Introduction: How to Make Bohemian Macrame Slippers From Scratch

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About: Hi! I am Elisse - a pharmacy student, coffee addict,food lover, amateur photographer and an avid crafter. I love art, jewelry,macrame, embroidery but also science, chemistry and drug structures! My Instructabl…

When I hear fashion I think of pieces that represent the person wearing them.There are no rules in fashion,at least not to me.And that's the beauty of it.Although fashion is a great outlet for anyone to express themselves,the industry can get a little toxic.That's why I choose to shop from thrift stores 90% of the time.

Today's project is also with materials from the thrift store!

My original plan was to just buy some slippers from the thrift store and flip them but I couldn't find any.Instead I bought these amazing shoe bases and this cute belt.I thought I could turn them into slippers to wear at home.Plus I already had some leftover macrame cord so I got to work.

You will need:

  • A shoe base
  • Leather - I used a belt
  • Macrame cord
  • A strong glue
  • Scissors
  • A pen
  • A craft knife
  • Tape

Step 1: Let's Get Started!

I first started out by seeing how long I needed to cut the belt.I decided to cut two straps because I wanted the slipper strap to be slightly wider than my belt.

The bottom of these bases was from cork.That got me thinking I could easily cut into it and insert the belt straps.

I measured how much I needed to cut and using a craft knife I created a hole large enough to fit the two straps.To make this process a little easier I used a pen to trace the outline of the two straps.

I repeated this on the other side of the base.

Step 2: Glueing the Straps

The last step to create the slippers was to glue the straps to the hole.

Before glueing the straps on both sides I "tried" the slippers on to see if they fit properly.

Then I glued them and set them aside to dry.

Step 3: Making the Macrame

To create the macrame piece I used this beautiful emerald green cord.I definetly wanted some fringe so I took one of the slippers and measured roughly how long I wanted the macrame piece to be.

I cut 36 strands of cord each one around 35 cm long.

I put them flat on the table and I cut a seperate strand of cord (working cord) long enough to go across the width of the 36 strands of cord.I used some clear tape to prevent any movement.

I took the holding cord and placed it across.leaving about 3 cm from the top.From left to right,I tied a half hitch knot with the first working cord(the first of the 36 cords) - I passed it over and then under the holding cord, followed by over itself to form a loop.Then I pulled the knot tightly and pushed it up.I tied another half hitch knot to make it a double half hitch. I continued making double half hitch knots with the remaining working cords.

PS: You can find video tutorials of every knot I used in this project here.


Step 4: Diamond Pattern

To create the diamond pattern I worked with 6 strands of cord at a time so I made 6 diamonds in total.

I started by taking the two strands of cord in the middle and crossed them over each other.
Going to the left I used the holding cord on the left side to make double half hitch knots.

I repeated the same process on the right side.

Step 5: The Square Knot

I decided to make a square knot in the middle,between the two diagonals.

I worked with the 4 cords in the middle.I started by making a loop with the left strand.It looks like a giant 4,sort of.
Bringing the right strand over the left strand, I fed it through the loop I created. Then I pulled both the strands and tightened but kept holding the center strands. Then I reversed the whole process to complete the square knot:made a loop with the right strand, brought the left strand over the right one and fed it through the loop. Then I tightened.

I finished the diamond pattern by making double half hitch knots,holding each working cord diagonally.

Step 6: Final Touches

I cut another strand of working cord,again long enough to go across the width of the piece I had created.

Using the same knot I started this macrame project with,I inserted this working cord.

Finally I cut the excess cord and used a comb to create some fringe.

I glued this beautiful macrame piece on top of the leather straps and used some clothes pins to hold everything in place.

Step 7: You Are Done!

I love the way these slippers turned out.

I have been wearing them non stop at home and so far nothing has come off.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this Instructable.As always feel free to share if you recreate this project.

Happy crafting!