About the Shoe
The first pointe shoes were invented in the 1810s, but they were nothing like the ones we have today. They used to have narrow soles without boxes for the toes to rise on. Now pointe shoes are structured to give support and reduce the pain.
The process of making a pointe shoe starts with canvas and satin layers made into the heel/back part of the shoe. Then, a leather sole is stuck onto the basic wooden structure of the shoe. The heel/back part of the shoe is attached to the structure and sole. Now, the box is being created. The box is made to allow the dancer to stand on her toes. It gives a cushion instead of just a few layers of cloth to protect the toes from the hard floor. Beneath the cloth, there are layers of thick card, paper, and burlap material, followed by hard grey material. This material is all pasted to the rest of the shoe by flour and water glue. After it is done drying, a leather insole is put inside the shoe. Now the shoe is being sculpted and formed into the proper shape. Lastly it is put inside an oven for many hours to harden. The ribbons are usually sewn on by the dancer.
It takes at least twenty hours for one whole shoe to be finished. A lot of concentration, care, time, and effort are required to make a perfect shoe. This is all necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the shoe and safety of the dancer.
The process of making a pointe shoe starts with canvas and satin layers made into the heel/back part of the shoe. Then, a leather sole is stuck onto the basic wooden structure of the shoe. The heel/back part of the shoe is attached to the structure and sole. Now, the box is being created. The box is made to allow the dancer to stand on her toes. It gives a cushion instead of just a few layers of cloth to protect the toes from the hard floor. Beneath the cloth, there are layers of thick card, paper, and burlap material, followed by hard grey material. This material is all pasted to the rest of the shoe by flour and water glue. After it is done drying, a leather insole is put inside the shoe. Now the shoe is being sculpted and formed into the proper shape. Lastly it is put inside an oven for many hours to harden. The ribbons are usually sewn on by the dancer.
It takes at least twenty hours for one whole shoe to be finished. A lot of concentration, care, time, and effort are required to make a perfect shoe. This is all necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the shoe and safety of the dancer.