craftygal table - Instructions for Painting Suede Boots or Shoes

Check out Plaid paint's site for color options.

These Boots Were Made for Painting!

by Selma Yalazi

Tired of the same black boots year after year? I certainly was before I got this amazing idea. Paint! You know you can transform a room to look new with a little paint, well why not hit your shoe closet with the same concept? I found that the fabric paint works best and looks best on suede-like materials instead of smooth leather or patent leather. After gathering your materials, grab a piece of paper and a pencil and sketch out designs that you see yourself wearing this season!!

Materials:

Suede-like leather shoes

Old rag / shoe brush

Water bottle

Paper

Pencil

White eyeliner

Assorted colors of fabric paint (Tulip brand)

Assorted sizes of paint brushes

Directions:

1. After gathering all of your materials into one place, clean off your boots using an old rag or shoe brush. Make sure it is clean and ready for paint. If you need to spray water on it to get dust and dirt off make sure it is completely dry before proceeding.

2. Grab your pencil and paper and make some quick sketches of the design that you intend to paint on your shoes. You will need to be able to draw this on your shoe, so don’t get too elaborate unless you are sure that you will be able to create it free hand on your boot.

3. Using the white eyeliner, transfer your design onto your boot. It’s okay to make mistakes; you can use a wet rag to wipe it off.

4. Here is the fun part! Start to fill in your design using your fabric paints and the paintbrushes. If you have never used fabric paint, practice, practice, practice on an old piece of cloth before painting your boots. Be sure to try some new techniques with your paints like mixing some white paint into the colors.

5. Your boots will be ready to wear in 72 hours, but to be safe wait a week. You don’t want to ruin your beautiful fashion creation!

Selma Yalazi is a freelance writer and currently an undergrad who hopes to make the world a better place with her writing! Besides a big interest in writing, her hobbies also include the arts, especially wearable and home crafts.