D.I.Y Canvas Shoes
Last updated on 21 October 2021
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Turns out these DIY custom canvas shoes were mega easy to make
I really love canvas shoes. Just the flat ones that probably have some real name that I am unaware of. So I thought it would be fun to DIY custom canvas shoes!
I’ve always had at least 2 pairs on the go at any one time, and though they don’t last long (I tend to wear holes in the soles of mine quicker than I would like), they are super comfy and can be worn all wear round (unless it’s snowing. Learnt that the hard (and stupid) way).
I normally have a black pair, and that’s all fine and dandy, but then I like to have another pair that’s colourful and unique. I know that there are ones that you can buy that are patterned and pretty, but there’s just something about creating your own that makes them special.
The first time I painted my own canvas shoes was back home in NZ, and I just painted white shoes yellow, because you could only get black, white or grey shoes. I loved them – and so did everyone else. The next pair I painted had an octopus on them; the main head/body part of the octopus was on the right shoe, and its tentacles sort of flowed onto the left shoe…if that makes sense.
It’s super easy to make/re-make your own shoes. I started off with simple white canvas shoes that I bought at Primark for about £3.
I then drew the pattern on them with a pencil, lightly, so it wouldn’t show up later. And then I took to them with the markers! Simple!
And here’s the end result:
I quite like them! It was a lot easier using fabric markers than paint, because they are finer and thinner and easier to control The only thing I would say is make sure you have a lot of ink in your markers (if you are using them)… because I had used mine for several things before, I found I had to work hard to get the areas covered. Could have done with some more pens, I think.
There we have it! There are heaps of ideas for making/re-making your own shoes around the internet. There are probably hundreds of pins on Pinterest too.
Every tried to create DIY custom canvas shoes before?
Anjali Kay
Anjali Kay is an Aotearoa New Zealand-based blogger and book lover sharing travel inspiration, bookish posts, the occasional creative project, and a lot of practical blogging tips here at This Splendid Shambles. Based in Auckland, she's been writing book reviews and travel posts, sharing creative projects and blogging tips since she started her first blog in 2009. When she's not working on her own blog, Anjali also offers blog coaching and support for bloggers who want real guidance from someone who's actually done the work, and is a few chapters ahead of them.
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6 Comments
Anjali
Hey! Aw thank you!
When I was given the pens (and reading the packet), it said that you could either draw on whatever you were doing, and then iron it straight away. Or you could just leave it to dry for about a day. I have used these exact pens on real material, and I didn't iron it, but had it out 'drying' for a while. And that's been fine – I can wash them and the patterns don't come off. 🙂
Lacqueerisa
Oh this is beautiful!!! You did a fantastic job in planning and executing your idea! Love the details you've put into the design! Is ironing required to seal the paint in?
Anjali
Perfect! 😀
Let me know if you make some! I'd love to see them!
Erin Elise
I have some Dylon pens somewhere amongst all of my craft stuff 🙂
Anjali
Thank you! Yeah, I found it SO much easier with pens! I did use fabric pens, but you may not have to. When I used paint last time, it wasn't fabric paint, it was just normal acrylic stuff. I even got the shoes wet and it was fine – it didn't run. So I don't know if normal felt pens would work, but it might be worth giving it a try…Unless, of course, you already have fabric pens…and then ignore everything I've just said. 🙂
Erin Elise
These look great! I love how much detail you can add in with the pens, I've only ever done this when I was younger using paints (did pens like this even exist back then?!). I remember I had a pair of plimsolls that I painted green with flowers and my name on them 🙂 Maybe I should give it another go with pens! x