How To Tie Ballet Ribbons

Follow our step by step guide and learn How to Tie Ballet Ribbons!

All budding ballerinas dream of the day they can wear ballet shoes with ribbons.

You have sewn the four pieces of ribbon to the sides of your ballet shoes, you now need to know how to tie ballet ribbons. Once tied, ballet shoes with ribbons look so elegant and keep the shoe attached to the foot, whilst freeing up the front of the foot to stretch as much as possible.

STEP 1
Put the shoe on the foot of the dancer. It is important the dancer is standing up as it flexes the foot correctly for ribbon size. Hold one ribbon in each hand.

STEP 2
Taking the ribbon which is attached to the outside of the foot, cross over the front of the ankle, pass around the ankle (inside), around the heel, around the front of the foot again and hold it just above the inside ankle bone.

STEP 3
Taking the ribbon which is attached to the inside of the foot, cross over the front of the ankle, pass around the outside of the ankle, around the heel, all the way around to cross over the front of the foot again, around the back and coming to a stop above the inside ankle bone. (This ribbon goes around the foot more than the other ribbon)

STEP 4
Take the ends of both ribbons and do a double knot. After you have done a double knot you will need to leave approx 4-5cm and then cut the rest off.

STEP 5
Tuck the ends inside the ribbons around the ankle.

TIPS
You can use a bobby pin to help push the ends inside the other ribbons.

STEP 6
After cutting the ribbon to length, you will need to do something with the ribbon to stop it fraying. You can buy products which will spray on and stop the fray. A cheaper, just as effective method is to singe the ribbon. Hold the cut ribbon just above a flame (lighter or match is perfect), for a second or two. Just as it is starting to melt pull the ribbon away from the flame and with your fingers, dab at it. It will have melted slightly and will soon harden. Don't leave it too long over the flame as it may catch alight or too much will melt.

The photo below shows you don't need to get the ribbon too close to the flame to just melt it enough.

Dance Kids doing this, Please ask an adult to do this step for you and remember to take the shoes off before doing this!

If you are doing an exam or competition, it is important for the ends not to fall out. Once you have tucked them in, spray the ribbons around that area with hair spray, it will help to hold them in place!

Have a look at all these other popular pages all about Ballet Shoes!

Learn more about Ballet Shoes

Find out how to sew ribbons on ballet shoes

Or how to sew elastic on ballet shoes

Other shoes worn for ballet are

Character Shoes

Foot Undeez

If your shoes are looking a bit tired, learn how to make them look like new by painting dance shoes

Return from How to Tie Ballet Ribbons for lots more about Dance Shoes