How to Sew and Tie Pointe Shoes for Beginners

Some parents and students might feel overwhelmed when sewing their first pair of pointe shoes, and we admit, it can be a confusing process at first.

Luckily, BalletCNJ created a guide for our parents and students to follow. We compiled a list of very simple steps to look back to when learning how to sew and tie pointe shoes. We promise, once you get the hang of it, sewing pointe shoes will become a mindless repetitive task.

All you need is your pointe shoes, elastic, ribbon, a needle, thread of any kind, preferably a light color like white or pink, scissors, a lighter, and a pen!

Feel free to follow along by watching our step by step YouTube Tutorial linked below.

Step 1 - Preparation

To start, you’re going to prepare everything. First, take your elastic and fold it in half, then take scissors and cut at the fold. Now you should have two elastics of the same length. Repeat the same exact process with the ribbons, except this time, you are going to cut four long pieces.

Before you begin sewing, you're going to make some marks in your pointe shoes. You can do this with a pen or pencil. First, to mark where the ribbons will be sewn, you are going to fold the heel of the shoe down. Then, mark where the shoe folds down to.

Next, flip the heel of the shoe inside out, so that the inside is showing. Make a mark right outside of the seam, as that is where you will be sewing your elastics. 

One last step before you begin sewing, you will want to take a lighter and slightly burn the ends of your ribbons and elastics. This will make sure that they don’t fray after cutting.

Step 2 - Sewing the Ribbons

First, you're going to roll out your thread, and cut it to your desired length. Then, you're going to slide the thread through the eye of the needle, fold the thread in half, and then tie a knot at the end to secure it. Make sure that you tie a few knots so it is super secure and does not come undone. 

Make sure that the shiny side of the ribbon is facing outwards, and to sew your ribbons, you are going to fold just a little bit of the end in, and place it right where you made your mark. 

To begin sewing, you are going to thread the needle through the shoe and the ribbon, and pull all the way through. Now, you just have to repeat the process all the way around the ribbon, so that you create a box shape. When you finish sewing, make another knot at the end, and cut off your excess thread. 

Then, you're going to repeat the same exact process for your other ribbon on the other side of the shoe!

Step 3 - Sewing the Elastic

Next, you are going to sew your elastic. Flip the heel of the shoe inside out so that you can see the marks you made, thread your needle the same way, and the sewing is the exact same, making a box as you sew! 

Once you have sewn one end of the elastic, have your dancer put the pointe shoe on. Pull the elastic over the ankle to the other side making sure it is taut but not too tight where the dancer is uncomfortable. Then, mark where the elastic meets the top of the shoe. 

Next, you are going to cut about 1 to 2 centimeters below where you marked the line. 

Now, you can repeat the sewing process for the other side of the elastic.  

When you are done, your elastic should make a loop with one ribbon on either side. 

This is what one completed shoe should look like. 

Step 4 - Repeat on the other Shoe!

Now repeat the same steps for sewing the ribbons and elastic for the other shoe, and you're done!

Step 5 - How to Tie Your Pointe Shoe

To tie the pointe shoe, you are going to slip it onto your foot. Take the inside ribbon and cross it over to the outside. Then, continue wrapping your ribbon around your ankle two times, ending at the inside of the ankle. 

Next, take the outside ribbon and cross it over to the inside. Continue wrapping your ribbon around your ankle, but this time only wrap around once, meeting the other ribbon on the inside of the ankle. Tie a double knot and make sure that the ribbons are pulled tight. 

Here, you should notice that your ribbons are uneven in length. Take scissors and carefully cut these ribbons shorter so they are at an even length. 

Then, fold the ribbons and tuck them into the ribbon against the inside of your ankle.

Now, your dancer is ready to dance en pointe. Stay tuned for more helpful tips and tricks! For more information on BalletCNJ's classes, click here. Good luck!