Ballet pointe shoes and their preparation

Ballet pointe shoes and their preparation

Bloch spikes are produced in accordance with long-standing tradition and experience. They are made by hand by the best craftsmen. In order to achieve the long life of your tips as well as the desired comfort, it is necessary to know some information about the correct preparation before the first use.

Before making your first toe adjustments, check that you have purchased the correct size. If necessary, we will be happy to exchange new, unworn and unmodified toes for a more suitable size. For your safety and comfort, it is essential that the tips fit you well.

Sewing ribbons

The satin tip ribbons are sold by 2 meters (tips are not included), so just cut them in half and then cut each section in half again. There will be 4 laces of the same length, which you will sew to the sides of the tips.

To sew, proceed as follows: take one ribbon, fold it (approx. 2 cm) and pin in the right place. You determine this by bending the back part of the toe forward and drawing a pencil mark on each side at the point of the bend, to which you then sew the ribbons (see picture). Thread the ribbon onto the cotton lining only, not through the satin. You can gently turn the ribbons towards the front, which will ensure a firmer grip on the ankles. Be careful not to sew through the elastic band as well. It would not be possible to adjust the rubber band any further. The rubber band only tightens when you have shoes on. This avoids over-tightening, which could result in unpleasant cutting into the heel.

To completely secure the toe on the leg, you can sew a "hidden" elastic over the instep, which will keep the toe in place even if the ribbon loosens (normally available in our store and on the e-shop).

If you have problems removing the heel of the toes, we recommend using a bit of crushed rosin, which will prevent the heel part from sliding on the nylons. Another solution is a heel fixer, which is designed for this purpose. It can also be used as padding when your toes are a little bigger.

We do not recommend

Manually bend and open the tips. If you bend them in the wrong place, the tips will lose their original shape and can be dangerous. Such modifications are permissible only for experienced dancers or for toes designed for this purpose.
Glue the patches to the platform. These will not allow the tips to dry well and the platform may soften prematurely.
Use shoe creams to dull the surface of the toes. It is likely that the box will collapse completely (fall, lose its shape...).

How long should the spikes last?

There is no rule as to how long spikes should last. However, we can say with certainty that, for example, a young student who goes to ballet lessons 1x to 2x a week, including tiptoe dancing, will definitely grow out of them before the tips are destroyed. More advanced students will then need 2 to 3 pairs per semester, taking into account the frequency of ballet lessons, the humidity in the ballet hall, the type of floor. Professional dancers are supplied with a number of tips depending on the number of performances and their position in the ballet company.

Finally, we allow ourselves one caveat

Medical specialists do not recommend spikes for children under 10 years of age. Their bones are still soft and maybe
would cause permanent damage to the legs. Therefore, consult a qualified educator about the use of tips before purchasing. In general, children should study ballet for at least 3 years before putting on pointe shoes for the first time. It achieves the correct growth and formation of muscle mass, which is absolutely necessary for tiptoe dancing.