Sewing Pointe Shoes: A Beautiful First Step Into a New Chapter

There’s nothing quite like the moment a dancer brings home their very first pair of pointe shoes. The excitement, the pride, the sparkle in their eyes — it’s a milestone families remember for years. But alongside the thrill comes a new responsibility: preparing those shoes for class.

At Encore, we see this stage as more than a technical task. Sewing elastics and ribbons is a small but meaningful rite of passage. It teaches dancers independence, care, and respect for the tools that support their training. And for parents, it’s a chance to step into a new role — not doing the work for them, but guiding them through it with calm encouragement.

This blog post walks dancers and families through the why behind sewing pointe shoes, along with clear steps and supportive tips to make the process feel manageable and empowering.

Why Sewing Matters

Pointe shoes aren’t just footwear — they’re equipment. And like any piece of equipment, they need to be customized to the dancer who will use them.

Learning to sew elastics and ribbons teaches dancers to:

• Take ownership of their training

• Understand how their shoes support their technique

• Build confidence through hands‑on problem‑solving

• Care for their tools with pride

It’s a foundational part of becoming a safe, capable pointe dancer.

A Note for Parents

If your dancer is ready for pointe, they’re ready to take on the responsibility of sewing their own elastics and ribbons. These are their tools, and learning to care for them is part of staying safe and keeping their shoes in working condition.

It might be difficult to watch them struggle through the sewing process — and that’s completely normal. But this challenge is part of their growth as both a dancer and a young person. Your role as a calm, supportive supervisor (not the primary sewer!) will be invaluable.

Why Elastic? Why Ribbon?

Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand what each component does.

Elastic: Correct elastic style supports the dancer’s foot safely and prevents slipping or strain.

Ribbon: Proper ribbon placement secures the heel of the shoe to the foot, ensuring stability and preventing slipping while dancing.

Together, they create the snug, supportive fit that makes pointe work possible.

Step-by-Step: Preparing Pointe Shoes at Home

Here’s a simplified overview of the process dancers will follow.

(Click HERE for Encore Studios' guide "How to Sew Elastics & Ribbon on Pointe Shoes" which includes full photos and detailed instructions.)

1. Choose the Elastic Style

There are three common styles — Criss‑Cross, Loop, and Band — each offering different types of support. Your ballet teacher will recommend the best option for your dancer’s foot and experience level.

2. Measure the Elastic

Each style requires a slightly different measurement method. The key is ensuring the elastic is snug but not tight — too much tension can cause discomfort or injury.

3. Sew the Elastic

This is where dancers begin to feel the pride of doing it themselves. Folding the heel forward helps them find the correct placement. Each end is pinned, then sewn securely with double stitching.

4. Mark the Ribbon Placement

By folding the heel toward the toe, dancers can mark the perfect angle for their ribbons — a small detail that makes a big difference in comfort and stability.

5. Prepare and Sew the Ribbons

Ribbons are cut, pinned shiny‑side out, and sewn in a rectangle shape. The goal is to secure the heel of the shoe, not just the sides. Once both ends are attached, the ribbon is cut into two pieces and trimmed on an angle to prevent fraying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced dancers slip up sometimes. Here are the big ones to watch for:

• Sewing through the drawstring casing

• Elastics that are too tight

• Ribbons sewn too low or too high

• Twisted ribbons

• Not leaving enough ribbon inside the shoe

Catching these early saves time — and sore feet.

Teacher Check Required

Before your dancer steps into class with their newly prepared shoes, a ballet teacher must check the elastics and ribbons. This ensures safety, proper fit, and confidence for that exciting first class en pointe.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Sewing pointe shoes can feel intimidating at first — for dancers and parents alike. But with patience, guidance, and a little practice, it becomes a meaningful part of the journey. Every stitch is a reminder of how far your dancer has come and how much they’re ready to take on.

This is the beginning of a new chapter. And we’re honoured to walk alongside your family as your dancer steps into this next stage of their training.

Why Continuing Dance in Post‑Secondary Matters

As our dancers grow up and move into high school, university, and beyond, one question comes up again and again:  

“Is it realistic to keep dancing once school gets harder?”

We reached out to several Encore alumni—now graduates, professionals, and parents themselves—to reflect on how dance shaped their lives. Their answers were remarkably consistent: dance didn’t just fit into their busy schedules… it supported them through some of the most demanding years of their education.

What Dance Meant to Them Growing Up

When asked what feelings they associate with their childhood dance classes, alumni shared words like:

• Joy, strength, happiness
• Responsibility, commitment, belonging
• Stress relief and emotional expression
• Creativity, imagination, freedom
• Fulfillment and passion

For many, dance was the place where they made lifelong friends, felt safe to express themselves, and
created memories that carried them through difficult seasons of life.

