Recycle Satin Shoes with a Painterly Watercolor-Inspired Floral Design

There may be snow on the ground, but spring is on its way!  Now is a good time to go through your closet for items that need to be recycled into a new look. We found a lavender pair of satin shoes leftover from a wedding.  Using a spot dyeing technique, we created a soft, watercolor effect and added some dip-dyed rosettes and trim.  Guaranteed to be fun to make and to wear!

We started with lavender shoes, but white satin shoes will work equally well.  Begin by spraying your shoes lightly with water.  This will help the dye colors blend together.  In one container we mixed Tangerine and Golden Yellow with hot water. In another container we mixed Cherry Red with a little hot water.  Then the fun begins!  With a small sponge, dab the yellow/tangerine dye randomly over each shoe. Then with a fresh sponge, dab the red dye in between the yellow spots. Spray the shoes again with water to cause the colors to bleed into each other, creating a watercolor effect.  Let the shoes dry fully overnight.  To make these shoes extra lovely, we dyed silk ribbons to create the sweet floral embellishments.  Finish with a few light coats of a ScotchGuard-type water repellant sealer.   We’re sure you will enjoy wearing these shoes from spring into summer.  And, if you’re a daring DIY bride, consider wearing them under your wedding gown! 

When you dye your own shoes, you can mix and blend the dyes to create any color your desire. The possibilities are endless!  Click here for the full tutorial.