A

D

B

E

C

F

G

Fig. A: Cut the fabric off the shoe, being careful not to damage the rubber sole and toe. Fig. B: The fabric and tongue cut off the shoe. Fig. C: Trace the pattern from the shoe fabric. Fig. D: Cut out new fabric from your paper pattern. Fig. E: Stitch the border and back panel.

5. Sew it all up.

Face the right sides of the fabric uppers together (wrong sides facing out) and sew together the side where the back of the shoe will be. Then turn them right-side out and iron them flat.

Using the other shoe for reference, sew the standard decorative Converse border stitches around the panel and down the back (Figure E). Then glue the “Converse All Star” label back onto the shoe. Once it’s firmly in place, hand-sew along the edge of the label to further secure it.

 

6. Punch holes for the laces. With an eyelet punch, set seven or eight 4mm eyelets along one edge of the panel, for the laces. Repeat on the other side (Figure F).

H

I

Fig. F: Punch eyelets for the laces. Fig. G: Smear shoe glue around the inside of the rubber sole. Fig. H: Add glue to the bottom of the insole. Fig. I: Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours.

NOTE: Read the instructions for Shoe Goo or any other type of glue you use before applying it to this project.

7. Glue your fabric to the sole.

Smear Shoe Goo around the inside edges of the sole and inside the toe cap (Figure G).

Stick the tongue in and shove a wad of paper in there to apply pressure to it.

Stick the edges of the fabric uppers to the top of the sole and inside the toe, then pack the inside of the shoe with paper to apply pressure while the glue is drying. Insert the insole and apply more glue around the edges to fix the uppers to the insole (Figures H and I). Allow at least 24 hours of drying time before wearing the shoes.

My shoes have held up nicely, and when they do wear out, I’ll just make myself another pair!