Decoupage shoes are often used to effectively and originally update old sandals or worn shoes. You can also purposefully purchase inexpensive shoes to make a unique designer item out of them at home.
With the help of decoupage, you can decorate either the entire surface of the shoe, or only some areas - the heel, platform, wedge heel or one side of the shoes. It all depends on your creativity and the look of your shoes. The latter can be made of various materials (suede, leather or textile), but it should not have a varnished surface.
Methods for transforming shoes in this technique:
- decoupage with paper or napkins;
- decoupage with a cloth.
For beginners, as well as for those who prefer simplicity and ease of execution, it is the napkin technique that is more suitable.
Decoupage shoes: method 1
To decoupage shoes using the napkin technique, you will need:
- old, worn-out shoes;
- napkin for decoupage;
- scissors;
- glue (specially for decoupage or PVA);
- wide flat brush with synthetic bristles;
- cotton pad or swab;
- window cleaner;
- varnish with a water-repellent effect.
First, prepare your shoes: clean them, wash them and dry them. Choose a napkin with a pattern that matches your idea. For a more effective result, it is worth considering the following: the smaller the surface to be decorated, the smaller the drawing should be.
Cut out the image very carefully, without errors, otherwise all flaws will be visible on the shoes. Cut out a large drawing in stages, with separate elements. Divide the cut image into layers.
Usually a napkin has 4-5 layers. All excess should be separated, leaving one (upper) with a painted surface, since very thin paper should be used for decoupage shoes.
Now attach the drawing to the surface of the shoe, and gently apply glue on top with a brush in several layers, from the center of the image to its edges. Thanks to this, the napkin will be evenly smoothed, will not tear or roll.
When the layers of glue are well dried, proceed to the final stage of work. Remove the remaining glue with a cotton pad and a swab dipped in window cleaner. If you find a defect (that is, a damaged drawing), cover it with a new layer of paper, cut to the shape of the image element to be replaced.
In order for the decorated shoes to become more wear-resistant, after the glue dries and the flaws are corrected, you need to fix all the work with varnish. For ease of application, you can use this product in a spray can. The varnish is applied in 3-4 layers, while each layer must be completely dried.
If you liked the work done, you can also make a decoupage of the handbag, then you will have a unique author's kit.
Decoupage shoes: method 2
The next way is fabric decoupage of shoes. You will need:
- a pair of old shoes;
- fabric (for the first time, you can use ordinary cotton);
- self-adhesive fabric (tracing paper) or fabric for patterns;
- glue;
- pencil;
- alcohol;
- rags for cleaning shoes;
- scissors;
- shoe polish.
First of all, you need to conditionally divide the shoes into sections. It will be much easier for you to work with small pieces of fabric than with one whole piece. In addition, this will allow the fabric to be glued very neatly so that the updated shoes have an aesthetic look. This is almost impossible to achieve with a single piece of fabric.
So, break each shoe into 5 sections: wedge; sock; inner side from center to heel; inner side from center back; sides to toes.
At the next stage of work, you will need fabric for the pattern (tracing paper). For convenience, it is advisable to use special self-adhesive paper or fabric. If not, use glue and paper to make the correct outline for each section.
After making the pattern, transfer it to the main material. In the process, leave 1 centimeter from the pattern outline for allowances, since the shoe has a convex shape, and the material should completely cover the entire surface. Then carefully trim off the excess fabric.
It is worth noting that for the first time it is better to use material with a simple pattern. If you are proficient in sewing, it should be easy to join each piece of fabric to create a seamless pattern.
Clean your shoes from dust and degrease its surface with alcohol. Then apply glue to the side center of the shoe and glue the material gently. Try to press the fabric as tightly as possible and iron it at the same time so that bubbles and wrinkles do not form.
Fold the edges of the protruding fabric inward. Once the material has adhered, trim off the excess at the base of the sole and tuck in, making a seam and smoothing it carefully. Once you get to the toe area, fold up the fabric. As a result, you will get folds that need to be pressed tightly.
After gluing the shoes with a cloth, wait until the glue dries so that the cloth adheres tightly to the surface. To protect the material from damage, cover the entire surface of the shoe with a matte varnish.
