| Unfortunately the leg part was massive. So I set about making them much cuter! (Yes I’m going to make you wait until the end of the tutorial to see the end result mwahaha build the suspense!)So first thing is first… let’s turn these suckers into knee high’s :D
Put the boots on and measure how high you want them. I wanted mine to be knee high.
Remove the boots and cut the tops off, make sure to leave an extra inch for seams. Also make sure the zip part is at the bottom of the boot so you can still use it!! From this point on you should be careful when using the zip that it doesn’t fly off the end!
Oh and just for the record, they are not this shiny/cheap looking in person, they are actually a nice matt black but to show the details and stitching I had to use a lot of flash >_<
Now put the boots back on (carefully because of the zip). As you can see, they are not form fitting at all. I have drawn where my actual leg is over the top of the picture ^_^ The main thing I want to do is fit them around my ankles and calves.
Let’s get going!
Most boots have seams up the front and the back, by changing this seam you can very easily change the entire shape of the boot!
Move the lining away from the seams and unpick them down the front and back of the boot.
You end up with something like this:
Put the boot back on and pin the seams back in place in the way that you want them. Pin both the front and the back.
Take them off again and thread a needle. If there is any excess leather/vinyl in the seams you should trim it off now. Be careful not to trim too closely just in case you change your mind about the fit later.
Turn the edges of the seams inside again and re-pin them in place.
Now get sewing! Thread your needle and choose a stitch that matches the rest of the boot. Sew up the front and the back ^_^ If your boots are made of a heavy leather you will need a special leather needle. Mine are synthetic and quite thin so hand stitching was not a problem.
So this is what you end up with, the modified boot is on the left and the old one is on the right.
Un-modified on the left and fitted on the right. You can see the differences around the ankle and the calves.
Much much much better fit and more comfortable because of it.
Now repeat on the other boot ^_^
You will end up with something along these lines…
The last thing you should do if you’re just fitting the boots is to create a seam around the tops and prevent the zips from coming off. Do this by turning the tops inside and sandwiching the raw edges between the lining. Sew around the tops and secure the tops of the zips too. Done!
Now that’s all well and good but they are still very plain right? There are a couple of things you can do about that. I decided to use the left overs that I cut from the tops to make some cute accessories.
I thought about cutting it into scallops and adding a new top like this:
Instead I decided to recycle some old Innocent World socks ^_^
I cut off the lacy tops and sewed them into place on the top of the boots.
Lastly I used some of the left over fabric to make some little bows for the front…
I used black lace for the middle so they matched the new tops of the boots ^_^ I sewed them on the front and that’s it!
Taaaadaaaa!
Lovely fitted boots with bows and lace! OMG THEY ACTUALLY FIT!!
I think one of the things I love so much is that they are cute but not too over the top so I can wear them with so many things!
Jesus Diamate boots: $300+
Violet’s Boots: $45 plus a few hours of work
I am so happy with them because they are really cute and also really comfortable! I took them out for a test drive shopping today and after 2 hours walking there was no pain at all. I think I’m going to add a little bit of padding on the inside so they are like wearing slippers mwahaha!
So was it worth the wait? What do you all think? ^_^ Let me know if any of you try out the boot customization tutorial yourselves! |
OMG Violet!! That is so amazing !! Who would hv thought of unpicking those seams and tighten it to fit! Awesome end result :)
:D :D :D Yay for first comment! Thank you I’m so proud of the end result!
Amazing result, as I knew it would be :) And very wearable…do you know, I had visions of you deco-ing the entire boot and it possibly ending up a blingy mess? But they are very stylish!
And for the record, I hate cowboy boots too – can’t wait for that odious style to get outta the gal scene, so more cool shoes can be fitted in the stores instead!
XD I did have a thought of deco-ing the boots but for things like this I much prefer stylish than OTT :D
Wow! I actually have the opposite problem with boots and I have to have them professionally widened with elastic. XD I love the little bows you made and the lace tops! When do we get to see them fully coordinated? ^_~
Oh maybe I should do a tutorial on that! Full co-ordinates coming soon :D
They turned out FANTASTIC! You did an amazing job girl! <3
Thank you so much! I’m really happy with the result!
o.o so daring! nice job, i like it!
Thank you! I’m very happy with how they turned out <3
you really are the queen of DIY…
Aww I don’t know if I deserve the title but thank you anyway!
OMG!!! this boots are wonderful!!! I always follow your blog and your creations, but this is the best of all, in my opinion ;) <3 <3 <3
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! And thank you for following me too ^_^ I’m really glad you like them!
these turned out great! :)
Thanks so much Amanda!
My gosh, you’re clever!!!
