shoes | Think Outside the Cloth

DIY Fringe Ankle Cuff

Featured

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Think Outside The Cloth

I’m loving all the fringes I am seeing pop up on everything from dresses, clutches, and shoes. Fringes are fun, flirty, and they can add cool movement and lines to an outfit.

Since DIYing fringes involves a lot of cutting I decided on a simple DIY fringe ankle cuff. Doing this project made me wish I owned a shredder so I could shred fabric to make fringes on command. I would add fringes to everything!

This DIY fringe cuff pairs great with gladiator style sandals or heels. Here’s what you’ll need.

The Supplies

Fabric
Scissors
Ruler
Pen or Marker
Glue gun
Velcro

The size of my fabric was 6 inches high and 9 inches long.

The Steps

First, I measured the fabric around my ankle making sure there was an inch overlap. I cut off any excess material.

I folded the material in half, and used the pen to mark the half way point. I then drew a straight line across the middle of the material.

I cut the material in half so I had two sides.

I drew a line that was ½ an inch wide across the top of the material. The line was the point I cut all the fringes up to.

You can cut your fringes to whatever size you like. I used the width of my thumb as a guideline and I began cutting the fringes up to the drawn line.

DIYFringeCuff3

Repeat the last two steps for the other side.

Cut 1 inch pieces of both sides of the Velcro. Glue one side of the Velcro on the front side of the cuff.

Turn the cuff over, and glue the other side of the Velcro to the opposite end on the back side of the cuff.

Repeat gluing on the Velcro for the other cuff.

Wear it!

Shoes: Material Girl

-Shanel

DIY Graphic Print Shoes

Featured

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Think Outside The Cloth

The wardrobe transition has started. It’s that time of year to swap the sandals for closed toe shoes and boots. While I’m clicking my heels together wishing for another week of summer weather, I decided to revamp an old pair of flats and give them a new look. Read on to learn how.

The Supplies

A pair of shoes
Acrylic paint. If your shoes are a fabric material like Chuck Taylors use fabric paint instead.
Paint brushes
Small bowl
*Clear drying finish such as Mod Podge Outdoors

*If your shoes are made of fabric material skip the finish.

The Steps

Clean the shoes making sure they are free of any dirt or debris.

Pour some paint into the bowl, using the paint brush create whatever design you like. You can customize your shoes by splattering the paint or creating polka dots. I created my design by putting a big blob of paint onto the shoes and then I used the paint brush to spread the paint to create lines.

Let the paint dry.

Once the paint is fully dried. Use a large paint brush to paint on the finish, leave to dry for 24 hours.

And you’re done!

-Shanel

Tip – Break in or Stretch New Shoes

Featured

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Think Outside The Cloth

Your shoes should fit when you buy them, but if you need to quickly stretch or break them in there’s an easy way to do it. Read on to learn how.

In the corner of your eye you spot the perfect pair shoes, you ask for your size and hold your breath hoping it’s in stock. Your excitement builds when you see the box coming towards you. You try them on, maybe walk around in them for a bit and they seem to fit perfectly. That’s when you decide “I’ll take them!”

You find the right outfit to compliment the shoes, and then suddenly while your out your feet start aching in pain. Okay, maybe it’s not that dramatic but I had a similar situation happen to me recently, and its not fun.

Here’s how you can avoid the above situation and quickly break in a pair of shoes or stretch a pair that are too snug.

The Supplies

A new pair shoes
A thick pair of socks (or double up on a regular pair)
Blow Dryer

The Steps

1. Put on the socks

2. Put on the shoes

3. Turn on your blow dryer

4. Test the blow dryer on a small area. If the heat doesn’t affect the shoe continue to the next step.

5. Aim the dryer towards the areas that are too snug while wiggling your feet

6. Repeat until you have your desired fit

Bonus tip. It’s best to go shoe shopping at the end of the day, or at the end of your shopping trip because your feet tend to swell slightly over the course of the day due to standing and walking. This will help to ensure that you get a comfortable fit.

Here’s to happy feet 🙂

-EssDotElle