Zumba classes are all the rage right now. You can even buy DVDs and video games that teach you Zumba dance moves. Many people are trying it and I am no exception. I tried a class and loved it and then encouraged friends to join me regularly at an area class.
I love how great of a workout I get and the fact that an hour goes by so quickly. It is also a lot of fun. My only complaint was that my ankles would ache after class. I soon found out that the running shoes I was wearing to class provided too much friction. I researched some dance sneakers and discovered that not only did I not want to add that cost to my budget, but they are not very supportive for anyone with foot issues.
Dance sneakers are designed to provide limited friction so that pivots and glides are smooth. Running shoes on the other hand are designed to provide friction so that you don’t slip and slide while running.
My dilemma was that I needed the support for my arches that my running shoes provided, but the limited friction that dance sneakers provide. The solution was shoe slips, which are an easy, low cost way to turn your running shoes in to shoes appropriate for Zumba.
How to Make Shoe Slips for Zumba Class
These shoe slips take limited supplies and sewing skills. With just some elastic, ribbon, and thread, you will create a more enjoyable dance workout experience.
I used 1.5″ elastic and ribbon which can be bought at any store that sells fabric and sewing notions. The measurements used here will make a a one-size-fits-most size.
Directions:
Cut Elastic 4.5″ in length.
Cut Ribbon 7″ in length.
With right sides together, sew a straight stitch 1/2″ from the edge on one side.
Reinforce with 1-2 more straight line stitches over the first one.
Repeat stitching the the other side.
Turn so that the right sides are facing outward and seam faces inward.
Wear so that the elastic is over the bottom sole of your shoe under the ball of your foot. By placing the elastic over the point of your foot where your pivots and glides originate from you create a smooth surface and will not have the friction you once had. The ribbon will cover the sides and top of your shoe.
There are some fun ribbon prints out there; I just chose to use ribbon that I already owned. Also, I suggest using black elastic so that dirt will not show up.
I have used these for a half dozen classes already and they show minimal wear. I also made a pair for a friend at the same time and she has said she immediately noticed a difference and that they really work and missed them greatly when she forgot them for a recent class.
Have fun dancing!
Do these work on Carpet. We have very short carpet and was wondering if the slip-ons would work on Carpet. Thanks Barb
The place where I do Zumba at has hard floors and I have hardwood in my house, so I cannot say for sure how well they will work on carpet and don’t have any way of trying it out. I am sorry I can’t answer this question for you. If you do make them, maybe you can can come back and comment if they work well so if others have the same question they would know.
I do have to think it would hekp though, because you are creating a smooth surface at the place where you pivot and slide from, so it should help.
Thank Jessica! I can’t wait to try these out! To Barb….a total guess, but I would think that on carpet it would work better to have the ribbon on bottom and elastic on top, just a thought, good luck!
I am making a new pair for myself. They have finally worn after out (I can’t even guess how many classes I have worn them for, maybe 50).
Is it possible to just use elastic and not bother with the ribbon? It would be a lot easier to make as my sewing skills are non existant.
Wow! Thank you for this easy to follow tutorial! I’m going to try for sure!! I’ve been trying to find a way to dance better on carpet.
Glad I can be of help!
I won’t slip because of the shine on the wooden floors?
Thanks for posting this! I am going to make some. I really want to find out if they work on carpet. I am a newly licensed instructor and my class will start in January. The space is carpeted though. My practice space at home is also carpeted and to spare my joints, I’ve been wrapping my shoes with plastic packing tape. It does the job, but it’s crackly and not very professional looking. Fine for at home in my basement, but I want students to take me seriously. If these work for me, I could offer them to students as well. Thank you so very much!
You will have to let us know how they work on carpet. I have only used them on hardwood floor and they worked very well.
I was also wondering if you could use only the elastic, that way it wouldn’t matter if it moved. How long of a piece of elastic would I need in this case?
I do have a friend that just wears the elastic around. Just measure the elastic around your shoe over the widest part and add a 1/2″ so you have room to make a seam and a little stretch.
Hi, Jessica. I am a little confused with the directions. Do you use elastic and satin ribbon that are both 1 1/2 inches wide? Do you think you could seam two lengths of each first to make a 3 inch wide circle? I am not much of a seamstress either, but I would like to try making some before I would spend very much money buying any. Thanks for your idea.
Yes, they are both 1 1/2 wide. You could look for wider elastic and ribbon if you wanted something wider.
An idea – try looking for an wide elastic belt at a thrift store & cut that apart, otherwise wide elastic can get expensive. YOu wouldn’t need to have the ribbon and could do all elastic if you wanted. The ribbon is basically decorative, plus the cost per yard of ribbon I bought was cheaper than the cost per yard of elastic.
You could try seaming them together but because of the seam you wouldn’t really gain that much more width.
Thank you for this tutorial! Just what I needed because I didn’t want to spend that much on the pre-made ones. Those who are wondering about adjusting this for carpet, from the ones I’ve seen for sale, you’d need to make the band and ribbon wider (about twice as wide) to cover more of your sole since you’d need more sole surface area to be covered by the slips.