How to Turn Old Flip-Flops & Jeans Into Cute DIY Denim Sandals

Tools and materials:

• Flip flops
• Old jeans
• Hot glue gun
• Sewing machine with needle for denim
• Small pliers or needle puller
• Measuring tape
• Awl
• Hand-sewing needle for denim
• Scissors
• Paper
• Tailor’s chalk or fabric pen
• Marker
• Pins
• Small clips
• Ribbon

1. Prepare the base

Cut the plastic strap and toe-post from the flip flop.

Hot glue the posts back into the bottom of the flip flop.

2. Create the pattern

First, trace the bottom of the flip flop on a piece of paper and cut it out. 

Next, put your foot on the flip flop. Lay paper on top of your foot. Press it around the platform and trace the shape around the top of your foot in a half-moon shape. 

It will look like a shoulder pad. Cut this pattern out, marking an arrow to show the direction of the shoe top to rest on your foot.

Keeping your foot on the platform, press the paper against the back of your foot, with the top of the paper level with the back of your ankle. Trace the pattern against the platform and the back of your foot. 

This shape will look like an elongated football. Put the arrow to let you know which direction to attach it to the shoe. 

3. Cut the jeans

Cut the jeans from the bottom legs upward on the seam, opening both legs. Place them right sides up.

Trace your top/toe pattern on the denim with tailor’s chalk. Mark a 1cm or ½ inch seam allowance. Cut it out. Then, use the cut piece to trace and cut out 3 more pieces in the same size.

Sew two pieces right sides together along the bottom edge only. Repeat for the second pair.

Cut the shoe backs using the same technique, with the same 1cm or ½ inch seam allowance. You should have 4 pieces.

Remove 2 belt loops from the waistband of your jeans. Clip the loops to the top of two of the shapes, then cover with the matching pieces. Sew the top side where the loop is.

For the bottom of the shoe, cut two pieces with your pattern, leaving a ½ inch or 1cm edge.

4. Topstitch

Cut small snips up to the seams, then turn the pieces right sides out and clip in place. Add a topstitch to the seams.

5. Assemble the denim sandals

Arrange the bottom, toe, and back pieces of your shoe. Place your foot on the flat piece and attach the front and back pieces of the shoe using pins. For the back piece, make sure the loop is at the top. 

Trim loose edges and everything together.

6. Attach the denim pieces to the flip flop

Pin the denim shoe down into the platform.

Gently pull the pin out, fold the fabric inward, and tuck the raw edges. Replace the pin after tucking.

Measure 1cm (0.4 inches) marks all around the platform.

After marking, start at the bottom of the line puncturing a hole with the awl until you have holes all the way around. Wipe off the marks when done. 

Sew the denim to the flip flop. Start at the toe of the shoe with a hand sewing needle (sizes 2-4) threaded with heavy-duty denim thread in a blanket stitch. Use a needle puller to move the thread through the hole in the plastic and denim. 

As you sew, remove the pins. Once finished, knot inside the toe.

Repeat for the second shoe.

7. Attach the ribbons as straps

Thread 100cm (40-inch) ribbons through the loop in the back. Wrap the ribbons around your ankles and tie them with a flirty bow.

DIY denim sandals

Although it takes a bit of work and know-how, these DIY denim sandals are perfect for summer. Let me know in the comments how well this worked for you.