Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: When Marie Taglioni first danced La Sylphide en pointe , her shoes were nothing more than modified satin slippers ; the soles were made of leather and the sides and toes were darned to help the shoes hold their shapes .
Simplified: When Marie Taglioni first danced La Sylphide en pointe , her shoes were nothing more than modified satin slippers .