Yes, you read that right – Mod Podge on shoes – I too thought I was crazy! But here me out – my brother was getting married, and their color was green. I found a cute gray dress and thought I’d accessorize with green jewelry and shoes. The wedding was outside so I didn’t want heels – but I’m short, so the solution was a wedge. So, jewlery, check. Green wedge shoes – nowhere to be found!
At a garage sale I came across some cute black and white wedges in my size, for only $1. I thought, if only these were green, they’d be perfect. Then I thought, why not try to make them green. If the project failed I would only be out the $1 – worth the risk. And so here you – how to mod podge shoes:
–Gather your supplies. Shoes, mod podge, foam brush (mine should have been smaller), and some fabric (my mom was making the maid of honor dress so she has some scrap green fabric).
The shoes had a bow so I pulled that off and got to work. There’s no “right” way – I just cut the fabric to a shape that would kind of wrap around the shoe. I did the right half and then the left half. Where there was a seam at the toe I thought I’d cover with a fabric flower, but I liked them plain so I just left it. Here you can see the look of crafting concentration:
It was a goey mess, but just keep going. I couldn’t get it to lay right around where it curves by the toes, so I folded in some pleats. I would squeeze and hold areas until they stuck.
When it dried there were places on the inside of the shoe where the fabric wasn’t staying down, so I glued those with that E6000 stuff and clamped it overnight. That worked. The mod podge made the shoes stiff and that made the buckle in the back stuck straight out – I just glued and clamped that as well. I figured since they fit my foot I didn’t need to buckle and unbuckle them.
Now, when the Mod Podge was wet, I knew it was see-through and darker green. I thought as it dried that the green would turn opaque and lighter again. But it didn’t. So it wasn’t what I pictured, but I didn’t mind the black flowers showing through – it added dimension to the shoes. Here’s the fabric, with and without mod podge:
I was worried that the shoes would be super uncomfortable because they were stiff, so I told myself that it was just for one night. But they were great – no blisters, etc. I even wore them to church the next day. I was also afraid they might come apart somehow, but they’re holding up great as well.
So don’t be afraid to mod podge some cheap shoes – what have you got to loose?! Go try it!!
Linking to some great link parties – check them out here!!
and hoping for a shout-out in the CSI Project:
OMG,Can you say “sharp!” cause that’s what those shoes are. I love’em.
That’s pretty outrageous! They look absolutely awesome!! : )
Great idea! I love the way they turned out.
Yeah, I would have thought you were crazy but they look GREAT!
Smart idea, and the shoes turned out beautiful!
gorgeous!
So neat! I think I’ve seen another idea of painting on shoes! I Need to try both=))
These are so cute! I love that the original pattern showed through, I don’t think they would have been nearly as cute without it.
those are so awesome!!!
That’s insane!!! Incredibly cute, but insane! You did an outstanding job!
smiles!
SO DANG CUTE. love the new look, I love shoes, and yours are so darling, love the concentrated face as well. Jen
How absolutely adorable!
WOW! This is incredible! I LOVE how it turned out. How creative!
Sooo creative!!! I need some! I’m happy to be your newest follower of your delightful blog and would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! I would also like to invite you to link up to my party every Friday @ Fabulous Friday Finds! Hope to see you there!!
Hugs,
~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~
Shut up!!! What a great and crazy idea. they came out so awesome!!
My favorite part is the way the black flowers came through! They look awesome!!!
Tara
http://www.tarabeingtara.blogspot.com
Now that is one awesome project! I love the shoes and how you stuck with it to make it work. I bet they will last forever. I love the way the black flowers show through, you couldn’t of planned it any better. Great job!
I’m loving this shoes, great idea. I might have to try this on a pair of shoes.
http://www.chicmodernvintage.blogspot.com
that’s a pretty amazing project!
Saw these linked up to the CSI project – they are soooo cute! I love the green. I think I’m going to need to go shoe shopping! 🙂
These are fantastic! I love that the pattern showed through. It gives them a great effect! Great makeover!
Wow. You just took Modge Podge to a whole other level. Good for you!
https://froufrugal.blogspot.com
These rock! I like.
Adorable ♥
Great project! I have always wanted to try this.
I’ve done this with a few…Its so fun! And tissue papaer works well also,just make sure to seal them well. I have added beads and buttons also with E600 also.
They look great!
i saw you on csi project, your shoes turn out great!
I did a similar thing to refashion a pair of old sandals!
OMG these are beyond amazing! I LOVE them! You’ve inspired me to go find a cheap pair of shoes and make them my own!
super cute- what a clever idea.
