Upcycled Fashion (Do-It Yourself Stilettos)

"Maui Collection"
Liz Ebanks ©2011
Stiletto Redesign Demo

Do-It-Yourself Stilettos for Prom
Written by:  Liz Ebanks
National Art Teacher Award Recipient

Thanks, for joining my design team.  We will be making your heels more versatile and cutting your shopping costs.  My cat has been using his claws on my shoes as a scratching post.  Shhhh!  Now, where do I find the shoes to hand paint? Just kidding it was only a pair of flip flops.  Though, not all of my hand painted shoes are brand new because, my dog ate my wallet.  I love to make my shoes look like those $2,000 designer stilettos fresh off the runway or out of Vogue Magazine.  Vintage can be victoriously popular with a twist in fashion.  One of the best ways to shop for cute cheap stilettos for prom or homecoming is to search online.  I recommend students to google sale locator or get your facebook discount to your favorite boutiques.  You can adapt, improvise, and overcome a tight wardrobe budget.  As a fashion  designer you can give your pumps an extreme makeover by hand painting them and adding chic sparkling details.

     If you are struggling to find a pair of silk Manolo Blahnik shoes with genuine Swaroski jewelry to detail do not fear. Consider converting a pair of classic heels with a simple strap into a unique hand dyed pair with this do-it-yourself project. Ladies if you have a pair of dyeable stilettos in white or pastel that are no longer pristine this fun project is perfect to tackle. I will reveal how to give those heels a face lift with permanent markers and non-toxic household solvents. We will discuss how to cover small imperfections with bold animal prints, tribal patterns, and colorful batiks. If a stain did not come off the shoe with all your fierce scrubbing after my last post you must join this free fashion workshop. Give your stilettos an Extreme Style Makeover with a new strategic sexy style to cover those imperfections with us. 

"Miss Independence"
Liz Ebanks © 2011
Custom Heels
Acrylic and Enamel

As a National Art Teacher Award Recipient and Fashion Designer, I always welcome commissions to customize shoes and invitations to present my Art Workshops in Tampa. 
Email: liz@rescueteam.com

If you like this post you may enjoy my next blog post on CUSTOM T-SHIRTS see the link below: 
http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2011/10/custom-design-t-shirt-do-it-yourself.html

Hint 1:  You Bargainistas might check out Target, Wal-Mart, or even end of season sales at the department stores or high end boutiques. Negotiate, Negotiate, and Negotiate. By paying cash instead of by credit you can get those same designer shoes sometimes for even less money at the boutique.  Afterall, most fashion designers work a season ahead on their fashion line. This means you have to be observant of the trends to update your shoes.

PREP:   Your stiletto heels can make a Killer Comeback in couture once you decide on your own original design to apply to a template. Simply locate the black and white drawing on the outside of your shoe box.  This original drawing from the Shoe Designer will serve as a blueprint for your Stiletto Extreme Makeover. Just enlarge and photocopy the template to make a few fashion sketches of your own.  Some design students find it easiest to focus on creating their new pattern in black and white.  This helps designers loosen up and explore different prototype styles.  Others are confident about their color palette and pattern without taking the timeless black and white approach to the template.  Select your favorite Sophisticated Stiletto Upgrade and bring your fashion sketch to the workshop. 

For a real treat watch your Heel Redesign come to life by trying the Shibori Wrap technique that I have outlined below.  This Japanese traditional wrapping technique will translate your stilettos into a unique Handcrafted Cherished Style.  As a textile art Shibori Wrapping techniques can be traced back to eighteen century Japanese Emperor Shomu.   Let's go behind the scenes and sneak into the upcycling studio to see how I redesigned my wooden platform Charlotte Russe stilettos for my new Spring "Maui Collection."




Wrap pleated fabric around a tubular pole on a diagonal
This Shibori pattern resembles storming clouds. 
Then, color each pleat to make a simplified Shibori Wrap
to cover your shoes.

 For a fresh start grab some cotton fabric from a t-shirt to practice the Shibori Wrap.  Cotton fabric is so affordable to test for Palm Beach resort wear.  Consider exploring taffeta, rayon, and dyeing silk for sultry evening heels after practicing the Shibori technique on cotton.


