How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape

Originally posted 2012-05-02 08:00:28.

Give a Funky Update to a Pair of Shoes

Not long ago, duct tape was only available in the grey/silver color but now with the variety of patterns and colors, duct tape is a fun part of my crafting world! My teenaged daughter LOVES anything pink and with Hello Kitty on it so when I came across a roll of duct tape that was – you guessed it – pink with Hello Kitty, I had to buy it for her! On my way home, I was thinking about the things we could make… I may make myself one of those cute little coin purses to keep in the car! Then I came across a stellar idea – why not cover an old pair of flats with the pink Hello Kitty duct tape? My daughter is quirky and definitely her own person, so I knew that these made-over flats were for her! Let me show you how to give shoes a makeover with duct tape…

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape

Materials:

  • One roll of duct tape
  • One pair of old shoes (we used ballet flats)
  • An X-Acto knife (<– affiliate link!)

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape hello kitty tape

This is so easy, we had the shoes done in about 15 minutes! Start at the toe and continue to the arch area of the foot. Because of the curve, I had to tear it off and continue with a second piece around to the other side of the toe. Try to keep the tape in line with the sole of the shoe the best you can but in some places it is impossible – that’s where the X-Acto knife comes in! Trim away any excess.

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape applying tape to shoe

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape trimming excess tape

Trim away any at the top of the shoe but leave enough to fold over the top to the inside. You may have to notch the tape to get it to lay correctly. Firmly smooth the tape all around.

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape trimming tape away from top of shoe

These particular shoes had a small string bow. I believe it serves some kind of purpose with the shoe so I decided to keep it intact. Tear a small piece of the duct tape and place it as close to the bow as you can.

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape covering toe

Tear a piece to cover one side of the toe. Smooth it at the curved part of the toe and trim away any excess.

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape trimming tape away from toe

Tear another piece to cover the other side of the toe. I like to match up the pattern here because this is the part where most people will see! Firmly smooth it out, also, and trim away any excess.

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape smoothing tape over toe

Tear one more piece to cover the heel. It doesn’t matter if the pattern matches or not… Most likely no one will see this part! Trim it at the top and allow enough to fold over to the inside.

How to Give Shoes a Makeover with Duct Tape covering the heel

Give the entire shoe a firm smoothing and you should be ready to show off your newly made-over shoes! The shoes came out so cute and the duct tape sticks better to vinyl than to fabric. For another shoe idea, check out my post on how I covered another pair of flats with fabric! Like my tutorial on how to give shoes a makeover with duct tape? Leave a comment below!

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