Sew ribbons on the inside back seam of the shoe, where the heel meets the vamp

The ribbon attachment point is the inside back seam — the vertical line where the heel and vamp are stitched together on the inner side of the shoe. This seam runs from the sole up toward the top of the heel. You will sew one ribbon on each side of this seam, one for each ankle. The ribbons sit inside the shoe so they do not show when you are wearing them, and the seam itself is already reinforced by the manufacturer, which means it can handle the stress of being tied around your ankle during dancing.

The exact height where you attach the ribbon matters. Most dancers sew the top edge of the ribbon about one-half to three-quarters of an inch below the top edge of the shoe's heel. This placement lets the ribbon sit comfortably against your ankle without cutting into the skin or slipping down during movement. If you sew too high, the ribbon will dig into the back of your ankle. If you sew too low, it will slip down as you dance and you will spend time retying instead of dancing.

Before you sew, try the shoe on and mark where the ribbon should go with a pencil or fabric pen. Stand in relevé (on the balls of your feet) and have someone else mark the spot, or mark it yourself while looking in a mirror. This ensures the ribbon will be in the right place when your foot is in the position you will hold during class and performance.

Key Takeaways

  • Attach ribbons to the inside back seam of the shoe, where the heel and vamp meet, with one ribbon on each side of the seam.
  • Position the top edge of the ribbon about one-half to three-quarters of an inch below the top of the heel for comfort and security.
  • Mark the attachment point while wearing the shoe in relevé so the ribbon sits correctly when your foot is in dancing position.
  • Use a needle and thread that match the shoe color, and sew with small, tight stitches in a box or X pattern to distribute the load.
  • Test the ribbon placement by tying the shoe and walking around before you wear it in class, and adjust if the ribbon pulls or slips.

How to mark the attachment point accurately

Put on the pointe shoe and stand in relevé — rise up onto the ball of your foot as if you were about to dance. Stay in this position for a few seconds so your foot settles into the shoe the way it will during movement. Ask a friend or family member to mark the inside back seam with a pencil or washable fabric pen at the height where you want the ribbon to sit. If you are marking it yourself, use a mirror and mark both shoes while you are still in relevé.

The mark should be on the seam itself, not to the left or right of it. If the seam is hard to see, run your finger along the inside back of the shoe until you feel the ridge where the two pieces of fabric are joined. Mark that line. Once both shoes are marked, take them off and you are ready to sew.

Sewing the ribbon with the right stitch pattern

Thread a needle with thread that matches the color of your pointe shoe — usually pink or flesh tone, though some dancers use black or white depending on the shoe. Cut a length of thread about 18 inches long and tie a knot at one end. Start sewing from the inside of the shoe so the knot is hidden, and push the needle through the shoe and ribbon at the marked point.

Sew the ribbon down using a box stitch or X stitch pattern. A box stitch means you sew four sides of a small rectangle — about one-half inch wide and one inch tall — so the ribbon is anchored at the top, bottom, left, and right. An X stitch means you sew two diagonal lines that cross in the middle. Both patterns distribute the force of your ankle movement across multiple threads instead of putting all the stress on one line of stitching. Make your stitches small and tight — about one-eighth inch apart — so they do not come loose during dancing.

Sew through the ribbon and the shoe fabric only, not all the way through to the outside of the shoe. If you sew through to the outside, the stitches will show and may catch on your skin or clothing. After you finish the box or X pattern, tie off the thread on the inside of the shoe and trim the excess. Repeat on the other side of the seam for the second ribbon.

Testing the ribbon before you dance in the shoes

Put the shoe on and tie the ribbons around your ankle the way you will during class. The ribbons should cross at the back of your ankle and wrap around to the front, where you tie them in a bow or knot. Walk around your house or studio for a few minutes and pay attention to how the ribbons feel. They should be snug enough that the shoe does not slip, but not so tight that they cut off circulation or cause pain.

If the ribbon pulls or digs into your skin, it is sewn too high. If it slips down your ankle or does not hold the shoe in place, it is sewn too low. You can remove the stitches with a seam ripper or small scissors and resew the ribbon at a different height. It is much easier to adjust before you wear the shoes in a full class than to discover the problem mid-rehearsal.

Ribbon length and how to trim it

Most pointe shoe ribbons come in a standard length of about 60 inches, which is longer than you need. You will trim them to the right length after you sew them on. Put the shoe on, tie the ribbons around your ankle, and have them cross at the back. Bring the ends to the front and tie them in a bow. The ends should be long enough to tie comfortably without excess fabric bunching up. Most dancers trim the ribbons so the ends are about 12 to 18 inches long after they are tied.

To trim, untie the ribbons and measure from the attachment point around your ankle to where you want the ends to finish. Cut both ribbons to the same length so they are even. Seal the cut edges by running them quickly over a lighter or match — hold the ribbon edge about one inch above the flame for just a second so the fabric melts slightly and does not fray. Be careful not to hold it in the flame too long or the ribbon will burn. Some dancers prefer to fold the cut edge under and sew it down instead of melting it, which also works well.

Common mistakes to avoid when sewing ribbons

The most common mistake is sewing the ribbon too high on the heel, which causes it to dig into the back of your ankle and create a painful pressure point. The second mistake is sewing it too low, so it slips down during dancing and does not support the ankle properly. Both of these problems are straightforward to fix by marking the spot carefully while you are in relevé before you sew.

Another mistake is using stitches that are too loose or too far apart. If your stitches are loose, the ribbon will pull away from the shoe during dancing and the attachment will fail. Use small, tight stitches and sew in a box or X pattern so the load is spread across multiple threads. Do not sew all the way through to the outside of the shoe — this creates visible stitches that can catch on skin and look unfinished.

Some dancers sew the ribbon on the outside back of the shoe instead of the inside. This is visible and uncomfortable, and it is not the standard placement. Always sew on the inside back seam. Finally, do not skip the testing step. Tie the shoes and walk around before you wear them in class. If something feels wrong, you can fix it quickly instead of discovering the problem when you are in the middle of a combination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew ribbons on pointe shoes myself or do I need to go to a dancewear shop?

You can sew them yourself if you have basic sewing skills and a needle and thread. Many dancers sew their own ribbons to save money and customize the placement to their feet. If you have never sewn before, a dancewear shop can do it for you, though there is usually a small fee. The process is straightforward enough that most people can learn it in one or two tries.

What if I sew the ribbon in the wrong spot?

Use a seam ripper or small scissors to carefully cut the stitches and remove the ribbon. You can then resew it at the correct height. The shoe fabric is durable and will not be damaged by removing and resewing the ribbon once or twice. If you have already sewn it several times in the same spot, the fabric may weaken, so try to get the placement right the first time by marking carefully.

Do both ribbons have to be sewn at exactly the same height?

Yes, they should be at the same height on both shoes so the ribbons sit evenly around your ankles. If one ribbon is higher than the other, it will pull unevenly and the shoe will not feel balanced. Mark both shoes while wearing them in relevé to make sure the placement is symmetrical.

How often do I need to resew the ribbons?

With regular use, ribbons usually last one to two years before the stitches wear out or the ribbon fabric frays. When the stitches start to come loose or the ribbon tears, you can remove it and sew a new one on. Some dancers replace ribbons more often if they dance intensively or if the ribbon gets dirty and stained.

Can I use a sewing machine instead of hand sewing?

Hand sewing is recommended because it gives you more control over the stitch pattern and placement, and it is easier to sew only through the ribbon and shoe fabric without going all the way through to the outside. A sewing machine can work if you are careful, but most dancers find hand sewing faster and more reliable for this task.