Saturday, June 2, 2012

You can't see me.


* DISCLAIMER * 
I want to apologize to anyone who is weirded out by feet.
I'm sorry you have to look and my goofy ones.
I don't mean to offend.
Feel free to run away screaming.
:)




I wanted to share my solution to a small problem I have.
I have 2 different sized feet.
Like a size and a half difference!
As you can imagine, it makes for interesting shoe shopping.

Some of my shoe problems:
  • Going broke buying 2 sets of sizes for every pair of shoes I'd want to wear.
  • Always having one tight shoe and one loose shoe.
  • Always having to wear shoes with straps; Mary Janes, T-Strap, Ankle Strap, blah blah.
  • Longingly gazing upon Peep Toes, Wedges and slip on Sandals.

Then I had an A HA moment one night while watching Dancing with the Stars.
No, it wasn't how those fringe pants would look awesomely fantastic on me.
I noticed that the female dancers had something on their shoes 
to make sure they didn't fall off.

Invisible Straps!

Immediately, I googled and found you could purchase one pair of "Dance Shoe Straps"
for approximately $10.
Dude, I have a lot of shoes.
So, considering the straps were made of clear elastic, I got to googling again.
I found you can buy clear elastic for pretty cheap.
I got 3 packets of 3/8" Lightweight Clear Elastic (each 5 yards long)
for $10 shipped!
I could make makes lots o' straps and buy more shoes!

When my shipment arrived I got to messing around with the elastic.
Glue didn't work.
I didn't want to sew it.
So I came up with the below process that has worked beautifully.


Supplies:
Sandals or Shoes 
Clear Elastic
Measuring Tape
Scissors
Wax Paper
Iron
Pen


Slip on your sandal.
Measure how long your end overlap will be. 
For me, a 2 inch overlap works.


Measure from the edge of one side of your sandal, 
mid instep, around to the other.


My foot measured 7 inches edge of strap to edge of strap.


I added in my 2 inch overlap, and cut 9 inches of clear elastic.
Take your pen and measure in 2 inches on either end
of the elastic and mark.

This make sure you get a snug fit.


Cut a square of wax paper and turn on your iron to a medium setting.
A high setting will melt the elastic too quickly.
Excuse my icky ironing board cover.  Sewing a new one is on the to do list.


Take your elastic and loop it around the front of the strap. 
Make sure the mark you made lines up with the edge of the sandal.


Match up your ends and pinch.


Now lay the sandal on it's side.  
Make sure the elastic is on the wax paper and our pen mark is still lined up.


A few quick taps of the iron and you will see the elastic bond to itself.
Sorry for the blurry pic. It's hard to juggle a camera and an iron.


Keep tapping until you see the two sides are completely bonded.
Be sure not to pull on the elastic until it has cooled, as it will stretch.


Make sure your elastic is straight and repeat on the other side.


Once the second side has cooled, you are all set to go.
Your strap should look like this: 


Enjoy your secured sandals!
The best part is that most people never notice I have a strap on one shoe.
I love that it just disappears.




Here is a side by side.


But wait, that's not all!

What do I do for slip on shoes, you ask?
I make a loop!

Just slip on your shoe,
decide where you want the loop to sit,
measure both the shoe and foot around,
Add 1 inch to the measurement,
overlap the ends 2 inches and heat bond.


I could never wear a pair of shoes like this.
EVER!


But with my invisible strap,
Now you see it 


Now you don't!
Granted, I normally use the loop on shoes when I'm wearing pants,
but you'd never know.


Hope you find this as life changing as I did. 
Thank you Dancing with the Stars!

XOXO,
Photobucket

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Tuesday - Tip Junkie * Sugarbee Crafts * Funky Polkadot Giraffe * My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia * Crafty Confessions * Home Stories A to Z * Homework * Not Just a Housewife * Project Queen *A Diamond in the Stuff * Cherished Bliss * Blackberry Vine * Uncommon * The Southern Product Queen


Wednesday - Someday Crafts *Sew Much Ado * Tea Rose Home *A Little Tipsy * The Thrifty Home * Fireflies and Jellybeans * My Girlish Whims * Gingersnap Crafts *  Raegun Wear * The CSI ProjectThe Stuff of Success * Lil' Luna * The Sasse Life * Fine Craft Guild * Savvy Southern Style






56 comments:

  1. Wow...what an inspiration...guess it would work for my "flopping" sandals also...just hate the sound when I'm walking down a quiet hallway!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know exactly what you mean! Yes, it removes the "flopping" sound. :)

      Delete
  2. My mother had the same problem with her feet! How she would have loved your genius idea!! I'd love it if you share this at my party on Tuesdays!

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  3. So clever (I have a half size difference and it is a pain shopping for shoes too). This probably makes a lot of shoes more comfortable as well. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do:)

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    Replies
    1. It is such a pain! :) It just gives me the confidence to walk without losing a shoe. Thanks for hosting such a great party, Cheryl.

      Delete
  4. Good to know! I feel your pain with this. My left foot is 1/2 size smaller than my right so I also have a really hard time wearing a lot of shoes. Thanks for the tip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Size difference is such a pain. So happy you liked it.

