Pointe Shoe Sewing Tip for Slipping Heels

Sometimes pointe shoes slip off the heel, even when the shoes seem like a perfect fit. Dancers with narrow heels and longer feet seem particularly prone to slipping heels, especially when shoes are new.

Here are some tips to tame those heels!

• Make sure shoes are not too tight or too loose. When you have a perfect fit, a shoe will feel snug when feet are flat and have a slight pinch of fabric when on pointe. 

• Instead of one loop of elastic, take two pieces of elastic and criss cross them. One end of each piece should be sewn close to the back of the shoe and one end near the center of the foot arch.

• Sometimes a heel gripper can be helpful, but check with your pointe shoe fitter. Even adding even the slightest amount of material can change the fit.

• If you are using stretch ribbon, consider trying satin ribbon for more resistance.

• A customer recently shared this video of how to sew ribbons to prevent slipping heels. She tried it with success and we are going to share this tip with others. Always be open to new ideas!

• Some professional dancers have custom shoes made or customize the heels themselves, but we can probably help you before you need to get to these extremes!

If you decide to criss cross your elastic, use the photo below that we marked up to make it easier to see which pieces are elastic and which are ribbon. This dancer effectively hid the elastic under her ribbon. Very clever!

Pointe Shoe Sewing Tip for Slipping Heels

Sometimes pointe shoes slip off the heel, even when the shoes seem like a perfect fit. Dancers with narrow heels and longer feet seem particularly prone to slipping heels, especially when shoes are new.

Here are some tips to tame those heels!

• Make sure shoes are not too tight or too loose. When you have a perfect fit, a shoe will feel snug when feet are flat and have a slight pinch of fabric when on pointe. 

• Instead of one loop of elastic, take two pieces of elastic and criss cross them. One end of each piece should be sewn close to the back of the shoe and one end near the center of the foot arch.

• Sometimes a heel gripper can be helpful, but check with your pointe shoe fitter. Even adding even the slightest amount of material can change the fit.

• Some professional dancers have custom shoes made or customize the heels themselves, but we can probably help you before you need to get to these extremes!

If you decide to criss cross your elastic, use the photo below that we marked up to make it easier to see which pieces are elastic and which are ribbon. This dancer effectively hid the elastic under her ribbon. Very clever!

Monthly Tight Subscription: Why it works

Why purchase a monthly tight subscription? We've been there. We've tried all the traditional ways to buy tights. Traditional methods don't make the busy lives of all dancers and dance parents more efficient. Sometimes traditional tight purchase methods just don't work.

Traditional Tight Purchase Methods:

1. The Secret Stash: You purchase several pairs of tights at one time and put them in a secret spot, with the idea of rationing out the tights over time. But, your secret spot remains..... a secret.

2. The Trust in Will Power: You stock up with the idea, that you will have a few pairs of new tights in your dance bag to use, as needed. Two weeks later, you don't have any new tights because it is impossible to resist putting on a new pair. 

3. The Just-in-Time Inventory Method: Nothing is as exhilarating as a dash to the shop for one pair of tights right before class or an audition.

We are happy to help with your dancewear emergencies and need for an adrenalin fix, but there is a better way: A Monthly Tight Subscription.

Your monthly tight delivery will provide exceptional comfort, fit and leg hugging performance and offers a knitted waistband for smooth finish. Our premium tights are made in Canada using all the industry's best practices (think Italian hosiery machines, premium materials, eco-friendly practices, etc.).

If you have an upcoming performance or audition and need a different color or style one month, just let us know before the first of the month and we can substitute colors or styles one month with any of the options we stock regularly (more expensive styles will be invoiced for the price difference).

Looking for a different style or color? Let us know! We can customize your subscription to fit your needs.

Need your first pair right away? Our monthly subscription ships around the first of the month, but if you have a tight emergency, let us know in the notes of your order and we can get your first pair sent out ASAP!

Monthly Tight Subscriptions: Just one more high-service option from your little shop around the corner. 

Know Your Stuff

The inspiration for our shop brand grew out of frustration in trying to find good quality dancewear apparel and shoes that were nearby, durable, fashionable, and, of course, not boring.

I also live in Michigan, where we have lost thousands of manufacturing jobs to overseas facilities, not always to the benefit of consumers. 

I wanted to develop a brand that cared about where our stuff was made. The farm-to-table movement has changed the way we think about food. Couldn't the same concept work with the stuff we buy? Shouldn't we care about the humans making our stuff as much as we care about the life on a farm?

