JEANNE TEACHES DANCE

I received some questions this week about sewing and prepping shoes, so I'll attempt to answer those and include some additional information.  During the week of September 1st-5th, I will be spending the first half of class making sure everyone knows how to sew their shoes, but here are some pointers for how it's done. Elastic and Ribbons Elastic should be 3/4" wide.  Dancewear stores will typically give you enough to sew one elastic per shoe, unless you specify that you wish to "criss-cross" your elastics, in which case, you'll need double the amount. Criss-crossing can help if you find that the heel of the shoe is slipping off with only one. Be advised that dance elastic is much stronger than what you will find at your local fabric store, and more readily comes in pointe shoe-appropriate colors.  Melting the edges of your cut elastics will prevent fabric fraying, but don't let the elastic actually touch the flame--burnt elastic smells pretty nasty. 

Next month a whole new crop of my students will be getting their first pair of pointe shoes--a sacred event for every ballet student, when she can finally call a pair of those mysterious and magical, petal-peach shoes her own.  In honor of this event, I'm posting a few more videos to supplement everyone's pointe education. Enjoy! Visit the Grishko factory and see how one of the most popular Russian brands of shoes are made. Three ballerinas from the Australian Ballet discuss their individual shoe preparation. Freed of London shows you the production process of handmade shoes.

A little something to brighten your day --may it inspire you to reach new heights.