DIY Challenge Button Up Shirt Summer Sandals

AUTHOR /PHOTOGRAPHER Emily Perillo

DIY Fashion is an affordable, fun, and hands on approach to revamping your wardrobe. And what girl doesn’t envision the perfect pair of shoes? Instead of keeping my head in the fashion-fantasy clouds, I decided to put my dream into action. My designer friend Janelle Sing agreed to make a pair of re-purposed sandals for us in her studio apartment. How easy!

STEP ONE: We went to a local Salvation Army to find a great deal on a Men’s button up.

STEP TWO: Make a Pattern,  you can use muslin and drape your own foot or use a shoe last. Many great lasts can be found on Ebay.

STEP THREE: Cut pieces from shirt to fit the pattern

STEP FOUR: Sew together the shirt pieces to form the the upper of the sandal shape.

STEP FIVE : Mark where the upper should be lasted under the sandal.

STEP SIX: Glue the upper under the footbed.

STEP SEVEN: Measure the leather straps for placement, then last under the footbed.

STEP EIGHT: Make the ankle straps, rivet the ankle straps to the upper ankle cuff.

STEP NINE: Glue the soles together.

AND……..

Voila, you have a great pair of sandals for parading around under the hot summer sun!

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