DIY Shoe Makeover: Bohemian Boots

Sometimes I am amazed at how much it costs to dress in the very popular Bohemian style. I mean, the whole point is that things don’t perfectly match and the clothes are reminiscent of vintage times so why is the cost so darn high? So when I walked through the doors of my local Dollar General, the gal behind the counter called out, “we’ve got some new boots for 20 bucks. Aren’t even out of the box yet… you wanna look?” I got pretty excited. Turns out they were some pretty good-looking boots for only $20 and I instantly saw adding lace and leather and lots of other amazing things to boho them up.

Now the great thing about this tutorial is the fact that since the Bohemian style is random you can use just about anything to dress up these cheapie boots. I made two different styles to show you just how versatile this project can be!

For this project you can use:

• Boots filled with hand towels or other cloth to maintain shape
• Ribbon on the roll (mine came from Hobby Lobby in the ribbon on a roll section)
• Embossed felt
• Braided leather cord (also Hobby Lobby, ribbon on the roll area)
• Big button
• Long necklace or chain
• Large jewelry accent that dangles

Take your ribbon and cut enough that it can easily wrap around the base of your boot and have a little bit of overlap.

Take a thread and matching needle and sew the top portion together. There is no real need for too much effort, just tack it down until it feels good and secure.

Cut two thin strips of your embossed felt and stitch them together with matching thread to form one long strip. Wrap around the top of the lace.

When placed as you’d like it, stitch closed and trim the ends. You can have ribbon ends like I do or cut them so that there is just a point at the back, whatever goes.

Cut about 2 yards of your leather braid (mine is actually faux leather) and wrap around the embossed felt.

Run the ends of your cord through your big bead and tie so that it fits nice and taut.

And this boho boot is done!

For my next design, I applied the lace as before, moved the bow tail of my felt to the front/side area, and then wrapped an old necklace around twice.

Now use the existing links to connect by simply opening one end with pliers and closing it around the other end.

Take about 2.5 inches of your braided cord, loop your jewelry accessory onto it, and secure the loop closed with a bit of hot glue and felt.

And now this boot is all ready to go!

I feel as though I must warn you about one thing. I didn’t exactly foresee the problem with using feathers (which are very popular in Bohemian style) until my cat decided that she was going to attach it. She’d sit there nice and pretty and the second I’d turn my back she’d be gnawing on it and messing up the nice fluffy texture. So if going this route and you have kitties, keep your finished boots where they can’t reach them!

And what I think is the best part of the project is your boots are only temporarily altered. Yes-sir-ee-bob if you want to have the boots back to their original state, it’s as simple as removing everything!

Allison

A crafter since her earliest years, Allison spends a little time every day making something. She crafts, sews, paints, glues things onto other things, and is a firm believer that a life spent creating is a life worth living. Visit Allison’s blog, Dream {a Little} BIGGER.