Introduction: Elastic Shoes

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Because tying laces is for suckers!  You're a grown-up now, you've spent enough time tying your shoes.  Shave valuable seconds off your day by converting your Converse into easy slip-on shoes!  People everywhere will covet your new, unique shoes, and secretly berate themselves for tying their laces every morning like saps.  So grab your favorite lace-up kicks, find some snazzy elastic, and let's do this.

Step 1: Materials

For this project, grab:
  • a pair of lace-ups
  • some elastic (doesn't have to be as wide as in the picture, but how can you not love that!)  I used less than 1/2 yd, but if you use thin elastic, you might want to use more than one strip
  • a needle
  • some heavy-duty button thread

Step 2: Measure Elastic

I decided to strap my elastic diagonally across the top of my foot. 

I pinned the instep side of the elastic first (see first picture), then stretched the length of it over my foot and pinned the top part. 
See image notes for clarification.

Then I marked that elastic and cut another one to mirror it for the other foot.

Step 3: Sew Instep

First sew the instep part of the elastic.

Using a small backstitch, sew through the elastic to the inside of the shoe across the full width of the elastic.

Then tack down the corner of the elastic that sticks out when you fold the rest over the shoe (this is easier to understand when you do it in person).

Picture 1 shows starting the stitching on the outside of the shoe.

Picture 2 shows the needle going through to the inside of the shoe.

Picture 3 shows the outside of the shoe after being sewn.

Picture 4 shows the inside stitches.

Picture 5 shows taking down the corner.



Step 4: Sew Top

Now pull the elastic over the top of the shoe and pin back in place where you had it before.  (picture 1)

Sew to the upper shoe with a backstitch following the existing stitches.  (picture 2)

Next I tacked the tongue of the shoe to the upper because it kept getting dislodged when I put my shoes on.  (picture 3)
This step is optional.



Step 5: Repeat

Now do it to your other shoe!

Don your new awesome shoes and go show them off.  All your friends are going to want to know where you got them - trust me.

Have fun!