Mod Podge Shoe Makeover {Tutorial}

I have to admit. I sometimes have a hard time prioritizing my projects because as soon as I see something stinkin' cool, I want  to try it like NOW! Do you know what I mean?

Thus the case with this tutorial from Make It and Love It that I stumbled across through the website Pinterest (where else, right?)

Ohhh I was so super excited to try it! I've heard about Mod Podge but hadn't used it...yet. So I picked some up at Michael's.**Note: There is Fabric Mod Podge & Outdoor Mod Podge that may work better for this project but you have to order them online, I believe. I'm just too cheap and impatient so I just got the reg Matte kind :)

My thoughts were consumed with making over old shoes and all the fun fabrics I could use! Ah!

So I started here...

- a pair of old shoes

- fabric (I used hubby's old shirt because I've always wanted plaid flats!)

- scissors / Exacto knife

- small brush or sponge

- Mod Podge

First, I made sure the fabric was ironed and clean. Lots of people forget the ironing part but it's super important. The less wrinkles, the better it'll look in the end (and easier to work with.)

Of course mine had stripes, so I made sure they were straight before cutting.
Cut a big enough piece to fit around the shoe, trimming the edges.

Cut a slit from the back towards the front scoop of the shoe.

Apply plenty of Mod Podge to the top of the shoe and start stretching your fabric to the form of the shoe.

Make sure the fabric gets pulled nice and tight, and try to eliminate any wrinkles/folds/puckering.
**Helpful tip: For the rounded parts, cut small slits into the fabric to make it easier to fold over.
You don't need the edges perfect as we will clean that up later.

Continue applying Mod Podge down the sides of the shoe, pulling the fabric tight, and coating some Mod Podge on top. Make sure your fabric is long enough to cover the shoe edge.

When you get to the back heel, make a straight cut on one side of the fabric so that it lines with the middle of the heel, apply Mod Podge. Then take the other end of the fabric, fold over so the raw edge is tucked under, and pull it to create a nice sealed look. Cover with Mod Podge.

Then trim the fabric on the inside of the shoe but leave about a 1/2 inch of fabric or so.

Make slits in the fabric and apply some Mod Podge on the inside of the shoe, and tuck the fabric underneath. (These slits help with the beginning step with the shoe curves.)

With a sharp razor or Exacto knife, trim the extra fabric along the bottom of the shoe, right at the edge of the sole.

Then apply a very thick coat or two of Mod Podge over the entire shoe.
Let it dry completely, about 24 hours.

Ta-da!! Now you have some stylish shoes with fabric you love!
Check it:

*Note: The style of the shoe makes a huge difference. These shoes were originally uncomfortable and so with the Mod Podge, I can hardly wear them ha! Perhaps with a better made shoe and some fabric/outdoor Mod Podge, these would be more comfortable to wear. Try it with a pair of heels too! (oh goodness...another project for me to do...)

ENJOY!! ;)

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