lazy sunday project: diy moccasins


Today I'm kicking off a new feature on my blog called The Lazy Sunday Project.
I'm challenging myself to do 'whatever I want' on Sundays.. 
That can be a project, working in the studio, returning a million emails, browsing pinterest, 
going for a walk, watching lifetime movies all day =)
Here's the catch, I don't decide what Sunday holds until it's Sunday (no planning!)
and I have to share what I do with you.
It holds me accountable to a) do something that I want to do, not have to do
and b) document it for proof!

So today I decided to do a DIY and what better way to document then to share with you?


Today I'm sharing with you a quick & cheap tutorial on how to make moccasins from a kit and how to make them just a bit cuter!  First you need to pick up a leather moccasin kit, I've seen them online here & here.. but I swooped up mine from Michaels & even used a coupon (grab a craft store coupon here) to score this kit for a little over $7.  The kit comes complete with the parts and instructions to make a basic pair.  Most of you know that I'm not a very basic's kind of gal, so this is where my love of Mod Podge came in handy! There are so many variations you can do to this project including painting the tops like this (cute!)


The extra supplies needed besides the actual kit were:
Scissors
Mod Podge
Brush
Fabric of choice

First I cut out a small stencil of the lip of the moccasin on my fabric, I then flipped the fabric over and made a couple points of reference from the cut out holes and made another smaller shape to fit into the portion of the lip that ends up being the top of the shoe.

Next up take the leather tops and inside your holes you will apply a very thin layer of Mod Podge.  If you go to far out it can stain the fabric so only put it where you need it. Then place your material template right side up, press down (taking out any air pockets) and again apply another layer of Mod Podge.  This time you want to keep it thin while still covering completely, and allow to dry.. I let mine sit overnight.  What's great is that you can do this to any pair of shoes you own, just make sure to apply a sealer when finished if you plan on wearing them outside (mine are casual comfy shoes so I'm not to worried)

Waiting for them to dry was probably the hardest part of the entire project, because I'm impatient, everything else was a total breeze because the instructions are provided.

If you are going to purchase a moccasin kit and follow along, I'm going to give you a quick run down of the instuctions here (as in super quick & simple)

The kit comes with 3 leather pieces already cut and ready to go & 2 1/4 laces per shoe.  First you will assemble the heel of the shoe by folding over the back ends to match up the cut outs.  When you buy the kit its sized appropriately and in the instructions it explains if you want a whole size to line up your circle holes in the back of the heel, if you want a half size you line up your triangle holes. After getting your line up you do a simple thread with part of the shoe lace that is provided, use your photos in the kit instructions for reference.


As you can see the sole insert is already attached to the piece you are working with.


Next up take the tops (that are dry) and start attaching them to the shoe body.  You will tie a knoy in one end of the shoe string and start at the first triangle, thread your way around into the circles til you reach the last triangle. Note that you have more circles closer together on the lip of the shoe then you do on the body, it's ok they end up matching and that's how you get the puckering effect of the moccasin!



When you are ready to put the final seam around the body of the shoe make sure to leave enough out at the end (the instructions said 6", but I did more like 4" and it was perfect!).. For placement your instructions will tell you one thing for 1/2 sizes and one thing for whole so follow accordingly.  Match all the circles all the way around the body while folding the seam in half and threading.  

When you get to the end tie a cute bow & you are on your way!!!  There is no bottom sole for the shoes so wear them with caution (like on dry days or inside) so that you get as much wear out of them as possible.



Tip Junkie handmade projects

21 comments:

  1. This is pretty much the cutest thing ever...

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  2. great job friend:) love the tea roses!
    Gina

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  3. What an awesome idea! Love this and can't wait to try!

    <3 The Daily Dani

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  4. Oh man! That's awesome! I'm totally going to have to try that =)

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  5. Oh wow. I've never seen kits like that before. That's so cute! I definitely need to give this a try.

    -april.

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  6. They are so cute!

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  7. cute idea!! i need these right away!

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  8. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So nice to search out any individual with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this web site is something thats needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality. useful job for bringing something new to the web!

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  9. These are awesome! I'm going to go out an buy some STAT. Voted for you on Every Creative Endeavor and LOVE the blog. New follower.

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  10. I love these so much! Great pattern.

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  11. This is beautiful! I finally bought the kit from michaels a few days ago. I bought the 8/9 size thinking the 9 would be perfect. However once I tied off the heel I found it was too big! I re-tied it as size 8, and I'm still finding it quite loose on the sides now that I've finished. Do you have any suggestions? It fits me well from toe-to-heel. It just seems too wide...do you think I could take in the heel area to make it tighter? Thanks!!

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    1. I have wide feet so it totally worked for me! I would think that maybe cutting the actually sole area might be the only suggestion, but you would have to place new holes right?

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  12. OMDG!! i need to get me those moccasins and try this cute project... I wonder if they deliver to Barcelona?
    thanks for sharing!
    http://www.thesweetestoneoverthemoon.com/

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  13. You did an awesome job lady! I've been wearing my Target moccasins everywhere and now this temptation. I've got to do this.

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