The materials used to create the ribbons play an important role. Choosing the right kind of fabric will affect the way they help you dance, and also the way you look. Stretchy fabrics work the best, as they will align your foot the right way and will keep the shoe where it’s supposed to be. The material should also bend and flex very well while keeping its form for a long time. Durability will also be affected, and you surely want something that will stay the same for at least one dancing season. Finally, the way that fabric looks is also important - glossy, smooth ribbons are the best as they enhance the elegant look ballet dancers go after.

Let’s first talk about nylon. You use this material repeatedly every day, probably without knowing it. When you slide into stockings, when you protect yourself from rain, or when you brush your teeth - you have nylon to thank for. You probably have heard the term nylon before, but have you stopped to think what exactly is nylon? How can this versatile material be good both as tough bristles and as soft, sleek socks? Nylon is just a term for manmade fabrics that can be manipulated into many different shapes and textures.

Nylon is made out of plastic, with very long molecules consisted out of short, repeating areas of atoms. These molecules can be mixed with a huge variety of substances to achieve different textures, properties, and looks. Nylon was first introduced in the 1930s when one company wanted to find a good alternative to silk. This experimentation lasted a good nine years, under the guidance of an experienced chemist. Dr. Wallace Crothers and his team ended up with two products: neoprene, a rubber we have all heard about before without a doubt, which found its use during WW2 and the other substance was a white, elastic paste with a lot of strength, which later became nylon. Five years later, the prototype of nylon saw the light of day, with everything good nylon boasts today.

The production of this material required a lot of hands, and so many job opportunities were created, helping people out of the Great Depression. Commercial production began in 1939, and the rest is history. The chemist had an excellent marketing strategy, making it seem like nylon was stronger than steel yet lighter than a feather. They sold out most of the stockings within hours of opening their stores! People did not trust synthetic fabrics so much, so they had to create an outstanding campaign that would turn even the most stubborn of people. But, this ended up creating plenty of problems. Customers thought nylon would be superior to silk, stronger than steel and that it would never run.

Still, production rose and nylon was here to stay. At first, it was mostly used for military purposes, helping soldiers in the war. After that, civilians wanted more lingerie and stockings and expected a lot out of the manmade fabric. But, as we all know, the fabric snagged and tore open, created static electricity and lacked moisture management potential. The creators fixed this by mixing it with natural materials, like cotton, creating a great blend of both worlds.

We talked fun, now let’s talk science - how is nylon made? One strand is created by fusing two molecules of a certain kind of acid together. The polymer created this way is the most common type of nylon seen today, nylon-6,6. A large sheet of nylon is made this way, which is then chipped and shredded away and becomes the base material for plastic products. Textiles are made by melting these chips and then running them through wheels that have tiny holes all over them.

These holes create threads, and various diameters of holes are used to create fibers with varying thickness. So, this makes nylon lightweight and strong, resistant to any kind of abrasion. Nylon is also very easy to wash, and it dries very fast, in mere hours. Nylon, as opposed to cotton, does not shrink after being washed, and no wrinkles are made. Nylon is also water-proof, of course when the strands are thicker. But, as we mentioned, nylon can make sparks and shock you, it can’t hold much moisture in it, and if it catches fire, it will melt and create a world of trouble!

Spandex is our second material of choice. Also called Lycra or elastane, this is also a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional ability to stretch. One interesting tidbit is the fact that spandex is an anagram for expand! It was created when scientists wanted to replace rubber with something better. Spandex stretches so well thanks to the way it’s created. It has two types of molecules - long and short types. These molecules are scattered randomly throughout the fiber, and they stay that way when resting.

When the stretching force is applied, the long fibers expand up to 500% of their length, and when they reach their maximum potential they lock into position thanks to the short molecules. When this force is removed, they bounce back into place and retain their original shape, and that is what makes lycra so great! But, alas, spandex is not so durable, and it can cause irritation and allergies if you have sensitive skin. It works best when combined with different materials!

Last but not least, we have satin. Satin is a weave, with a glossy surface and a dull underside (but don’t worry, no one will see the dull backside of it anyway). This material is known for its sheen and high luster, and the way it feels like smooth silk when you touch it. All of this is achieved in the creation stage. Weft yarns float overwrap yarns, the floats being the part where these two types sit over each other. It’s thank to this floats that satin shines the way it does.

Satin is light and it breathes well, and it looks luxurious. But, the biggest drawback to satin is keeping it clean. It’s literally a dirt magnet, and it’s very tough to clean since it’s so fragile and absorbent! You need to use a mild soap and a cloth soaked in lukewarm water, and then you lightly tap the stain and cross your fingers. You must not machine wash it, as it will fall apart!

