To get through the long winter months, we have been diligently completing the activities on my list of indoor crafts and projects. We’ve come a long way on it already, and it’s just the middle of January!
We tried out various recipes for homemade playdough, conducted a simple acrylic painting project to introduce the medium, and created a large number of stickers using the Cricut. However, we haven’t been doing much in the way of sewing lately.
My little girl has just shown an interest in ballerinas and dance, so we sewed her a bright pink tutu. The beautiful thing about this undertaking is that it calls for almost no sewing expertise whatsoever.
I wouldn’t call it no-sew, but there is only one step that calls for thread and a needle. If you’d rather not bother with sewing, I can also suggest several no-sew alternatives for this phase. Let’s have a look at the tools and materials you’ll require. Here you will find out how to make a tutu.
Contents
What Kind of Tulle Should I Use?
The tulle can be measured and cut in a wide variety of ways. When purchased by the yard from a large bolt at a fabric store, tulle is incredibly inexpensive. Using this technique, you have the option of determining the width of your cuts.
Tulle can be folded in a way that makes it easy to cut several strips at once. While the desire to save time is understandable, I felt this strategy was overly complicated. Instead, I opted to utilize tulle that came on 6-inch rolls.
The tutu strips looked great at this width. That way, I knew the measurements for the cut wouldn’t be off. Pre-cut tulle rolls measuring 6 inches in width are a little more pricey, but they’re still reasonable.
The craft store coupons I used allowed me to take advantage of a buy-two-get-one-free promotion at my local Joann. All in all, I paid somewhere around $10 for the tulle that I required.
Make the Elastic Waistband
Adjust the length of the elastic to fit your kid. Overlap and fold the ends of the elastic to secure it. Fasten with a pin. The elastic loop should be fastened using needle and thread or a sewing machine.
Your child’s waist measurement will be used to determine the length of the elastic. Take off four inches and use it as your cutting size. A piece of elastic measuring 17 inches would be needed to fit my child’s waist, which measures 21 inches. It’s okay to stretch the elastic as you wrap the bits of fabric around it.
Cut the Tulle
Make your tulle strips twice as long as you need them to be. This general rule of thumb length should be used. You may make a short tutu by slicing six-inch-wide tulle rolls into 22-inch-long pieces. Seven or eight 6-inch-wide tulle rolls should be cut into the following length strips for long tutus.
Attach Tulle to Elastic Band
When you have enough tulle strips, take the first one and fold it in half to make a loop (Image 1). Insert the tulle’s loop into the elastic and bring it up (Image 2). Your tulle’s loop should start below the band’s elastic and rise above it.
Hold the tulle strip’s ends while keeping the loop above the elastic. Image 3 shows how to insert the tulle’s lower ends into the fabric loop at the top. Draw the ends together and tie a knot at the top (Image 4). Use the remaining tulle strips in the same manner.
Continue Adding Tulle
Push the top knots together at intervals as you add the tulle strips. This will allow you to add more strips to the elastic and create a fuller tutu. Continue doing this until the elastic is completely hidden and the waistband is complete.
Add a Second Layer (Optional)
To make a two-tiered tutu, reduce the length of the first set of tulle strips by 8 to 10 inches and use a couple more rolls of tulle that are 6 inches wide. Between the existing tulle knots on the waistline, repeat the process of tying on more tulle.
Keep going around the waistband until the first color of tulle is completely hidden. You can also decorate the front by tying a satin ribbon around it.
Play Dress Up
Your little girl or boy can now wear a beautiful, timeless tutu. Whether it’s for a Halloween party or a dance recital, you’ll want to make this lovely skirt over and over again because of how simple it is to sew.
Conclusion
Tutus are generally seen as a visual representation of the art form that is ballet. Tutus can be worn as either a skirt or as a full costume by female dancers. Björk, a famous singer, caused a stir at the 2021 Academy Awards by wearing a swan’s head fashioned out of tulle around her neck.
There is a deep history behind the origin of the tutu. The term “Tu Tu,” which means “bottom” in French, is where the outfit gets its name. This iconic garment first appeared in 1832, in its now-iconic style.
A professional ballet dancer can become the black swan, Sleeping Beauty, or any other enticing persona just by donning a tutu skirt. Girls of all ages, especially little ones, adore donning frilly tutu skirts. Baby girls in tutu skirts are utterly adorable, and the level of personalization and attention to detail is astounding. Hope now you know how to make a tutu.
