Sewing Pointe Shoes

Sewing your first pair of pointe shoes can be extremely daunting but can be done by anyone. Below we will explain how to sew your shoes but note there are many different ways to sew your shoes. *Also note, we offer sewing for your shoes in our store if you do not want to sew your own shoes. Usually the shoes are done within 2-3 days and can be shipped to your door if you do not want to stop back in and pick them up.*

First you will want to cut your ribbon into 2 or 4 pieces. 4 pieces of ribbon can be easier to sew the first time just make sure to stop the ribbon from fraying when cut. The can easily be done by using FrayCheck, clear fingernail polish or burning the end of the ribbon. Make sure to be careful if you are going to burn the end of the ribbon. Note that ribbon is also available in stretch ribbon which can be sewn a very convenient way that does not need to be tied.

Elastic is where the dance world tends to differ greatly. You can sew your elastic in an X, which provides a tighter fit to the shoe. You can sew just a small loop of elastic on the back to run your ribbon through and pull the shoe on. You can sew a larger loop around the ankle to keep the back of the shoe tighter to the foot. You can also attach the small loop of elastic and the X elastic on the same pair of shoes. Pick what your studio requires or what works best for your foot. One way of sewing does not always work for everyone.

Elastic and ribbon attachment in your shoe should always be sewed securely. The best way to ensure attachment is to sew a box around each item in the shoe. This will keep the elastic and ribbon in place better than just a strait stitch.

You can also sew your shoe with a sewing machine or by hand. It is easiest to use a denim needle and heavy duty thread if you are using a machine or by hand. Lighter weight thread can snap. If you sew by hand it can take 3-4 hours but is still just as good. You can sew all the way through the shoe or you can use a whip stitch to attach the ribbon and elastic. We do offer a stitch kit for hand sewing with a stronger needle and heavy duty thread. Using a machine can save a lot more time and shoes are usually done within an hour or so. Do not sew through the casing of the shoe, this is how the shoe tightens around the foot.

How to sew X elastic:

You can fold the shoe down and mark up the fold. This will give you an angle to sew the elastic on. You can place the elastic as far forward or back as you want. Usually a little further back from the line will provide a tighter fit for your elastic. Cross the elastic over the top of the shoe to other side and attach near the middle of the shoe. Shorten the elastic to make sure it will be tight on the foot. Elastic will stretch but if it is too loose, you will have to re-sew it. This method is very similar to how most ballet slippers come now with the elastic in an X over the top of the foot. Ribbon will be in-between the X of the elastic. The length of the elastic is approximately 6". This is usually 7/8" elastic but can also be 1/2" elastic if you would like.

How to sew small elastic loop:

This is attached at the back of the shoe. Form a V shape with 3" of elastic. Place the middle of the  V inverted on the back seam of the shoes. Attach the ends to the shoe by sewing boxes around each side. This should be no more than 1/2 inch above the shoe. If the loop is too long, it will not help keep the shoe tighter on your foot. This is usually 1/2" elastic, 7/8" elastic is too thick to make the small loop on the shoe.

How to sew large elastic loop:

To sew a large loop on the back of the shoe, place one side of an approximately 8" piece of elastic about 1" from the back of the shoe. Sew this down with a box to hold the elastic in place. Then sew the other end of elastic in the same place on the other side of the shoe. This is usually 7/8" elastic but can also be 1/2" elastic. For a stronger hold, use thicker elastic.

How to sew 4 ribbons:

If sewing the elastic in an X, place each piece of ribbon in front of the elastic pieces at the back of the shoe. You can angle the ribbon to keep folds out of the ribbon when wrapping abound your ankle.

4 ribbons can be sewed strait up and down in the shoe at the middle seam (a part of most shoes). This is an easy way to find placement of the ribbon. You can also fold the back of the shoe down and the angle of the back of the shoe is the angle of the ribbon.

How to sew 2 ribbons:

Fold the back of the shoe down and mark the sole of the pointe shoe with a line. This is the line you will place the center of the ribbon on. Place the ribbon directly behind the line and unfold to have the ribbon evenly spaced. Each shoe will only have 1 piece of ribbon. Sew the ribbon down in the box shape to hold the ribbon tight.

How to sew Stretch Ribbon:

Stretch ribbon can be sewn in one big loop around the ankle. Sew the ribbon in front of the elastic but with the loop out of the shoe. Don't forget to sew a box around the ribbon. Then when you put this on, you can just loop the ribbon around your ankle until it is tight without having to tie the ribbon. If you do not like the loop, you can then just cut the middle of the ribbon and have 4 pieces of ribbon for your pair of pointe shoes.