How to Sew Pointe Shoe Elastics

Wondering how to sew your elastics properly? Look no further!

a sewing kit

new pointe shoe

Preferred toe pads

an optional sewing machine (or continue by hand)

a standard sewing needle between the sizes of six and nine

a pen or light-colored sharpie

a pink or light-colored thread

standard sewing pins

A piece of 7 inched nude or pink elastic

(you can purchase elastic online or at your local dance studio if they weren’t included with your order of pointe shoes).

1. Put your toe pads and pointe shoe on and tie the ribbon
2. On the inside of your heel, hold the satin of the shoe between your thumb and index finger.
3. Find the place where support is most needed.
   • You can do this by pointing and flexing your foot and analyzing how your foot moves in the shoe.
4. Once you’ve found that supportive spot, take your pen or marker and mark the place on the inside of the shoe.
5. Continue steps 1-4 for the outside of your heel.

1. Place the elastic flat against your foot
2. You will want to leave between half an inch of elastic below the shoe’s seam
   • We’ll cut off any access material after you finish sewing.
3. Draw a line on the elastics, labeling where the seam is against the inside of the shoe.
   • Keep the elastic at a 45-degree angle, this will allow for optimum support in your elastics.
   • Hold a slight tension to the elastics, so when your foot is pointed, it won’t loosen with the movement.
4. Take off your shoe

1. Pin its elastic to the inside of the shoe in your preferred place, lining up the seam and the marked line made on the elastics.
   • Make sure the pin is on the outside of the shoe but elastic remains on the inside.
2. Put on your toe-pads.
3. Try on the shoe and make sure the placement is ideal.
   • Make adjustments if needed.
4. Take your shoe off and sew the elastics in place with either a sewing machine or hand stitches in a square shape underneath the manufacturing seam of the shoe.
   • This specific shape will prevent the satin from tearing and provide a tighter hold.
5. Once you’re finished sewing, try on your finished product.
   • If you’re unhappy with the measurements, take a seam ripper, remove the seams made, and repeat any necessary steps.
6. Cut off the access elastic below the squared seam
   • This is an optional step, as it’s purely a comfort-based preference