With the price of pointe shoes, many parents are surprised when they first open the box to find there is "some assembly required." However, all dancers have personal preferences when attaching ribbons and elastic, and the comfort and flexibility of both require a personal fit. Before a first-time sewer begins the process of preparing her pointe shoes, she should check with her ballet teacher or dance company to see if they have a style preference for sewing. As dancers get more experience wearing and sewing their pointe shoes, they will develop their own method that works best for them.
Instructions
1. Cut the ribbon into four equal parts, roughly 22 inches in length each. To easily cut ribbon, fold the full length of the ribbon in half and cut in the center of the fold. You will now have two pieces of ribbon. Repeat this step once again with the two ribbons you just cut, so you will have four ribbons total. Double-thread the needle by inserting the thread through the eye of the needle, leaving an equal length of thread roughly 20 inches long on both sides of the eye. Tie a small knot in both ends of the thread.
2. Lay one pointe shoe on a flat surface. Take the heel of your pointe shoe and push the satin forward so that the vertical heel seam lies flat against the inner sole of the shoe. By doing so, you will create a "V" at the heel end of your shoe and an angular fold where the heel touches the sides of the shoe. Take one piece of ribbon and lay it in the crease of the fold you have created, so that it shoots out of the "V" at an angle. With a pencil, lightly mark inside the shoe on both sides of the ribbon to designate the angle at which you will sew the ribbon.
3. Unfold the "V" created in Step 1. Place one ribbon along your pencil marks with 1 inch of the ribbon inside the shoe. The ribbon should have the shiny side facing the outside of the shoe and the matte side facing inside (you will look at the matte side as you sew). Fold the end of the ribbon you have placed in the shoe under about half an inch to prevent raveling. Whipstitch short, ¼-inch stitches around both sides and bottom of the ribbon. To whipstitch, start on the right side of the ribbon and insert the needle through the canvas lining inside the shoe, close to the ribbon. Bring the needle up through both layers of the ribbon, about a quarter inch from where you originally inserted the needle. Repeat until you have sewn around the right side, bottom and left side of the ribbon.
4. Sew across the top of the ribbon, taking two longer horizontal stitches that run parallel to the side of your pointe shoe. Do not sew through the casing that holds the drawstring. Now that you have completed your square of stitches, knot the thread by slipping the needle under several completed stitches and pulling the thread tight. Cut the excess thread close to the knot.
5. Measure the placement and length for your elastic by slipping on your pointe shoes. Flex your foot and place the elastic on both sides of the back seam, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch away from the heel seam. Stretch the elastic so that it is taut, but still comfortable. Make light pencil marks on both sides of the elastic to mark placement. Cut the elastic at a comfortable length, remembering to leave about ½ inch on both ends for sewing. Remember, you will need to put your whole foot through the elastic, and it should not cut into your ankle while you are wearing your shoes. Whipstitch (see Step 4) around both sides and the bottom of the elastic similar to the way you sewed the ribbons. Do not sew across the top of the elastic. Knot the thread by slipping the needle under several completed stitches and pulling the thread tight. Cut the excess thread close to the knot.
6. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for all four ribbons and the elastic for your second shoe.