Dancing Through High School: Why It Helped

Every alum who continued dancing in high school described it as beneficial, often in ways they didn’t fully appreciate until later:

• Confidence and self‑esteem grew as they mastered new skills.
• Physical activity came naturally, even for those who didn’t enjoy gym class.
• Time management improved because they learned to balance classes, rehearsals, and academics.
• Stress relief became essential during exam seasons.
• Friendships deepened and provided a supportive community.
• Discipline and responsibility developed through consistent training.

One alum put it perfectly:
“Dance taught me that I could be responsible, maintain my grades, and still do something I loved. Those time‑management skills carried me through university and into my career.”

Dancing in University or College: A Lifeline, Not a Burden

Every alum who danced in post‑secondary said the same thing:
Dance made school easier, not harder.

Here’s how:

• A built‑in stress outlet during heavy academic weeks
• A supportive community when school felt overwhelming
• A way to stay active without needing to schedule workouts
• A creative escape that helped them reset mentally
• A sense of identity beyond their program or grades
• A part‑time job for those who taught dance—often paying better and requiring fewer hours than other student jobs

One dancer even shared that teaching dance paid her entire way through university.

Another said:
“I came back to dance during university because I missed it so much. It felt like coming home.”

The Two Big Concerns: Time and Cost

…and Why They’re Not Barriers After All

1. “They won’t have time.”

Students who dance often manage their time better than those who don’t.
Dance provides structure, routine, and a healthy break from studying—making it easier to stay focused and productive.

2. “We can’t afford both university and dance.”

Many dancers offset costs by teaching, assisting, or working in the dance world.
But even without teaching, one or two classes a week still provide all the major benefits:

• Reduced stress
• Improved mental health
• Physical fitness
• A positive social environment
• A creative outlet
• Stronger academic performance

And yes—studies show that dancers often score higher on exams than their non‑dancing peers.

Why Dance Supports Academic Success

Dance uniquely strengthens both the body and the brain. It:

• Engages both hemispheres of the brain, improving memory and learning
• Reduces stress through movement and expression
• Builds confidence and emotional resilience
• Improves kinesthetic intelligence and body awareness
• Creates mental structure that supports organization and time management
• Enhances overall quality of life—students feel healthier, happier, and more grounded

We’ve seen dancers complete demanding degrees—medicine, physiotherapy, engineering, education, and more—while still dancing every week.

The Bottom Line

As students get older, they need:

• Structure
• Exercise
• Stress relief
• Social connection
• A place where they feel confident and supported

Dance provides all of that in one place.

Whether it’s one class a week or a full schedule, keeping dance in their lives helps students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially—and it keeps them connected to something they genuinely love.

Why We Sometimes Lock the Front Door: A Commitment to Student Safety and Operational Care

At Encore Studios, every decision we make is rooted in care—for our students, our families, and our team. One question we occasionally hear is: Why is the front door sometimes locked during business hours? The answer is simple: it's about safety, security, and operational efficiency.

Let’s break it down.

🔒 Safety First: Protecting Our Students and Staff

Like many businesses, we may lock one side of our double-door entrance or temporarily secure the front door when staff are away from the desk. This isn’t about being unwelcoming—it’s about being protective of all who attend Encore Studios.

• Controlled Access: By limiting entry points, we can better monitor who comes in and out, ensuring that only authorized individuals are on the premises. When staff step away to restock, clean, or assist in a classroom, locking the door ensures no one enters unattended.
• Staff & Student Protection: If a student or staff member is alone in the lobby, a locked door can provide an added layer of security, especially if someone suspicious is lingering outside. 
• Theft Prevention: A locked door helps deter “grab-and-run” incidents and ensures that no one can enter unnoticed when staff are assisting students elsewhere in the building.

🛠️ Environmental Efficiency: Supporting a Comfortable Climate

• Climate Control: Keeping one door locked reduces drafts and helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside—important for dancers and families alike.

📣 Clear Communication: Keeping You in the Loop

We know that a locked door can feel confusing if you’re not expecting it, and that’s why we are providing clarity with this message.  In most cases its simply a matter of waiting for a few minutes in the vestibule until a staff member returns to the lobby.  At other times, you'll see a sign with instructions on who to call or message se we can promptly let you in.

At the heart of it all, locking the front door isn’t about closing you out—it’s about keeping everyone inside safe, supported, and seen. Thank you for understanding and for being part of a community that values care in every detail.

Let us know if you have questions or suggestions—we’re always listening.

💫 10 Things You Didn’t Realize Your Encore Studios Dance Teacher Does…

Behind every graceful leap and confident smile on stage is a team of passionate professionals working tirelessly to create confidence, creativity and community.

There’s so much more happening at Encore Studios than just dance steps...

