How to sew ribbons and elastics onto pointe shoes

Wondering where to sew the ribbons and elastics when preparing your pointe shoes for class? This short video shows the materials, ribbon placement and heel-elastic stitching up close. Ballet students and parents helping with preparation can also follow the steps below.

Prepare your materials before you start

Have ribbon, elastic, a needle, thread and scissors ready alongside your pointe shoes. Arrange them in a workspace where you can see the materials clearly.

How are pointe shoe ribbons sewn on?

1. Cut the ribbon into four equal pieces. In the video, the ribbon is cut into four pieces for the inner and outer sides of both shoes.
2. Locate the shoe’s side seam. Follow the placement shown in the video to locate the stitching point. The ribbon is positioned just beside the side seam, on the inside of the shoe.
3. Fold the end of the ribbon. The cut ends may fray. One method suggested in the video is to fold the end inward once and sew it. This fold also reinforces the stitched section.
4. Sew one ribbon on each side. Hold the ribbon in place and secure it, then repeat on the other side of the shoe.

Where is the heel elastic sewn on?

The elastic is used at the heel of the shoe. The video shows stitching points about one finger’s width to the right and left of the back seam. The two ends of the elastic are secured at these points; the foot passes through the resulting loop when putting on the shoe.

While positioning the materials, you can pause the close-up in the video and use the control bar to return to the relevant section.

Final check after sewing

Check that the ribbons and elastic are securely attached. Put the shoes on and assess the placement with your teacher; if you are unsure about the stitching position or elastic length, consult your teacher before the final fastening.