How To Make Ballerina Shoes

Ballet slippers, usually made from leather for women and canvas for men, are easily found at dance stores for less than $20. However, if you're a do-it-yourselfer, you can make your child her own pair of ballet slippers with a few simple items. Keep in mind that making these slippers yourself may take longer than similar do-it-yourself projects.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Moleskin
• Needle
• Thread (or sewing machine)
• Canvas
• Pencil
• Pins

Making Ballet Slippers

1. Measure your child's foot from heel to toe. Also measure the foot from 3 inches or so above the heel, wrap it under the sole of the foot, bring it under the sole of the foot, over the toes and stop at the second knuckle of the big toe. Add about 1/2 inches for hemming.

2. Purchase a piece of canvas (black, white and pink are most popular). Cut a square large enough to wrap around your child's foot. Have your child step in the square and wrap it around her foot. Draw a line with a pencil about where the slipper will stop (typically at about the second knuckle on the big toe, an inch on the sides and about 2 to 3 inches on the heel).

3. Cut out the shoe. Set it aside.

4. Measure your child's foot from heel to toe. Draw the sole of the shoe on a piece of moleskin the same size as your child's foot.

5. Place your canvas back on your child's foot. Have your child sit in a chair and hold the canvas while you fit the moleskin to the bottom of the slipper. Pin the moleskin in place carefully.

6. Sew the moleskin in place by stitching it around the outside of the moleskin.

7. Take a piece of 5/8 inch elastic. Fold it into the top of the canvas toward the inside of the slipper, where your child's foot will go. Sew the canvas together around the elastic. It may be easier to make a cut at the heel, sew in the elastic and then attach the heel together with a simple vertical stitch.

8. Fit the ballet slipper to your child's foot. Add ribbons or elastic across the top of the foot to make the shoe fit snugly.

References

• Make Your Own Ballet Slippers