Measure Twice, Cut Once DIY Heels Refashion

I hope you’ve been having fun this week with these cute Shoe Refashions! Today I’m sharing my favorite yet! I’m calling these my Measure Once, Cut Twice DIY Heels Refashion since they’re all decorated up with sweet measuring tape ribbon bows – and of course gold polkadots. Gold Polkadots make everything cuter right? I thought the bows were a great fit since I love to sew – but they’d be so fun if you are a DIY/Builder too. Ooh – or a teacher. Or you like cute shoes. :)

I was inspired by a pair of shoes I found on Modcloth – with cute little bows ribbon bows made from measuring tape. I wanted to do something similar, so when I found these black patent heels on clearance at Target I thought we might have a good base to work with. I went with gold polkadots instead though – I think they have a little more pizzazz that way.

Here’s the inspiration version:

Mine were a bit cheaper though. I think my clearance heels were about $8 and these were more like $150. Sweet.

So here’s what you’ll need!

• 1 pair of heels
• measuring tape ribbon – I found this at Hobby Lobby but I’ve seen it other places as well.
• velvet ribbon
• 2 buttons
• needle and thread
• E-6000 Glue
• Gold Paint Pen

Begin by making the loops for your measuring tape bow. I made 3 loops that were about 1 1/2″ long. Do a couple of stitches in the center to hold the loops in place. Make one loop smaller, with a little tail. Cut a notch in the ribbon and use a flame to heat seal the ends of the notches.

Overlap the ribbon pieces to make the bow, with the notched piece pointing down. Try to keep the numbers facing up as much as you can. Sew the ribbon pieces together in the center with small stitches.

Cut a length of black velvet ribbon and loop it to make a bow shape. You don’t have to tie it, the center won’t show. Sew the bow in place on top.

Cut the shank off a little gold button and glue it in place on top of the velvet bow.

Get the paint flowing in your paint pen and make a few practice polkadots, to make sure the size is what you are wanting.

Start at the back of the shoe and make small dots, working your way around in a random pattern.

Continue working your way around the shoe, taking care not to smudge the dots as you go. You might need to reprime your pen a couple of times to make sure the paint is flowing well.

Repeat for the other shoe. I left the heels of mine polkadot-free and added a little gold paint to the very base of the heel.

Ok these look pretty cute just like this!

Glue the measuring tape bow in place on each shoe. I put mine to the side, but the center would look cute too. Or you could add them to shoe clips so you can choose to wear you shoes just polkadotty if you want.

That is all there is to it! What do you think?

I can’t wait to wear these someplace fun!