Put a little style in your sneakers with some adorable DIY shoelaces. Finding a set of shoelaces to purchase that are colorful and unique just doesn’t happen, so why not make your own. Making your own shoelaces is such an easy thing to do and the color combinations and patterns are endless.
These shoelaces can be made using regular cotton fabric or recycled t-shirts. In this tutorial, I give instructions on how to make two different types of shoelaces and three different methods.
- Fabric laces (bias tape and tube methods)
- T-shirt laces (NO SEWING REQUIRED)
The first method is sewing strips of woven fabric and the second method is simply using stretchy t-shirt yarn.
DIY Shoelaces Materials & Items Needed
- Fabric scissors/rotary cutter (optional)
- Bias tape maker (optional RED #18)
- Fabric: Cotton Woven fabrics/Upcycled t-shirts/ Knit fabric
- Iron
- Shrink tubing 3/16 inch (optional)
- Heat Gun (optional) / Hairdryer
- Packaging tape/ or needle & thread (optional)
- Sewing machine for sewn method
- Safety pin
- Needlenose pliers
- Fraycheck (optional)
Fabric DIY Shoelaces
The first thing to do is decide how long you need to make your DIY shoelaces. Use the chart below to determine the length.
*If you like the length of the current laces that are in your shoes, simply pull out the laces and measure. Cut the fabric strips to that length.
Cut strips of fabric 1.5 inches/4 cm. (Fabric can be cut on the bias or on the grain).*See video tutorial
BIAS TAPE MAKER METHOD
(For more information on how to make your own bias tape, READ HERE).
- Apply the bias strip into the bias tape maker (RED #18)
- Pull through and press as you go.
- Topstitch along the open edge from end to end.
- Do this for both laces.
- Fold in half and press.
FOLD & IRON METHOD (without using the bias tape maker)
- Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press. Fold the edges to the centerfold and press. Fold in half again and press.
- Topstitch along the open edge from end to end.
- Do this for both laces.
HIDDEN SEAM LACES
If you don’t like the look of stitching on the shoelaces, you can use this method.
- Fold the strip in half with the RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.
- Sew along the raw edges from end to end using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
- Turn RIGHT SIDE FACING OUT.
TURNING TIPS: Here are a few tips on how to turn the tube inside out.
OPTION #1: Sew the tube leaving both ends open. Apply a safety pin to the end of the tube and thread it through to the other end, pulling through as you go.
OPTIONS #2 Before sewing the seam, get a long piece of sturdy twine or ribbon. Sew it into the seam at the end of the tube. Tuck the twine along the inside fold (so you don’t catch it into the seam) and sew down the side seam.
Gently pull the twine to pull the end of the tube inside itself until you can grab it. Then pull it until the whole tube is turned inside out.
T-SHIRT FABRIC LACES (No Sewing Required)
I love upcycling t-shirts! Check out THIS POST for some other great ideas of what you can make with this stretchy material.
IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE T-SHIRT YARN, CHECK OUT THIS POST AND VIDEO TUTORIAL.
- Cut 2 inch/5 cm strips of t-shirt fabric.
- Pull strips to tighten and curl the fabric.
- Measure the strips and cut them to the desired length.
FINISHING SHOELACE ENDS
- Cut 4 shrink tube pieces to .75 inches /2 cm.
- Apply shrink tube to the ends of laces allowing a little bit of the lace to extend past the end of the tube.
- Heat tube using a hairdryer, heat gun, or open flame.
- Remove the heat source once the tubing has shrunk and tightened around the lace.
- Cut off the excess fabric.
DIY SHOELACES -OTHER FINISHING OPTIONS:
- You can take a needle and thread and stitch and wrap around and around the ends while pulling the thread tightly. Knot and cut the thread.
- Apply fray check to the fabric ends to keep the fabric from fraying.
GET THE FREE PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS HERE
Lace your shoes and enjoy an authentic stylin, one-of-kind pair of shoes!
Here are some other projects you may be interested in:
Upcycled T Shirts – Ideas and Tips
T-Shirt Yarn | Made From Upcycled T-Shirts
Jan Howell
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Jan Howell
Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.
Upcycled t-shirts work really well
Simply take a needle, double the thread, knot the end, and take two rows of big gathering stitches to gather to your liking. Knot to secure in place.
You can also use a ribbon to gather the shoulders by tying a bow around the shoulder top and tacking in place with a needle and thread.
Cut 2-inch strips, on the stretch of your binding fabric. Cut them to the armhole measurement. (If you don’t have strips long enough, you can piece them together. WATCH MY TUTORIAL ON HOW TO DO THAT 
Place the strips RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER and sew the short ends together using a ¼ – 3/8 inch seam allowance to form a ring. Do this for both strips.
Do the same thing with the armholes. Find the halfway point from the side seam and mark with a pin. It’s not always going to be the shoulder seam. Most likely it’s a little off to the side.
On the TOPSIDE, stitch in the ditch, which is the point where the shirt meets the binding. Turn your sewing machine handwheel toward you, bringing the needle down to make sure it is placed in that crevice. Start sewing. Ease and stretch the fabric slightly as you sew. Backstitch at the end.
Tadah! There you have a nice professional-looking finish to your armhole.
You can do this in the same manner for the neck if you want.
Unless the knit fabric is really thick, you’ll want to reinforce the knit fabric by applying a little piece of INTERFACING, on the backside of the fabric where you want to apply the label. (Follow instructions on stabilizer).
As indicated on the drawing, start cutting through the single layer of fabric on the bottom strip at an angle to the end of the cut edge. On the next layer cut from one end to the other ON A DIAGANOL! Follow that same pattern until you’ve cut all strips.
