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Accessories like shoes, masks, hats, belts, and bags can be a great way to use up scraps of fabric, especially if you use patchwork.
Shoes
Shoes
Use decoupage to give new life to scuffed shoes.
Beading
Beading
The buttons on my sandals were getting all scuffed up from the concrete where my library holds our outdoor programs. I decided to cover them by stringing beads on a wire, coiling it over the buttons, and attaching with superglue. I sometimes have to apply more glue to keep them in place, but I think it's a vast improvement! I'd love to figure out a sturdier way to attach the beads.
Edited to Add: This was unfortunately not a sturdy solution! After re-gluing the beads countless times, I am now working on re-covering the buttons with felted wool. I don't like the look quite as much as the beads, but I'm hoping it will be much more durable.
In this awesome post, the blogger at Of Dreams and Seams tries out five different techniques for making house shoe (slipper) soles, following a German booklet from the WWI era when shoes were scarce. Most could be done with 'solely' upcycled materials.
bags
bags
Over the years, I've had several disappointing experiences where I buy a secondhand pleather purse in fine condition, only to have it start peeling horribly as soon as I start using it! I don't know how people keep these kinds of purses in good shape, but I need another solution. I decided to try painting one with acrylic paints. It's still a work in progress, but I'm happy with the results so far! I thought it might be okay to paint over the peeling bits and seal them in, but that doesn't work well. It's much better if I peel everything off and paint on the layer below. I'm excited to see how it holds up over time. I'm planning to apply some leather conditioner when I'm done painting to help protect it.
Before Painting
Before Painting
In Progress
In Progress
journals
journals
Did you know you can use fabric for book binding? I cut up an old bed sheet to make journal covers as part of a teen book binding program at my library. We painted the sheets using fabric paint, arranged small objects like shells and lace in a pattern on top, and left them to dry in the sun. When they had dried, the pattern was imprinted on the fabric!
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