How To Tie Pointe Shoes? 10 Simple Steps

There are many different ways to tie your pointe shoes, which you can find here. When I first started dancing pointe, my ballet teacher taught me how to tie my shoes using a specific technique that I thought was the only way to do it. If you’re interested in learning how to tie your pointe shoes without having to rely on an extra elastic band, continue reading below! 

Keep in mind that there are many different ways to tie your pointe shoes; what’s most important is that you find something that works for you and feel comfortable in your shoes!

Steps On How To Tie Pointe Shoes?

Pointe shoes are an essential part of any ballet dancer’s life, and therefore, it is necessary to learn how to tie pointe shoes correctly.

Tying your pointe shoes correctly will ensure that they stay on while you dance and that they support your feet properly so that you can perform your best out on the stage. If you want to know how to tie pointe shoes, follow these steps!

1. Start with the correct shoes

You should always start with pointe shoes that are fitted to your feet. Your pointe shoe should fit comfortably snug around your foot and toes but shouldn’t be too tight. It should not slip on or off your foot when you move. If it does, get a shoe in a larger size until you can try on shoes that fit correctly. Make sure both your heel and toes are secure in the shoes at all times, even during turns and jumps.

2. Gather the right materials

Get your pointe shoes, ribbons, and elastics ready to go. This will ensure that you are not fumbling around when it comes time to tie your pointe shoes. If you don’t

have enough ribbon, elastics, or shoes, use a piece of string and some tape so that you can tie them for practice purposes. It is also beneficial to clean your shoes with a brush before starting to tie them up.

3.Tightly tape your toes

Wrap athletic tape (you can also use medical tape) around each toe so that they’re as compact and snug as possible. Since you won’t be able to tie off your shoes around your toes, this will prevent them from shifting. Once you’ve taped your toes, tie off your shoes normally.

4. Fold your ribbon in half

Beginning ballet dancers have been tying their pointe shoes improperly for years. There’s a proper way to tie your shoes when you put them on, and it’s not done by just looping ribbon through holes and tossing it over your foot. A good bow should be symmetrical, which means that it shouldn’t tilt to one side or be cockeyed in any way.

5. Wrap the ribbons around your ankles

Use both ribbons to wrap them around your ankles twice, and then pull them tight. When they’re tied correctly, the ribbons should be directly in line with your toes (the big toe and second toe).

This gives you a comfortable fit that will allow you to easily slip on and off pointe shoes while still giving you enough support to dance in them.

6. Tie off the ribbon once around your ankles

The ribbon is used to tie off your pointe shoes around your ankles for additional stability. Make sure that you get it tied tight enough so that you’re not going to lose it, but it shouldn’t be too tight as that may be uncomfortable.

Wrap it one or two times around each ankle and tie a bow in front of your ankle bone. You can always take slack with a needle once your shoes are tied on correctly, but make sure not to over-tighten at first!

7. Cross the ribbons over each other

The ribbons can be crossed in many different ways, and ballet teachers have their preferences. Cross them over each other on top of your foot and tie them as if you were tying a shoe.

This makes for a shorter bow that allows room for your toes to spread comfortably when you point your foot. The downside is that it looks untidy unless you are tying in front of a mirror – which you really should do!

8. Wrap the criss-crossed ribbons around your ankles again (for support)

With your knees bent and facing out, place your heels together. Place a satin ribbon on each ankle, with one end longer than the other. Make sure that when you’re putting them on, you criss-cross in opposite directions; i.e., if you put one around your left ankle first, put it around your right second (and vice versa).

This keeps both ribbons consistent and will make for an easier time putting on and taking off your pointe shoes.

9. Tie a bow under your ankle bones

Make a large knot around your ankle bones with an inch or two of lace on each side. Pull it as tight as you can get it, but not tight enough to break your skin. You should be able to slip one finger in between your skin and your laces for a snug fit.

This will give you room for growth, so go ahead and tie it more tightly than feels comfortable now. Then make sure to re-tighten them once a week (or when needed) to prevent slipping down.

10. Final Steps

Choose the shoes that are right for you and practice. Practice makes perfect, and you want to look flawless when you’re on stage, so tie them enough times to make sure that they look just as good before you go out there.

If your toes feel cramped or even slightly uncomfortable, then tighten it up a bit more and try again. You should have a comfortable, tight fit when tying your pointe shoes; don’t force them on if they don’t feel right.

Read Next: 

• How to Draw Anime Shoes?
• Can Adults Wear Junior Running Shoes?
• Can You Ride A Peloton With Regular Shoes?

---

Alternative Steps On How To Tie Pointe Shoes?

Tying pointe shoes is a delicate art. It requires patience, practice, and exact measurement. But once you get it down, your pointe shoes will fit like a glove!

Step 1: Fold your ribbon in half

Step 2: Take the ribbon at the fold, and place it on top of your shoe. The fold of the ribbon should be directly in the middle of your arch.

Step 3: Pin the ribbon to the shoe just above where you placed it.

Step 4: Wrap the ribbons around your ankle several times to create an “X” shape.

Step 5: Tie a knot at the front of your ankle.

