Gravy trainers - how to DIY Dior's floral sequinned trainers

Running stylish with DIY-inspiring customisation from Chanel and Dior!

Image: Stylefrizz.com

It was Dior's Fusion trainers that caught my eye - and captured my imagination - when I decided, on a whim, that an indulgently customised magnum opus like these would be the perfect replacement for my old, worn, sad-looking trainers.

StyleBubble recently described Dior Fusion trainers as "the rise of 21st century contrasting mix and match in fashion.  High and low.  Expensive and cheap.  Couture and sportswear.  Casual and dressy.  The list goes on" in a favourable, admiring post. While the aesthetic, itself might have divided opinion, the conceptual statement of juxtaposition - and resonance, of the high fashion trainer trend being assimilated at the highest tier of couture - convinced me that intricately customised trainers wasn't just inspiration, but relevant and a must for my next project and tutorial.

You will need...

A appreciate that it's a long list, although it does include a lot of basics, such as pens and scissors (just make sure the ones you use are all-purpose) but it's not as bad as it looks (in my over-enthusiasm, I realise I've neglected to include pattern paper and a sewing machine!). The only things you'd need to search for would be the beads, sequins and ribbon, the trainers and the staple gun. You can cut up a sports t-shirt or polo shirt to get airtech fabric  - it's not as illusive or specialised as it sounds.



Difficulty

Challenging

I'm not going to lie -  I underestimated this one, in terms of the work, time and technique involved. Hopefully, you won't find it as hard with my guidance ;)

Time

Two full days - I might as well be honest, here. Owing to the - hopefully hard-wearing - customising techniques I used, it's a bit of an investment, time-wise.

Dior or DIY

Trace about 40 flower shapes into the plastic sheet and cut them out. You might need to use a metallic marker but try not to smudge it. Cut the flowers out and punch holes in the middle of each one.

Cover a trainer in pattern paper (you can use tissue paper) and trace around the edges to make pattern pieces. Once you have traced them, add a small (about half a centimetre) seam allowance using a ruler or graded setsquare and cut them out. Cut out two of each piece in airtech fabric and sew them to make covers.

After you have sewn the covers together, hand-stitch circles of green sequins. Then, stitch a flower, a blue sequin and a blue faceted bead in the middle of each one.

Fold the cover over on the top edge, and onto the wrong (non-customised) side . Slip stitch the top edge to the fabric on the lining of the ankle and the tongue, if possible.

Use the staple gun to attach the cover to the sole of the trainer. Trainers are typically padded at the soles, so, stapling the fabric at the side shouldn't go inside it and into the area where your foot will go, although it's always worth checking so that you don't end up lacerating your feet when you wear them! I tidied mine up with a lick of white fabric paint, but that's optional - you've just got to keep your staples as far out of view as possible.

Finally, hand-stitch the black grosgrain trim along the centre and in a bow shape.