Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Easy DIY Anklestrap Ballet Flats





These are one of two pairs of ballet flats in my closet... the other pair are actual ballet slippers. It's not that I don't like them, I do, but I have the hardest time finding a pair that not only fit my feet correctly, but that stay on and that I can actually walk in. I know it sounds crazy but for instance, I love these little silk printed flats from J Crew, but the heel slips off when I walk and then smashes under my heel {see photo below}...



So my solution? Add a simple, but pretty, little elastic ankle strap. Here's how I did it...



What You'll Need...



* Ballet flats in fabric or thin leather... anything you can get a needle through easily.
* Elastic. I used a thin elastic, with a pretty detail because it matched the piping and bow of these particular flats however, a larger elastic would be cute as well. Let your shoes be your guide and follow their style. Look for a softer elastic with a detail or a pretty "fancy" elastic trim.
* Needle/Thread/Scissors

Steps...



* Simply measure out how much elastic you will need to fit around your ankle snugly but without squeezing and pinching your skin. Measure about a half an inch extra on each side.



* Overlap your 1/2" extra elastic by creating a circle and hand-stitch it to the heel of your shoe. This will work best on a shoe with black piping or something similar, as it will completely conceal all of your stitches.

NOTE: You may also {and instead} choose to create a loop with any fabric or leather that sticks up from the heel of your shoe and run a ribbon or lace or buckled piece through it and around your ankle.


Voila!





Have Fun!




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23 comments:

Güler said...

perfect idea!

my DIYs --> http://gkdone.blogspot.com/

::little projects in style:: said...

what a cute idea! :) im going to use that to fix a pair of ballet flats that expanded in the last downpour! :)

thanks so much!

xx,
little-project.com

Ana Sofía said...

aww, nice <3
Galletitaa.
http://galletitadejengibre.com/

fashion meets art said...

wow- great. i love it. so creative.
thanks for the inspiration.
kisses
maren anita

maren anita

only today till 6pm:
win a silk-bracelet in mint-green!

FASHION-MEETS-ART by Maren Anita

CINTA UNTUK KITA said...

nice!!

Anonymous said...

wow its too mind Blowing and amazing.
Gynexin Alpha Formula

Chanda T said...

awesome idea! this happens to my daughter all the time! now I know how to fix! thanks for sharing!

Stephanie said...

I have done this to a pair of ballet flats for my 2 year old daughter it does work like a charm!

Stephanie Pulos said...

LOVE. Agree with Morgan. Genius! x

Stephanie in Style

Katya said...

great idea♥

Elissa said...

Great idea!!

www.thegirlon23rd.blogspot.com

thegoldjellybean said...

what a great idea, so simple!

Jessica @ Here(and)Now said...

wow - genius, and yet to simple! I have the same smooshed ballet flat problem too!
xx
Here&Now

drollgirl said...

they are so cute! with or without the strap! very cute!!!

thankfifi said...

such a cute solution! I had a problem with my achilles heel last summer and it pretty much ruined wearing any kind of ballet style shoe :( Oh well, high heels and sneakers all the way!

♥ ThankFifi

What Sadie Did said...

Ooh cute - very good idea!!

Sadie xx
http://whatsadiedid.blogspot.com/

Kat said...

Maegan... you are just brilliant!
aneyeforfashion.blogspot.com

Lin said...

Love this idea & those shoes!

Anonymous said...

I am learning and Follow it idea .
Gynexin Alpha Formula

Vanessa, Take only Memories said...

Brilliant! I think I might do that to a pair I have! Thanks :)

Marielle Kristine Ebao said...

Great idea! I have a problem with some of my flats as well,and this is the perfect solution! :) thanks for posting!

peacelovenutrition said...

Thanks for simplifying all your DIY posts! They are always things I can actually do : )

Tairalyn said...

I must say - I've looked up to you greatly and your ways to FIX a fashion Dilemma! Ha Ha Your amazing!

I would love to have you over at Little Miss Mama and see what I wore today with the $8 Peplum Top I just made {thanks to a HUGE Old Navy Sale}.
http://www.littlemissmama.com/2012/05/what-i-wore-peplum-love.html

Stop by and say "hi" when you get a chance.

XO
Tairalyn

http://www.LittleMissMama.com