You have just blown my mind. I thought I was edgy when I spray painted some shoes for Halloween, but that was nothing compared to this! This is so creative and amazing, I just can’t believe you did it!
This rocks! I have to try this!!!!! TFS!!!
OMGosh these are fabulous and you are one cool, creative chic for thinking of this! I love the determination on your face while doing it, lol! So cute you are!
Honestly, I didn’t even realize you could use modge podge on shoes. Or Fabric! I love this idea. Great job!
I love it!!! Never would have had the guts to do it. I’m glad you did:~)
I did a pair of my worn out canvas flats with outdoor Mod Podge, and I love them, but I never thought to do dress shoes! Honestly, the print showing through is gorgeous!
The black on the insole even works with your fabulous new green shoes! Mahvelous, dahling!
Kelley of Kelley Highway
What a creative idea, and they turned out great.I love the dark print showing thru, that makes them!
How funny…I was just getting up the courage to do this with a pair of flats!!! So happy to see that it DOES actually work before I tried it on mine 😉 Stop by my blog and say ‘Hi’ sometime 🙂
Wow. These are amazing! I love how the pattern of the original fabric shows through and the color green they turned. I was wondering how the mod podge was fitting into this because just looking at the picture you’d think the shoes came that way.
Ok that is brilliance!!! You get the award for the gal that will try anything and you have a pair of one of a kind shoes! Great job!
Those are gorgeous! I would never have thought to Mod Podge shoes (although I have done other odd crafty stuff to shoes…) Love these!
I’ve seen spray painted shoes, but never this! Great job! 🙂
Wow little miss lady.
This is BRILLIANCE!!
Im in LOVE and Must try it
Thanks for sharing
xoxo
bB
Very cool idea! I am a shoe-aholic but have never been brave enough to alter any.
Found you from Hoo’s Got Talent!
WOW!! Mandy, these are incredibly cute!!! I want some.
I would have never thought of that! Such a great idea.
I am absolutely in LOVE with these shoes and love how the black peeks through.
I loved them so much I featured you on my Friday Favorites; https://paintchipsandfryingpans.blogspot.com/2010/09/friday-favorites-and-family-moment-9310.html
I am head over heels in love with these!!!
Your creativity has been featured at CraftOManiac.blogspot.com Thanks Jen
Unbelievable! I would never have guessed that you modge podged those! Great idea. Lisa~
I am blown away!! Who would’ve thought?!
Fabulous!
LOVE these! Completely amazing.
This may be the coolest “craft” project I have ever seen! You get bonus gold stars for this one! Absolutely following you now.
http://www.zibelineknits.blogspot.com
Very cool. makes me think about what I have in my closet. Hmmmm.
Absolutely ingenious! I will be on the look out for a pair of shoes just for this purpose! LOL!
Great job! I’ve heard to use “outdoor” modge podge on them so they will be waterproof still. Just a thought for the future.
I LOVE this! love it love it love it! its so happening soon as i get my shoes outta storage, they are getting a makeover =D
WOW super cute! Adorable!
WOW super cute! Adorable!
I never would have thought to do this! Amazing!!
Oh nice!
I think its so cool that you did that! I was actually thinking, a few days ago, I wonder if you can modpodge shoes!
Love that stuff. Thanks for proving that its possible.
Brilliant!
Wow, who would have thought Mod Podge would look great on shoes 🙂 I love the look of having a pattern show through. Sooo dang cute!
These are awesome! I’ve considered spray painting shoes before, but never thought to mod podge on fabric!!
So the Mod Podge made the fabric translucent?!? What kind of fabric was it?
I just had to try this and I love the way they turned out. I never would have thought to do this but it is amazing. Thanks!!!
These are AWESOME!!!
These are awesome!!!
Absolutely LOVE this…SO I featured you! Please stop by…
https://myworldmadebyhand.blogspot.com/2011/03/sunday-stalker-5.html
Jessica
Yes, these are cute and yes you are crazy! 🙂
pure genius!! Way cuter than ANY pair of green shoes you could have bought!
Feeling wildly inspired and creative after seeing this. You are amazing. Keep sharing your great ideas, please.
Jen
I bought a new pair of wedge heels for my daughter’s wedding and the color isn’t right. Is there a way I can glitter them without covering them in fabric? The dress that I bought them for is glittery as well.
I say try it, why not!! just put a layer of mod podge, while it’s wet sprinkle on glitter, then when it’s dry put another coat of mod podge on top, that’s how I would try it