1. 🍽️ Sacrificed Family Time

Encore dance teachers miss dinner with their families, and only get to tuck in their own children after long nights at the studio. Their dedication to your child’s growth often comes at personal cost.

2. 🕰️ Studio Family First

Encore teachers pour countless hours into building a supportive studio community to ensure your child feels seen, safe, and celebrated.

3. 💪 Pushing Through Pain

From old injuries to aching feet, dance teachers tend to push through physical discomfort to keep classes running. Their passion for sharing dance with your child outweighs the pain.

4. 😰 Sleepless Nights

Before competitions, exams, or recitals, Encore teachers worry just like parents do. They want every student to shine and often lose sleep making sure everything is just right.

5. 🎭 Creative Choreography

Choreography isn’t just steps—it’s artistic vision, clever patterning, and hours of planning. Every routine at Encore Studios is professionally crafted to challenge, inspire, and showcase each dancer’s progress.

6. 🎶 Endless Music Scouting

Encore Studios teachers spend hours combing through music libraries to find the perfect song that is age appropriate, emotionally impactful, and inspirational for both the dancer & the audience.  The song must also support the choreography that will make each dancer shine.

7. ✂️ Painstaking Music Editing

Found the perfect song? Great—except it’s five minutes long 🙄😬.  Encore teachers spend hours editing tracks to fit choreography while making it sound seamless and professional.

8. 👗 Costume Coordination

Each season involves selecting 50+ unique costumes that are age-appropriate, affordable, and loved by students. Ordering, sizing, and delivery? That’s a full-time job in itself.

9. 💬 Relentless Encouragement

They challenge your child to grow—physically and emotionally. Every correction, cheer, and passionate pep talk is rooted in a desire to help students become their best selves.

10. ❤️ Gratitude for You

Teachers at Encore Studios are deeply thankful for every family that walks through their doors. They love what they do, and they love sharing that joy with your child.

✨ At Encore Studios, your tuition supports more than just dance classes—it fuels a community built on passion, care, and excellence.  To learn more about our programs and philosophy, visit www.encoreperformer.com.

6 Benefits of Dance Performance Participation

 

What is my child getting out of this performance experience?

As a parent, you may be wondering "what is so important about this performance?"  Especially given that we are in a global pandemic.  Does it really matter if your child has a video performance?  What's the big deal?

Excellent question! 

Here is a short list of why any type of performing arts experience is critical for your child not to miss out on, and why each performance experience can be so valuable for their personal development. 

 

1.       Performance participation provides achievable goals

Just as athletes have tournaments and games, dancers and artists have shows & recitals!  When a student knows they will be showing their moves off to family and friends, it gives them a bit of extra motivation to work a little bit harder.  Performing is the highlight of the dancer’s experience.  It is a celebration of their work  and the pride they feel in accomplishing this goal is a real confidence-booster! 

2.        Performance participation promotes social cooperation (teamwork)

The dances are performed as a class.  Even though dance class encourages the development of the individual, performances promote working together toward a common goal.  Camaraderie is a skill that will help the student in school, career, and family life.  Students also learn patience, listening, and leadership skills as they help each other with learning and practicing the steps.  (This is also why dance classes usually result in the making of friendships that last a lifetime!)

3.        Performance participation helps kids overcome anxieties

Dancers tend to feel safer about performing because they get to do it in a group.  There group gives them a sense of empowerment over the nervous feeling.  Before they know it, their performance is complete and they overcame any fear they had experienced. The gratifying comments of pride from parents and peers will strengthen that sense of confidence.  This positive experience will encourage bravery and courage when they face other types of obstacles and challenges in life. 

4.        Performance participation promotes memorization skills

Learning how to memorize is a highly-recommended skill for future professional opportunities.  If your child can have the ability to absorb and retain the steps of their dance, they are building skills towards a successful future without even realizing it.  Actually, they are probably just having fun, which is the best way to learn!

5.        Performance participation builds problem-solving skills

Things don’t always go easily, or as planned.  This is true in life, and in dance!  Learning how to overcome unexpected challenges is one of the many benefits of participating in the performing arts.  Whether it be how to deal with a lost costume piece, or figuring out how to remember to go left instead of right, dealing with the unexpected and working through to viable solutions is very beneficial for students of all ages (and parents too…did you think you were off the hook on this learning curve? Lol).

6.        Performance participation creates moments of celebration and lifelong memories

For families, these performances are an opportunity to celebrate their child’s achievements in dance.  For dancers, the recital is a positive experience that instills a passion for the performing arts and, in turn, a passion for lifelong learning. The costumes and pictures then become valuable keepsakes of a special time for all involved.

Although the thought of taking class and participating in a performance during a pandemic may seem overwhelming at first, the benefits of performance participation are incredible for your child!  And childhood is short.  Your child deserves the full experience.  Before you know it, time will pass and the opportunities to pass on these experiences will have passed too.  

