We told you in the post from last week: spring is in the air, and although the good weather is still holding out a little, we're starting to think about skirts and shorts, sandals, the beach… We're starting to think about sunshine!
We made today's post imagining how happy your feet will be when you finally free them from the tyranny of shoes, boots, and socks. After being cooped up all winter, we're going to make them look beautiful so they can step out confidently when temperatures rise. Here are five more fantastic DIY ideas to keep making your wardrobe the most exclusive one for miles around.
This time, we're going to show you how to customize flip-flops (the classic beach kind). Let's get to it!
1. With T-shirt yarn.
To make these flip-flops, you can use several strands of T-shirt yarn and make a braid as shown in the photograph, or use just one thicker strand and follow the technique explained in this super-easy tutorial for making T-shirt yarn bracelets. If you have sensitive feet and want a thicker strap, you can also make a braid with up to five strands, as Laura explains in this other tutorial for making a multi-purpose T-shirt yarn braid. This technique allows for many variations: we've attached two step-by-step examples by bywilma.com and makeit-loveit.com
2. With fabric flowers.
With fabric flowers. If you still haven't tried any of the ideas we shared in the post about making fabric flowers, perhaps now you'll decide to. You can create one large flower to place in the center, or several smaller ones to put along the strap. The arrangement is 100% up to you and what you like best. Depending on what the flip-flops are made of, you'll need to decide whether to glue your flowers on or sew them on with thread; you can also tie them on or attach Velcro tape so you can swap them out.
3. With grosgrain ribbon and buttons.
This will give you a very original, colorful, and carefree result. You'll need grosgrain ribbon (and a lighter to singe the ends), glue, buttons in different colors and sizes, thread, and a needle. Cut the grosgrain ribbon and fold it into a V shape, then give it a stitch so it doesn't move. Next, sew the buttons onto it, and once you have them in place, glue the ribbon onto the flip-flop strap. And there you have them!
4. With plastic scales.
For this style, you'll need fabric ribbon (in a beautiful color and texture), sew-on plastic scales, a needle, and thread. Start covering the flip-flop strap from one side with the ribbon, making sure it looks nice, and braid it across the front as shown in the photograph. Glue the ends so they don't move. Then, all you have to do is sew on the scales in a triangular pattern, adding one on each new row. As you can see, it also gives you a footwear-store finish.
5. With scarf-style fabric.
In this case, you won't have to take apart the flip-flop's foot strap either; simply cover it with the fabric as shown in the photograph. The result is truly beautiful, and the technique is wonderfully easy because you won't have to make any kind of extra modification. What's more, you can change the fabric whenever you want in just a moment and have lots of different styles from a single pair of flip-flops.
Now all that's left is for you to choose your favorite and get to work creating your unique, fully customized flip-flops.
And enjoy the sunshine!