How to Make a Princess Tulle Tutu Costume

A tulle tutu transforms a simple outfit into a dress fit for a princess.

Many little girls dream of being a princess and will love the opportunity to dress as one for a costume party or Halloween. With a little time and effort, princess costumes are easy to create at home using items from the closet or sourced inexpensively at thrift stores. A simple leotard can undergo a magical transformation with the addition of layers of tulle and plenty of sparkle.

Things You'll Need

• Leotard and tights
• Tulle tutu
• Tulle
• Elastic for waistband (optional)
• Fabric glue
• Sequins
• Gold braid
• Card stock
• Stapler or tape
• Hot glue
• Long ribbons
• Tiara (optional)
• Ballet pumps

Instructions

1. Wear a leotard and matching tights or leggings as a base for a princess costume.

2. Place a ready-made tulle tutu over the leotard and tights. Alternatively, make a tutu by tying long strips of tulle to an elastic waistband using slipknots. The strips should be double the length you would like the finished tutu to be. Fold the strips of tulle in half, place the loop end behind the elastic and pull the free ends around the elastic and through the loop. Pull tight. Work around the waistband, pushing the strips tightly together. Use tulle in various shades of the same color for a more dramatic effect.

3. Push the neck of the leotard down off the shoulders. Arrange a length of tulle around the shoulders and neckline to coordinate with the tulle skirt. Pin or glue in position with fabric glue.

4. Decorate the tutu and the front of the leotard with sequins, gold braid or other embellishments, gluing them in position with fabric glue.

5. Roll a piece of card stock into a cone shape that fits the head snugly. Tape or staple it in place. Cut around the bottom if necessary to neaten the edge. Hot glue a length of ribbon or gold braid around the bottom edge. Hot glue long ribbons and strips of tulle to the point of the cone.

6. Hot glue strips of tulle tied into bows to the top of the ballet pumps to finish the outfit.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a tiara as an alternative to a cone-shaped hat.