Life with Kids

Become a footwear designer for a day

What would summer be without flip-flops? These slip-on sandals are perfect footwear for a day at the beach, lounging at the pool or a hot summer night out. Everyone is wearing them. Now you can join them, and still stand out in the crowd. Take your flip-flops a fashionable step forward. Use fake fur to make them extra comfy and add flowers to make them super fun. Become a footwear designer for a day and customize your very own flip-flops.

This craft is a favourite from my book, Simply Seasonal – Easy Crafts for Winter, Spring, Summer & Autumn. Enjoy!

What You'll Need

• Flip-flops
• Fake fur
• Artificial flowers
• Shoe glue
• Scissors
• Marker
• Scrap of cardboard

Fuzzy Flip-Flops

Add flair to your flip-flops using fake fur and artificial flowers. Both the fake fur and flowers come in a variety of colours and patterns. Have fun choosing.

1. The first step (no pun intended) is to make a fake fur lining for each flip-flop. To do this, place the fake fur, fur-side down on your workspace. Place one flip-flop on top of the material. Use a washable marker to loosely trace around the flip-flop. Repeat with the second flip-flop.
2. Cut out the lining for the right and left flip-flops.
3. Position the right lining on the right flip-flop and the left lining on the left flip-flop. Make sure that both linings fit. The lining should cover the top of the shoe completely. On both linings, use scissors to make a notch at the thong.
4. Remove the fake fur linings from both shoes. Wipe away any fuzz left behind (fake fur sheds when cut). Squeeze shoe glue (available at shoe repair, hardware and department stores) on the top of one flip-flop. Use a scrap of cardboard to spread it evenly over the sandal. A grown-up should do the gluing! Carefully place the lining on top of the glued flip-flop. When it’s positioned correctly, press the lining in place. Repeat this step for the second flip-flop.
5. Flip the flip-flops over. You’ll notice that in places the fake fur overhangs the shoe. Use scissors to trim away any fake fur overhangs.
6. The final step in this craft is to glue an artificial flower to each shoe. Cut the flowers from the stems. Squeeze a small amount of shoe glue onto the back of the flower.
7. Place the flower on the flip-flop in the middle of the V-shaped thong. Hold the flower in place for a few minutes. If the flower shifts when you let go, reposition it and hold it until it’s secured. Repeat this step for the second flip-flop.Check and follow instructions given on your tube of shoe glue. When the glue is dry, slip on your flip-flops and have fun.