Shoe Refashion tutorial

You know those shoes, the ones you love? The super comfy ones that you use for everything from mowing to shopping? Well, if you haven't noticed they are a bit beat up. Perhaps it's from the mowing? Anyway, when you just can't bear to part with them, but also wouldn't be caught dead in public in them, there is still hope!

My Converse.......Now, if you couldn't tell these aren't all that beat up. I started this project before I decided to post about it.......Der, Chelsea. So, these are my second pair that are basiclly in mint condition. My beloved converse, they were disgusting. The black was faded, the white toes were grungy and had scuffs and dents in them and the rubber on the sides was peeling way. Oh and they had a bleach spot on the side....How you ask? Well, I don't really know.

Your supplies

Gloves

Bleach

Fabric dye and bottle or sponge (mine's from a tie dye kit)

Mod Podge

Glitter

Paint brush

Plastic Wrap

So I don't have a picture of this first part. But its super easy. Since my shoes were black I wanted to change the color. I put them in the sink filled with bleach and water. (Use gloves to touch anything with the bleach on it!) I changed the bleach water out every hour or so until I ended up with a  nasty brassy orange color. Then I mixed up my fabric dye. I dyed the canvas part on the shoes following factory instructions. I was not super careful and got dye all over the rubber on the tops and sides. It mostly came off with just water so I'm sure I'll be able to get it all off. You could use painters tape or ductape to cover the rubber. Then I wrapped the shoes in plastic wrap and put them in a plastic store bag and let them sit for 10 hours.

After I rinced all of the dye out of them in the bathtub, a process that took a good 20 minutes, I scrubbed them with a mixture of laundry soap and water and rinced again. Then, I put them in an old pillow case and ran them through the dryer.

Much to my suprise, the dye took beautifully!

Next, cover the entire white part of the toe with mod podge. Be careful to only get it where you will want the glitter, and wipe up any extra. Then cover in a good, thick layer of glitter. Shake off the excess.

After your first layer of glitter has dried for at least 5 minutes add another layer of mod podge and glitter. Repeat until you have the desired glitter coverage and finish it off with a thick layer of mod podge. Pictured is my last mod podge layer. It will be white and creamy looking but will dry clear. I used 2 layers of glitter.

This is the toe after it had its last layer of mod podge and dried. Sparkles!

Ok, and here they are! Of course the dye, glitter, and glue doesn't cover up the rips,tears, and scuffs (maybe someone should tell that to Hollywood) BUT, it gave them an awesome facelift! And, as long as you aren't looking super closely at them they look brand new.

Oh and a word of advice-

 I tryed to dye the shoe laces the same color purple. Well they didn't take the dye at all and turned out a  nasty greyish purple color. So they are awaiting another bleach rince. 

Also, be extra careful with the bleach. Use a well ventalated room and even keep a fan going. Also, it will be super harsh on your shoes. So don't try this on a pair of shoes you aren't willing to accidentally ruin. It breaks down the fibers and soaking to long can lead to holes and breaks in the fabric. Scary.