At Encore Studios, we are proud to offer programs that we know are positively impacting the lives of children & their families during these trying and uncertain times.  Our amazing programs are keeping childhood experiences accessible and safe TODAY and will continue to do so through any phase of public health.  Thank you for  supporting our small business and your child's development through dance & performing arts.

An interview with a few Alumni of Encore Studios - Why it is important to keep dance in your child's life as they get older

As we head towards the finish line of our 15th season, we thought we'd touch base with some of our past students about how taking dance classes has shaped their lives.  

What feelings do you associate with dance lessons from your youth?

Alumni #1:  Joy, strength

Alumni #2:  Happiness, responsibility, stress relief, commitment, belonging,

Alumni #3:  Happiness. Those classes allowed me to make happy memories even if I was having a hard time in other aspects of life.

Alumni #4:  fun, friends, creativity, expression

Alumni #5:  Happiness, fulfillment, passion

Alumni #6:  Happiness, freedom, imagination, discipline, creativity

Did you dance in High School? How was that beneficial?

#1:  Yes. It was beneficial in that I made a lot of great friends, it helped my self esteem. It kept me active. I was not good at gym and dance allowed me to stay healthy

#2:  Yes. Kept me active, continued friendships that had been formed earlier, gave me a way to de-stress

#3:  I danced throughout my 4 years of high school and it helped keep me focused and helped teach me discipline, along with keeping me active! :)

#4:  I danced all through high school. It taught me to be self disciplined and responsible- to do both dance and maintain my grades was absolutely possible and I believe it gave me time management skills that were incredibly beneficial in university and my career. In addition, it was my escape from the stresses of high school life. I could leave it all at the door of the studio!

#5:  Yes - about 15 hrs/wk. Dance taught me to be poised, to handle challenges, to be disciplined and helped with my confidence in public speaking, self-expression and juggling priorities.

#6:  No! But so many regrets that I stopped before I started high school.

Did you dance while in post-secondary education? How was that beneficial?

#1:  Yes. It was like high school in that I made a lot of friends and it kept me physically active

#2:  Yes. Great way to stay connected to friends, stress relieving, kept me active

#3:  Yes, throughout my post secondary education I have continued to dance and be apart of the dance community. It has helped me de-stress during busy times at school and it has helped me express myself and focus my emotions during tough times

#4:  I taught and took classes all through my post secondary career. In fact, dance paid my way through university! I was able to work at a job that I thoroughly enjoyed and allowed me to work less hrs per week, which was possible because I committed through high school and was able to become an instructor as a result.

#5:  Yes - see above, but also dance provided an outlet for my stress, an extra support system of people I loved and a part-time job that I absolutely adored.

#6:  Yes! That’s when I came back to dance. I missed it so much. It felt great to come back.

Why Students Should Keep Dancing Through Exam Week

While we've touched on this subject before, it seems appropriate to talk about it again in light of the impending recital season corresponding with high school finals.  

Someone recently sent me an article from The Telegraph from April of this year:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2019/04/24/children-should-not-stop-playing-sport-run-exams-has-no-impact/amp/.  The article states that parents should not stop children from playing sport (or dance) in the run up to exams because it has no impact on the exam results.  The findings of the study conducted through Huddersfield University said that not only did participating in sport (or dance) not have any negative effect on exam results, participation actually has a lot of positive results for students.

The study found that those students who remained active during exams were happier, psychologically healthier, less anxious and more resilient and robust.  Active students learn to balance their time better to accommodate both sport and learning.  Here is just one way we've found that helps to make this a reality:

We suggest that students put the exam material on cue cards and carry them at all times.  Then whenever there is down time such as riding the bus, waiting in line, or waiting for their turn to perform, the student can pull out the cue cards and do some studying.

The cue cards are effective because they allow for frequent repetition of exam content.  Reviewing material in smaller portions more often really helps with retention.  

It is natural that parents and students be concerned that dancing too much will take away from their (child's) ability to do well academically.  However, after many years of observing dancers, we find for the most part that students who keep dance in their life have more success at school.  Here are a few reasons why:

• Dance is the only activity that works both sides of your brain, which helps to expand knowledge as well as memorization skills
• Dance reduces stress levels because it is a form of exercise as well as a form of expression
• Dance enhances the quality of life of a student as they are more fit and feel more confident
• Dance improves kinesthetic intelligence
• Dance gives structure in a student's mind, making it easier for them to manage their time and complete assignments in a timely manner

And if those reasons aren't enough, did you know that the average dancer gets 30% higher on their exams than the average student who doesn't dance?!

So get out your cue cards and plan your time wisely during the upcoming recital and exam weeks - participating in both is not doing any harm and is actually doing good!