High Fashion for Low Prices: Upcycle Shoes

Tools and materials:

• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Scissors
• 5 mm Crystals
• Curved heeled shoe
• B7000 glue

Cut the dress 

Find the length that you want and begin to cut. If there are flowers or shapes in your lace, make sure to cut around them and not through them. This means that no petals should be cut!

Cut the lining 

Because the lining will now be longer than the dress, you will need to cut that down. Lay the lining out flat and lay the lace piece you cut off over it - use that as a guide for where to cut your lining. 

Hem the lining 

Fold the lining over, ironing as you go to keep your hem straight. Pin to secure. Next, use a sewing machine to sew the hem and your dress will be ready! 

Find the right shoe 

The Prada shoe that we are emulating has a really nice curved heel. I tried to use a regular heeled shoe, but the effect just wasn’t the same. It may take some time and research, but it is worth it! Finding the right shoe makes all the difference. 

Bedazzle the heel 

Starting with the heel, take your glue and add a few small dots at a time. I recommend gluing on about four crystals at a time. Keep in mind that the glue works fast, so you should too! Make sure you are adding the crystal above the sole that they aren’t getting ruined by the ground. Your crystals should follow the same line and be void of any gaps. This is important if you want the shoes to end looking high quality. 

Move to the platform 

Repeat the same steps and patterns on the platform of the shoe.

Fill in the rest of the shoe 

Finally, move to the body of the shoes. It is important to keep the crystals neat as you place them. As I said, the placement of the crystals needs to be quality for the shoe to look quality! 

This is the final result. A gorgeously hemmed dress paired with my DIY Prada shoes. I hope this tutorial inspired you to make your own high fashion items instead of breaking the bank on buying them!