How to Attach Elastics to Ballet Shoes

   Dance First Ballet Shoe with cross over elastic

On quality ballet shoes the elastics are often left unstitched on one end to ensure proper fit.

Instructions for stitching the ends of Cross-over Elastics:

1. Put the shoe on the foot and pull the elastic draw string until firm and tie in a bow.
2. Cross the elastic straps over the arch of the foot. The elastics should be just forward of the arch. Pull the elastics so they are just firm and mark on the inside of the lining with a pencil where the elastics are to be attached. Mark the elastic with the pencil were it sits on the binding of the shoe.
3. Take the shoe off and pin the elastics to the shoe lining using safety pins.
4. Try shoe on again and ensure it feels firm and comfortable.
5. Take the shoes off and turn the back end of the shoe inside-out. There should be approx. 2 cm of elastic to stitch to the lining of the shoe.
6. Thread a needle. Leave the thread doubled and tie a not in the end.
7. Begin stitching on one side of the elastic at the shoe binding (be careful not to stitch through the draw string elastic). Stitch (preferably a Slip Stitch) all the way down one side, across the bottom edge, and up the other side of the elastic, being careful to stitch only through the shoe lining.
8. When you reach the top of elastic on the other side continue to stitch (preferably a Running Stitch) across the very top of the binding, again being careful not to stitch through the draw string elastic.
9. Tie a knot to finish the stitching.

Shoe with completed stitching. Note: The heel of the shoe is turned inside-out for ease of stitching.

Instructions for Stitching the Ends of Single Elastics:

Dance First Canvas Ballet Shoe with Single Elastics

1. For single elastic straps ensure the elastic is placed just back from the centre of the arch. This will ensure the shoe is held up in the arch and that the back of the shoe is held on the heel.
2. Put the shoe on the foot and pull the elastic draw string until firm and tie in a bow.
3. Pull the elastics so they are just firm and mark on the inside of the lining with a pencil where the elastics are to be attached. Mark the elastic with the pencil were it sits on the binding of the shoe.
4. Take the shoe off and pin the elastics to the shoe lining using safety pins.
5. Try shoe on again and ensure it feels firm and comfortable.
6. Take the shoes off and turn the back end of the shoe inside-out. There should be approx. 2 cm of elastic to stitch to the lining of the shoe.
7. Thread a needle. Leave the thread doubled and tie a not in the end.
8. Begin stitching on one side of the elastic at the shoe binding (be careful not to stitch through the draw string elastic). Stitch (preferably a Slip Stitch) all the way down one side, across the bottom edge, and up the other side of the elastic, being careful to stitch only through the shoe lining.
9. When you reach the top of elastic on the other side continue to stitch (preferably a Running Stitch) across the very top of the binding, again being careful not to stitch through the draw string elastic.
10. Tie a knot to finish the stitching.