How to Make Tutus

Ballerinas often wear tutus for dance recitals.

A tutu, combined with a leotard, tights and ballet shoes, makes a classic ballerina costume. Tutus are relatively simple and inexpensive skirts to make, and are appropriate for the stage or Halloween. Tutus are also adaptable to several other feminine costumes, such as fairies, princesses or angels.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 5/8-inch wide elastic band
• 3 or 4 yards 60 inch wide tulle in one or two colors
• Iron
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Measure your waist and record the measurement.

2. Measure and cut the correct amount of tulle for your skirt according to your waist measurement. If your waist measured 25 inches or less, cut a 3 yard length. If your waist is more than 25 inches, cut a 4 yard length.

3. Cut a piece of elastic the same length as your waist measurement.

4. Loop the elastic into a circle, so the ends overlap about one inch.

5. Sew the ends of the elastic together to make the waistband.

6. Iron the tulle to make it smooth.

7. Measure and mark the width of the tulle in 15-inch increments. Cut the tulle into 4 equal strips.

8. Lay one of the tulle strips on top of another. For a two-colored skirt, overlap two different colors.

9. Loosely sew down the center length of both strips. After sewing down the entire length, take another thread and sew down the center length again, ¼ inch away from the other stitches. Do not cut or knot either thread at this point.

10. Pull the two threads to gather the tulle into a ruffle. Make a second ruffle with the other two tulle strips.

11. Stretch the elastic waistband tightly around a piece of wood or cardboard. Place one of the ruffles around the elastic band. Loosen or tighten the threads to make the gathered tulle equal the length of the elastic.

12. Sew the tulle to one edge of the elastic band. Stitch a lockstitch every ¼ inch. Knot and cut off the excess thread.

13. Sew the other piece of ruffled tulle to the other edge of the elastic band using the same methods.

14. Fluff out the tulle to make a full skirt. The tutu is now ready to wear.

References

• "Make Believe: A Book of Costume and Fantasy"; The Editors of Klutz Press; 1993