Mini Class------shoe covering

[Lady LaSalle]

Sorry that I don't have pictures to go with this thread and Fannie, please fill in any gaps here!


Supplies: You will need-----

Shoes (obviously) that will cover, like a pair of dyables
2 squares of fabric that you want to use, about 18"
Matching extra wide double fold bias tape or equivilant
Fabric glue/Rubber cement
Glue gun with hot glue
A flat head screw driver
Narrow cording or trim
Scissors
A sharp knife, like an Exact-o or something similar

[Lady LaSalle]

Step 1:

Make sure that your shoes are clean, that they fit, and that they are indeed the ones you want to cover. (Don't laugh! Just take a moment to think before you act)


Step 2:

Lay the fabric that you want to cover your shoes with over top of the shoe. Make sure that you have enough fabric on both sides, around the toe, and heel. Don't worry if you have too much, because you'll cut that off eventually.


Step 3:

Fold the fabric back exposing one half of the shoe. Using the rubber cement or fabric glue, apply a thin layer on the outside of the shoe around the opening. Replace the fabric and smooth any wrinkles out. Repeat the same for the other half.

[Lady LaSalle]

Step 4:

Now here's where it gets a little tricky. Starting at the toe, apply a thin layer of glue (which ever one you like-----I used hot glue because the drying time is much faster) right where the sole of the shoe meets the fabric. Pull the fabric down and over the glue and then work it into that space using the flat head screw driver. Do that from the toe, down one side, and end at the heel. Repeat for the other side.

*NOTE* When you work the fabric around the corners and especially at the back of the heel you will probably have to gather/pleat/tuck your fabric. It's ok, you'll probably just have to use extra glue. If you can, try to put as many of the gathers as you can in a place that won't be seen or a spot that will be covered with some kind of decoration.

Step 5:

Allow the glue to dry. Do the other shoe while the first one is drying.

[Lady LaSalle]

Step 6:

Now that the glue on both shoes has dried you can begin to cut off the excess fabric. Be careful. Trim it as close to the sole of the shoes as you possibly can. You can also cut the fabric that is covering the shoe opening now. I left about 1/8" extra, glued the inside of the opening and folded the fabric over and down inside the shoe-------does that make sense? I hope so.

Step 7:

Take your bias tape or ribbon or what have you and cover the shoe opening edge. It gives it a nice finished look, and the fabric that you tucked in won't fray when your foot rubs against it. Start at the back of the heel and apply a thin layer of glue to the opening and then work around one side, to the toe, to the other side, and then back to the heel again. Tuck the rough edge of the bias tape under and glue it into place as well.

[Lady LaSalle]

Step 8:

Take the narrow cording or trim and glue it around the shoe where you tucked the fabric into the space between the shoe and the sole. Again, start at the heel and work your way around just like you did with the bias tape. Now I don't remember if Fannie did this or not (I'm thinking not because she did a much better job than I did), but I had to because my edge was rough looking and I couldn't get my fabric tucked in all the way in a couple of places. The cording gives it a finished look with a smooth edge------it's a good way to cover boo-boo's and cheat!


Step 9:

PERSONALIZE!!!!!!! This is the part that I loved! Decorate the heck out of your shoes. Add lace, add beaded trim, add feathers, add rhinestones, add bows. Cover the entire back of the heel------do whatever you think looks good!


Step 10:

OOOOHHH!!!! AAAAAHHHH!!! Admire your handy work and give yourself a pat on the back for actually understanding my instructions!!!!!:)

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

ahhh ask and you shall recieve...

WHAT?!!?? no pictures??!!?!?:w2

[Desert Jewel]

Many thanks! :99 Great little class and helpful. This is something I have been wanting to do but didn't know how. :ty

BTW: when will we have a repeat of the pleating class? I didn't get to copy it last time before the site went down. Just hoping to see it again....

[Goldie]

WOOHOOO!!! Look out ugly shoes, here I come!:whip

[South Paw Sadie]

Great LL!!!! That was very good--you gave us pictures without photos. I could visualize everything you said. Now, to do it . . . :18

[Angel Outlaw]

makes perfect sense!!! thanks, can we have a picture tho? and please show us the boo boo's so we can see how you took care of them. :ty :ty

[Lazy K]

btt.........................