The making of pointe shoes

[Sheila Beelam]

Hi everyone!

For those differing withdrawal symptoms due to the Christmas break from class, I thought you may like to see some photos and video from our recent tour of the Freed factory.

 

https://www.facebook.com/justballetuk/timeline/story?ut=43&wstart=0&wend=1420099199&hash=7821752264786070831&pagefilter=3

 

Interesting to see how much skill and work goes into completing a pair of pointe shoes.

 

I took the tour with some shoe makers and they couldn't believe that after all the work that's involved they retail for around £50, one lady guessed at least £150 a pair!

Sx

[Sheila Beelam]

And here are a couple of quick videos!

 

 

[straceydor]

I thought that the standard Freed point shoes in the ballet shops or online were machine made and not done by hand as shown in the pictures and video's above and that professionals had the ones hand made?

[Sheila Beelam]

As far as I'm aware the Freed "Classics" are made this way, whereas the "Studios" are machine made. But I am no Freed expert!

[straceydor]

thank you shelia

[Anna C]

Yes, Freed Studios are machine made. Freed Classics and variations thereof (Classic Pro, demi, 90 etc) are handmade and can be customised in many ways (elastic/cotton drawstrings, deeper vamp, lower sides, shank strength, slight variations in size and so on).

 

Also, the same type of shoe made by a different maker can be quite different in terms of platform pitch and strength and shoe fit, so if one maker doesn't suit your foot then chances are another will.