Two ways to refresh old shoes: iron a pattern onto sneakers or moccasins using transfer paper, and dress up ballet flats with a grosgrain ribbon bow trimmed in sequins or beads.
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Things you will learn
For sneakers and moccasins, cut pattern pieces from transfer paper as close to the edge as possible, then iron them on through a piece of fabric.
For ballet flats, fold a bow from grosgrain ribbon, trim it with sequins or beads, and glue it on with super glue.
Before decorating, clean and fully dry the shoes, and test the decor on a small area first — transfer film and glue behave differently on suede, fabric, and faux leather.
Flat decor works best on the toe and flex points, while bulkier pieces last longer closer to the instep or the side.
What you'll get
Refreshed sneakers or moccasins with an iron-on pattern, and dressed-up ballet flats with a bow trimmed in sequins or beads.
Materials and tools
Materials
Sneakers, moccasins, or other fabric shoes, The base for the iron-on decor.
Iron-on transfer paper with a pattern, Buy it ready-made, or print a pattern you like onto transfer paper yourself.
Ballet flats, The base for the bow decor with sequins or beads.
Solid-color grosgrain ribbon, For the bow.
Thread to match the ribbon, For sewing on the sequins or beads.
Beads or sequins, For trimming the front of the bow.
Super glue, For attaching the bow to the flats.
Heat-adhesive appliqué patch, Extra decor for the flats.
Tools
Scissors, For cutting pattern pieces as close to the edge as possible.
Iron, For applying the transfer paper; work through a piece of fabric so you don't damage the shoe's surface.
Needle, For sewing the sequins or beads onto the bow.
Refresh sneakers or moccasins with an iron-on transfer
Cut out the pattern pieces
Cut out the ornaments, the pattern pieces. Cut as close to the edge of the pattern as you can.
Iron on the pattern
Since we only have a small area to decorate, lay out the pieces of patterned transfer paper one at a time and iron each one on with a well-heated iron. To avoid damaging the fabric and other parts of the shoe, it's best to work through a piece of fabric.
Lace up and wear them
Lace up our sneakers, and we're ready to wear them!
Decorate ballet flats with a bow
Gather your materials for the flats
For decorating the flats, we'll use: beads or sequins, ballet flats, solid-color grosgrain ribbon, thread to match the ribbon, a needle, super glue, and a heat-adhesive appliqué.
Fold a bow from the ribbon
Fold a bow from the grosgrain ribbon, wrap a strip of ribbon around the center to decorate it, and secure it with super glue.
Sew on the trim and glue the decor in place
Sew sequins or beads onto the front of the bow. First decide where the decor will go on the shoes, then iron it on. Work carefully, through a piece of fabric, so you don't damage the surface of the suede shoes. Attach the bow with super glue.
Tips for decor that lasts
Prep the shoes and test your materials
Before you start, it's best to clean the dust off the shoes and let them dry fully, then test a small area first — transfer film, glue, and appliqués all hold differently on suede, fabric, and faux leather. If the surface is textured, don't press too hard with the iron, and always work through a piece of cotton fabric.
Choose decor that suits where it goes
For the toe area and flex points, choose flat decor: small pieces of transfer paper, embroidery, sequins, or ribbon. Bulkier pieces hold up better closer to the instep or on the side, where they catch less while you walk. After gluing the decor on, let the shoes rest for a few hours before lacing them up and wearing them.
Finish and variations
Finish
Let the shoes rest before wearing
After gluing on the decor, let the shoes rest for a few hours before lacing them up and wearing them — that gives the decor time to set firmly.
Variations
Embroidery instead of a bow
Instead of a sequined bow, you can add a small embroidered motif or a heat-adhesive appliqué to the flats — the ironing and gluing technique stays the same.
Any fabric or suede shoes
The transfer-paper method works on any shoe with a fabric surface, not just sneakers and moccasins, and the bow decor works on any ballet flats or shoes with a smooth toe.
After ironing on the transfer, the surface is left with melted or shiny marks.
Likely cause
The iron was applied directly to the fabric or suede, with no protective layer.
How to fix it
Always work through a piece of fabric, and don't press too hard with the iron, especially on textured surfaces.
The decor peels off over time
Problem
The iron-on transfer or appliqué starts lifting off the shoe's surface after a few wears.
Likely cause
The decor wasn't tested on a small area first, or the shoes were worn right after gluing.
How to fix it
Test how the transfer film or glue holds on a small, inconspicuous spot, and let the shoes rest for a few hours after decorating before wearing them.
Bulky decor catches while walking
Problem
The bow or other bulky pieces snag on each other or on clothing while walking.
Likely cause
Bulky decor was placed on the toe area or flex points, which move a lot.
How to fix it
Place bulky pieces closer to the instep or on the side of the shoe, and use flat decor on the toe area and flex points.
?FAQ
What do I need to decorate sneakers or moccasins?
Sneakers or moccasins, iron-on transfer paper with a pattern you like, scissors, and an iron.
What do I need to decorate ballet flats?
Ballet flats, solid-color grosgrain ribbon, matching thread, a needle, super glue, beads or sequins, and optionally a heat-adhesive appliqué.
How do I avoid damaging the shoes with the iron?
Always apply the iron through a piece of fabric and don't press too hard, especially on textured surfaces like suede.
How do I make the decor last longer?
Use flat decor on the toe area and flex points, let the shoes rest for a few hours after decorating, and test how the decor holds on a small, inconspicuous spot first.
Can I use this method on other shoes?
Yes — the transfer-paper method works on any fabric shoes, and the bow decor works on any ballet flats or shoes.
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