How to Decorate Flip Flops with Ribbon

Add your own personal touch to your flip flops by decorating them with ribbon.

If designer flip flops cost more than you can afford, why not get out your craft box and decorate a pair of inexpensive ones? This is a fun, budget-friendly way to create some really cute, one-of-a-kind flip flops that everyone will want. This activity is great for your preteen's sleepovers and birthday parties.

Things You'll Need

• 1 pair of flip flops
• Measuring tape
• 1/2 yard ribbon
• Two matching gems or flower decorations
• Hot glue gun or good quality craft glue
• Scissors
• Small Decorative Stone or Flower

Instructions

1. Measure the top strap of one flip flop. Cut two lengths of ribbon -- one for each shoe -- 1 inch longer than what you measured.

2. Apply a small drop of glue at the very end on the back of the ribbon. Fold the end of the ribbon over to make a smooth edge.

3. Apply glue to the entire width of the shoe strap, starting on the outside and working your way to the middle where the strap curves back in the other direction. Attach one ribbon to the glue on the outside edge so that it barely touches the sole of the shoe. Continue pressing the ribbon into the glue on the strap until you get to the middle.

4. Apply glue from the middle of the strap to where the other side meets the sole. Line up the ribbon so that it will continue following the strap. This will leave an extra fold of ribbon at the center; that's OK. Just begin pressing the ribbon into the glue until you reach other side, allowing a little extra ribbon at the end. Add a small dab of glue to the underside of the ribbon at the end, fold the end over, then glue the end to the strap.

5. Attach a gem or flower decoration to cover the extra section of ribbon at the center of the strap, or, if you'd rather, you can trim this away. Just be sure, though, that you leave enough ribbon to cover the middle of the strap.

6. Repeat for the second flip flop.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you use good quality glue and cover the strap completely. Its important to glue all the way to the edge so your ribbon doesn't come loose later.

• You can also use ribbon with beads attached to make a more formal pair of flip flops.