Tuesday 24 February 2015

DIY: GETTING MORE WEAR OUT OF YOUR SHOES

Hello everyone, 

Sorry for being away this long, I don't know why, but I seem to be having some kind of block, (Maybe it's writer's block). Anyway, I did something interesting yesterday, and I decided to share it with you. As the title implies, it is a DIY project. If there is one thing that I love, it is DIY projects, (unfortunately, I don't get to do a lot of them). Infact, the only other "almost" DIY project I have done is documented here. Apart, from DIY projects, another thing I love is style (I'm sure you must have guessed as much by now). However, what you may not know is that, among all the style items, I love shoes the most.

So, I had some shoes that were on the verge of moving  to the other side (trash), but I wasn't ready to let go of all of them just yet. I started thinking of ways to buy a little more wear out of them before I am ready to replace them. Sadly, I didn't have much choice. Suddenly, I noticed that the problem with one of the shoes was not in the leather or the sole, but with the insole (the part where your feet rests). The covering of the insole was peeling off and because it's a sandal, it was obvious. I decided to give a shoemaker to change that part. Then a day before I sent it off for repairs, I saw a slippers looking like it had it's insole covered with cloth. Thus, this superb idea was born!


WHAT YOU NEED

  1. Your shoe that needs repurposing
  2. Fabric for covering
  3. Glue (preferably clear glue)
  4. Scissors

HOW TO FIX IT
  • Be sure to have all you need ready. You don't want to be running helter skelter half way through.
  • Carefully dismantle the shoe into different parts as shown above. Be extra careful with the insole, it could break.
  • Apply the glue on the top part of the insole (the part where your feet rests), the place the fabric/material on it.
  • Ensure that the material is well placed and that it is smooth on the insole. Do the same for the sides of the insole. 
  • Measure what length of material you'll need to fold unto the back of the insole.
  • Cut off any excess material, then glue the material to the back.
  • Glue on the top (uusually leather) of the sandal as it was when you dismantled it.
  • Glue the insole back to the sole and voila! You have a brand new shoe to last a little longer for you
  • Make certain that the glue dries properly and each component of the shoe is properly placed, so you done end up with a forward - backward shoe.

That's it for today folks, hope you had fun reading it, do have a great week. 
P.S. ** you can do the same thing for your bags and accessories like bangles, hair bands, e.t.c.

Cheers......

4 comments:

  1. Hi Dr. Keren,

    Always good to hear from you. The glue you are using in this refurbishment must be a super strong adhesive. What brand name comes to mind, and is it readily available? You are amazing. Not just a physician, but a shoe surgeon as well. I tip my hat to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mr. Adela. Lol @shoe surgeon. The name of the glue is UHU, same as the yellow tube in the cirst photo

      Delete
  2. this should be one of my fav articles cos I love DIYs

    ReplyDelete

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