The end result is gorgeous! :D
Haha maybe not clever, just stubborn XD
one word… AWESOME.
Thank you!
Whilst I love me some cowboy boots (I have a Joanne Mercer pair), I always have issues finding knee highs because I have dancers calves (not in a good way)… I had not thought about ripping them apart and doing something with them!! These look awesome!!!
Thank you! Oh you should give it a try, they were really easy to fit so if you wanted to fit them to dancers calves it shouldn’t be too hard at all :D
Those are amazing! Now want to give us a tute for big calves? :p
Haha I’ll have to see if I can find a model!
Oh my goodness, they look AMAZING!!! (I also have problems with boots (and shoes) but that’s because I wear a kids size 3…) You’re so creative! Thanks for showing off your fantastic work :)
Oh it’s terrible having to shop in the kids section for clothes and shoes, I have the same problem with clothes sometimes >_<
They are so much cuter now! :) Love the bows! :)
Thank you very much!
:O So creative <3
Thanks AiChan!
You’re soo clever Violet (and I wish I had that problem of having legs too skinny). And I love the bows the most and like a previous commenter said I was worreid they were going to be covered in bling. But these are cute and not over the top :)
Haha don’t worry I know when to tone down the bling occasionally! Thank you so much for commenting!
You are awesome. Even if I bought a pair of cheap boots I would be too afraid of destroying the boot or my sewing machine to try this. Another great tutorial. Thank you for sharing.
Aww thank you so much!! No worries at all :D
Ahhh that’s amazing!! The end result looks just like any “real brand” boot! Hehe you’re just brimming with inspiring ideas :-D
:D That’s the best compliment ever!
LOVE the lace and the ribbons!
:D Me too!
Wow! Totally awesome :O I’m so in love with your skills in sewing and creativity! A really cheap way to make fabulous designs (with some time of course -_-’)
CaN,t wait for the next tutorial :’3
Don’t worry there’s more to come! Yes I’m usually much happier to spend time making something ^_^
OMG! Those bows just push it over the edge into total sexy leather-princess territory! Awesome job :D
Yeah I am definitely feeling the sexy leather princess vibe today :D P.s. we need to catch up sometime!
whoa!!
They are sooo cute ♥♥♥
I’d die to have a pair like those, too!
Yiu’ve did a great job, dear ♥
:D Thank you so much!! I bet you can make your own and they will be fantastic!
Oh wow! They look amazing Violet! Well done!
Thanks so much Kaz!
that’s gorgeous!! i had long given up on buying boots directly from the store [i tend to get them custom made to fit properly] but this is a far cheaper idea! will try it one day!
I’ve always wanted a pair of custom made boots but they are just out of my price range atm >_< Let me know if you give it a try!
Awesome.
Those boots are made for walkin’
Haha damn straight they are!
That was an awesome job! Although i’m not a big fan of boots, you made this one so pretty. And i especially love the bows in the front :)
:D Thank you, I’m glad you liked them!
HAMGAWESOMENESSSSSS/brain explodes!!!!
XD *picks up the scattered pieces of brains*
Thank you for this!!!! I HATE how boots have such wide calves. I’ve been looking for more form-fitting ones for my Sailor Moon cosplay but I think I’ll just try this instead (I was scared to try before~)
Oh definitely give it a try! Let me know how it turns out :D
This is one of your best projects yet! (And all of your stuff is awesome, so that’s saying something.) I have the opposite problem with boots. I have thick, muscular calves. I guess either way it’s annoying. These are fabulous, though, better than what you could buy. I have a couple plain pairs of heels I might add some ribbon/lace to. Thanks for the tutorial!
:D :D :D Thank you Alisa! I am thinking about doing a tutorial for wider calves too so check back ^_^
Wow!! How do you think of these projects? I love to do art projects, sewing projects, etc. But I don’t have a mind for making them up. Amazing!
I just think about things I want but can’t have… then try to do it anyway XD
Wow, they turned out fabulous! I have that issue with boots too. My feet will fit most of the time, but the rest always sags somewhat around my calves. And I love the little synthetic leather bows are SO CUTE! I have to try this for myself. Thank you so much for posting! I love your tutorials ^^ Even now, my everyday/going out hair is the hime one. Thanks a bajillion!
Boots are so hard to fit correctly, it’s really difficult to find them off the shelf that perfectly fit >_< Aww I’m so glad my tutorials could inspire you so much! I will do lots more in the future too :D
I stumbled across this blog while looking up circle-contacts and I must say, you were one of the craftiest and nicest people I have ever read about xD I love all of your tutorials! I always have this problem with boots, thank you so much for posting this, I’ll definitely be shopping thrift stores for nifty boots now!
