How to turn your sneakers into ‘Twin Peaks’-inspired saddle shoes
When it comes to inspirational dressers on television, Audrey Horne from Twin Peaks is in the hall of fame. As played by Sherilyn Fenn, the rich-girl-gone-bad was a standout character on the cult-favorite early ‘90s series, and her wardrobe of vintage-inspired sweaters and pleated plaid skirts always managed to look both cool and classic.
This week’s DIY recreates Audrey’s most iconic accessory: saddle shoes. By dabbing a splash of black paint on some simple white sneakers, you can add the finishing touch to your Twin Peaks Halloween costume—or a little flair to your everyday tee and jeans!
Materials:
- White canvas sneakers
- Black fabric or multi-purpose paint
- Foam paintbrush
- Painter’s tape
- Measuring tape
- Black thread
- Basic sewing needle
- Scissors
- Piece of paper
- Permanent marker
- Ballpoint pen
Craft away:
- Remove the laces from the sneakers and set them aside.
- Measure from the top edge of the sneakers (just above the first eyelet) to below the third eyelet. This will give you the width of your template.
- Lining up the measuring tape with the second eyelet and starting where the sole meets the main part of the sneaker, measure all the way across the top of the sneaker to the top of the sole on the other side. This will give you the length of your template.
- Draw a rectangular shape onto the paper corresponding to the measurements you just took. Cut out the shape to make a template.
- Place the template across the top of one of the sneakers, lining up the edges with the top of the sneaker and the third eyelet. Draw a line on the template to make a small, triangular shape at the bottom corner. This will give your template more of the classic “saddle” shape.
- Remove the template from the sneaker, fold it in half, and cut along the line you just drew. Unfold the template. You should now have a rectangle with two small scoops taken out of the top corners.
- Place the template across the top of each sneaker. Trace the template onto the sneaker’s surface. Don’t trace onto the tongue of the sneaker.
- Use the painter’s tape to outline the lines you just traced. Cover the soles of the sneakers as well, and the eyelets and tongue.
- Spread out some scrap paper to protect your work surface. Paint the sneakers inside the lines marked by the painter’s tape, keeping the layer of paint smooth and event. Let the paint dry.
- After the paint has dried, carefully remove the painter’s tape. Use the permanent marker to fill in any remaining spots in the paint.
- Cut a few feet of black thread and fold it in half, then thread the needle and tie a knot.
- Stitch along the two vertical sides of each painted section on the sneakers. This will make the “saddle” look more finished.
- Re-lace the sneakers. Slip them on with a plaid skirt and sweater for a perfect Audrey look!
