If you love a good DIY project and you love shoes and accessories, then I can’t wait to show you this easy and fun way to add some personal flair to a pair of flats, boots, sneakers, or even a handbag!
As long as you can cut tape and dab on paint, this DIY is a great way to add a geometric print to lots of accessories.
What type of shoes work best for this DIY?
- Shoes that are made of a suede or suede-like material work best for this project (flats like these are perfect and I used these pink boots), but the key is choosing a fabric that the tape will stick to and that the paint will soak into as well (so more fabric than shiny).
- Shoes that don’t have a lot of buckles or zippers. A few is fine if you can tape around them, but more of a blank canvas makes it easier.
Here’s a step-by-step for how I printed mine at home:
How to paint your shoes:
- Use masking tape to create a fun, geometric pattern. Think stripes or triangle or any shape you are comfortable cutting out about 50 times. 😉 You can cut masking tape pieces in half with varying lengths for a fun, irregular stripe, or, like for these boots, you can tape off one side of the shoe by taping down the middle line and covering that one side with smaller strips in a checkerboard pattern.
- After you paint, let it dry, peel off the tape, and repeat on the other side—remember to cover zippers, heels, or any shoe edges that you don’t want painted with tape!
- Be sure to press the edges of the tape over the seams around the sole and inside the shoe for the cleanest results. Use matte fabric paint (this is my favorite) and a pouncer (my favorite way to do this since it does a light even coat easily) or small, flat brush to paint a coat over the entire surface.
- When dry, remove the tape and reveal your design. Enjoy your new pair of shoes! It’s fun having a piece of clothing that no one else has.
Can I do this tutorial on other items as well?
- Yes!! If you follow the same fabric selection guidelines (faux suede or suede-like material, nothing really shiny), then you can also do this DIY on purses (one like this would be great), jackets, skirts, or whatever you like!
You could also use shape stickers to mask off an area for a fun pattern as well! If you love the look but don’t want to go through all the steps, you can also go for a pair like this with the stripes already added.
Throw your new flats into a cute weekend bag and you’re ready for a road trip! xo. Elsie
P.S. Check out more cute shoes and clothing on our wishlist and shopping pages!
F.A.Q.
While washi or masking tape will work for this project, I would use painter’s tape as that tends to have the best sealing quality to keep the paint out of your blocked areas and is strong enough to be peeled off easily.
If you use washi tape, just make sure it is a thicker variety so it doesn’t shred into small pieces when you try to peel it off.
Yes! Keep around some of the fabric paint and you can dab a bit on as needed as they wear or tape off areas again and repaint as needed.
DIY Masked and Printed Geometric Flats
how to paint shoes
Ingredients
- 1 pair of shoes suede or faux suede is best
- 1 matte fabric paint any color
- painter's tape washi or masking tape can work too
- foam brush pouncers or small flat brushes work too
Instructions
-
Use painter's tape to create a fun, geometric pattern. Think stripes or triangles … any shape you are comfortable cutting out about 50 times. ? You can cut masking tape pieces in half with varying lengths for a fun, irregular stripe, or, like for these boots, you can tape off one side of the shoe by taping down the middle line and covering that one side with smaller strips in a checkerboard pattern (after you paint, let it dry, peel off the tape, and repeat on the other side!).
-
Be sure to press the edges of the tape over the seams around the sole and inside the shoe for the cleanest results. Use matte fabric paint and a pouncer (my favorite way to do this since it does a light even coat easily) or small, flat brush to paint a coat over the entire surface.
-
When dry, remove the tape and reveal your design.
-
Enjoy your new pair of shoes! It’s fun having a piece of clothing that no one else has.
Recipe Notes
- Remember to cover zippers, heels, or any shoe edges that you don’t want painted with tape!
Credits // Author and Photography: Elsie Larson and Laura Gummerman
94 Comments
Me encanta y es lo primero que voy a hacer
I love the flat shoes that you did with the abstract look and I understand that you painted over the entire shoe with a different color fabric paint, but what I dont get is why did the masking tape design change? That’s what I’m NOT getting..
