DIY: Turn Any Shoes Into Ankle Fringe Gladiators!

{please forgive the state of my pedi!} I have been wanting to add some fringe to my shoes, but I didn't want to permanently affix anything to my shoes.  I found a yard of this microfiber material at the thrift shop for $1 and took a little inspiration from my favorite blogger, ...love, Maegan (seriously, check out her ankle adornment DIYs!).



These are the only materials you will need: some fabric, scissors, measuring tape, and newspaper.

I decided to make mine a bit wider than the circumference of my ankle (8") because I wanted it to wrap over.  But if you do not, I would take your ankle's circumference and add about 1/2" to it.  Cut out a rectangle of newspaper that is your desired with and length.  I chose 4" in length because that is as long as I wanted the fringe to be.

I wanted the fringe to be shorter in the back than in the front so that the fringe wouldn't get caught in the back of my shoe between my heel and shoe (again, totally optional), so I marked down on either side of my rectangle 2".

Draw a curved line about one inch away from the center 4" line, starting at the bottom and ending at the bottom of the edge of the rectangle, 2" down.  Fold the paper in half and cut along this line.

Using the newspaper shape as your pattern, pin it to your fabric and cut the shape out of the fabric.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

{here's where I really wish I had those fringe scissors!}  I started in the bottom middle (curved side) and started cutting fringe, leaving about 1-1/2" left at the top (straight side)

I then (obviously didn't take pictures) cut a strip of the same fabric, about 3 times the length of my fringe shape and about 1/2" - 3/4" wide; I just eyeballed it and did not make it perfect in any way.  As pictured above, I cut 2 slits in the 1-1/2" allowance, about an inch apart and the length of the width of the strip.  Lace the strip through, leaving about 8" on the side closest to the strip and the remainder on the other side.

Here's one finished product!  Again, lather, rinse, repeat.

Wrap them around your ankle and tie them in the front or back.  I chose to tie them in the front with a larger bow.  Wear them on their own (the initial pic at the top of the post), or pair with your favorite neutral shoes.  Here's some Guess brown leather peep toes.

Paired with my favorite BCBG platform pumps on the planet!

Getting a little funkier with my wooden heeled strappy heels.  Gives them such a punch!

Dress up your flip flops!

My favorite reef flip flops :)
I hope you love these!  You can make them in any color so that they match your shoes better.  (brown on brown, black on black, etc.)

Here I am with my favorite neon pink cardi from Forever 21.  I always wear it when the rest of my outfit is all darker colors (today was a black top, black pants, and leopard print flats).