Painted ballet slippers.

[Electricdrama13]

Hey,
I was wondering how to make these? they're really cute, but they cost a fortune ($103!!)
http://store1.yimg.com/I/sowear_1885_431981
http://store1.yimg.com/I/sowear_1885_493558
http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/sowear_1881_17786202

[BlueJeanBaby]

Oh...those are fantastic! My craftster name is from "Tiny Dancer". I would say maybe acrylic paint? I don't know though, so don't hold me to that.

[brookers]

 i would say.... acrylic paint or fabric paint.  and the outline and writing could probably be done with the pointy "tip-end" of a fabric paint bottle, just by hand... does that make sense?  that would be my take on it .

[Nifty Crafter]

I've seen people paint canvas shoes with acrylic paint...but I'm not completely sure on those.

Do you plan on taking an old pair of slippers and doing this with them? If the old pair of slippers are made of fabric-like material, you might be able to try this.

You would also probably have to add something on there afterwards so what ever you paint on them doesn't get ruined.

[Electricdrama13]

I don't really know how i'm going to make them. All I know is that I would love to make them..
SORRY  that really doesn't help..

[Era Vera]

I would use a pair that are fabric-y, and then just use fabric paint.

[jacktastic]

back in the day I used to write on my Doc Martens (leather) with paint pens from the art store.  It took a long time for the color to start to wear, and when it did, I just touched it back up.

[BlueJeanBaby]

Paint pens would probably also work on canvas since it could kind of soak into it.

[parlervousfrancais]

just in case, i just wanted to let you know not to use spray paint that's actually meant for shoes.  not sure if it has a special name.  i had to paint a pair of my pointe shoes silver for a show last year and thats what i used, and unless i did something terribly, terribly wrong it doesn't work.  the paint flakes off like you wouldn't believe, leaving nice little silver flakes EVERYWHERE.
sorry that didn't really help at all... 

good luck!

[something_wierd]

Maybe mix acrylic with textile medium, paint, and let dry.  Then throw in the dryer with some towels to heat set.  This is, of course, assuming that the fabric of the ballet flats that you choose is woven or knit, not leather or vinyl.  For leather or vinyl, maybe try that leather paint stuff.  I've seen it on TV before.

Acrylic might work on leather, seeing as I can't seem to get it off my shoes when I accidentally drip some on them. 

[rhiandmoi]

Maybe prime the area with modge podge?

[Electricdrama13]

  Thanks for all the ideas.... I'm going to totally use them!!! 

[her_own_invention]

Those look like leather ballet slippers. There are actually special paints meant specifically for leather that you can find at cobblers stores.

As for parlervousfrancais: I dunno what kind of spray you used but did you prime the shoes first by rubbing them down with rubbing alcohol? I have used Magix leather spray before and it worked fine, but only if you prep the leather first. Shoes often have a protective coating on them that you have to remove first before spraying or painting them.

[parlervousfrancais]

I dunno what kind of spray you used but did you prime the shoes first by rubbing them down with rubbing alcohol? I have used Magix leather spray before and it worked fine, but only if you prep the leather first. Shoes often have a protective coating on them that you have to remove first before spraying or painting them.

I didn't prime them first...    but they were pointe shoes so they weren't leather.  shows over now and the shoes are shot, so it doesn't really matter anymore... but do you still have to prime any type of fabric as well?

[her_own_invention]

Personally I wouldn't try the spray on any kind of shoe other than leather or possibly plastic. For fabric shoes you would be better off using a shoe dye or fabric paint.

[thebeatcowboy]

here's my take.  just regular fabric paint (the non-puffy kind) and a paint brush.  we'll see how well they hold up.

[americandemockracy]

Those are beautiful!

[nushybum]

Oh, they're gorgeous.

[roxybadoxy]

gorgeous!! i want them!

[sleazy_e]

so here's my two cents: there is a brand of paint intended for leather & heavier fabrics. it has really good, strong colors, & can also be watered down to stretch the paint. i used it to stencil a gold/blue skull (about 5" x 4") onto a soft, black leather mini. i heat set it with an iron & a paper towel for about twenty seconds. it's been through three good party/dancing nights (lots of bending, folding, scrunching, & getting spilled on) with absolutely no chipping or flaking. i, of course, cannot remember the name of the paint. they sell it at michael's in small jars. ANYWAY it would probably work really great for a pair of leather or canvas slippers.

okay, so, the brand might be jacquard lumiere. sorry for the ramble.

[sunshine_fix]

I used that spray to spray some jazz shoes tan once for a show-- leather jazz shoes and they flaked like crazy too. Of course, those got a lot of wear. Who knows.