Back in the Dawn of Time of my Ballet Days we were told to darn to tips of our pointe (toe) shoes so they wouldn't slip or wear out too fast. By the time I was really into it we just soaked them in liqued floor wax (the plastic kind, preferably not with amonia
) to harden them. It was faster and easier, but not as decorative.
But we had more time to practice, (or sleep).
Jeanne