How to Decorate Canvas Shoes

Change your shoes from dull to exciting.

Decorating an inexpensive pair of canvas shoes can make a wonderful rainy-day project. You can decorate them for yourself for a special occasion or as part of a costume, or you can give them away as gifts. They can reflect the seasons, celebrate holidays or even display your school spirit. With a few craft accessories and a little imagination, you can turn ordinary shoes into symbolic works of art.

Things You'll Need

• Colored shoelaces
• Beads
• Buttons
• Fabric marker pen
• Sequins
• Tweezers
• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. Pull out the original shoelaces and replace them with colored laces. Shoelaces are one of the least expensive ways to add color to canvas shoes. The outfit can dictate the color of the laces.

2. Remove the shoelaces, and add decorative beads or a large fancy button to the middle of the laces. Jingle bells added to red or green laces make a cute holiday decoration. Lace the canvas shoe as normal.

3. Paint designs on the shoes using fabric marker pens. Fabric pens are available in numerous colors as well as glitter paint. Draw the design on the shoe with pencil first.

4. Attach sequins using a hot glue gun for a quick decorating project. Place a small amount of glue onto the shoe for each sequin, and attach the sequins immediately with tweezers. Use sequins to complement a painted design for extra sparkle.

Tips & Warnings

• Canvas shoes with sequins cannot be washed, as the sequins will come loose. This project is best for costume purposes or other short-term uses.

References

• Artists Helping Children: Shoe Craft Ideas

Resources

• Dharma Trading Co.: Fabric Marker Pens