Tutu Tutorial Time.... say that three times fast!

 

*Shop closing sale 01-24-09 .... see update below*

Here's the scoop!  I've started a Flickr Group for everyone who has made a tutu using my tutorial!  I can't wait to see everyone's creations!  Here is the link:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/plumtickledtutus/

(Note:  I'm a moron and am not even sure if I did the Flickr thingy right..... please let me know if I didn't!)

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Here's the tutorial I promised on how to make a tutu for the little girly person you love.

**Please read the entire tutorial before beginning.... this way you won't have any surprises**

1. This is a no sew project that could certainly be done with your little girly person.
2. This should only take about 30 minutes from beginning to end and makes a great last minute birthday present.
3. Sell 'em.  Just don't come crying to me when you get an order for 14 batrillion like it just did!  Ack!
4. Use more than one color per tutu if you'd like.  I really love how they look when you do this! Just alternate the colors!
5. Please note that the hands that are captured within the photos of this here tutorial are mine and not some fat old lady with age spots....... I have freckles.  I do.
6. Please note that if any "spots" see on the carpet that is also captured in this here tutorial have been contributed and donated by Spoodles McCarpet Crapper.  (I rented a Rug Doctor last week and it worked wonders!).
7. Have fun with your girl........ make one for yourself and have fun with the DAD!

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Supplies:

1.   Two rolls of 6" tulle in any color or color combination you'd like.  You could certainly use more if you'd like.  Two rolls takes care of any size up to probably a 4T-6.  (I think anyhoo.)  You could also have it cut from the bolt if you can't find the rolls....... it's cheaper but I soooo hate working with tulle for cutting.  It's slippery and a pain sometimes. Cut it in 6" widths and then in half lengthwise...... you have less options with length but still works great.  Do what you wish...... my Angel of a Husband says I whine too much...... maybe he's right.  Uh, Maybe.
2. 1" elastic........ enough to go around the girl tummy.
3. Scissors or rotary blade/cutting mat.
4. Your thigh.
5. T.V with Magnum P.I. playing
6. Strawberry Crystal Light with lots of ice.

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On to the tutorial......... here we go:

• The first thing you need to do is measure your girl.  You need to measure her tummy.  I measured Amelia's tummy and then deducted about 3" from it and cut my elastic to this measurement.  So, if her tummy was say 20" around then I would cut my elastic to 17".  Got it?  Good.  After it it cut, you want to sew in with a zig zag stitch on your machine to make it a circle.  (It can totally be done by hand too).  Like this:

 

• Next, you need to decide how long you wish your tutu to be.  Do you want it short and poofy or long and puffy.  Take your measuring tape and measure from her waist to where you want the tutu to end.  Double this measurement.  For instance, in this tutorial I wanted this tutu to go down to about 15" when it's done.  So, I cut the tulle at 30".  I like to lay the two rolls together and cut them at the same time.  I also would rather cut it on my mat with my rotary cutter but I didn't want to go out in the dark and get mauled by frogs so, I used my scissors!  Like this:

Then this:

Then I pile it up neatly like this:

Okay ...... this is how I do it.  This is just a suggestion as you can figure out your way if you'd like but so far........ this is the easiest! 

• I like to have a seat on the couch and prop my foot up on the coffee/Dr. Pepper/Tea table.  I slip the elastic on and pull it up to my thigh........ like a garter.  Here's the picture:

• Now the fun.  If'n you can tie a knot, then you can make this part.  Take one piece of the cut tulle and slip it under the elastic and even up the ends so that each side has equal amounts of tulle........ now tie a double knot.  (This is why we doubled our length earlier before cutting the tulle.)  That's all there is to it from here on out.  Just take them one by one and tie it on the elastic in a double knot until it fills up.  Like this:

Then just keep adding:

Try to aim the knot part towards the bottom so it will lay nicely.  Fill it up as much as you wish or as little.  This is all up to you.  You're girl could sooooo do this for herself or a little friend!  Here are some pictures of them in different colors! 

January 24th, 2009:

All remaining fabric in my Etsy shop is now $5.00-$6.50 per yard!  Mention my blog in the comments section at checkout and I'll deduct 15% off of your total before shipping!! 

Thanks so much!  Judi

Comments

[Danielle Price]

So fun!! I'm starting my own little boutique and came across these adorable tutus and decided to add them! Thanks so much for the tutorial! I hope mine turns out as adorable as yours!

