Discovering that your shoes are too big after purchasing them can be frustrating---they can bring on discomfort, blisters, bruises and may even cause you to trip and fall. This is especially hazardous when wearing heels. Even if your shoes are a little bit too big, you can help alleviate the problem by adding an ankle strap. This can help make the shoes safer and more comfortable, while also adding a bit of style and flair.
Cut your leather or thick fabric into a strip 2 inches long and 1/2-inch wide.
Fold the 2-inch-by-1.5-inch piece in half lengthwise, pressing the two ends together.
Sew the two ends together using a whip stitch. This should create a loop about 1-inch high.
Attach the loop of leather or fabric to the inside center of the topline of the shoe (the part that covers your heel); position the loop against the interior of the topline so that only about 1/4-inch of the strip is inside the shoe, with 3/4-inch of the strip extending upward.
Sew the strip into the topline of the shoe with needle and thread.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the other shoe.
Slide the longer lengths of fabric through the loops you have attached to the shoes and tie them around your ankle at the desired length.
Tip
You can switch up the look of your ankle straps by swapping in ankle straps from other shoes, or using ribbons or other types of fabric.
Writer Bio
Ashley Friedman is a freelance writer with experience writing about education for a variety of organizations and educational institutions as well as online media sites.