Spring Fashion: Upcycle & Make Your Own Ruffle Sandal
Maegan Tintari inspired me today. She, like me, is into ruffles. Are you into ruffles? Fortunately for us, many if not all major fashion designers are into ruffles for their 2010 collections. There are ruffles everywhere and for every fashion item.
I personally like the Valentino Ruffle sandals (with matching bag), but Maegen prefers ruffle sandals by top designer Christian Louboutin, and now also by brands like Love Label and Matalan. Last summer, Christian Louboutin Dillon Python Ruffle stiletto platform shoes would have cost a little fortune. This Spring, however, you’ll be able to find a pair of ruffle sandals for a lot less. I mean: right here, and, for free.
How Megan inspired me is with her 2 different styles of ruffle sandals ~ both a la Louboutin. Make them for your Valentine’s Date.
 Valentino Ruffle Shoes |
 Valentino Ruffle Bag |
 Maxstudio Women’s Salsa Sandal  $180 |
|
 Christian Louboutin Chiffon Ruffle |
 Megan’s Ruffle Sandal (dubbed’ Black Violets’ by me), which we’ll show you how to make here in an upcoming tutorial. |
 Diesel Women’s Sunny Sandal  $34 |
 DKNYC Ruffle Sandals $ |
 Christian Louboutin Ruffle Pumps |
 Megan’s Ruffle Sandal (dubbed ‘Blue Roses’ by me), which we’ll show you how to make here today. |
Free Ruffle Sandal Tutorial #1: ‘Blue Roses’
What you’ll need: pair of used sandals/flats that need a facelift; satin fabric & ribbon, Velcro, thread & needle and scissors.
1. Open your shoe closet and find a pair of shoes that matches your outfit, be their either sandals, heels, flats, wedges, pumps or stilettos. This will be the pair that we’ll transform in ruffle shoes.
2. Either find a strip of satin in your fabric remnants cabinet, or get some from the store. A crepe satin blend works well for this project. You’ll need approx. 28” (length) x 8” (width) of fabric for a size 9 shoe, and shorter if you have smaller feet.
3. Two strips of 5/8” satin ribbon of matching color. Burn the edges to stop fraying.
4. Pinch, twist, bunch fabric to form ‘blue roses’. Make stitches by hand at the back to sew ruffle flower design in place.
5. Do a section at a time till you reach the end. You can leave a salvage edge here and there, if you wish.
6. Attach the ribbon at the back.
7. Add the Velcro to the ribbon at the back edge and give it a few stitches
8. Attach the ribbons to your strappy sandals and you’re done.
source: Love Meagan’s notes and pictures with tutorial help from Fine Craft Guild.
Green Fashion
What I love about the removable sandal ruffle:
- The ruffles are a great way to reduce unnecessary purchases by fashion-of-helices and
- to re-use old shoes by refashioning them with fabric remnants.
What’s Next?
I am going to also look into making ruffle sandal in other styles, ruffle booties and ruffle wedge shoes, as that would be building upon what I already have in my closet.
Including something more like this … (Left: Neiman Marcus, Rene Colville, Italy, $975)
