Drop-Dead Denim Guest: Chris from Pickup Some Creativity

I’m tickled to be included in this month’s Drop-Dead Denim party. My name is Chris, and I write about creativity and family life at Pickup Some Creativity. I must confess that this theme stretched me a bit. My beloved sewing machine has been in the shop for her yearly beauty treatment…and I had to think of something to do by hand {gasp!}. We’ve recently moved, and in the disarray that inevitably follows, I am still finding my groove. I appreciate Michele for giving me a kick start!

Today I’m going to show you a simple way to jazz up some canvas shoes with denim scraps. I found come cute white canvas shoes for my little one. And after wearing them only twice, they were already looking pretty dingy. I decided they needed some disguising so that they will last a bit longer than two wearings! Want to play along? Grab the following items and gear:

 

• Denim scraps

 

• Lace scraps (two lengths about 8 inches long)

 

• Fabric glue

 

• Two buttons

 

• White thread

 

• A small lid for tracing circles

 

• Your sewing stuff, including scissors, pinking shears if you have them, washable marking pen, needle, etc.

Step One. Using a washable marking pen, trace a couple circle shapes. I used a baby food jar lid, which is about 2 inches in diameter.

Step Two. Cut out the circles, preferably with pinking shears.

Step Three. Gather the lace. Using your hand needle and a long length of thread, sew small stitches along one side of the lace.

Pull the tread tight to gather the lace. Sew the ends together to make a circle and knot the thread, trimming the extra.

Step Four. Add the lace to the denim circle. Center the lace so it just peeps out beyond the denim circle.

Fold the circle in half. Stitch a few times to keep it tight.

Now, stitch a button to the center of the half circle as shown here:

Step Five. Attach the design to the shoe. Put a line of glue just down from the fold. Place on the shoe where you want it to go.

Using a hemming stitch, sew the denim to the shoe.

Add a dot of glue near the toe of the shoe, and add a tack stitch to hold the denim in place.

You’re almost done!

Now the shoes are ready for lots more playing and use.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. I would love for you to pop on by and visit my blog. I have lots of tutorials and free patterns for you to see. I also have a little etsy shop where I have a few sewing patterns for sale, and even some handmade items too.

Thank you so much for inviting me to contribute, Michele. I love reading your blog and appreciate your kind friendship.