Directions for Sewing Ribbons onto Pointe Shoes

• Use a strong needle and waxed dental floss instead of thread.
• Be sure to stitch ribbons and elastics around all four sides, not just along the top edge.
• Position ribbons and elastics all the way down in the shoe so that their bottom edges almost touch the sockliner.
• Sew below the binding so as not to interfere with the drawstring.
• When the fit of the shoe is good other methods are rarely necessary such as: criss-crossing two pieces of elastic over the instep, trying ribbons through a loop sewn to the heel, placing elastics where they could irritate the Achilles tendon, or slitting the satin to thread ribbon through the sides of the shoes..

Se
Example  a.

1. Cut 4 pieces of ribbon, approximately 22" each.
2. Find the proper place to attach ribbons by folding down the back of the shoe so that it touches the sockliner. Use a pencil to draw lines at the creases.
3. Place the back edge of the ribbon against the pencil line. The end of the ribbon should be all the way down by the sockliner. Angle the ribbon so that it is on the diagonal.

Exam             b.  This method can help the dancer with a highly arched foot and a very  
e                           flexible ankle feel more support and stability.

1. Cut ribbon into two equal lengths, one per shoe, approximately 45" each.
2. Find the proper ribbon attachment by placing the ribbon underneath the dancer's arch while she stands flat in the shoe. Holding one end of the ribbon in each hand, pull it taut. Slide the ribbon forward and back to locate the highest point of your arch. Use a pencil to mark the inside of the shoe at the spot that corresponds to that highest point.
3. Position the middle of the ribbon on the middle of the sockliner at the place indicated by the pencil mark. Stitch the ribbon on both sides of the shoe, keeping tension on the portion that will run underneath the foot. When pulled, the ribbons will be perpendicular to the sockliner and outer sole, rather than on the diagonal.

Exam             c.   This method can provide extra support and stability to dancers who pronate
pron

1. Cut ribbon into 4 pieces approximately 22" each.
2. Find the proper place to attach ribbons by folding down the back of the shoe so that it touches the sockliner. Use a pencil to draw lines at the creases.
3. Position the outside ribbon just as in Exampe #a . Position the inside ribbon so that its back edge is 1/2" forward of the pencil line. Both ribbons should be on the diagonal.