SHOE CLIPS AREN’T JUST FOR PROM NIGHT. Pair them with a pair of lace-up sneakers, or with a pair of pumps for a first date. The mix of deco crystal and silk ribbon adds a vintage softness and elegance we love. To make them your own, try using a bright ribbon or printed fabric instead. Don’t skimp on the stitches in this project, since you’ll be kicking up your heels with these.
1 yd/1 m of silk ribbon, 1 in/2.5 cm wide
2 crystal components or vintage clip-on earrings
2 small silver filigree findings
Thread, in a color to match the ribbon
2 shoe clip findings
Ruler
Scissors
Tacky Glue
Sewing needle
E-6000 glue
Make the bow
1 Cut two 15-in/38-cm lengths of silk ribbon, and tie each piece in a simple bow.
2 With one of the bows in your hand, make a sandwich, with the bow in the middle, a crystal component centered on the top, and a filigree finding centered on the bottom.
3 Tack the three layers to each other with a small dab of Tacky Glue.
4 Repeat for the second bow. Let dry overnight.
Stitch the layers together
5 Thread the sewing needle, and stitch together the three sandwiched layers of one bow—the filigree finding, ribbon, and crystal component.
6 Once the three components are secure, stitch one of the shoe clip findings to the filigree finding. These clips will get lots of wear on your shoes, so make at least 10 stitches to secure the clip to its decorative top. Shoe clips generally have two holes made just for stitching them to a surface, but if your clips don’t, you can use E-6000 glue to attach them to the filigree finding.
7 Tie off the thread with a secure knot and trim any excess thread.
8 Repeat to make the second silk bow shoe clip.
