Seamstress Flats

Shoes fit for any seamstress with tape measure bows!

Posted by Cat Morley

About

My work shoes were looking a little scuffed up so I gave them a makeover with scissor print fabric, tape measure bows and Mary Jane straps.

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You Will Need (13 things)

  • Shoes
  • Scissor print Fabric
  • Fabric Glue
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Lace Trim
  • Tape Measure or tape measure print ribbon
  • Small Peg(s)
  • Eyelet
  • Eyelet Punch
  • Hole Punch
  • Buttons
  • Needle & Thread

Steps (29 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    For this, you'll need a pair of shoes with a shiny smooth finish like leather or vinyl.

  2. 2

    Cut off any bows or trims you don't want.

  3. 3

    Place your fabric, wrong side facing up over the front of the shoe and trace the shape onto the fabric.

  4. 4

    Cut out two pieces of fabric in the shape of the front of the shoe with an extra 1/2" around the sides.

  5. 5

    Place the fabric on top of the shoe.

  6. 6

    Cut slits into the fabric down to where it touches the front of the shoe opening at either side.

  7. 7

    Fold the edges of the fabric over, on the wrong side by 1/2"

  8. 8

    Coat the underside of the flaps with fabric glue and use small pegs to hold the flaps down until dry.

  9. 9

    Check the dried piece against your shoe.

  10. 10

    Coat the top edges of the shoes with fabric glue.

  11. 11

    Place the fabric for the front of the shoe in place and peg around the edges.

  12. 12

    Cover the bottom of the front of the shoe with glue and fold the front of the fabric down, folding the edge to the right length and sticking in place.

  13. 13

    Leave the glue to dry.

  14. 14

    Now cut a piece of fabric in the shape of the side of your shoe, with an extra 1/2" and repeat the process.

  15. 15

    Fold the fabric into a neat point where it meets the fabric at the front of the shoe and glue in place.

  16. 16

    Finish off the fabric by cutting the final side and glueing in place.

  17. 17

    Cut a length of lace trim long enough to go around the opening of your shoe, coat with glue and hold in place with pegs until it dries.

  18. 18

    Cut a length of tape measure of ribbon long enough to go up the back of your shoe.

  19. 19

    Fold the ribbon over into a loop at the top and glue in place at the back of each shoe.

  20. 20

    Cut two lengths of elastic to make straps.

  21. 21

    Glue some tape measure or ribbon onto the straps.

  22. 22

    Pop the shoes on and then pop the straps in place, glue and stitch the edges to either side of the inside of the shoe.

  23. 23

    Use the remaining tape measure or ribbon to make a bow. Use a peg to hold the bow in the middle.

  24. 24

    Fold the ribbon over until you'e create a big flowery ribbon.

  25. 25

    Remove the peg carefully and punch a hole in the middle of the bow.

  26. 26

    Press an eyelet through the bow.

  27. 27

    Thread a needle with some embroidery floss and pick out some cute buttons to embellish your shoes.

  28. 28

    Stitch the button through the eyelets on the bows.

  29. 29

    You're all done!