| 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 be | | | | Once you've sewn that, put your foot into the |
| sturdy, and you can use unwaxed dental floss if | | | | shoe. To decide how much elastic you need to |
| you like. Sturdier thread means you only have to | | | | wrap around your ankle, flex your foot to about |
| sew it one direction. Choose a needle with a large | | | | ninety degrees. Wrap the elastic very snugly, and |
| eye. | | | | then tuck it down into the back of your shoe. |
| The ribbon often comes as one long piece. To | | | | Mark it so you remember the spot once you |
| begin with just cut it in half. You will figure out | | | | take off the shoe. Then you'll sew it into the back |
| later, when you tie the ribbons, exactly how long | | | | of the shoe, again taking care to use tiny stitches |
| they should be. | | | | 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 of | | | | the elastic, and insert your toes into your toe |
| the shoe material, about the length of your | | | | padding. Then put your foot the rest of the way |
| thumbnail, will look like it's still with the sole of the | | | | into the shoe, and pull the back of the shoe up |
| shoe, but that's okay. Fold the heel down into the | | | | over your heel. Don't pull on the shoe by 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 | | | | Pulling the ribbon across the front of your ankle, |
| you'll fasten your ribbon. (If you had your shoe | | | | make sure you begin with the ribbon on the inside |
| on, this would be where the highest part of the | | | | of your foot. Pull the other ribbon so that it |
| arch hits your foot.) Mark this spot, inside your | | | | crosses the first one exactly on the front. Then |
| shoe, with a light-colored marker or chalk. | | | | wrap the ribbons in two circles around the ankle, |
| The next step is to ensure the ribbon will not fray | | | | ending in the back above your heel. Tie them in a |
| by sewing onto that spot and folding it under. | | | | double knot, and tuck the knot into the encircling |
| Sew it in tiny stitches just near the top of the | | | | ribbon to hide it. Be careful that your knot does |
| shoe, but take care not to sew into the vamp | | | | not lie against the ankle bone, otherwise it will rub! |
| elastic. Try to keep your stitches invisible from | | | | Hide the knot by tucking it under the ribbon. |
| the exterior of the shoe, and make your | | | | As you're progressing through ballet pointe |
| beginning and ending knots inside the shoe. Do the | | | | instruction, you need the guidance of your |
| 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 | | | | |