Homemade Girl's Tutu

The tutu can turn your girl into a princess in just one afternoon.

A tutu is a frilly, fun staple of the little girl's dress-up repertoire and can even be a funky fashion statement for older girls. Creating a homemade tutu is simple and requires minimal to no sewing, depending on the waist material you prefer. The tutu will take a short time to create and can be multiple colors, sparkly or plain.

Materials

Tulle is the standard tutu material with its light gauzy effect and ability to stand up and puff out, making a fluffier type of skirt. Typically tulle is either netting or can be soft with a finer knit. Tulle comes in almost any color you can imagine, as well as versions with added glitter, sequins or patterns. Either tulle netting on a bolt or the type that is wound in rolls can be used, whatever is easy to find or available that fits your needs and budget. The waist band is either plain ribbon or a combination of ribbon and elastic. This means the tutu can be adjustable and tied in place when worn.

Sizing

A tutu is not meant to be a long garment but length is completely up to the maker and wearer. Most often a tutu is added over leggings or tights, and given the relatively transparent nature is meant more as a visual garment than functional. The primary measurement is the waist size where the garment is tied. For a ribbon-only tutu the measurement at the middle of the waist about 3 inches above the hips will be the size of the skirt itself, with ribbon ties extending out at least 12 inches on each end. For an elastic waist the waist measurement is reduced by 3 inches to allow for stretch, and the ribbon ties are added onto the ends.

Method

Strips of tulle 6 inches wide and double the length you desire are tied over the waist band and pushed tightly together to form the multilayered poof of the skirt. If you are using an elastic waist, cut the elastic to the size you measured minus 3 inches. Tack ribbon ties onto the ends 12 to 16 inches long; the preference is yours and depends on the height of the wearer and whether you like long tails or none. They can be tacked on by hand with needle and thread, or even safety pinned but that method is less reliable. Cut the strips of tulle, doubling the length you want for the skirt for the strips' length because you fold them over to double them. Make a loop with the center of each strip, pull the outer ends through around the waist band, and cinch tight. Push tight against the other strips already on and fill until the waistband is done.

Styles

Use alternating colors of white and pink, neon yellow and orange, or pink and black, or any other combination you can dream up. If you want just one simple color this is easily done and matches anything. Because the tulle is tied on in strips, alternating colors and even stacking them so the skirt rises up and is very full is simple. If you want to trim the ends of the strips so they are on a diagonal or diamond points to make the look more interesting just trim before tying. The skirt can be a little girl's dress-up costume, part of a Halloween costume, or even a fashion accessory for the goth girl with a little ballerina in her blood.

References

• Cut Out And Keep
• Plum Tickled: Tutu Tutorial