How To Sew Ribbons on Pointe Shoes

How To Sew Elastic onto Pointe Shoes

If you’re an aspiring ballet dancer about to start your journey on pointe shoes, you should know there’s more to it than slipping them on and going straight to pirouettes. To feel secure you will need to master sewing ribbons and elastic onto your pointe shoes. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Let’s go into this step-by-step guide on how to sew ribbons and elastic on pointe shoes so you can hit the stage with grace and confidence.

Why do you need to sew ribbons and elastic on pointe shoes?

Putting on your first pair of pointe shoes is a magical feeling but without ribbons and elastic they won’t stay secure on your feet during performances. To secure your pointes to your ankles you can count on ribbons, whilst the elastic helps keep the shoes close to your foot, to stop any slipping. So, sewing both ribbons and elastic is essential for a comfy and secure fit.

What you will need:

Before we go through the step by step of sewing ribbons on pointe shoes, it matters to have the following pointe shoe accessories and equipment:

• Ribbons: Satin ribbons help to keep pointe shoes secure
• Elastic: Stop your shoes from slipping as you dance
• Needle & thread: Some dancers prefer dental floss for extra strength but matching thread works too
• Pins: To hold everything together
• Scissors: to cut the ribbons and elastic to fit

Sewing Ribbons On Pointe Shoes

Step 1: Mark The Ribbon Placing

Put on your pointe shoes and stand in parallel, bend your heel back slightly and mark on the inside of the shoe where it creases. This is usually around one inch from the back seam. Repeat this for both sides of the shoe. This mark shows you the perfect spot for sewing ribbons onto pointe shoes.

Step 2: Prep the ribbons

Pointe shoe ribbons should be around 22 inches long each, this length means they will wrap around your ankles securely.

Step 3: Pin & Sew Ribbons

With the shiny side of the ribbon facing out, fold an inch of the end over to create a small tab, place this at the spots we marked in step 1 and pin them in place. Now for the fun part - sewing ribbons onto pointe shoes. Using small stitches, sew the ribbon in a square shape, making sure to secure all four corners of the tab. If you’d like extra strength, you can sew an ‘X’ inside the square.

Top tip: be careful not to sew through the lining of the shoe so the stitches don’t dig into your foot as you’re dancing.

Sewing Elastic Onto Pointe Shoes

Just like the ribbons, sewing elastic onto pointe shoes helps get that snug fit.

Step 1: Measure the elastic

To know the length of elastic you need, measure it around your ankle and leave a little extra room for comfort. You’ll need elastic for the back seam and another across the arch, but this depends on your preference.

Step 2: Pin & sew the elastic

For the back elastic, you should place it about half an inch away from the back seam of the shoe. Pin this into place and sew it down using the same secure stitching you used previously on the ribbons. For the arch elastic, find the best placement by putting on your shoes and lightly pulling the elastic over the top of your foot. Pin it to the inside edges of your shoes, making sure it’s not too lose or too tight. Sew it down with the same strong stitches.

Top tip: some dancers crisscross their elastics over the top of their foot for extra support!

Try Them On

Now you’ve understood how to sew on ribbons and elastic on pointe shoes, it’s time to try them on. Put on your pointe shoes, tie the ribbons around your ankle and secure the elastic. If something doesn’t feel quite right, make adjustments as needed. Your foot should feel supported but move freely, now you’re ready for your performance!

Why it’s important to sew ribbons and elastics to pointe shoes

Every dancers feet are different, and although pointe shoes come in lots of shapes and sizes, they need to be customised with pointe shoe accessories like ribbon and elastic to keep you comfortable and prevent any injuries. Sewn-on ribbons and elastic ensure that your ballet dancewear is both functional and elegant.

If this is your first time sewing elastic and ribbon onto pointe shoes and are finding it hard, don’t worry as we know as dancers, things take time and practice makes perfect! Happy dancing!

See you soon,

Move Dance