Step 6: Pin each end of the ribbons to your foot, just under where they come over the bridge of your foot. Make sure that they are even all around.

Step 7: Cut off the excess ribbon to only about an inch left on each end, and sew it down with a whip stitch (see our DIY video for how-to).

Questions About How To Tie Pointe Shoes?

How to Sew Ribbons on New Pointe Shoes?

The ribbons on your new pointe shoes are pretty long to allow for a couple of fitting sessions before you are ready to wear them in class. The ribbons should be about 3-4 inches longer than the length needed for a perfect fit and tied so that the knot is just below the ankle bone but not so low that it digs into your foot.

The following instructions will guide you through how to sew ribbons on your new pointe shoes.

1. Using a threaded needle, make a backstitch from the outside of the shoe, passing under the satin side of the ribbon 2 or 3 threads and then up through the same hole (to hide the knot).

2. Sew around the top edge of your shoe with tiny stitches, passing under a couple of threads as you go along until you get back to where you started.

3. Tie off your thread by making a few tiny stitches and cutting off any excess thread.

4. To find out how long to cut your ribbons, wrap them around your ankle so that they sit just below your ankle bone with no excess material sitting on top or underneath it. The ends should overlap by an inch or two—Mark where they meet and cut at this point.

How to Sew Elastics on New Pointe Shoes?

There are many ways to sew the elastics on your new pointe shoes. You can do it yourself or ask for help from a friend or your teacher.

The Grishko’s way to sew elastics on pointe shoes:

1. Use two pieces of elastic for each shoe. The length of each elastic is 80 cm for new pointe shoes and 60 cm for well-broken-in ones. Tie a knot at one end of the elastic.

2. Fold the elastic in half, put it under the sole, and bring it out through the hole near the shoe’s arch (the arrow points to it). Pull it tight and make a knot with both elastic ends inside the shoe.

3. Put another piece of elastic under the sole, bring it out through an adjacent hole, and make a knot, ensuring that its ends are not too tight and do not press against your foot.

4. Adjust both knots so that they fit snugly under your arch without pressing on them.

How to Sew Ribbons on Old Pointe Shoes?

If you’re learning how to sew ribbons on pointe shoes, it’s best if you have a coach or a friend who can help you.

1. Wrap the ribbon around your ankle, about two inches above your heel, and hold it with your thumb.

2. Run the ribbon down the back of the foot and bring it around to the front, crossing over the arch and then under to the bottom of the foot. Make sure there’s no slack in the ribbon.

3. Bring the ribbon around to the top of your instep, crossing it over itself twice and holding it in place with your thumb.

4. Run the ribbon up the back of your leg and wrap it around your ankle again at least three times.

5. Tie a bow with both ends, making sure that they’re even in length so that they don’t slip when you’re dancing on pointe.

How To Tie Pointe Shoes Using traditional pointe shoe ribbons?

There are many ways to tie your pointe shoes, but here is one way that we recommend.

Step 1: Start by tying a simple knot at the end of each ribbon.

Step 2: Tie a single knot around the top of the pointe shoe. Make sure it’s not too loose!

Step 3: Create a criss-cross pattern with your ribbons and wrap them around your ankle twice.

Step 4: Pull the ribbons together and create a bow. Make sure that it’s secure!

How To Tie Pointe Shoes Using Loop tie Elastic pointe shoe ribbons?

This will give you a secure, comfortable fit around your ankle without causing the ribbon to slip or your shoes to feel tight.

Separate the two halves of your elastic ribbon in front of you. Insert one end of the ribbon into the loop on the same side of the ribbon, creating a circular loop. 

Pull the other half through from behind and pull until you have an even loop on either side. Tie both ends around your ankle as you would for traditional ribboning. Be careful not to tie too tightly!

How to Tie Toddler Ballet Shoes?

The right way to tie ballet pointe shoes may seem like a mystery, but with this guide, you’ll be ready to dance in no time.

Ballet pointe shoes are shoe slippers with extra support around the sides and rigid, box-like toes that help dancers keep their balance while dancing on the tips of their toes.

The shoes are custom-fitted for each dancer and have ribbons that need to be tied before you can use them. If you don’t tie your pointe shoes correctly, they will not feel comfortable and could come loose during class.

You will need:

Two (2) ballet pointe shoes** A long ribbon for each shoe** Scissors**

Steps:

1. Cut two (2) long pieces of ribbon for each shoe. The ribbons should be about one (1) meter long or longer if needed. It is easier to tie your pointe shoes if the ribbons are longer because you can always trim them later.**

2. Tie one (1) end of a ribbon around each side of the heel of your ballet slipper. Make a knot that goes around the heel twice for the first shoe, so you have two (2) loops at one.

Conclusion How To Tie Pointe Shoes?

Tying pointe shoes is relatively easy once you have the proper technique and tool. Tieing your shoes after getting up on pointe in your ballet class may seem scary, but it’s doable!

Learning how to tie pointe shoes might seem like an easy task, but it’s not as simple as it may seem at first glance. It requires you to have an outstanding awareness of your body and the way you move so that you can tie the ribbons in such a way that your ankles will be comfortable and safe during class or practice.