DIY Customized Sneakers
Updated on December 20, 2019
Are you the kind of crafting enthusiast who likes to keep ahead in your seasonal crafting and start making things that you’ll wear in the next season nice and early, so they’re ready ahead of time when the snow falls or clears? We’re quite the same way, which is why we’re already thinking about the different ways that we might make ourselves some new customized sneakers for the spring even though there’s still an abundance of snow on the ground. We’ve made our own DIY customized sneakers in previous years, but we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled lately for techniques and looks we’ve never tried before, just to keep things interesting.
Are you feeling just as intrigued as we are, if not more, by the idea of making your own DIY custom sneakers for spring? Check out these 15 fantastic ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance!
1. DIY polka dot sneakers
Do you have a pair of canvas sneakers that you already like the colour of but you can’t help feeling like they look just a touch too plain left solid like they are, so you want to add some small, subtle detail? Then we have a strong feeling this very simple tutorial from Golden & Lovely that teaches you how to add tiny white polka dots to your shoes might be useful to you!
2. Doily painted sneakers
If you’re going to add painted detail to solid coloured shoes, would you rather it be a little more intricate or feminine looking than just plain polka dots? Well, if you can get your hands on a scrap piece of lace or an old doily and some spray paint or a sponge, then you’ll be just about set when it comes to doing some lace stencilling across your shoes, just like Ashley Hackshaw did here!
3. Iron paper photo transfer canvas shoes
If you’re going to make yourself a nice pair of shoes for spring, would you prefer to actually use them as an opportunity to celebrate spring visually as well? Then we’re convinced that these lovely floral canvas shoes will be right up your alley! We’re huge fans of this tutorial from Always Rooney that guides you through the process of selecting an all-over print image, printing it on iron-on paper, and transferring it to your canvas shoes.
4. DIY glitter sneakers
Have you always been the kind of person whose sense of style is just about as eye catching as it could possibly get? Well, if sparkles are a part of that aesthetic for you, then we’re fairly certain you’ll get along magically with this next tutorial from Love Maegan! They guide you step by step through the process of covering your shoes entirely in glitter and sealing them well so they don’t flake off as you walk.
5. Cartoon style custom kicks
Are you a little more of an experienced DIY enthusiast with a talent for hand painting and drawing, so you’ve been searching for new ideas in hopes that you might put those skills to good use? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Feelgood Threads guides you through the steps they took in transforming their shoes into an impressively detailed cartoon dream!
6. DIY galaxy shoes
Like so many others, have you been totally enamoured with the way that galaxy prints have been trending over the last few years? Well, we totally adore them as well, so we can’t say we blame you! That’s why we felt so enthusiastic about the prospect of learning how to create our very own DIY galaxy print on just about anything, but especially shoes that look just like the ones we’ve been eyeing up as a spring project. Get the full details for making a pair of your own on Miss Amelia Joy.
7. Super sparkly glitter and rhinestone shoes
Did we almost have you convinced when we started talking about the idea of covering your shoes entirely in glitter but, believe it or not, you’re actually not sure that the previous design we showed you involved quite enough glitter for you? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Honestly WTF not only fully sparkled the canvas of their shoes, but fully rhinestoned the toes as well!
8. DIY embroidered sneakers
Are you a slightly more subtle person when it comes to clothing style, but you’re also someone who prefers to pick up the needlepoint supplies when it’s time to get crafty? Then this next tutorial featured in full detail on Lia Griffith might be just the kind of thing you’re looking for. Take a better look at their process to find all kinds of tips and tricks for hand embroidering adorable little daisies all over your own shoes.
9. Fabric scrap decoupage sneakers
Iron-on panels aren’t the only way that you can add some external colour and patterning to your shoes! In fact, there’s a way to make it happen that puts a slightly more traditional crafting technique to good use instead! These super fun and geometric looking fabric scrap sneakers outlined step by step on Craftstylish are the perfect example of what we mean.
10. Christmas lights inspired sneakers
Are you still thinking about how much you liked the basic concept of the polka dot sneakers but the shoes you had in mind for customizing are white and you’re feeling very keen on adding some unique colour to them? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Dream A Little Bigger made these Christmas or fairy lights inspired shoes by making ink dots in the canvas and intentionally letting them spread a little through the fabric before lift the pen in order to give each one a sort of halo effect.
11. DIY snakeskin painted sneakers
Are you still feeling pretty interested in all that talk of adding texture to your shoes but you were thinking something more along the lines of visual texture than anything else? Well, if you’ve ever liked fashion with a snakeskin finish to it then we’re pleased to tell you that this tutorial from Mr Kate has you covered! Check out their tutorial to see how it was done using fishnet stockings as a kind of stencil.
12. Fabric customized high tops
Is your favourite kind of customized style that which creates a contrast within a piece itself, either in colour or pattern? Well, what if we told you that we’ve found a very simple way to do both at once? Check out how Brittany King used, once again, decoupage techniques to fully cover the tongues of their high top shoes in fabric that’s bright and colourful, purposely choosing it to contrast with the plain, solid black of the shoes themselves.
13. Faux printed Oxford sneakers
Are you still quite interested in the concept of using your hand painting or drawing skills to add some detail to your runners but, rather than making them look cartoonish, you’d really rather add some old fashioned and slightly more classic style to them, even if it’s faux? Then we’d be willing to bet that you’ll get along a little better with something like these faux printed Oxford style sneakers outlined in simple, clear detail on How To Instructions!
14. Elastic lace ups turned slip ons
Perhaps it’s actually your kids’ shoes that you were hoping to customize a little bit rather than your own, but it wasn’t style that you had in mind? We actually overhauled all our kids’ runners last year in order to turn them from slightly too advanced tie up laces into slip ons and we couldn’t have been happier with the decision. Take a better look at the tutorial on Make It & Love It to see how it’s done.
15. DIY saddle shoes sneakers
Are you still quite convinced that an old fashioned looking shoe customization is definitely the way to go for you, but you’re not quite as confident in your hand drawing skills as you’re convinced the style above requires? Then we’d suggest giving this much more simplified saddle shoe design outlined in simple detail on Bleu Bird a try!
Have you made other kinds of awesome DIY sneakers before that you were very happy with indeed and still wear but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!