfits, but this is amazing. Have just taken out 2 pairs of shoes to do, and can't wait to see them finished. Will send some friends over to your blog. Love from Ireland, and I'll be back. Thank you.

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  20. I did it, Jennifer, and so pleased. Great Tutorial. Have plans to do some more as I have a few pairs of ankle strap shoes. If you go to https//www.purple.dreamhosters.com and look for Snazzy shoe under Common Room or in the June archive you will see the photos and link to your site. I don't know how to do a link, but you could save the photos for posting. I must do a blog on shoes one of these days. Thank you.

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  21. Those rock! And your creative mind never ceases to amaze me!

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  22. Awesome idea! This is going on my projects to make list. Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  23. your shoes BLOW Laboutain's out of the water! Those are stunning, simply stunning!

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  24. OMG! I am loving you. Hearting you even! With big rainbow, puffy hearts. This is super-fab. SUPER! I must do it!

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  25. i'm going to make something like these for my BF's bday! she would totally rock these out!

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  26. Wow! It's amazing the difference a few ruffles will do! They look amazing! Sexy...

    Love the tip, thank you.

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  27. Beautiful. I think the Louboutins look a bit sloppy, while yours have a more polished look. I think I would use elastic for the base ribbon, though, so you can flex your foot.

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  28. I have been wanting those shoes! I am totally going to try this! Your blog is great!!

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  29. Jennifer these are MEOW!!!!!!!!!!!

    Great tutorial!!!! How fun....excellent adaptation....

    I love your blog!!

    Thank-you for stopping over--new FRIEND! YEAH!

    go to www.designgivesback.com I think you
    will like it! Turn up volume first....

    love, kelee

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  30. Now this is creative! I'm also glad to hear that you were awake nights thinking about crafting. I thought it was just me. I thought about seeking professional help :)

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  31. you are brilliant! that's what i think.

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  32. Oh my, those are the cutest shoes I have ever seen. Love them!
    Ally

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  33. Now you can tell everyone you were featured as a favorite on the Knock Off Knock Out party--Again.
    My FAVS

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  34. Hey it's me again--I wanted to let you know I made a button yesterday that is on my right hand side panel for everyone who has been featured on my blog. I also added a great video clip at the top of the blog of a few of our projects.
    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

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  35. nice tutorial. i'm not a hill's fan, but my younger sister is gonna love it.
    i've twit you tutorial.
    ;)

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  36. Oh my gosh, I really love these!! Thank you for sharing. xx

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  37. Cool - I would have never thought that you could pretty up those shoes sex-and-the-city-style. Great creative thinking!

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  38. That is really creative, and your technique in explaining was really very good. :-)

    Stopping by from SITS! Happy FB day!

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  39. Wow, if my feet could handle high heels, I would totally be doing this...today! That is so awesome! Happy SITS day to you!

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  40. Happy SITS day. Those shoes are DIY fantastic!

    XO
    Leigh

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  41. SOMEbody's a Renaissance woman!

    Congrats on your SITS feature!

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  42. i'm still looking for the perfect pair to do this! my BFF would die for a pair of homemade Carries!

    happy sits day! (but I'm already a follower so it makes me feel cool today!)

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  43. Awesome job with the shoes. You are so creative!

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  44. Great job! I would never have the patience but that's me.

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  45. Once again I wish I new how to sew. Seriously, I'm going to learn one day!
    Gorgeous!

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  46. LOVE it! I already have a couple of pairs of shoes on my closet that will be perfect for the makeover...thanks for the inspiration! ;)

    Happy SITS Day! :)

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  47. wowee! I will never throw away old cheap shoes again (LOVE TJMaxx, Marshall's etc) thanks for the inspiration and happy SITS Day!

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  48. OMG - those are AWESOME!!!!!!!! I never thought to do that! You rock! Happy sits day!! :)

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  49. Oh my. When I first started reading, I was like, "Hmm, that might be okay"...but they look amazing!!! Now I want to do that too. =)

    Happy SITS Day!

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  50. I love these shoes! Thanks so much for the tip! I definitely have to try this :)

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  51. Totally diggin the shoes!! Shoes are great..because they always fit!!!

    Laura
    mybde.blogspot.com

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  52. These look amazing. Love the creativity!

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  53. I have to agree with the first poster - you are my hero! Man, I wish I had any skill, creativity, or... skill...

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  54. Holy crap - I have never seen anything like this, nor have I ever heard of making my own shoes!

    This opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

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  55. How fun! I'd never have thought to do that! Have you worn them out? If so, is there anything you'd do differently?

    Happy SITS day!

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  56. Those are SUPER CUTE!! What a GREAT idea!! LOVE IT!!

    HAPPY SITS DAY!!

