PREPARING NEW POINTE SHOES

After the first pair of pointe shoes has been selected, and only after both shoes have been tried on for the teacher's approval, it is time to sew on the ribbons and elastic. This should be done by the student, with help from an adult only when necessary. A student who is mature and responsible enough to begin pointe work must also accept the responsibility of preparing and caring for her shoes.

Sewing the Ribbons

Two and one half yards of 7/8" wide satin/grosgrain ribbon is needed for each pair of pointe shoes. This type ribbon is shiny satin on one side and rough grosgrain on the other. The grosgrain side will be placed toward the leg to help grip the tights and hold the shoe in place.

1. Place the two ends of the ribbon together. Fold the ribbon in half. Cut into two equal length pieces.

2. Fold each piece in half and cut again. You should now have four 22½" lengths of ribbon.

3. Next, take the pointe shoe and fold the heel forward from the end of the shank. Mark the place where the heel hits the lining of the shoe with a pen or pencil. This is where the middle of your ribbon will be.

4. Take one section of ribbon. Fold under one end about 5/8" shiny sides together. Fold under again.

5. Place the center of the folded end on the mark on the shoe. The top of the fold should be even with the bias tape edging of the shoe. The shiny side of the ribbon should face outward, toward the outside of the shoe. The grosgrain side faces inward.

6. With a double strand of upholstery thread or dental floss, sew small whipstitches around the two sides and bottom of the ribbon. Go through all thicknesses of ribbon, but only through the white canvas shoe lining. Stitches should not go through the satin to the outside.

When sewing across the top, use a running stitch. Be careful not to sew through the drawstring, as this will prevent proper adjustment. You'll know that you've stuck your needle into the drawstring if it becomes difficult to pull the needle through the casing.

7. Repeat Steps 3 through 6 with the other 3 lengths of ribbon.

8. To prevent raveling, run the ribbon ends very quickly through a match flame which will melt the nylon fibers. Caution: This should be done only by an adult.

Sewing the Elastic

Use 3/8" - 5/8" wide elastic. You will need four lengths of elastic. Start by sewing one end of each to the inside of the shoe, on either side of the heel seam. Measure a length of elastic to fit snugly from the back of the heel and around the ankle to just behind where you have sewn the ribbon. Each piece of elastic needs to be sewn this way, so that when you are finished, you have an X on each shoe. This elastic will hold the shoe level on the foot. It should be fairly tight (but not tight enough to stop circulation). Sew the elastic with the same type whipstitch used to secure the ribbons, starting at the top edge of the shoe, down the right side, across the bottom, taking long stitches at least ¼" into the elastic, and then up the left side of the elastic. The elastic should be sewn at a slight angle at the back of the shoe. You will probably need a thimble.

After each wearing, the dancer should check her ribbons and elastic for any needed repairs and make them before the next wearing.

Tying the Ribbons

The ribbons must be tied correctly so that the shoe will remain correctly positioned on the foot. Slip the foot through the elastic and into the shoe. Cross the ribbons over the instep, continue wrapping them around the Achilles tendon and again across the instep. Now take the ribbon which is going around the outside of the foot and bring it across the Achilles tendon to meet the inside ribbon.

Tie a square knot at the soft part of the foot between the inside ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Neatly fold up the excess ribbon and tuck it, from the top, under all the ribbons wrapped around the ankle.

The ribbons which wrap the ankle should lay on top of each other rather than wind up the lower leg.