Teacher Demo 1:  Create striking patterns when the dyes bleed after wrapping pleats around a lint roller.  Fine Artists enjoy the freedom of creating loose flowing designs on fabric.  Dive into pleating your fabric.  Wrap the pleated fabric around a pole on the diagonal before you start placing rich jewel tones on each pleat with a permanent marker.  Consider selecting an archival fabric marker to create light fast hues.  Although, there are several inexpensive generic permanent markers with little fumes that work great for beginners.  Fiber Artists can explore tight vs. loosely knitted woven fabrics to create dynamic texture variations.




 TIP: Safer products share a ASTM mark on their label.

Techer Demo 2:  Make eye popping shifts between warm colors and cool colors this time as a fiber artist.  This spirited approach creates a play between complimentary and analogous colors in the final vibrant pattern.  The magic is this time you carefully unwrap the folded color pleats from the dowel.  Awesome!  Now challenge that pattern by creating freshly folded pleats.  The allure is how much naked canvas awaits you when you rewrap the cylinder for you to color with your next pattern. 

Teacher Demo 3:  The task of completely coloring the cotton canvas within the time limits of our short art class can be daunting to newcomers.  However, with this prelude you can get the most out your studio time.  You will be surprised as an advanced design student when we can dedicate more time to controling fluid color mixtures and more advanced Shibori Wrap techniques.  In the Teacher Demo to the right check out the unfolded canvas.  The crimson colors bleed into the ultramarine blue to create a striking a sunset pattern synonmous with a watercolor painting.  Be inspired by this Traditional Japanese tie dyeing technique and completely customize your shoes.  Play with leaving some pleats uncolored to create delicate pastel paterns when we add the solvent in the design workshop.  See at the top of this example the bright crisp jewel tones.  Compare this to the bottom of the canvas where soft cloud like blooms were painted on the fabric.

Teacher Demo 4: 

Reveal a color explosion when we open up the solvent to watch color patterns blossom. We will discover how to create a ton of beautiful affects with other simple fun application techniques for the fraction of the cost.  In the hands, of a fine artist ordinary ingredients from your kitchen can combine with spreading colors on a damp surface to create a pair of treasured textured heels.  We will explore Wet-on-Wet Techniques and spreading reactions that radiate success.  Due to the handmade nature of the product, results will vary according to how damp the surface is and the weave of the fabric.  What's your preference?  You'll get a glowing mixture if you don't over dilute your colors. Like us on facebook.  I love to see children and adults share their beautiful new Shibori designs. So don't be a Turducken stuck in the kitchen over the holiday.  Share your elegant stilettos as a Fashion Designer. Thank you.

"Miss Independence"
Liz Ebanks © 2011
Custom Stilettos

Make your reservation today for Liz Ebanks' next Stiletto Extreme Makeover in Tampa. We will explore more fun Japanese Shibori Wapping Techniques with stitching, binding, compressing, and twisting.  Infinite patterns can be achieved in my studio.  Each traditional Shibori pattern is dependant on the characteristics of each fabric.  My FASHION WORKSHOPS are perfect for bridal showers, birthdays, proms, and the holidays.
Register via email: liz@rescueteam.com

If you enjoyed this post check out this link on
Customizing Your Sneakers: http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2011/10/secret-to-reinventing-your-shoes-on.html


TIP: Blues and lavendars will be hot trends for Spring 2012 according to Pantone.

TIP:  Safari prints, plaids, feathers, lace, and sparkles are hot right now on  the Fall Runway. You are always welcome to add these final details to your gorgous heels after they dry.  Skillfull  craftsmanship can transform an ordinary heel with elegant chaussures.  It is crucial to protect your shoes with masking as the archival adhesive dries.

TIP:  Be sure to bring your own glitter and Elmer's glue  to cover your shoes. After the glue dries you can seal it with the more expensive products or use the archival sealants on the next pair.

TIP: As a Beauty Editor polish off your look by scheduling your rundown heels for a face lift with the repair specialist before getting started with the stiletto makeover.