How to Tie Ribbons on Ballet Slippers

Ballet is a graceful art, and dancing en pointe is the dream of every little girl who takes ballet. The ribbons on ballet slippers make the dancer’s feet and ankles look slender and beautiful. However, the ribbons are much more than a pretty part of a ballet costume. They serve a more important purpose, that of safety. Loose or poorly tied ribbons can cause the shoe to slip, which could lead to a nasty fall.

Ballet slippers need first of all to be well fitted. They are fitted more snugly than normal shoes, with the toes coming to the end of the slipper. This is also for safety: a shoe that is too long can cause the dancer to trip and possibly fall.

There are several ways to tie ballet shoe ribbons. Here are instructions for two of them. (The photographs shown here show the foot en pointe; however, this is just to make it easier to see. )

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ballet shoes with elastic and ribbons already attached

1. Slide the shoe onto the foot. There is a drawstring running around the top of the ballet slipper; tie this firmly and tuck under the shoe to hide it.

2. 
   bring ribbon across the front and around the ankle

   In this method you will wrap one ribbon at a time. First, take the outside ribbon and bring it smoothly across the instep, around the back, and to the outside of your ankle; slide it through itself on the side and bring around to the back. (Some people prefer to tie the inside ribbon first; it is your choice.)

3. 
   Repeat with the inside ribbon

   Next, bring the inside ribbon across the instep, to the back and around again, just as you did with the first ribbon but without threading it through an existing wrap.

4. 
   tying ribbons

   Tie ribbons firmly in a double knot on the side between the tendon and the ankle bone, being careful not to tie it directly over either of these. There is a little dent in your ankle that makes a perfect spot.

5. Tuck the ends neatly under the ribbon.

6. Some people prefer to tie both ribbons at once. For this method, hold a ribbon in each hand; cross the ribbons across the front of the ankle. Bring ribbons smoothly around to the back, cross, bring back around the front, cross, bring to the back again. Tie ribbons firmly in a hard knot. Some dancers prefer to thread one of the ribbons through itself on the side; this makes it easier to hold while you are wrapping the ribbons.

Tips & Warnings

• To make knot even more secure, you can dampen it with water (be sure not to get the shoes wet) or tack it with a needle and thread.
• Do not tie the ribbons in a bow! Be sure the knot is firmly tied.
• Ribbons should be smooth and snug.