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(Obtained from the Pointe Magazine website) By Jocelyn Anderson In the Pointe Spring 2001 "Shoe Biz," we offered some pointers on how to make the most of your shoes by darning. Here, Sherri Parks, one of our readers, shares her technique. A former dancer with Indianapolis Ballet Theater, Parks learned the method from a Russian teacher. "Not only did it make our shoes last infinitely longer, but it provided a strong platform, allowing us to have the rest of the shoe much more flexible," Parks says. "Petite allegro and large jumps were softer in the landing and adagio work was much more secure." So grab your shoes and follow these instructions: 
1. Use a large darning needle and beige or pink cotton darning thread. Cut and remove the satin from the bottom of the shoes' boxes. Important: Start with shoes that are slightly broken in.
2. Thread the needle with double strands and tie the strands together in a small knot at the end. Sew four long rows of thread, parallel to each other on the face of each shoe.
3. Make another long stitch along the edge of the platform of the shoe, at the top of the pleats. 
4. Begin connecting two sets of rows at a time on the platform of the shoe by using a slipknot embroidery stitch?creating a loop and pulling the needle through tightly. 
5. Stitch the last row and the row at the pleats together to form a ridge on the edge of the platform.
6.A) Create another long stitch of double strands on top of the shoe on the platform near the top edge.
6.B) Stitch that together with the next row down to form a ridge on that side. 
7. Make long rows on each side and stitch the rows to the stitches you have already made on the platform. 
8. Go around the edge of the platform once more, making one continuous ridge to finish. Parks estimates that your shoes will last weeks longer and the ridge will aid balance and stability for no-worry pirouettes. |
