Silk Orchid Slippers or Sandals

Spruce up your flip flops for spring... This is a very easy project that takes a short evening, drying time overnight and 5 minutes of sewing the next day.

Materials Required:

A pair of not-too-expensive comfortable flip-flops or thongs
A sprig of large "silk" flowers with two usable blooms and a sprig of large "silk" leaves with five usable leaves
Needle and matching thread
A glue for porous materials, like E6000, Amazing Goop, or a gel superglue

Start with plain flip flops.

Step 1 (optional): Hand sew a strap of 3/8" elastic to each side to keep the heel up and get rid of the "flop" sound they make when you walk.

Second view of Step 1.

Step 2: Clip off four large leaves and remove any plastic supports.

Step 3: Pin a leaf into place. Because the fake plants usually have a plastic finish, whatever holes are put into the leaf might be permantent. So pin along the center line so holes can be incorporated into the stitching if necessary. Also take care that leaf covers most of the flip-flop straps.

Step 4: Hand sew leaf into place with by sewing along the center line, using short stitches on the top side and longer stitches on the underside. When starting the stitching, make sure to position the knotted thread end between the leaf and the sandal, so it won't rub against your foot.

Step 4 second view. When you get to the end, knot the thread on the inside.

Step 4 third view.

Step 5: Position a small piece of leaf over the center part that will remain exposed.

Step 6: Hand stitch in place along both sides and the bottom.

Step 7: Sew on the other leaf, the same as steps 3 and 4. Repeat steps 3-7 for the other sandal.

Step 8: Clip the back of the flower very close to the fabric.

Step 9: Attach to the front of the sandal with the strong craft glue.

Step 8: Apply a line of craft to the edge of the sandle where it meets the leaf. Press into place and let glue partially

Step 9: Trim off any extra part of the leaves that sticks below the line of the sandle and re-apply glue if necessary.

Step 10: After the glue is completely dried (usually 24 hours) tack the flower in place around the glue.

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All of the patterns and information at SavvySeams.com are "use at your own risk". No guarantees are made and SavvySeams assumes no responsibility or liability for use of our patterns.
If you are unsure of a pattern or technique test it first on muslin or scrap fabric.

Remember: never sew over pins!

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