Remember the beautiful lace ballet flats Rylee Hitchner wore at her wedding(you can see the full wedding here)? You wouldn’t know it, but Cheryl transformed a pair of inexpensive everyday flats from Forever 21 into the delicate, vintage inspired beauties you see above for Rylee. I love this idea not only because is it easy on the pocketbook, but it’s a project any gal with a glue gun, some vintage lace, and a bit of time can undertake. Enjoy!
Materials and Tools
It’s best to use a glue that dries clear like E600.
Sharp scissors
Quick un-pick
Lots of pins
Needle and thread
Lace and tulle, vintage or modern.
Pair of Lacy or soft fabric ballet flats (choose a color closest to the color of your dress and or the lace you will be using).
For this project I used a vintage C1910 tambour lace neck tie purchased at Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta.
Step 1
I like to remove the tape binding the top edge of the shoes using the quick un-pick. This makes the decoration process easier and softens the look of the shoes when the lace scallop edge is applied.
Step 2
To maintain the correct shoe shape and tension run a row of small stitches around the top edge.
Step3
This stage is optional. I find the tulle covers the original shoe fabric and also creates a softer look.
Cut an 8inch wide length of tulle long enough to wrap all round the shoe.
Fold in half and pin the folded edge close to the sole edge and glue. Keep the pins in place till the glue is dry. Trim and tack the top edge, pleating the tulle to fit over the toe area.
Step 4
Pin the lace on the shoes starting at centre back. I featured the small lace scallops to decorate the top edge of the shoes. I pinned and pleated the lace where necessary.
Leave 1/2 inch extra lace at the sole. Fold the lace under to follow line of sole and pin and glue. Add more glue if necessary. Take out pins after the glue has fully dried.
Step 5
This stage is optional.
Trim down front of shoes to favored shape. Use running stitches round top edge, pulling tight to fit foot and to stabilize shoes.
Step 6
Apply front lace detail, pinning and stretching to suit shoe style.
Step 7
Stitch and glue, finish with three pearls.
Step 8
Finish the back of the shoe by folding and glueing the lace.
Step 9
This stage is optional
Finish the bottom edge of the shoes with a length of the small scallops trimmed off the lace.
1st Image: Tec Petaja | Tutorial Photography: Rylee Hitchner | Styling: Joy Thigpen | Tutorial: Cheryl Taylor
