https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/alexander-mc-queen-shoe-diy • Posted by Shoe Loving
I fell completely in love with the floral/leafy shoes from the Spring/Summer 2011 Sarah Burton for Alexander Mc Queen collection shoes! Lacking the money to buy a pair, I decided on trying a DIY.......
I fell completely in love with the floral/leafy shoes from the Spring/Summer 2011 Sarah Burton for Alexander Mc Queen collection shoes! Lacking the money to buy a pair, I decided on trying a DIY.......
Decide on a shoe which you will use as base. I chose this shoe which I didn't wear any more. It should have a platform and a pretty high stiletto heel, otherwise you won't have enough space to attach the embellishment.
Use Google to find some pictures of the original shoe, and print them out to use as guide.
Assemble the other things you will need: white acrylic paste, acrylic colour black and white, a thick brush, a thin brush, a cutter, glue, white rubber foam (for two insoles), white fabric (for two insoles and back part), aluminium foil, a ribbon band (for cross straps, ankle straps and t-bar strap) to make the straps, a buckle which fits the ribbon you use, cardboard, needle&thread, a thin copic liner in black, a pencil, scissors and a ruler.
If you want more comfort, glue a white insole to the shoe (I used rubber foam covered with white fabric) while inserting the back fabric part (to attach the ankle strap to the back of the shoe) underneath. Glue a ribbon band (I used a white velvet ribbon) to the upper part of the shoe, mimicking straps. Then, use acrylic paste (I used paste from Schmincke) and a big brush to paint on the leafy structure on the platform. You will need several layers to create depth. If you don't like a part, you can cut little bits off with a cutter when it's dry.
Create a base for the protruding leafy structure using aluminium foil. Use the big brush and acrylic paste to attach one part after the other to the base shoe. Cover the attached part with acrylic paste using your big brush. Here too, you will need several layers to create depth. Let dry (best is to let dry overnight) between each attached & painted leafy part before you attach and paint the next! Adjust the embellishments to the base shoe you are using (i.e. a lesser number of leafs than the original). When you have finished attaching and covering all parts, you can create a more detailed and smooth structure using the small brush to apply acrylic white paint.
Sew on the straps: Attach T-bar strap to the clear upper. Attach ankle strap to back fabric part as well as the T-bar strap. Attach the buckle to the ankle strap. Then make the butterfly: Paint four identical butterfly shapes on cardboard and cut out. paint the butterflies with the desired pattern using acrylic colour to create a structured base paint coat and then the fine brush and copic liner to paint a detailed pattern on top. Take two butterflies for each shoe and sew them to the middle of the upper using black thread.
Enjoy your finished DIY! These shoes should rather not be worn on rough/uneven surfaces (like gravel or cobblestone) but should be fine for even surface, i.e. indoor party etc. If you have any questions, feel free to ask :)