Sewing Tutorial for Flip Flops

With a little needlework, recycle an old pair of plain flip flops and create a fashionable and trendy pair of sandals. There are different sewing techniques to embellish and accessorize a pair of flip flops. Using needle, thread, and a little fabric or ribbon, you can upscale any pair of foam flip flops. The stitch work is basic, making this project very beginner-friendly.

Back Strap

Sew a back strap for a pair of flip flops. Simply measure around the heel with a measuring tape, starting from the end of each strap. Cut a piece of elastic this length and a 2-inch-wide strip of fabric to this length, plus 1 inch. Cut the fabric in half with the printed side facing inward. Stitch the side opposite the fold. Turn the piece inside-out and feed the elastic through the fabric tube, using your fingers to manipulate the elastic through. Stitch closed the opening ends and wrap the piece around the heel. Stitch each end to the back of a strap. Alternatively, sew ribbons to tie behind the heel. Cut two 1-by-6-inch fabric ribbons. Stitch the end of each ribbon to the end of a flip flop strap. Place the foot in the sandal and tie ribbons in a bow behind the heel.

Decoration

Sew a bow or other decoration onto the flip flop where the straps meet. Cut a 1-by-8-inch piece of ribbon and fashion into a small bow. Place the bow on the flip flop where the straps converge. Stitch to the straps here. Alternatively, make a pom pom decoration. Cut a circular piece of fabric, about 4 inches in diameter. Use pinking shears to cut slits in the circle. Make cuts in the direction of the center point, cutting all the way around the circle. Stitch this piece onto the sandal straps.

Embellished Straps

Embellish the existing straps of a flip flop with a little stitch work. Tightly wrap a 1-inch-wide ribbon around each strap. Slightly overlap ribbon as you wrap to fully cover the straps. Cut excess ribbon when strap is fully wrapped. Use pins to hold the ribbon tightly in place. Stitch the ribbon in place by sewing along each edge of the strap, removing pins as you sew. Another option is to sew buttons along the straps. Place flat-sided buttons along the straps and sew each button to the straps. In lieu of buttons, use large beads. Thread the needle through each strap from the bottom side -- the side that touches the foot. Thread the bead and then thread the needle back through the strap. Tie a knot on the bottom of the strap, so it is not visible.

Spa Slippers

Turn a pair of flip flops into spa slippers in just a few steps. Use a utility knife to remove the straps of an existing pair of flip flops. Trace the outline of each flip flop onto a towel or piece of terry cloth fabric. Repeat so that you have two outlines of each foot. Cut out the outlines, cutting a half-inch outside the pattern so that the pieces are slightly larger than the actual flip flop. Sandwich each flip flop between the two towel pieces of the same foot. Stitch the fabric pieces together, sewing close to the foam piece. Cut excess seam with a pair of scissors. Cut two top pieces, one for each foot, by tracing the top part of the slipper on the remaining towel or terry cloth fabric. Trace around the slipper from about 4 to 5 inches from the top. Cut the piece out and place over the slipper. Align edges of fabric to the edges of the slipper and sew in place.