Ballet dancers begin their training in soft canvas or leather slippers. If you have developed sufficient strength and flexibility to advance to pointe work, you can begin dancing in pointe shoes, which have a hard toe box to help support your weight when you rise onto your toes. You are accustomed to securing your soft-toed slippers to your feet with a single- or double-elastic strap, but your pointe shoes require satin or nylon ribbons. After crossing and wrapping the ribbons around your ankle, you will form a knot with the two ends. The ribbon you attach to the outer side of your shoe must be several inches longer than the ribbon on the inner side so the final knot will lie securely along your inner ankle.
When you buy a new pair of pointe shoes, you will purchase the ribbons separately and attach them yourself. Generally, the ribbon is uncut at the time of purchase, and you will begin the process of attaching your ribbons by cutting the ribbon into four equal lengths. Ribbon manufacturers intentionally include excess ribbon, recognizing that dancers need varying lengths for a customized fit. After folding the heel of each shoe inward and marking the proper spot for placement with a pencil, you will sew each ribbon in place.
After attaching the ribbons, put on your pointe shoes and secure the ribbons to your ankle. Working with a flexed foot, cross the two ribbons at your ankle joint, and wrap the ends around the back of your ankle. Then draw the ends back around, until the two ends meet on the inside of your ankle. Make sure the ribbon lies flat and snug with every wrap around. Tie a knot at the soft spot between your ankle bone and Achilles tendon. When you are confident you have a snug fit and the knot is positioned correctly, cut off any excess ribbon, leaving 1 inch on both ends to tuck behind the knot for additional security, and to conceal the ends. When you cut your ribbons to their required size, prevent fraying and preserve their length by folding the ends down and stitching along the fold, by running a lit match quickly along the cut edge to melt the fibers together, or by dotting the edge with clear nail polish.
Tying a knot in the soft, fleshy area near your inner ankle bone has the additional benefit of putting less pressure on your Achilles tendon. A knot that rests behind your leg and directly on the Achilles can compress the tendon excessively, resulting in injury. Knotting your ribbons on the inner side results in less direct pressure, making it safer, as well as more aesthetically pleasing.