Fringe Sandals

9 steps to make your own fringe sandals…

Fringe sandals are having a moment this spring and summer. And I’m loving this fun and colorful trend.

You can find retail versions of these EVERYWHERE, and there are lots and lots of fun options. Here are some of my current favorites if you DON’T feel like going the DIY route (believe me, I get it):

While all of these beauties are pretty, many are also pretty pricey. And I’m typically not one to spend a lot, unless I know I’ll get a TON of wear out of them.

But since I still love the look, I decided to DIY instead of buy! And if you would like to DIY your own pair, we’re about to show you how it’s done!

I also made a quick, two-minute video tutorial, which may be even easier than reading through the full how-to. In the video, we’re adding tassels to a slightly different version of sandal, but the general technique and all the supplies, etc are the same.

Now that you’ve seen the process, let’s discuss what supplies you’ll need to get started.

How to make your own fringe sandals:

1. Find some inexpensive sandals.

I found mine at Five Below.

2. Try on shoes and mark center point of strap.

Before you attach your tassels, you need to make sure you’re going to attach them in the right spot. What looks like the “center” of your strap when the shoe is off is not necessarily where the true center is when the shoe is actually on your foot!

Try on the shoe, and grab a sharpie or safety pin…something you can use to mark the back of the strap in the center point, or pin through the center point of the strap you’ll be attaching the tassels to.

In this case, I’m going to attach four tassels to that braided strap you see above that will fall in the front of my ankle when the shoe is being worn.

3. String tassel onto a piece of waxed thread.

You’ll need about 9-12″ of wax thread per tassel. Thread the tassel.

**Note the sandals in the following images are the OTHER pair I purchased and completed this same technique on, but the process is the SAME.**

4. Use upholstery needle to insert one end of wax thread through top shoe strap/strap that sits in front of your ankle.

I chose to put four tassels on each shoe. Attaching the center tassels first will help ensure you’re putting the tassels on in the correct location. With the tassel in the center of your 9-12″ piece of waxed thread, place one end of the wax thread through the eye of your upholstery needle.

Pass the needle through the braided strap, starting on the outside/top of the shoe and moving toward inside/bottom of the strap. Once through the strap, remove the needle.

5. Insert other end of wax thread into strap.

Re-thread needle, using end of wax thread that still remains on the outside of shoe. Pass needle/thread through the braided strap from outside of shoe toward inside again.

Now both sides of the thread will be on the inside of the shoe, while the tassel remains in front.

**Don’t tie off tassel yet. Wait ’til ALL tassels are placed on the shoe.

6. Attach remaining tassels using same method.

Continue this process for each tassel, moving from the middle tassels toward those on the outside edges of the shoe. In my case, I threaded the yellow and teal tassels before moving on to the two pink ones.

7. Try on shoe.

Once all the tassels are attached, try the shoe back on. Are the tassels where you want them? If not, simply pull out the tassel(s) you don’t like and re-attach in the correct spot(s).

8. Tie off ends of wax thread.

Once satisfied with the location of your tassels, it’s time to tie off the ends.

I am sure there are some great knots for this, but I only know how to tie one, and that’s a basic square knot. Double knot each tassel in place. Or use a fancy knot if you know one.

9. Trim excess wax thread.

Get out your scissors and trim the rest of that wax thread off. Voila! Fancy sandals at a phenomenal price.

I’m loving these fabulous fringe sandals.

And I don’t think I would have guessed that we got these done for about $6 TOTAL, what about you? If you want to see the other pair I made (that’s shown in the tutorial images) head —> HERE.

Pin this post for later! And if you make one, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!

Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be sent right away!