Arts >> Dance >> Ballet

How to Attach the Ties to Ballet Shoes

With your doctor’s approval and your dance instructor’s permission, you can begin dancing on pointe. Dancing on pointe, or on toe, requires special shoes. Buying your first pair of toe shoes is exciting. The salesperson will measure your feet and determine which shoe will best fit your foot. The stiffness of the sole and the shape of the box are factors he will consider. Toe shoes come in many styles, but no matter which ones you buy, you will have to attach the ribbons and elastic yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Pink satin ribbon (4 feet)
  • Pink elastic (10 inches)
  • Sewing needle
  • Thread (white or pink)
  • Measuring tape
Show More

Instructions

  1. Attaching the Ribbon

    • 1

      Cut the ribbon into four even pieces.

    • 2

      Pick up one toe shoe and identify one of the side seams. Measure 1/2-inch back toward the heel from the seam and mark the spot on the inside of the shoe with a pencil. Repeat on the other shoe.

    • 3

      Using small stitches, sew one piece of ribbon to one side. Place the ribbon shiny side-down over the pencil marking and sew with the matte side facing you. Repeat on the other shoe. Finish by trimming the free end of the ribbon at a 45-degree angle.

    • 4

      Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the other shoe.

    Attaching the Elastic

    • 5

      Cut the piece of elastic into two even pieces.

    • 6

      Sew one end of one piece of elastic to one side of the seam down the middle of the heel of the shoe.

    • 7

      Put the shoe on and wrap the elastic around your ankle. Determine the length needed to make the elastic snug but not overly tight. Trim the elastic to this length.

    • 8

      Sew the other end of the elastic to the other side of the seam down the middle of the heel of the shoe.

    • 9

      Repeat Steps 2 to 4 for the other shoe.

+:
+:

Ballet

Related Categories