Pointe shoe darning basics

The big secret of how to darn your pointe shoes.

I was struggling with slipping in my pointe shoes a lot so I figured I had to do something about it: First I tried suede tips (did NOT like them) then I saw this girl's pointe shoes with stitching all around the platform.
I googled and searched on youtube for ages but did not know that darning was called darning which made it a lot more difficult.

This is my 2nd pair of pointe shoes that I darned and I want to explain how it works step by step:

That's what you will need:

Pointe shoes, strong thread, needle (and if you haven't already done the rest of the "pointe-shoe-sewing": ribbons, elastics)

1) Step one:

Cutting off the satin on the platform (some people don't, but i prefer to cut it off).
I usually burn the edges of the satin to make it stay that way for longer.

2) Step two:

Make a little knot on your thread and start on the inside. Come back in an out again BUT leave the little loop you see on the picture.

3) Step three:

Come back to the inside and go THROUGH the loop.
Doing this, try to make a tiny stitch through the pointe shoe which is pretty hard.

Now you can pull the loop tight.

4) Step four:

Repeat this over and over until you reach the beginning.

5) Step five:

I usually make a second, or even a third row - just doing the same thing again.

That's it.

Not only does darning make your pointe shoes less slippery, it also helps you to find the right placement of the foot when you're on point.

I hope this helped :)

xx

Ballet essentials

There are a few things every ballerina to be should own. Here's a list of them:

Bobby bins - You should always bring a few bobby bins in your dance bag. To fix your bun or even to help someone else who forgot their bobby bins out.

Bun rings - If you have short hair sometimes bun rings will look great.

Coolpack: To ease pain

Elastics - You'll need to different types of elastic: thinner ones for your technique shoes and broader, stronger ones for your pointe shoes because you need more support in those.

Fake eyelashes - For performances. In the stage light your face might look flat and without any contours. Especially if you have small eyes fake eyelashes will improve your looks a lot.

Foam roller - A foam roller is an amazing tool to stretch out your muscles, to try to get rid of knots in them after a tough class or rehearsal or to strengthen your muscles.

Hair nets - To avoid a lot of little hair sticking out of your bun

Hair spray - For a sleeker look


Hair ties - Obviously for your bun.

Leg warmers - To warm up your ankles and avoid injury

Leotards - Tight clothes, especially leotards enable your dance teacher to see your body. Your lines. This is important for them to give you corrections.

Plasters - Sometimes, especially after pointe classes you'll have several painful blisters

Pointe shoes - If you dance teacher gives you the ok you are allowed to go on pointe. At first it really is a lot of hard work and to be honest it doesn't get any easier, you just get better.

Rehearsal tutu - If you perform in real tutus a rehearsal tutu will help you to get comfortable with not seeing your feet which can be quite hard in the beginning.

Ribbons - Besides elastics ribbons give you support when you're on pointe. You will find different kinds of ribbons. Some shinier, some really thin ones or some with elastic parts.

Sewing kit - You want to be able to fix your pointe and technique shoes.

Stretchy shorts - For more contemporary ballet rehearsals or to warm up. Some use spandex shorts, some use woollen shorts.

Technique shoes - Some classes, even barre, are on pointe, for some you'll have to wear technique shoes.

Tennis ball - A tennis ball works wonders for your feet after a pointe class.

Theraband - To strengthen your feet and stretch out your muscles. I would advice to get a strong and a medium/light Theraband for different purposes.

Tights - Don't wear "normal" tights. Those usually aren't strong enough for what you need them and they will probably rip soon.

Toe pads/Gel pads/Toe spacers/Lamb wool - It totally depends on your feet and liking what you are going to use.

Warm-ups - Sometimes you won't have a lot of time before class to warm up. Warm up clothes will lessen the chance to hurt yourself.

Wrapping skirts - If wrapping skirts are allowed in your studio you should probably where one. Wrapping skirts are really flattering usually.