      XOXO, Melysa

      Delete
  5. what a great solution, and i was just talking to my coworker today about back straps. my problem is that whenever i have shoe that has them, they're always falling down! tightening up doesn't seem to work for me. oh well, i'm glad you found your solution!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I often make more holes in the straps to really get a good tight fit. Thanks for the comments!

      XOXO, Melysa

      Delete
  6. Seriously -- your a genius! I love your solution. {HUGS}Three Mango Seeds

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  7. This is so clever! I need to do this! I’d love for you to share this project on Tuesday’s Tidbits @ Naptime Delights: http://naptimedelights.blogspot.ca/2012/06/tuesdays-tidbits-3.html

    Thanks so much!
    Sarah
    {http://naptimedelights.blogspot.com}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the the kind comment and invite, Sarah. I have included you on my party link page!

      XOXO, Melysa

      Delete
  8. How creative and clever. I would love if you would share this on my linky party! http://www.igottatrythat.com/p/blog-hop-linky-colde.html
    Thanks,
    Marcie @ www.IGottaTryThat.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the invite, Marcie! I have linked up and am following. :)

      Delete
  9. I don't think I would need this for me but I think it would work great for my 4 year old's sandals! She can never keep flip flops on her feet..may give this a shot. Thanks!

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  10. I can see other instances where people might love this. My mom is older and cannot wear backless shoes for fear of tripping and falling, but of course, it's hard to find all the perfect shoes with backs. This could perhaps give her an opportunity to wear a previously backless shoe. Have you found the elastic stretches out fast or that the bonding comes undone? Just wondered. Thanks. Found your post at The Blackberry Vine.
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment, Liz. The elastic hold up pretty well, I have straps last over a year. Just make sure to overlap well and get a full bond. It is pretty sturdy. :)

      Delete
  11. You clever girl, you! What a great idea! I'm sure that you solved a problem that many gals out there have! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  12. I, too, have always had to wear shoes with straps, laces, etc. (I have club feet-yes plural-and my left foot is a size smaller. Can't wait to try this.

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  13. Wow! Love this, please share it! Link it up with me on my Wow Us Wednesday, ok? Over at www.familyhomeandlife.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the invite, Connie. I have linked up and am your newest follower. :)

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    2. Thanks for linking up with me on Wow Us Wednesday! And I'm you newest follower on Linky Followers.

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  14. Awwww snap!!! That is awesome!!!! I LOVE IT... so clever and thrifty... I love it when someone finds a way around a problem... it works !!! =)
    Thanks so much for linking up to the ALL STARS BLOCK PARTY....

    Carri
    simplydonewright.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is such an awesome tip! I would love if you would share these on my weekly linky Party Blog Stalking Thursday. http://thecraftyblogstalker.blogspot.com/2012/06/blog-stalking-thursday-44.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind comment and invite, Katie! I am your newest follower and have linked up. :)

      Delete
  16. Aaaagh! I just got rid of some lovely red heels similar to these because of this problem. If only you'd posted this solution a couple of months ago.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a clever idea!! FWIW, Nordstrom will split sizes for you (as long as there is at least 1 full size difference) at no charge :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I must go to Nordstrom's immediately! This could be very, very bad. :) Thanks so much for the tip!

      Delete
  18. Oh my gosh! That is SO clever! We ALL have two different sized feet! ha ha ha maybe it's genetic??? :) Thanks for sharing on "Strut Your Stuff Saturday!" We hope to see you this friday! -The Sisters

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  19. Genius solution I would say! That's a great idea for little girls flip flops. My 3 yr old is always loosing hers. Thanks for the great idea.

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  20. Very clever! I have one foot that my shoes are always falling off and it appears that my baby girl is the same way. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that the worst! Hope this solution works for you both. :)

      Delete
  21. What a brilliant idea! I love the idea of using this for my girls. They love flip flops but they always walk funny when they wear them and don't quite seem to keep them on. This would do the trick so they walk on the flip flop not the ground. Thanks!

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  22. This is very clever! So easy and takes care of an issue that a lot of us have. And very cost effective. Thank you for sharing at Freedom Fridays. Have a super terrific weekend!

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  23. Wonderful idea! I can't wear flip flops but I probably could by doing this! Thanks for linking up at the All Star Block Party!

    Holly

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  24. OMG, I have two different size feet too and I never thought of doing anything like this. You are brilliant! I always walk right out of the shoe on the right all the time because I need a half size smaller and I'm way too cheap to do that. It's either that or the shoe on the left is way too tight. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I'm going out to JoAnns and buy me some clear plastic elastic! Woohoo! I'm your latest follower!

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  25. How inventive! That's pretty awesome. I'm featuring this tonight at the link party! Thanks for linking up!

    Kathryn
    destinationcraft.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great solution! :) I actually appreciate knowing you can make your own because I'm a ballroom dancer myself and, like you said, the straps in the catalogs to hold on dance shoes that aren't strappy are a bit pricey for just a piece of elastic! Maybe I should make some of these and sell them to the gals I teach...;)
    Thanks for sharing at Shine on Fridays!

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  27. That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  28. Nothing less than A STROKE OF GENIUS. I MUST do this. Thank you so much for linking it up at our party at http://www.FineCraftGuild.com . We'll have "Featured"- projects + a whole new round of entries tomorrow, Wednesday! See you then!

    ReplyDelete

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