If you just got a new pair of pointe shoes, you need to sew them to fit your feet comfortably. You may feel frustrated since there is a lot of preparation and process involved before you can actually put the shoes on and dance. But sewing the pointe shoes is like making a gourmet meal, the end result is worth the effort.
You can learn easily how to sew pointe shoes from this article if you don’t know the steps properly. The main two steps to sew pointe shoes are the preparation of the materials and the actual sewing process. The sewing process includes the two types of elastic placement and sewing the ribbons to the shoes.
How to Sew Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes are the key to ballet dancing as they allow the ballerinas to dance and balance on their toes. If you are a ballerina yourself or you are making a new pair of pointe shoes for your daughter or sister, keep reading this article to know the detailed process to sew the pointe shoes properly.
Choose and Prepare Components
The very first thing you will need to do to sew pointe shoes is to prepare the components needed for this job. You will have to buy some craft items if you don’t have them in your possession.
Also, designate the left and right shoes. Pointe shoes usually don’t indicate the shoe sides. You need to try on the shoes and decide for yourself which shoe fits which foot and mark the bottom of the shoe to designate them easily.
Elastic
You can visit a craft supplies store to purchase elastic or order online. The elastic you will get should be about 0.5 inches wide and about 1 yard in length.
Also, the color of the elastic must be the same color as the pointe shoe you want to sew. If you wear the shoes without stockings sometimes, you should choose the elastic that feels comfy against your skin.
Ribbon
The ribbon should also be the same color as your pointe shoe and the width should be about 1 inch. Also, get the ribbon that has a similar texture or finishing as your pointe shoe, such as, if the shoes have a satin finish, get a satin ribbon.
Try to get at least 2 yards of ribbon, it will be plenty for two shoes, and also help if you mess up with some part. You can find ribbons in any local craft supplies store.
Needle and Thread
To be able to penetrate the thick material of the pointe shoes, you will need to use a heavy-duty needle. Take a thread with at least 18 inches in length which is also the same color as the shoe and elastic, so that it can blend with them perfectly. Also, make sure to tie a strong knot after inserting the thread into the needle eye.
Sew Elastic Bands
You can sew elastic bands to your pointe shoes in two different ways, one is sewing Criss-Crossed elastic bands and the other one is sewing elastic bands as ankle loops.
Criss-Crossed Elastic Bands
You will need to follow a few steps to sew Criss-Crossed elastic bands with your shoes flawlessly. The first step is to wrap the elastic strip from one side of your ankle to the other like a cross and try a few different positions to see what feels the most natural and mark or pin the location to ensure you sew in the exact position.
Thereafter start sewing inside of the shoe and along the outer edge of the elastic strip. The end of the elastic can be placed outside if you don’t want to irritate your feet. Make sure to insert and pull the needle and thread carefully. You can sew around the edges twice to ensure the elastic will not budge or break.
After sewing one end of the elastic, tie the knot securely and cut the excess thread. Then rethread your needle with a new 18-inch strand and sew the other end of the elastic in the same manner. Once you are done with one shoe, repeat the process with the other pointe shoe.
Elastic Bands as Ankle Loops
To sew elastic bands as ankle loops, the first thing you need to do is put on the shoe and wrap the elastic band from one side of your heel to the other side in a way that the ends of the elastic overlap the edges of the shoe. The elastic should not be tight, must be a snug fit.
Then mark the elastic length and cut that part, repeat this process with the other shoe. After that, position both ends of one elastic band on the same side of your heel to make a loop around the ankle. Mark the positions and sew around the elastic in a square shape tightly. Tie the knot and cut the threads after sewing.
Subsequently, repeat this process from the outside part. Once you are done with one part of the pointe shoes, repeat the steps with the other part and make sure that the elastic positions are same in the both of the shoes.
Sew Ribbons to Pointe Shoes
Sewing ribbons to your pointe shoes is also simple. The first measure, the ribbon with your hand, from your fingertips to your elbow, and then cut the ribbon at that length. Use that ribbon as a guide and cut 3 more pieces of the same length. Make sure to cut the ribbon cleanly so that there are no jagged edges.
Then ignite a lighter or candle and take each end of the ribbon pieces over the flames for a few seconds to help prevent the ribbon ends from fraying. Don’t hold the ribbon over the flame for too long. Once the ends are sealed, put the ribbon end at 2 inches from the elastic heels and pin it to the angle you prefer.
Following that, sew one end of a ribbon on one side of the pointe shoe and sew one end of another ribbon to the other side. Stitch tightly to avoid problems. After you finished sewing ribbons into one shoe, imitate the procedure to attach the remaining two ribbons to the other shoe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do pointe shoes last?
Most pointe shoes are made of natural material and they break down over time easily. That’s why, for professional dancers, pointe shoes usually last about 12-15 hours!
- What thread do you use for darning pointe shoes?
Thick embroidery types of threading such as thick wool or cotton threads work well for darning your pointe shoes.
Final Statement
Learning how to sew pointe shoes is quite simple, even so, some dancers sew the shoes aimlessly or try to make their pointe shoes more aesthetic neglecting their comfort. It can result in a disaster in any performance. So, make sure to sew twice securely and ensure you feel comfy because it’s better safe than sorry!
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