Nude patent pumps provided by Emma Christianson.

Versatile. Practical. Affordable.

Quick, think. What is the first thing that migrates into your mind when you see these three words? Is it “pretty”? Probably not, but there is a good chance it may be “boring.” Unfortunately, there are myths out there that the style-savvy must shell out to have expensive taste or else surrender to a simpler fashion. With the pocket books we college students currently carry, there is no way we can continually cash out on anything costly. Nevertheless, there is no need to be negative — we have a penny-pinching solution: hand-made shoe clips.

Shoe clips can run from $10 to $200 so why not do it yourself at a fraction of the cost? In only five steps, you can have an accessory that will last indefinitely. Get funky with polka-dotted prints, sassy with turquoise tulle, or add an extra sparkle with sequins for a customized creation.

Place them on your shoes — pumps, flats, boot straps, ankle straps — purses, sweaters and sashes. Clip them in your hair or even on a piece of jewelry. Great for gifts for your grandmas and gal-pals, these clips will put an extra spring in everyone’s’ step.

Don't forget to pick yourself up some of these items before you begin.

What you will need:

1. Needle and thread
2. Glue gun and glue sticks
3. Shoe clips — these may be difficult to detect. We instead found badge clips at Hobby Lobby for $1.47
4. Fabric of your choice — we opted for a peach warp lame also found at Hobby Lobby in the bargain bin for under $3
5. Floral stencil — create your own or use a template. We used one found on Martha Stewart Wedding’s website here.

Estimated time: several hours
Level of difficulty: medium
Level of creativity: endless

First, trace your design on the fabric. We recommend using a pen that will not bleed. Cut out at least nine layers. Depending on the stencil size, you may need up to twenty.

• Helpful hint: do not worry about perfection, the large quantities of layers will ensure that minimal mess-ups will not be noticeable.

Second, collect and pile the layers of fabric on top of each other.

• Helpful hint: If by chance your pen bled through on any of cut out layers, position them toward the bottom of the pile. The ink will then be under the open blossom and not seen.

Step Two

Third, sew together the center of the flower with several stitches.

Step Three

Fourth, Fold the flower in half and sew together on the fabric crease. Fold the flower and sew again in the opposite direction. Once finished, you will see a cross-like section of stitches. This will prompt the peony to blossom.

• Helpful hint: If you are not a spectacular seamstress, we recommend putting a glob of glue from your glue gun over the cross stitch to prevent breakage.

Step Four

What the blossom of your flower will look like after the first half of step four. Once stitching in the opposite direction, you will see a cross-like section of stitches on the matte side of the fabric.

Fifth, put another glob of glue on the surface of the shoe clip. Position your fabric flower onto the glue and press firmly to secure. Let dry.

Step Five

Lastly, use your fingers to fluff the fabric foliage.

Fluff the foliage with your fingers.

End product: something flashy, fun, and fashionable for less than ten dollars.

Mix and match your flower shoe clips. Here, we double them up to for an extra flirty feel.