Cut the ribbon into four pieces, each about 20 to 24 inches long. When you buy pointe shoes, most dance stores will sell you a long length of ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half and cut. Then, fold these two pieces in half again and cut. You should have four pieces of ribbon, all the same length.
Burn one end of each of the ribbons with a lighter or match. Essentially, you are melting the edge of the fabric so it will not fray.
Fold the heel of the right pointe shoe inward. With a pencil, mark the crease on each side of the heel. This is where you will position the back edge of the ribbon. Some dancers prefer to have their ribbons a bit farther forward, directly under the arch of the foot. Once your dancer becomes more experienced, she will learn where the ribbons work best with her feet. Repeat the process with the left shoe.
Thread your needle with the thread or clear dental floss, and secure the end with a double knot. Dental floss is sturdier and holds up better.
Place the right shoe in front of you. Take one piece of ribbon and examine both sides. Some ribbons have a glossy side and a matte side. You want the matte side to touch your dancer's feet and ankles and the glossy side to be visible to the public. Fold about 1 inch of the burnt end of the ribbon so that the glossy sides touch.
Align the doubled-up portion of the ribbon with the drawstring casing on the pointe shoe. The back edge of the ribbon should touch your pencil mark. Fold the long edge of the ribbon over the drawstring casing. Sew the ribbon to the drawstring casing with a whip stitch. Then, sew the doubled-up portion of the ribbon to the shoe using a back stitch, working down, across and then back up to where you started. Secure the thread with a knot and trim the end of the thread. Repeat the process to sew the other ribbon on the right shoe as well as the two ribbons on the left shoe.
Examine the heel of the right shoe to find the row of stitches in the satin. Make pencil marks approximately 1/2 inch on either side of this row of stitches. This is where you will sew the elastic. Do the same thing to the left shoe.
Rethread your needle with either thread or dental floss. Secure the thread with a double knot.
Place the right pointe shoe in front of you. Align the back edge of one elastic with one of the pencil marks. There should be about 1/2 inch of overlap between the shoe and the elastic. Sew the elastic to the shoe, just as you would sew an elastic to a regular ballet slipper. The most secure method is to make a square with back stitches.
Determine how long the elastic should be. Have the dancer place the right shoe on her right foot. Stretch the elastic around the front of the ankle, bringing it to the back of the shoe on the other side. Mark the point on the elastic where it meets the other pencil mark on the shoe. Take off the shoe.
Use the pencil marks to position the other end of the elastic, and sew it using a back stitch. Repeat the process with the left shoe.
Put on the shoes. Tie the ribbons and trim their ends. Take off the shoe and burn the ends so they don't fray.