Thanks
Love the color of the flats! Super cute! They look awesome painted too 🙂
XO Nat
http://www.natinlove.com?cm=1
Nat in Love
great idea. 🙂
http://www.style-ettos.blogspot.in
Interesting!
Sarah=)
www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage
They look amazing! This is awesome idea! I love it! My flats are so boring :D, but with this will look awesome!
xx
Biskvittka.blgospot.com
Great idea!!! XO! ♥
These are beautiful! Now to dig out all of those old shoes that I have lying around… *raids the shoe cupboard*
these are so cute love the teal color best they look straight from the store. I want some will have to do this thanks for the idea! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com
I really love this… it’s beautiful and looks so doable (enough that I will actually try it!) Thanks 🙂
WOW! I just love your new made shoes!! You’d never be able to tell they were originally the first shoe! =)
These are so cute! I just got a bunch of paint on a pair of flats (I work at a preschool) so I’m definitely going to have to put this project on my to-do list now! 🙂
I love this idea because it’s so difficult to find flats that have an interesting pattern
Really want to try these! So fun, and sounds (!) easy too! Love how it all stacks up so well in the bag!
Beautiful flats, I can’t wait to try this DIY soon!
Jess
http://deepinthemeadows.com
You girls certainly got some great ideas, well done and keep up the great work
Such a cute and simple diy! Love it 🙂
♥Brooke
http://youreinbrookelynn.blogspot.com/
Lovely way to make some plain flats unique! Makes me want some more flats.
Now I have another excuse (like I needed one, haha) to go shopping for some cheap flats to be customized to my own taste.
I hope you had tons of fun in your new cute flats. 🙂
xx Kaisa
http://reindeertrails.blogspot.com.es
Very beautiful! You are so creative 🙂
www.thestuddedpearl.blogspot.co.uk
What a fun way to personalize flats! Definitely will need to do this for spring! Thanks for the idea girls!
I love the petrol color of those flats, I wouldn’t have painted them 😀 But your result is pretty as always.
They look lovely 🙂 not sure the result would look so good if I tried it though! I’m doing a giveaway at the moment if you fancy popping over to my blog 🙂 x
I can’t get over how great this idea is!
xo
chelsea at http://nowismagic.blogspot.com
so bright and fun love this idea 🙂
you always make everything so accessible
omg how fun are those!?!?
what a cute idea! i just went out and bought striped flats about 10 minutes before i saw this post. womp womp. oh well, next time 🙂
I like the shoes. How much does the fabric paint sell for?
That’s a fun way to transfer a bright pair of shoes.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
How clever!
🙂 Liz @ rusticpeach.com
What a great idea. And these look so expensive! I’d definitely wear them out.
http://aweekfromthursday.com
Love this idea, good flats are a must 😉
Oh my goodness! This is such a great project! I’m definitely doing this.
Very cute idea, Elsie! They will be perfect for your weekend away. Also, pretty sure I have a very similar vintage suitcase@ Love it. 🙂
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
ahh i need to try this! pure genius!
Those are so cute, definetly going to try this!
http://aclotheslook.com
The older I get the less I wear a heel and especially not a wooden one. This are really cute! Hope you have a great weekend! It’s snowing here!
This is such a good idea! they look super cute 🙂
have fun on your road trip 🙂
Kerri xx
http://lorellalilyblog.blogspot.co.uk
UK Fashion & Beauty Blog
Such a great idea, I’m totally going to remember this when it’s finally the weather for pumps! Thanks for sharing and have a lovely trip.
I have to do that !
http://www.fashionsalade.com/thelimitsofcontrol/
So Cute!
Anna
Wow, I love them! Great design and cute color combination.
amazing idea!!
This is such a great idea! I can’t wait to try it.
Nicole
www.younglovestyle.blogspot.com
this is a great way to fix up old flats or spring time!