    Anna, Dallas TX

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  57. Those are adorable!!! :) Seriously - I love it!

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  58. OMG - I NEVER thought about doing a shoe make-over - that is a GREAT idea. Tonight I am going home to take a second look at my closet!

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  59. How fabulous. What a great way to turn something old new again. The shoes, and you, are beautiful.

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  60. I've made over a lot of things, but never shoes. Genius!

    Happy SITS day!

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  61. Happy SITS Day! Your blog is delightful. I'm a new follower.

    These shoes are amazing. I admire anyone who can DIY. Great job!

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  62. Great job!! So cute! Happy SITS day!

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  63. those are some hot shoes - I actually have an old pair handing out in my closet that I could do this too!

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  64. Stopping by from SITS, and I'm totally amazed. Those shoes are INCREDIBLE!! *saves "how-to" for future use*

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  65. What an awesome idea! I love being able to recycle what I already have.

    Happy SITS day!

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  66. How cool is that?!? Dropping by from SITS...congrats on your day!

    sweetjeanette.blogspot.com

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  67. Good job! I've done some of Maegan's DIY's too!

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  68. Wow, those are fabulous! You and Maegan...I don't know how you creative ladies do it!

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  69. SUPER CUTE! That got me... I'm following! Happy sits day to you!

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  70. OMG! Those are to die for and look super easy! I may do them for my girlfriends' christmas presents. :)

    Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity

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  71. Well..Look at those awesome shoes! And you wear them very, very well:) I am sooo impressed.

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  72. Wow! Those are HOT! And you know what? I like them BETTER than the originals!
    -Robin
    www.robingillis.blogspot.com

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  73. Oh, for goodness sake ~ that's brilliant! And, that is one (well, two really) sexy shoe!

    Jenn @ rookno17.blogspot.com

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  74. Hi SITSta! What an ingenious idea! It's amazing what a girl can do with some ribbon and a sewing machine. Makes me want to leave the office right now and go try it out. Or... maybe I'll go back to work. :)

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  75. Dude....so clever and cute. And totally JEALOUS I didn't think of it!!!

    Lovely!

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  76. Wow! You are so creative and those shoes look awesome! Never in a million years would I have thought of this.

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  77. CUTE!!! this might inspire em to sew...

    Happy SITS day!

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  78. You MUST be a shoe model in your past life...or maybe your present...hmmmm!! Those pics are amazing...maybe someday I will actually take my sewing maching out of the store packaging and get brave enough to stitch something...until then, I will just settle for "oogling" over everyone else's brilliant creations...

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  79. OMG! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!! I freakin LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!

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  80. Totally cute!!!!! Happy SITS day!

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  81. wow. Now I am just trying to figure out where I would wear such a fabulous pair of shoes. I do have the perfect pair to do this to...

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  82. OMG GREAT IDEA!!!!!!! LOVE IT ESPECIALLY RIGHT IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN. I swear my girlfriends and I are all going as sex and the city. Perfect timing!!! Absolutely love it!!!! Thanks.

    yours truly,
    Lady Lex
    ineedprettythings.com

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  83. Happy SITS day. I thought I had done everything with fabric possible (ribbon counts as fabric)--haven't tried shoes! Great!

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  84. Wow, you have some serious DIY skills! So glad I popped in for your special SITS day. Love the blog!

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  85. WOW! I am living for these shoes! You are the queen of the DIY tribe honey!

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  86. How clever!!

    Visiting from SITS for your Feature Day! Hope it was a good one.

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  87. Holy crow! This is such an awesome idea. Thanks for sharing!

    Happy SITS Day!! (on Monday....)

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  88. Yes the shoes rock but look at your poor bunions. Ouch!

    Mary

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  89. I just had to check out these shoes and I am in love. You did such an amazing job! I just sent this link to my sister in California who will love them and can rock these out in no time.

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  90. So easy to do. Makes you wonder why you'd pay +$500 for the virtually the same thing in a store. Now I'm looking at all my shoes and thinking about how to give them new life.

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  91. OMGoodness! These are sooo cute! Thank you for this, I would have never thought of making my own!
    New Follower! :)

    dominiquescraftcouture.blogspot.com

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  92. This is SO HOT! I wanna buy a pair of shoes like that JUST to do the makeover!!!

    I featured your project on my blog.

    http://blog.shopdirtylaundry.com/posts/2011/4/8/14-the-dirty.html

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  93. Does your bunion hurt? Mine looks identical to yours and hurts a lot. I'm having trouble with shoes now too because you can see the "indentation" or the bump

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  94. I think this is a great and cute solution to my problem though heeheehee

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  95. Love it!! I can now only wear flats so I'm going to try :D thx

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  96. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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