I am proud to report that our ability to source high-quality products from fair-trade manufacturing facilities far exceeds my initial expectations! Here is a sampling of some of the brands we carry:

Motionwear: Makes all of their leotards and apparel in Indianapolis.

Suffolk: Suffolk makes leotards in the USA and pointe shoes are made in the USA and UK.

Jule Dancewear: Jule makes unique and highly-functional leotards and skirts in the USA.

So Danca: The company owns its factory in the Dominican Republic and manufactures shoes and apparel. 

Mondor: Mondor makes premium dance, skating and fashion tights and apparel in Quebec. 

Ainsliewear: Ainsliewear makes exquisite leotards in British Columbia.

Onzie: Onzie designs and makes fabulous leggings in California.

There are others, too. You get the idea. We love that we have found great manufacturers doing great things with their employees! Stay tuned for more discoveries!

Summer Dance Intensive Tip List: Part 2

Additional tips to make the most of your program:

• Even if your program allows phones, lay off them during your time at the program. Certainly check in with parents a couple of times while you are there, but if you are busy texting mom and friends from home, you may miss some of the experience! Take the time to meet new people and network. The friend you meet at summer intensive may end up being the person you can reach out to when you need advice for auditions!
• Shoes: take all of your shoes out of your bag each evening so they can dry out overnight. The better you take care of them, the better they will support your feet!
• Treat each class as if it were an audition and make a good impression. Wear clean tights in good condition, wear a leotard that makes you feel great, avoid sidebar conversations during class, take corrections with gratitude, and thank the instructor at the end of class. And, don’t be late! Bring and wear an old-school watch, when not in class, so you always know what time it is.
• Changing your tights mid-day can help refresh your tired legs, particularly if it is hot in the studio.
• Plan on giving your body more fuel, hydration, sleep, etc. than you usually need. You don't want to run out of steam before the end!
• Take care of your feet each night. Check toenail length and trim them at night. Check for blisters and make a plan for fine-tuning your shoe padding the next day.
• Keep a journal to record especially helpful tips throughout the day.
• Get contact information from favorite instructors and classmates to develop a network for your career.

Have a great time at your intensive!

Summer Dance Intensive Tips: Part 1: Packing List

Summer dance intensives are an exciting part of a dancer’s growth and development. You meet lots of other students that share your love of dance, you work with master teachers and you learn to become a bit more independent. It’s a great experience!

Going into the program with the right tools and supplies can alleviate some of the nerves that have a natural tendency to intermingle with your excitement.

Here is our suggested packing list (yes, you will need a large suitcase!):

• Leotards: At least one per day. Check with your program to see if certain colors or styles are required. Bring your favorites that make you feel confident!
• Tights: Lots! You will enjoy the feeling of a fresh pair mid-way through the day. Do not wear any tights with holes, stains, etc.
• Wrap Skirt (check your program to see if there are required colors)
• Character Skirt: if you will be taking character classes
• Pointe Shoes: Plan on several pairs. They will wear out quicker in the summer humidity. Be sure to rotate them to let them rest and re-harden between wearings.
• Other dance shoes: Make sure you have the right shoes for your classes: jazz, soft ballet shoes, tap, character, etc.
• Studio Warm-ups: You never know how much AC you will have, so bring some form-fitting layering warm-ups for in the studio and for covering up outside.
• Hairpins, ties, bun covers, hairnets, headbands, hairspray.
• Hip Alignment belt (some ballet programs prefer you have one)
• Manicure/Pedicure tools
• First Aid kit: Icy Hot or other sore muscle ointment, band aids, ace bandage, quick ice pack, heating pad
• Sewing kit
• Dance bag
• Water bottle
• Therabands
• Music playing device and headphones (include chargers)
• Power bars and other healthy snacks
• Laundry detergent: handwashing, or regular, depending on facilities
• Yoga or Pilates Mat
• Toe tape, toe separators, gel toes, toe pads and other point shoe accessories (some of these are good choices for other dance shoes, too!)
• Drying rack or cording to line-dry your hand-washables
• Make-up (for performances and everyday, if so inclined)
• Toiletries and a shower bucket to transport them
• Towels
• Pillow
• Alarm clock and a watch
• Camera
• Book, craft, knitting, playing cards, something quiet to do after curfew or in between classes to wind down.
• The most comfortable walking shoes you own. No time to try out cute new shoes that will give you blisters. Give your feet a rest!

Luxery comfort suggestions available in our shop:

• Happy Feet Foot Scrub
• THE-Footstretcher
• Bloch warm-up booties