The way the ribbon wraps around the leg is important, as it can affect the overall comfort you will feel while dancing. Ribbons that sit the wrong way, that keep folding down and sliding around your leg will cause plenty of discomforts and will make you perform worse. And, you might even lose your flat in the process, and the flat is your most important tool! So, choosing a ribbon made the right way, that sits just right should be important.

The way the ribbon feels is affected by two things - the material they are made out of, and the way they are sewn, but we will talk about that later. The length can also be a factor. Short ribbons will be too tight, cutting off circulation and limiting the range of motion, while loose ribbons can slide down and cause a fall, or even injuries! Spandex will be the best here, as it will sit properly around your calves, without budging. But spandex doesn’t look so pretty, so a blend of satin and spandex should be the winning combination!

When you rely on something so much, whether it be for looks or for support, it’s logical that you expect it to be longlasting. These ribbons will stretch, bend and contort in ways both imaginable and not imaginable, and having them break and snap off while you perform would be a big problem! It might make you look silly, you can lose your shoes, and if the ribbons fall all the way down they can make a trap and cause you to lose your step and fall down! Performance is everything in ballet, and everything must go according to plan or the whole show will be in vain!

So, choosing durable ribbons should be a priority. But, how can you be sure the ribbon you have selected will last at least three plays? Firstly, look at the materials. As you may have noticed, a lot of the factors here boil down to the way the ribbons were made, which is why the right kind of fabric should be super important. Nylon feels nice to the touch and it looks sleek, but it snags easily and will not last a lot.

Spandex tears easily, and satin is very fragile. You might notice a pattern here, and you may wonder how can such fragile materials be used to create something durable? The answer lies in the magical combinations. When combined, these materials become exceptional and offer everything you desire, lasting for as long as your shoes do! Also, if the ribbon is sewn with the footwear the right way, it won’t tear away or become loose, increasing its lifespan even more!

If you are a beginner, or maybe even a dancer with some experience, we are sure you thought at least once about why are the ribbons there in the first place. What’s their use, do they have a purpose besides looking pretty? Well, we hope that after we explain some facts you will understand it better and that you won’t skip out on them!

Pointe shoes are secured onto the feet with two ribbons, which go over the feet and wrap around the ankles. These ribbons, usually pink to match the rest of the shoes, are thanks to tradition. No pointe shoe is complete without ribbons! The way these strands crisscross around the legs helps distribute the forces while you dance, and keeps your footwear secure around your heels.

You can also use a single strand of fabric, that then wraps around your legs. Besides securing the shoe on the heel, they also act as arch support. Dancers with a lot of experience always know the exact place, unique to them, to sew the ribbons to achieve maximum support and reduced slippage. The arch will also be prominent when supported that way, and it will be in the spotlight, making your feet look slimmer and daintier.

Adjusting the ribbons is the most important part, and this is achieved with the proper sewing technique. This is the first thing you should learn when it comes to pointe shoes. A lot of schools will require ribbons for exams, so you should come prepared. The more experienced you get, the more in tune you will become with your footwear and where to place the ribbons on them. Every foot is unique, so every dancer has a ribbon position that suits them the best. This ritual may be boring and tedious, but it is cherished and calming.

Ribbons can be either matte or glossy and should be one inch wide, and approximately twenty-two inches long. Some dancers like to burn the ends of the ribbons to keep them from unraveling. In time, you will discover the method for sewing that suits you the best, but we will now explain the basics behind it. First, you should fold down the heel of your shoe so it meets the insole. Mark the inside of the crease with a pencil, as this line will be the place where the back edge of the ribbon is placed.

When securing the ribbon with a pin, make sure that it overlaps the shoe by at least one inch. Using a sturdy thread (or even dental floss), sew the ribbon tightly to where you marked it, with whip stitches and running stitches going around in a square shape. If you want a neater look that is even more durable, fold the bottom end of the fabric so you sew through a thicker piece. If your shoes have a lining that is not attached to the rest of the shoe, sew them to the lining. If it’s bonded, only use running stitches. Make sure the thread material and color match with the rest of the shoe nicely!

Once they are sewn in, you should wrap them around your legs. Ribbons provide support but do not tighten them so much that they hurt your tendons or lower your range of motion. There are many ways to tie one's ribbon, but we will explain how it’s usually done. Place your feet flat on the ground, and grasp the inside of the fabric. Hold it firmly and then wrap it around your foot and the back of your ankle. Continue with this motion to the front of your ankle and back around, stopping at the inside of your ankle.

Now take the back ribbon and repeat these steps in the opposite direction, and meet it with the first ribbon, between the bone and the Achilles tendon. Never place the knot directly on the tendon, as it will cause pain and discomfort. Tightly tie the ribbons together in a double know (bows are not accepted), and tuck the loose ends. The know should not be visible, and if it bulges and creates bumps, shorten the length of the ribbons and try to tuck it again!