Where to sew pointe shoe ribbons...

petitedancer · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: England

Hello everyone,
I was just wondering, and it may seem like a silly question but...
Which way do you angle your pointe shoe ribbons?
Towards the front of the pointe show..like this /
Or towards the shank and back of the pointe show like this \
I'm not en pointe yet but was just wondering!
Thanks xxx

dancersdreamland · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject:

Hmm... Good question. Since I don't take ballet and have never done pointe, I'm not really sure. I would say wait and see if anyone else responds or check with your local dance supply retailer. They can probably advise.

nanae · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:33 pm Post subject:

Pointe shoe ribbons are sewn pointing towards the pointe. The ribbon is angled along your foot line from above your heel right under the ankle. They are sewn this way so that when they are wrapped around and tied there aren't funny spaces where there shouldn't be. / that is the angle. I hope this helps.
How soon are you hoping to start pointe? Or have you just been in ballet? I'd love to hear from you.

petitedancer · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: England

Thanks for the answering my question nanae, so I thought I would answer yours :D
I have been taking ballet for over a year now and I started quite late really at 15 but I have been working really hard in my classes and at home stretching & strengthning to, hopefully, start pointe work in the future.
My teacher says that my legs/ankles etc are looking quite strong now, but obviously I Won't be doing any pointe work without her say so!

I've been reading about people that have started pointe work after just 2-3 months of starting ballet. Is this possible if your teacher believes you to be ready?

Once again, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions
Petitedancer xx

nanae · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:44 am Post subject:

Hey petite dancer! That is so awesome that you are working hard at ballet. I'm sure you will be able to start pointe soon. I'm also a late starter for ballet but I was able to work hard and start pointe the second year of ballet.
One of my friends from dance classes started ballet and pointe in the same month. She had no experience with ballet but she had been dancing at the studio for some time taking modern. She is really strong and could pick things up easily from her other dance training experience.
I hope you can start pointe work soon. It is beautiful though difficult and a bit painful. But dance is worth it. Good Luck!

petitedancer · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: England

thanks nanae, it is always nice to hear stories from other dancers who began ballet at a later age, it's a lot of encouragment for others!
I also take tap, modern, lyrical which may be helping the rate of which my legs, ankles etc are developing which is fab!
Thanks again for responding and helping me with my question.
Nice speaking to you
Petitedancer xxx

Kuriin · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Location: In my imagination

I started dancing when I was 18. Hehe, actually, that was last year. :P

petitedancer · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: England

Hi Kuriin,

What made you start dancing and what sort of dance are you taking ?
Sometimes, I think dancers who begin at a later age have their own unique style which can make you stand out..especially in things like modern and street dance.

Petite xxx

dance4life209 · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Western Mass

oh yes i agree with petitedancer....dancers who do start at a later age tend to have that "spice" and/or style which does stand out more....plus...dancing is fun no matter how old you are for anyone...its something people can enjoy...relate to with any type of dance...
dance will do that to people :wink: :D

Love2Dance · Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 30 Location: Ontario, Canada

I started later as well, almost 2 years ago when i was 15. i took jazz, tap and ballet. LOVED all three. just wish i had more time to learn other kinds of dance.

i only took jazz this year but i hope to get back into tap and ballet this coming september and maybe even hip hop as well. like petitedancer, i really really really want to do pointe. still waiting to hear if people with weak ancles aren't allowed to do pointe. does pointe strengthen your ancles at all? because it seems to me like going up and down from flat feet onto point would do some strengthening, i could very well be wrong though. please reply! :)

Mandy04 · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 3

I've been taking ballet lessons since I was 3.. then I stopped when I was about 12.. Now I'm 15 and started pointe last year. It's an awesome experience, and yes sometimes it can be very painful. anyways have fun taking pointe, I'm sure you'll looove it.

dancer1234 · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 6

id better change my pointe shoes then because mine arent angled at all :O
the ribbons arent any good anyway, theyre all fraying and keep falling off my shoes, ever tried pointe with a ribbon hanging off? haha

Elven Princess · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Manchester, UK.

hi there! To find the position to sew them, fold down the heel like you would sew elastic with a soft ballet shoe and make a mark with a pencil the edge of where the heel has folded on the inside of the shoe, this is where you should sew your ribbon and at the angle previously mentioned! I know this because i just had some pointe shoes fitted myself and sewed some ribbons the other day :lol: Good luck with your dancing!