Wondering Is there a quick cure for a treasured sweatshirt that has shrunk over time? But you have no idea where to begin? Relax, we’ll go over a few popular strategies in this blog to help you.
With these methods, you can quickly prolong your clothing while still appreciating it.
Interested? Let’s begin .
1. Choosing and Preparing Your Components
But first and foremost, you wanna begin by gathering the right components. These are the choice of material and the core sewing tool you’re gonna need for this project.
In The former, there are only things you’re gonna need which are; right type of elastic and ribbon. Then you’re gonna need to gather the right kind of needle and threads.
Let’s go over them one by one.
1.1 Elastic
Okay, first of all when it comes to elastic. You only wanna go with elastic that matches the color of your pointe shoes. Remember that you are approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide.
One protip here is to visit the craft supplies store if you are having trouble finding the right elastic, and also you’ll need about 1 yard (0.91 m) for a pair of shoes.
1.2 Ribbon
Okay, the second most crucial thing is Ribbon. The size you wanna go for the ribbon is around 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
Also, if you are going with the traditional style then the color of ribbon should be pink. Otherwise you can look for a ribbon with a similar finish. For example; satin finish ribbon for shoes with a satin finish.
Approximately 2 yards or 1.8 meters should suffice for both shoes.
1.3 Preparing the Needle and Thread
And last thing of course are the right kind of needle and thread.
The sewing process for shoes demands Traditional needle not going to cut for pointe shoes, for this project you gonna need a heavy-duty needle capable of piercing the tough materials.
The size you are gonna go with is with an 18-inch (46 cm) piece of thread.
2. Step by Step Guide
Okay now, let’s go over the actual sewing process.
2.1 Prepare the Elastics
First and foremost comes the preparation of the elastic. First you wanna begin by cutting one long elastic band into two equal pieces, as you can guess one for each shoe.
Then comes the finding vertical seam. This is where you will be sewing the ends of your elastics.
Now, wear your shoes for a sec, moving on hold one end of the elastic inside the shoe on one side of the seam and pull it over.
Here you wanna keep in mind “measure twice, cut once.”
2.2 Sew Elastics and Ribbons
Now, it’s time to sew the elastics.
Here you wanna begin with placing the elastic next to the heel. Now, hold it securely with your thumb and forefinger.
Nextup, start the sewing process from the inside. First, close to a corner and make a small stitch. The size you are going for is approximately 1/4 inch or less.
After that it’s time to create a knot at the part you pulled through. Now, continue sewing while making sure to pull the thread tight after each stitch.
Now, on to ribbons! Luckily this process is quite similar to that of sewing elastics. The same pattern is followed. Just do that for all four ribbons
2.3 Sew Criss-Crossed Elastic Bands
Okay, now we can move on to the crisscrossed elastic brand. Its positioning is critical to the overall functionality of your pointe shoes as it helps absorb the tension of one dance.
For this step you wanna begin by placing one end of the elastic near your heel. Next take the other end near the front of your ankle. You wanna make sure About 0.25 inches of elastic should overlap the edge of the shoe. Now, simply, marking the position on the inside.
Moving on, begin securing them, first start sewing from the inside of the shoe and then sew along the outer edges of one elastic band.
After that once you are done tie a knot and cut off the excess thread inside the shoe.
Remember that you need to rethread the needle with a new 18-inch strand of thread before sewing the other end of the elastic. Now, Repeat the same process for the other end.
2.4 Sew Elastic Bands as Ankle Loops
Next it’s time to create support for heel and ankle with ankle loops.
Okay, to begin, first of all, you wanna measure the elastic around your ankle. Remember its should overlap the edges of the pointe shoe by approximately 0.25 inches.
Next, With the shoe on, place the ends of the elastic on either side of the heel. Position should be about 1 to 2 inches apart. Then you wanna mark the positions based on your preference.
Now, it is time for the sewing process, here you wanna sew the ends of the elastic to the heel portion of the shoe then comes the sewing around the edges, where it overlaps the shoe. The pattern you are aiming for is a square pattern.
To finish it, you just wanna replicate the process for the other side of the heel. Also repeat the same steps for the other shoe to achieve a similar look.
Closing Thoughts
For someone who appreciates both ballet and the art of sewing, pointe shoes are a great summer project to undertake.
Do you think we miss something? How was your experience with our guide let us know in the comment secion below.
