| Once you have the green light to begin ballet | | | | reach. Sew one end of the elastic into the heel, |
| pointe work, and you've picked out your shoes, | | | | just slightly off center at the back of your foot. |
| you'll have to sew the ribbons and elastics onto | | | | Do it the same way as the ribbon, with the edge |
| the shoes. You will also learn how to lace them | | | | turned under and using very tiny stitches. You |
| properly. | | | | don't want your stitching to show when you are |
| You're going to need the ribbon and elastic, | | | | performing ballet pointe on stage! |
| needle, thread, and scissors. The thread should | | | | Once you've sewn that, put your foot into the |
| be sturdy, and you can use unwaxed dental floss | | | | shoe. To decide how much elastic you need to |
| if you like. Sturdier thread means you only have | | | | wrap around your ankle, flex your foot to about |
| to sew it one direction. Choose a needle with a | | | | ninety degrees. Wrap the elastic very snugly, |
| large eye. | | | | and then tuck it down into the back of your |
| The ribbon often comes as one long piece. Just | | | | shoe. Mark it so you remember the spot once |
| cut it in half for starters. You will figure out later, | | | | you take off the shoe. Then you'll sew it into |
| when you tie the ribbons, exactly how long they | | | | the back of the shoe, again taking care to use |
| should be. | | | | tiny stitches and avoiding the vamp elastic. |
| The best way to determine ribbon placement is | | | | To tie your ballet shoes, put your foot through |
| to fold down the back heel of the shoe. Some | | | | the elastic, and insert your toes into your toe |
| of the shoe material, about the length of your | | | | padding. Then put your foot the rest of the |
| thumbnail, will look like it's still with the sole of the | | | | way into the shoe, and pull the back of the shoe |
| shoe, but that's okay. Fold the heel down into | | | | up over your heel. Don't pull on the shoe by the |
| the shoe. Find the spot where the heel comes | | | | elastic, because you'll wear out the elastic. |
| alongside the rear quarter panel, and that's where | | | | Starting with the ribbon on the inside of your |
| you'll fasten your ribbon. (If you had your shoe | | | | foot, pull the ribbon across the front of your |
| on, this would be where the highest part of the | | | | ankle. Pull the other ribbon so that it crosses the |
| arch hits your foot.) Mark this spot, inside your | | | | first one exactly on the front. Then wrap the |
| shoe, with a light-colored marker or chalk. | | | | ribbons in two circles around the ankle, ending in |
| Next, place the end of the ribbon that you will | | | | the back above your heel. Tie them in a double |
| sew onto that spot and fold it under so it won't | | | | knot, and tuck the knot into the encircling ribbon |
| fray. Sew it in tiny stitches just near the top of | | | | to hide it. Make certain your knot does not lie |
| the shoe, but take care not to sew into the | | | | against the ankle bone, because that will hurt! |
| vamp elastic. Try to keep your stitches invisible | | | | Hide the knot by tucking it under the ribbon. |
| from the exterior of the shoe, and make your | | | | As you're progressing through ballet pointe |
| beginning and ending knots inside the shoe. Do | | | | instruction, you need the guidance of your |
| the same on both sides of the shoe. | | | | teacher-and it's also a good idea to find an |
| In order to sew your elastic into place, turn the | | | | internet website with lots of tips and tricks. |
| heel of the shoe inside out so that it's easy to | | | | |