Make This: DIY Fabric Sandal Makeover

Have you seen any of those summer sandals at Target recently? I usually don’t find shoes there that I like, but as I was wondering through the aisles, I happened upon a cute pair of sandals. They were super comfy, but I didn’t really like the pattern on the strap all that much. I bought them anyway because I knew I could come up with a DIY fix (and they were only $17). The result is today’s DIY makeover project.

Turn a $17 pair of Target sandals into a custom, fabric-covered flat in about an hour…

Supplies Needed: sandals (these are the exact pair I used) // fabric scraps // Mod Podge // paint brush // Xacto knife // fabric scissors // clothespins

How-To: Measure the straps of the sandals that you want to recover and cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than that measurement on all sides. I added an extra 1/2 inch on each of the four sides before cutting my fabric, so I would have excess that could be folded underneath and/or cut off after being glued down. Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge to the strap, with a paint brush, as well as the underside of the strap (to glue the excess fabric underneath). Then attach the cut piece of fabric to the strap. Push down securely, smoothing over the surface with your hand and adding clothespins if necessary, after tucking the excess fabric underneath the strap and adding additional Mod Podge, if necessary. Let the sandal strap dry and then, using an Xacto knife, cut off the excess fabric at the base of the sole. Re-glue anything that has come loose and tuck any extra fabric ends in to the under side of the strap and glue down. Coat the fabric in another layer of Mod Podge to seal the fabric. Repeat with other sandal.

Now, who is ready for a picnic?

So, what do you think? Will you be DIY-ing any sandals for summer?

Concept, styling and photography by Brittni Mehlhoff for Paper & Stitch