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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think ballet shoes are a right faff

21 replies

Sassyfrassy · 13/02/2009 20:09

DD (4) has started ballet classes. It's nice and quite informal, only half an hour a week and as she really enjoys it we thought we'd get her the proper kit to wear. Now ballet shoes apparently are kinda assembled at home.. so I've spent an hour researching how to sew on the elastic bands and dd has been prancing around in the shoes trying it out. And I'm still not sure if I've done it right or not.... I swear it's my punishment for having been a tomboy.. I'm guessing that it just gets worse though if she sticks with it.

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 13/02/2009 20:10

Wait til she has the ones with ribbons, you'll be longing for the elastic!

ZoeC · 13/02/2009 20:12

Ooh I always hated sewing the elastic on, I didn't have a thimble and more than once the needle pushed back through my skin rather than through the leather of the shoe.

TheFallenMadonna · 13/02/2009 20:13

Don't you just sew the elastic across the top? Am I missing something?

ZoeC · 13/02/2009 20:15

I was always told to sew it to the leather, just under the band that the draw-string bit goes through. Have to miss that else you can't tighten them. I was also told very precisely where the proper place to sew them was although my sewing isn't accurate enough for that level of precision

SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore · 13/02/2009 20:18

You can buy them with the elastic already sewn on you know?

these are the ones dd1 wants

I also hate sewing elastic on.

cory · 13/02/2009 21:12

I never do this- I get dh to do it! Problem solved

blueshoes · 13/02/2009 21:43

I think sewing the elastic onto ballet shoes does not hold a candle to the 100s of name tags I have sewn onto dd's all the different bits and pieces that make dd's school uniform.

cory · 13/02/2009 21:44

But the elastic has to be placed just right at just the right tension. I can manage the name tags- but ballet shoes are definitely a job for dh!

squeaver · 13/02/2009 21:45

Yes it's yet another one of things to add to my list of "things I never, ever imagined I'd be doing".

blueshoes · 13/02/2009 21:54

Why is that difficult, cory? A quick fitting and a pencil does the trick, then needle and thread.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 13/02/2009 21:57

Oh yeah- I don't do sewing at all, but the woman in the shop told me that you fold the back of the shoe forward, and where it meets the sides of the shoe is where you sew the elastic.

If I can manage it, anyone can (although having said that, the elastic on both dd's ballet shoes is stitched on with surgical (simple interrupted) sutures, as it's the only type of stitching I know . But shhh...noone has noticed yet!!

castille · 13/02/2009 21:59

Oh I agree, getting the tension and the placing right is a total pain.

My DD's have 2 pieces of elastic crossed over the front so it takes twice as long.

merryandmad · 13/02/2009 21:59

I am ashamed to admit my dd1 has been doing ballet for over a year and I haven't actually sewn the elastic onto the shoe yet
The elastic and the matching cotton that I brought especially for the job are sitting in a kitchen cupboard.
It has now got to the point that I think she will be needing new ones soon, so I will sew those instead

musicposy · 13/02/2009 22:07

Wait until she gets onto pointe! You have to darn the bottom of the wretched things round and round in a cirlce, covering the whole block with a chain stitch....it takes about 5 hours, no kidding....plus the ribbons, her teacher insists, have to be sewn on with blanket stitch to take the strain .

Believe me it only gets worse!

And for what it's worth no, YANBU. I don't think it would be too much to ask in this day and age that these things should come ready done!

ilovemydogandMrObama · 13/02/2009 22:11

Got a friend to sew on the elastic! Isn't it supposed to go where the crease of the heel touches side of the shoe/slipper?

psychomum5 · 13/02/2009 22:13

I love our dance teacher......she buys the ones with the elastic sewn in now

altho sewing the ribbon in is a mare, and as for the pointe shoes.................THEY are hell!

castille · 13/02/2009 22:16

Thanks for the warning... I'll be teaching DD to sew properly before we get to the pointe stage then!

musicposy · 13/02/2009 22:23

I think getting DD to do it herself is certainly the next logical step

Joolyjoolyjoo · 13/02/2009 22:38

Haha- hopefully my dds will have moved onto rugby or karate before reaching the dizzy heights of the dreaded pointe shoes!!!!

Original poster
Sassyfrassy · 13/02/2009 22:59

Crikey, I now realise I've sewn the darn elastic on wrong! I've sewn it on near the sole of the shoe instead of just under the band. I wonder if it will make any difference during her half hour of dancing around pretending to be a duck or whatnot. Am definately not redoing it tonight.

I can't help but think that the shops that sell the shoes should do it for you =)

OP posts:
blueshoes · 14/02/2009 09:04

I have now decided to move my dd onto to contemporary dance before it is too late ...

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