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How to Attach Straps on Canvas Ballet Slippers

Ballet dancers often need to attach straps to their ballet slippers because straps can wear out before slippers. Quality ballet slippers are often sold without attached straps. This enables dancers to fit the straps to their feet and ensures that the straps will fit snugly once they sew them on. Dancers who purchase their slippers at discount stores will need to attach new straps to their slippers so they will fit. Ballet slippers, or soft ballet shoes, are often made of canvas. Ballet dancers use slippers to practice and exercise even after they have progressed to wearing pointe shoes.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Safety pins
  • Needle
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put your ballet shoe on and tie any elastic string around the top of the shoe. Place the strap over the top of your foot between the arch of your foot and your ankle. Pull the strap until it is tight. Mark a line on each side of the shoe where you will attach the strap. Mark a line on the sides of the strap where you will sew them to the shoe.

    • 2

      Cut the strap with the scissors. Cut 2 inches below the marks on each side of the strap. Remove the shoe. Pin the strap to the shoe with the safety pins where you marked the lines. Turn the heel of the shoe inside out.

    • 3

      Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Insert the needle on the inside edge of the shoe. Push the needle through the shoe lining and one end of the strap. Stitch a zigzag pattern to attach the strap to the lining. Stitch a line over the zigzag stitches to secure them. Knot the thread and cut it.

    • 4

      Sew the other end of the strap to the shoe. Try the shoe on and confirm that it feels comfortable. Trim the ends of the straps below the stitches. Sew a strap on the other shoe.

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Ballet

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