DARNING GAYNORS? || How to Sew and Prep Pointe Shoes

[@bethm5791]

I’m not a dancer but for some reason I find how ballet dances customize their pointe shoes to be fascinating 😂😂 Am I alone here? Probably.

[@makeup.by.ash04]

I know nothing of ballet... but I’ve been watching so many videos about it lately.

[@OhWhoaaaa]

Same! I’ve been down the pointe shoe rabbit whole since I stumbled upon Josephine from the point shop lol

[@xphilechef01]

Nope you’re not alone! I love ballet and love watching these point shoe prep videos. 😊

[@rach3lla]

I think some dancers sew the elastic/ribbon on the outside of the shoe instead of on the inside if they have sensitive skin so it doesn't rub/chafe. Inside looks prettier though. Great video! 😊

[@pineapplekelsey5951]

Rachel L. I sew my elastic on the outside because they stay on my heel better when I roll through my shoe! I know it sounds weird but it definitely works.

[@lonrelah]

pineapplekelsey ohh, good to know! Thank you!

[@LadyBlack22]

I heard one dancer just yesterday say that she sews hers on the outside because it pulls up her arch better. She also mentioned that she sews her ribbons onto her elastics because that helps pull up the arch as well (she was using solid ribbon and not elastic ribbon).

[@AllieOnPointe]

This is SUCH a good video!!!!

[@kathrinasong]

I want to try darning my Gaynors but I’m so worried I’ll ruin them 🙈

[@greeneyes12346]

Kathrina Song try on an older pair first.

[@nicolealba2110]

this is so useful !! thank you

[@GentleDumpling]

No problem!

[@denparungao]

What do you call the one you use to put holes at the tips of your shoe? :) thanks.

[@rach3lla]

Denise Parungao she used a leather awl. 😉

[@adasayasane]

What kind of thread do you use to darn with?

[@GentleDumpling]

This is a thick cotton yarn.

[@amberaufiero0611]

What type of elastic do you use? It's very flattering

[@Larissa-sr1ve]

I think it's called elastorib from bloch. That's what I use as well.

[@daryakrystal]

Its a covert elastic

[@Rahanova]

Hi!, which type of material do you put on the tip and the insole ?, is not the original ..,, do you put it yourself or you bring it to a shoe repair?, thank you

[@anjahjelle9379]

When you order Gaynor Minden's you have the option to add those, I'm pretty sure it's called suede tips.

[@GentleDumpling]

The suede tips come pre-attached to my pointe shoes. Someone commented that you have the option to add those, but they just come with the shoes by default (at least in the UK!)

[@lauraveneziano6469]

What kind of thread do you use on the top of the point?

[@eikamiyamoto8807]

Thank you for sharing✨ May I ask how would you know the Gaynor pointe shoes are dead? Gaynor is stronger than others, so (for me) it's hard to figured😓

[@GentleDumpling]

No problem! For me, when I start to feel like I'm sinking into the shoe that's when I know it's going to die. You can also tell from the profile of the shoe - normally you should look 'lifted' and have clean lines with the shoe but when they're about to die it starts to sag around where the vamp starts at the side.

[@zoedaskalopoulou1586]

How do you break them in ? If you even do that with GMs 😇

[@GentleDumpling]

Sorry I'm only replying now lol, but this is a really good question! What do is lots of exercises where I am rolling through my feet so I'm not "springing" onto pointe, and the body heat makes the shoes softer and molds better to my foot shape (because it is still a little stiff, albeit not compared to traditional shoes).

[@meiraloraduncan8953]

What does the darning do?

[@GentleDumpling]

Personally I feel that it helps prevent me from going over the box, and centres my body during turns.

[@galiaelizondo]

What is the name of the needle you use

[@GentleDumpling]

It's a tapestry needle- you can find it in most sewing shops or online :)

[@SaltySugarPlum]

after wearing Grishkos for a decade, I decided to try Gaynor Mindens and I absolutely hate how much time I have to spend altering them just to be able to wear them. I've never had to darn my Grishkos, they always had an even, flat platform. but these Gaynors have such a rounded, wobbly, pillowy tip that I cant even balance in them without darning the edges. I personally hate the way fat darned edges look, so I somehow managed to do it with regular thread but I wish I knew about using an awl because i struggled SO MUCH getting the needle through the shoe. any time I tried to sew just the top layer of fabric, the satin ripped. I also hate how theres no lining in the shoe. I sew my ribbons quite low on the inside, but all my stitches show on the outside. I have nothing but frustration with these shoes 🤬

[@lalalalala9451]

Uh ok

[@slplkaurora]

My dance teacher adored Russian ballet so for the first few years of my pointe work I only dance with only Grishko pointe shoes and my feet fits quite well. I thought that the platform of every pair of pointe shoes should all be really flat on top and angled on the edge until tried gaynors. I never get used to the soft pillowy suede tip of gaynors. And it’s hard to darn them.

[@jsl1952]

what a waste of time, it does nothing but weaken the box, those are not carboard and paste, no need to do anything but put elastic and ribbon.