DIY Shoe Makeover: Star Studded Oxfords (No Laces!)

Have you ever ordered something online and when you got it was surprised? I ordered a pair of super cute oxfords and what I got was faux suede-looking jazz shoes.

With really pointy toes. I was so disappointed and they never ever got worn.

But I decided a makeover was due for these shoes. I ordered up some star-shaped studs and got after it!

For this project you will need:

• Oxford shoes
• Studs, pyramid, round, shaped, spiked.. whatever strikes your fancy (they have some super cute skull ones around the internet!)
• Butter knife a.k.a. studding tool
• Elastic
• Thread to match shoes and needle
• Thimble for very tough material, like real leather…

So here is the before. Totally not spectacular but I am digging that neon pink sole!

Using the seam as a guide place studs around the toe portion of your shoe.

Use your butter knife to push the prongs down so that they don’t poke you.

Go around one side, then use it as a guide for the other shoe and vice versa to keep your spacing fairly consistent.

FYI – my studs were inexpensive and my prongs were really flimsy. I ruined almost half of my studs without being able to use them. I’d recommend purchasing better than bargain bin quality for this project so you don’t have to deal with the stress as I did! OR buy twice what you think you’ll need.

Remove the laces from your shoes and apply studs over the holes.

Cut a piece of elastic that is about 3 inches wide.

And tack it down with your thread and needle. First, go through the actual shoe and pay special attention that the line you make with your thread is nice and straight. Since the thread matches, it is visible but if you match well and make your stitches straight it doesn’t look out of the ordinary.

Finish by making a pass of stitching along the side going just through the inner layer if available.

Try the shoe on and see where you need the elastic to go to fit snugly enough to stay on without laces but not so tightly that they are too difficult to pry your way into.

And there they are! To be honest I had planned to go around the heel of the shoe but ran out of studs with all of my duds to accomplish that. If you choose to go around the heel, know that it is much, much sturdier than the rest of the shoe. You make need an X-acto knife to cut through the thicker areas to place the studs.

They’re definitely not the same shoes now! I was told that as I danced around the living room that they look like genie shoes. I attribute that to the super pointy toes but I said “thank you ” and went on my merry little way!

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.