Oh wow thank you so much for your lovely comment! Do let me know if you try this out, I’d love to see yours! Thank you so much for reading too ^_^ Let me know if you have any requests!
My mind is blown….I swear. This tutorial has topped it all. I’ll never be able to do what you did, but….o.o I WANT A PAIR! These are the best, most -adorable- boots!
XD I’m really glad you like it! You should totally try it!
These are AMAZING! You are so talented, Violet. Thank you so much for showing this. This is such a good idea for customizing boots! I have one friend with too thin of calves and one with too big, so I bet they both can learn something from this, too. Thanks again for all your wonderful ideas. :)
I’m so glad you liked it! I’m thinking due to popular demand I might have to make a tutorial for wide calves too ^_^ No problem at all, lots more ideas to come!
that s amazing! need to learn to sew NOW! the money that could be saved! but i have medium feet n larger calfs. someday perhaps…
Yay you should try it! I am thinking of making a tutorial for larger calved boots as well ^_^
they look so terrific…..a girl at work and i have hust been oooh-ing and aaah-ing over them…..more oohs and ah’s with each mouse scroll….
i saw those boots in Target when they were that price…..they never have my size left!
Haha that makes me so happy! I was really lucky to find them in my size, they were the last pair!
So cute! I love what you did with them. I also have problems getting boots to look right on, but I don’t have the confidence to chop up a new pair. I might however, be tempted to mod a pair of boots in the future similar to this. You should be a shoe designer, you always come up the cutest ones! I was going to glitter up a old pair of shoes similar to the pairs featured in your sneaker Sunday posts, but the shoes I was going to use were past redemption, so not right now.. but soon!
Aww thank you, I would loooove to design shoes! Good luck with your new sneakers :D Maybe if you don’t want to chop a new pair of boots you could buy an older pair from a thrift store ^_^
That is freaking amazing… pitty that it isn’t helpful for me, cause I have the problem the other way arround, they are also to tight…
but I really like it!!
Thank you so much! I am thinking of making another tutorial for girls with wider calves too so stay tuned!
oh my goodness, u are sooooo good in this thing
Aww thanks Vicky!
Wow, you’re so brave to take such big DIY risks with your women’s clothing!
Thanks Kate :)
I near died of fright when you cut the tops off………hehe………….. but of course you pulled together another amazing and creative idea !! The bows really are a cute touch and finish them off nicely. I see a book in your future of DIY fabulousness !
XD Haha I aim to scare people ;) I’m glad you like the end product, I really want to make a DIY book and there is definitely something in the works atm, stay tuned ok?
Wow. You know I love all your tutorials, but I think this is the most impressive one yet. Seriously I think you could sell these!
Oh you really think so? Thank you so much! :D
Gorgeous! Plus, they are so unique. I especially love the little bows. Snaps for Violet!
XD Thanks for the snaps heehee! <3
This tutorial has totally inspired me to go clearence hunting to make some boots of my own!!! I love your site! You are adorable and I feel like you’re a genuinely good person (which is hard to find on the internet), stay cute!
I’m so glad to inspire you :D Your comment really put a smile on my face too, I’m really glad you’re enjoying the site. Thank you for commenting and thank you so much for reading!
This is awesome! I also have problems finding boots that fit due to abnormally scrawny calves (I prefer the term ‘slender’) and I have never thought of resewing BOOTS. Amazing job, they turned out fantastic!
Haha I much prefer the term “slender” too! I hope you give it a try :D
THESE ARE SOOOOO AWESOMEE!! :)
I feel like decorating my old boots now :P
You totally should!
They are sooooo beautiful! *-*
:D Thanks Shouri!
OMG. YOu are too hardworking! I love it! <3 <3
Haha always something going on here! Thanks lovely!
Oh Violet I adore you so much <3
Another great tut by you!
Aww! Thank you Synny, I’m glad you liked it :D
OMG
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :O
you have just given me some new ideas!
Yay! I’m glad :D
I didn’t think it was going to look that good when I first started reading ,but when I saw the end result. They were amazing. I can’t find to find some leather boots.
I felt very nervous at the start too but I’m happy with how they turned out :D Let me know how yours turn out!
hate to tell you, kiddo, but after your alterations your small feet now look enormous. good job customizing the boots, but perhaps you should’ve considered the shape of the bottom part of the boot in light of the now very slender shafts.
