Your pointe shoes want you to watch this video. (darning, shellac, dead shoes and more).

Chapters:
0:00 intro

0:35 DARNING
1:10 Step 1: Plan it Out
1:48 Step 2: Blanket Stitch
3:30 Step 3: Fine-tuning

4:13 SHELLAC

5:10 FINAL TOUCHES
5:44 Seamless Frankenstein
6:52 Stretchy Ribbon

7:30 final results!
7:47 final thoughts
8:26 outro

Here are a ton of techniques that helped me "figure out" my pointe shoes. I do this with my old shoes to make them last literally months (disclaimer, I like softer shoes and rotate 4+ pairs of shoes at a time, so results may vary) and with brand new shoes (I can never go back to wearing them unmodified, straight-from-the-box). I picked up all these bits and pieces over time from other youtube videos and from trying things out myself, so I wanted to share this information in a centralized, concise video that other dancers could go to. I hope that whoever manages to find this video finds it helpful!

Links for things I use!

Crochet thread (I use the color "natural"):

Shellac (there is spray on and regular, I used spray on but regular gets the same results. Just apply with a sponge or a brush):

Bloch Stretch Satin Ribbon (I AM SO SAD the big roll is not on the website anymore since I started editing this video, I hope they are just temporarily sold out or something but it's not there and I am panicking because I love that ribbon and I am almost done with my roll. They still have the single packs on the website so here is the link to those ;-;)

Credit where credit is due:

Music:
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op.48 by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
University of Chicago Orchestra (orchestra)
Barbara Schubert (conductor)
Publisher: Chicago: University of Chicago Symphony
Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 3.0

P.I. Tchalkovsky - Themes ad Variations - II. Scherzo
Creative Commons, Public domain. From Museopen

[the_muse]

If you have any topics you want me to cover in a video let me know :)

[anissa]

i have to say, this video is incredibly well made !! The animations, the editing, the explications. I can’t wait to see more videos from you !

[Bolshevik_muppet]

I’ve never been a dancer, but do a considerable amount of hand sewing. I highly recommend getting a thimble instead of using the theraband. A lot of people think the purpose of a thimble is to keep from pricking your fingers, but they’re actually for helping push the needle through, and it’s a lot easier on your hands than having to grip the needle so tightly.

[vizelleG]

Omg as a dancer that does pointe, this is the most amazing video I’ve seen about pointe. Keep doing what you’re doing!

[AlottaBoulchit]

I'm not a dancer and will probably never be en pointe in my life but I absolutely love watching content about ballet shoes. It's amazing all the work that you awesome artists put into your shoes to get them just right! I admire ballerinas so much for your dedication to your art. This was a wonderful video and heck the ending kinda made me tear up a bit? It's just nice to see worn shoes given extended life. Much love! 💖

[kayarosselle]

Additional Darning Tips!
- You can use either cotton yarn (don’t use acrylic it’s too squishy) or thin rope made for macramé to bulk up my shoes when darning.
- Jet glue the darning if you want it to be hard like your pointe shoe and last much longer! although make sure you rub the darning on concrete so it’s smooth!
- Using a awl will save your fingers, time and needles! I never have broken a needle or had a hard time getting one through bc i use a awl before I darn!

[katnickel]

This was very well done and so informative. I will for sure use these tips for my shoes. :)

[Shaaydiia]

I’m 17 and I’m just now being able to get my first pointe shoes and I can’t say how excited I am for being able to watch “how to’s” on fixing/ “amplifying” pointe shoes and actually being able to do these things on a pare of my own.

By the way, I love your editing!! 🤍

[ximenatoro]

PLEASE keep making ballet videos, you're so talented in the editing process and you explain everything so good!
thanks for sharing this with us <3

[Lakotajo]

Someone needs to have Josephine from the Point Shop. Brilliant! Better for your pocketbook and the planet! Thank you

[petitluna]

Absolutely LOVE the video! The aesthetic, the editing, the VoiceOver, everything ughhh 😍😍😍 I’m not en pointe YET, but I’ll definitely save this video for when the big day comes. I’m 17 and just got back to ballet after 4 years of dancing and 4 more years of being sedentary lol. Got back into doing what I love ❤️

[tashaboyer]

This is the best pointe video I've seen! You have a true talent for editing. Thanks so much for the tips.

[JenInOz]

as an almost 60 year old first time en pointe dancer, I hope my shoes get to the stage of needing any of this.

[lisianemoro]

This is the Best pointe shoes video I’ve ever seen! So helpful. Thank you!!!

[avenginggoddess]

I'm not even a ballet dancer, and I find this fascinating!

[saracarvalho]

Fantastic job :) Would love to see more! One of the things I wish I'd known when starting pointe is how much of a game changer padding can be (and how NOT to go overboard with it). If you have padding tricks and tips that would be a fantastic addition. Either way - keep going!

[zixiong]

it's so incredible that this is your first video and it's already so amazing!! thank you for all the tips 🥰🥰

[Skloopert]

As a person who did ballet once when I was four and have never used pointe shoes before I found this very helpful

[leilanitirta]

I swear this is the BEST pointe shoes hack video Thank you so much for this!

[kaylac]

The production quality is incredible! Thanks for the video