DIY Shoelaces With Fabric and Recycled T-Shirts

by Jan Howell

diy shoelaces with fabric and recycled t shirts

Put a little style in your sneakers with some adorable DIY shoelaces. Finding a set of shoelaces to purchase that are colorful and unique just doesn’t happen, so why not make your own. Making your own shoelaces is such an easy thing to do and the color combinations and patterns are endless.

These shoelaces can be made using regular cotton fabric or recycled t-shirts. In this tutorial, I give instructions on how to make two different types of shoelaces and three different methods.

Fabric laces (bias tape and tube methods)
T-shirt laces (NO SEWING REQUIRED)

The first method is sewing strips of woven fabric and the second method is simply using stretchy t-shirt yarn.

DIY Shoelaces Materials & Items Needed

Fabric scissors/rotary cutter (optional)
Bias tape maker (optional RED
Fabric: Cotton Woven fabrics/Upcycled t-shirts/ Knit fabric
Iron
Shrink tubing 3/16 inch (optional)
Heat Gun (optional) / Hairdryer
Packaging tape/ or needle & thread (optional)
Sewing machine for sewn method
Safety pin
Needlenose pliers
Fraycheck (optional)

Fabric DIY Shoelaces

The first thing to do is decide how long you need to make your DIY shoelaces. Use the chart below to determine the length.

*If you like the length of the current laces that are in your shoes, simply pull out the laces and measure. Cut the fabric strips to that length.

Cut strips of fabric 1.5 inches/4 cm. (Fabric can be cut on the bias or on the grain). *See video tutorial

BIAS TAPE MAKER METHOD

(For more information on how to make your own bias tape, READ HERE).

Apply the bias strip into the bias tape maker (RED
Pull through and press as you go.
Topstitch along the open edge from end to end.
Do this for both laces.
Fold in half and press.

FOLD & IRON METHOD (without using the bias tape maker)

Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press. Fold the edges to the centerfold and press. Fold in half again and press.
Topstitch along the open edge from end to end.
Do this for both laces.

HIDDEN SEAM LACES

If you don’t like the look of stitching on the shoelaces, you can use this method.

Fold the strip in half with the RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.
Sew along the raw edges from end to end using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Turn RIGHT SIDE FACING OUT.

TURNING TIPS: Here are a few tips on how to turn the tube inside out.

OPTION Sew the tube leaving both ends open. Apply a safety pin to the end of the tube and thread it through to the other end, pulling through as you go.

OPTIONS #2 Before sewing the seam, get a long piece of sturdy twine or ribbon. Sew it into the seam at the end of the tube. Tuck the twine along the inside fold (so you don’t catch it into the seam) and sew down the side seam.

Gently pull the twine to pull the end of the tube inside itself until you can grab it. Then pull it until the whole tube is turned inside out.

T-SHIRT FABRIC LACES (No Sewing Required)

I love upcycling t-shirts! Check out THIS POST for some other great ideas of what you can make with this stretchy material.

IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE T-SHIRT YARN, CHECK OUT THIS POST AND VIDEO TUTORIAL.

Cut 2 inch/5 cm strips of t-shirt fabric.
Pull strips to tighten and curl the fabric.
Measure the strips and cut them to the desired length.

FINISHING SHOELACE ENDS

Cut 4 shrink tube pieces to .75 inches /2 cm.
Apply shrink tube to the ends of laces allowing a little bit of the lace to extend past the end of the tube.
Heat tube using a hairdryer, heat gun, or open flame.
Remove the heat source once the tubing has shrunk and tightened around the lace.
Cut off the excess fabric.

DIY SHOELACES -OTHER FINISHING OPTIONS:

You can take a needle and thread and stitch and wrap around and around the ends while pulling the thread tightly. Knot and cut the thread.
Apply fray check to the fabric ends to keep the fabric from fraying.