M.
This is such a good idea! They look amazing xx
www.jessthetics.wordpress.com
I love your blog 🙂 You have so many great ideas 🙂
That’s a great idea. Your new flats look great! xx Mallory
Love it, the color combo and the geometric print looks amazing. I always tend to get all artsy after seeing your DIY’s!
http://sincerelylara.com
Awesome!!!!
Are you kidding me?! LOVE this! Awesome idea!!!
~Sacha
The flats are so fun and cute! Have a fun and safe trip!
Fang Ting
http://ftashion.blogspot.com
Very cool!!
This has given me an idea 😉
Such a great way to restyle old shoes, or to create a pair that I cant find anywhere. I love to have things that are customized and one of a kind. I need to make a cute pair!
Besitos from Barcelona!
Ko-Shin
http://www.diamondlifeandstyle.com
That is totally cool 🙂 thanks for the inspiration 🙂
wow that is a really creative idea!
http://sunsetswings.blogspot.com
This is such a great idea!!!
Thank you so much! I’ll be doing this very soon.
Amazing !!
New post up: http://www.thestilettoholic.com/2013/02/16/inspirations-2/
This is a fab idea! I bet you’ll get asked where there from a lot now 😉 I’m going on the hunt for a plain plain of flats now!!
Lulu xx
http://www.luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
gorgeous, love the colour & the pattern you created
Awesome idea. I love it!
Super cute diy idea 🙂
xx
That looks great and like a perfect idea. I would like to do it on my clutch too. Have a great day.
http://www.fashiondenis.com
What a clever idea!!!
xxx
www.caraward.blogspot.com
What an amazing idea, they look great!
WHERE is that gorgeous floral bag from?!?
I just want your bag, haha! Great job on the flats. <3
nice
Cool!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
I love this! The pattern and color are so unique!
SaraM
http://clochedeletoile.blogspot.com
hi! Very, very good idea! The flats looks really good!
kisses
kity-cri
http://thekityshoesworld.blogspot.com.ar/
Ahhh this is perfect for a gift I wanted to make for my roommate! Brilliant! 🙂
Love this! Super cute, thanks Elsie!
This is awesome! No one would ever think you painted them! And I love how the little rectangles aren’t all perfect, like they probably would be, if you store-bought them like that. I’m definitely going to try it out now!
Absolutely love!
This is so cute and definitely a cute DIY if you want to beautify old shoes!
Carlee
http://almostendearing.blogspot.com/
so pretty!
xxx Sabrina
http://bbutterflybrain.blogspot.com/
Awesome idea! I’m so picky about patterns that all my shoes are solid colours. This would be a great way to add a pattern that I would actually like.
So cute! I think I’m going to have to find some cheap suede flats to play around with now.
Such a cute DIY Elsie. Love how easy but awesome this would be to recreate. Have great time on your road trip lady!
xx Allison
http://www.thrifted.ca
Great idea! I love the colors and the uniqueness! Have a wonderful trip (happy feet!)
xo
sarah
http://atticlace.blogspot.com
Very cute! Just wondering, where you got the flats?
Kara
My gosh, those are so cute!
www.shannonheartsblog.com
this is so creative! printed flats are usually super expensive. so this is a great way to make them affordable! love it!
www.simplylovelyxo.blogspot.com
Amazing well done girls
http://daphniaslife.blogspot.gr
Super cute! I love it!
(I also love that tote bag in the last photo. What brand is it?)
Those are so cute! I love the color combo.
I’m looking for a new pair of flats, and that color is perfect! Where did you get them?
Great idea! Super cute 🙂
these are fantastic!
kw ladies in navy
Love it!
Oh my goodness that is such an awesome idea!! Thanks for sharing, you guys are so creative!!
xoxo,
Shio
This is a super cool idea! You ladies come up with the best DIY’s on here!
Very VERY cool idea! And that last photo, in particular, is adorable. Have fun!