XD Thanks for your input Wvbotanybabe. I don’t quite agree with you but I appreciate your comment anyway ^_^ I actually bought the boots because they fit correctly in the foot area and I really liked the rounded shape. Larger rounded toe shoes are quite popular in Japanese fashions like Lolita and to an extent Hime Gyaru because they make the wearer appear more doll-like. I imagine that considering the foot area of the boot fits correctly and the calf area is altered to fit my legs tightly if you hadn’t seen the before photo you probably wouldn’t notice. Thanks for your thoughts :D
Hi I have a similar problem i think that you had with them not fitting. if the boot has a zipper (which most seem to that i like) i cant get them to zip all the way up. my legs are a bit odd. if they lace up i have no issue do you suppose i can take the zipper out and replace it with laceing? or something that is more likly to work for me? i would love your oppinion. thanks.
Yep you could definitely replace a zip with lacing, though if the problem is that there is not enough fabric to begin with you will need to add more. I’m writing a tutorial at the moment for people with curvier calves so I will post with it soon ^_^ Good luck with your project and if you have questions just let me know!
Hihi, hope you don’t mind me asking…is the stitching of the front and back done on the inside or outside of the boots? I can’t really see clearly for some reason, o__o. And thanks so much! This tutorial is just bloody amazing!!! (as are your other tutorials) SIMPLY FULL OF WIN!!! I love it when people don’t take no for an answer. hohoho. I too believe, that if something doesn’t exist, create it yourself and make what you want happen! :D
Hi Isabelle :) The stitching is on the outside of the boots, though you could totally do it on the inside if you wanted to. I suggest just trying to match the stitching on the other seams as closely as possible. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, make sure you come back soon ok? I’ve got lots planning in the future!
i love these to death, i was out shopping for new boots, and i couldnt find any i liked as much as these!
id try to customize my own, but im not to creative :3
well done! <3
Thank you so much! Aww I’m sure you could give it a try ^_^
I’m a little confused about the zipper thing at the end. Can you explain how to sew the tops to keep the zips from coming off? Maybe take a few close up shots of that area. (I’m kinda slow and bad at DIY projects XD)
You’re amazing <3
Hi Miss Me ^_^ Unfortunately I cant take any shots because mine are covered in lace now! What you need to do is:
-Using your thread stitch around the top couple of teeth in the zip.
-Repeat over and over until it is thick enough to prevent the zip from falling off the end.
-You know the metal thing that is usually at the top of zips? You are basically replicating that out of thread.
Hope that helps a bit ^_^ Let me know if you have any more questions!
Ohh! I understand now. Thank you so much! That’s easy enough, so I think I’ll give it a go.
XOXO <3
No problems at all, I hope yours turn out well, I would love to see photos!
Wow you’re really super talented!! *0* I’ve sort of had a similar problem to you with long boots – I have small feet as well but unlike you where you have thin calves (jealous!!), i just have stereotypical stubby asian calves so a lot of pretty boots always scrunch awkwardly on me since my legs are always missing that extra important 1.5 inches T_____T I never knew you could fix boots like that! You’re a genius~~ I’ve just recently got my first pair of knee-high boots from Geox though! You should try checking out their boots – they fit me PERFECTLY and I was so shocked and surprised! I don’t know if they’re having a sale in the states right now (I live in Canada) but they had one a couple days ago here and I got my boots for only $80 instead of +$200! So happy~~ Looking up your other DIY tutorials now!
Oh I haven’t heard of Geox, that sounds like a lovely sale though, I’ll have to check them out! Thanks so much for reading and I’m so glad you found this useful!
Incredible :O
Sooo cutee! ^^
Thankss
Thank you Aretha!
Thanks for this tutorial so much! I got these awesome boots with a thicker heel, but the tops don’t fit unless I wear them over pants (which is great for Steampunk, but not with my awesome new Steampunk skirt or Lolita), so I think I’ll try this! They’re not even knee-high, and synthetic leather, but I have some real leather too, so I’m going to see what I can come up with! I’m shooting for something Victorian/Innocent World inspired!
No problems! I’m very glad you liked the tutorial ^_^ I hope it works out for you!
OMG! you are so brave! I have HUGE feet, but small calves, so boots tend to fit me even worse, because they tend to make them even wider up the legs the bigger the shoe size it seems. I wish I had the guts to do this, I don’t know how many lovely boots I’ve walked away from for this reason, but I’d be terrified of ruining them!
Yours look great though!
I know exactly what you mean! It can be so frustrating, I probably wouldn’t do this to expensive boots but these ones were cheap so I didn’t feel so bad about it haha!
You are such a godsend! I just got new boots that fit me perfectly, yet, I have to fold the tops in half just so that it doesn’t look like my knees are non-existent! thanks a bunch! your tutorials are very inspirng and helpful! <3 <3 <3
Oh I’m so glad for the good timing :D I hope it went well!
Oh my lord, you may be the smartest person in the world, kudos!
Haha I don’t know if I’m smart, I just really wanted well fitting boots XD