[Sew It To Me]

Love the tutorial and idea so much we featured it today for our Spotlight Sunday. Thanks for sharing your talents! Here is the link: http://sewittome.blogspot.com/2010/03/no-sew-saturday.html

Vanessa & Eva
Sew It To Me Duo

[Stephanie]

Thanks for the instructions. I just made a green and white one for my daughter to wear for St. Patty's Day. I'm also making one to go with the birthday outfit I made for my younger daughter. Much Appreciated!!!

[Chrystal]

Thank you for this!! Just got done making an adorable tutu for my niece's 2nd birthday and I can't wait to give it to her:) Here is a picture if you are interested:

http://chrystal-lewis.blogspot.com/2010/04/sophias-tutu.html

I didn't even bother doing a step by step on my blog, just linked everyone straight to you since you did such a fabulous job explaining it!

[Jordan 1]

Thanks a superb deal! I truly enjoyed reading this.Looking through these posts and also the info you've provided I can appreciate that I still have a lot of things to learn.

[Kate]

Hello Ladies, I haven't made one yet but I am so excited!!! I found a really inexpensive website for the tulle rolls, (it was hard to find and really expensive in my area) thought I would share it for others with the same problem. I can't wait for mine to arrive!!!! http://www.tullesource.com/index.html

[Amber]

I LOVEEEEE this! I have been looking for a simple pattern that I can do for my daughter. I think tutu's are so cute. I am going to try to make a couple of them so she can play dress up. She is too big to buy dress up clothes for any more so this is gonna make her so happy.

Thank You For Sharing This!

[Julie]

Curiosity brought me here; fasination made me stay. I want to thank you for posting this. You are brilliant beyond imagination! And the search for little girls begins! lol(so far I can think of 3 just off the top of my head)

[Stephanie Tarver]

Thanks. This is easy. Do the knots come untied in time as the child wears the tutu?

[Wynn Przybycien]

You say it take 2 rolls of tulle but how long is the roll? I have found them in several lengths.

[LeAnne]

Made one for my daughter for her vampire Halloween costume! It turned out wonderful. Your directions were great!!

[cheap jordans]

Never leave that until tomorrow, which you can do today.

[Amy]

Fantastic! I have to dress up as something begining with the letter T and im goning to be a Tiger in a Tutu now I dont hav the challenge of finding a black and orange tutu I can make my own yay!!!

[Joan l Carlson]

Gracias por compartir el patrón para confeccionar el Tutu. Voy hacer el Tutu para el cumpleaños de mis nietecitas.
Thanks very much.

[crystalmg]

ooh im gonna make one for me to wear at school
:) im 14

[Leah]

This is the second tutu I am making and your directions are sooooo much easier than my first one. Thank you! I am also justifying have 2 tutus at age 24!

[April]

These are the best instructions I have ever seen! Great job. I need to make a 3 layered(one to the floor, one med, and one short)tutu for a wedding:)) I have never done it, that way, any suggestions. All my tutus are no sew and I have a feeling I will have to so. Thank YOu

[April]

Apparently I can't spell tonight,hahaha These are the best instructions I have ever seen! Great job. I need to make a 3 layered(one to the floor, one med, and one short)tutu for a wedding:)) I have never done it that way, any suggestions. All my tutus are no sew and I have a feeling I will have to sew. Thank You

[Tickledpink]

Hey Plumtickled... My name is Tickledpink ;)

I love this idea and can't wait to make some for the little one I tend. My girls are now in their 20's, bummer right. I really need the to start giving me grand babies so I can dote on them.

Thanks for sharing!

[Ashley]

Another option for cutting the tulle is a paper cutter. I used bolts of tulle and cut it to the lenth I wanted(eg: 30") then folded it up and cut the strips with the paper cutter. It made things go much faster than just the scissors!

[kim]

awesome work. Thanks

[Suzi]

I had no idea tutu's were so simple to make! I'm totally trying this!

[Rossmy]

This was Brilliant!! I love the way you wrote everything out too got a little chuckle out of needing a Cristal ice hehee. Thank you for all the tips I will definitely pick up supplies next time I'm out!!!

[Jen]

I've had your tutorial saved forever! I finally made my first tutu today. Thanks for sharing the how-to.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34944947@N02/6274229816/

[Marci]

YAY! I'm making a totally girly one to wear in a race....by the end of the race it will be covered in mud and maybe singed a little....So now you are asking what race has mud and fire? Why, WARRIOR DASH of course!!! 3.01 miles and lots of fun obstacles and the tutu will look great with the viking helmet they give you at the end! :) Thanks for the tutorial!