Project: Bejeweled ballet flats

This one is so easy its more of an idea than a how to.  Have you seen the new trend in shoes right now? Embellishment, embellishment, embellishment.  Its everywhere. But for someone who already has LOADS of plain ballet flats in my closet just waiting for me to add something to them, I can’t bring myself to spend hundreds of dollars to have someone else’s name on my shoes. The most comfortable (and well worn) ballet flats I have are quite boring.  My solution? A needle, thread and some jeweled bracelets.

Here’s what you need:

• a pair of shoes that you want to redesign (make sure the upper is a soft material that you can push a needle through)
• beads, faux jewels, jewelry or pearls (I used inexpensive rhinestone bracelets and cut them up)
• needle and STRONG all-purpose thread
• thimble

Bejeweled Ballet Flats

Now, all you have to have are basic sewing skills. Before you sew anything, test out your pattern on your shoe so you have an idea where you are going with your project.  Once you have a pleasing design thread your needle and start your knot outside (on top of) the shoe so the knots don’t irritate your foot. Pretty simple from here…just sew the embellishment on the shoe!  Follow your original design or adjust it as you go.  Don’t stop until you love what you see!

Here are my results on two pairs of metallic flats…

I have a large collection of vintage and costume jewelry on hand to use in various projects. I found these rhinestone earrings, twisted off the earring clips so the backs of the earrings were flat and then sewed them directly onto the shoe.  I thought it needed a little more oomph so I added the pearls and I LOVE THEM.  They are so fun to wear and people comment on them all the time.

The gold shoes, unexpectedly, go with everything.  Metallics are a great option for neutrals in your wardrobe but one would not expect gold with faux diamond embellishments to be a wardrobe staple!  For these shoes, I had a collection of inexpensive, stretchy “diamond” bracelets.  I chose bracelets with gold backing, snipped the elastic and arranged the jewels in a pattern on the shoe.  I am absolutely in love with these shoes.

So there you go! Try it yourself.  There are countless embellishments you can add to your shoes just go to a local craft or beading store and pick whatever you are drawn to.  As long as YOU love them and love to wear them, they will be perfect.

Let me know how you do!  I would really like to see your results.