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

[Amy]

fabulous! I had a pattern to sew one...what a pain. I'm doing this for my little fancy girl, tomorrow!! Thank you!!

[Amy]

fabulous! I had a pattern to sew one...what a pain. I'm doing this for my little fancy girl, tomorrow!! Thank you!!

[Amy]

fabulous! I had a pattern to sew one...what a pain. I'm doing this for my little fancy girl, tomorrow!! Thank you!!

[Smellyann]

Ah, thanks for nuttin' :(

[Brenda]

I am so happy that you posted this. My daughter's 1st birthday is coming up & I wanted her to wear a tutu, but don't want to spend a fortune on one. Plus, it would mean more if her mommy made it for her. I am so excited to get started. Just a couple questions: Where do you find tulle in rolls? Also, how did you add the ribbons to the tutu that the little girl is wearing in the picture? It is sooo.... cute!! Well, thanks again and if you have any tips, please do share. I'm not very crafty, but will hopefully be able to pull this off.

[Lindsay]

Thank you so much for this. I cant wait to get started making my nieces each a tutu.

[Becca]

oooh this is soooo cute! I found your tutorial by way of Craftster...thanks a bundle! My 7 week old baby girlie is GONNA BE A BALLERINA!!!!!!

[becca]

just had to come back and tell you I made the tutu...I put the url to my blog where I have the photo posted along with a link to your tutorial.
I'll post on your flckr when I get a better photo.
thanks again! I'm gonna make some for my nieces, next!

[karmamama]

Thank you so much for posting this tutorial! I just finished making a red tutu with ribbons and ladybug buttons on it for my daughter for her ladybug halloween costume, and it was so easy! I cheated even more by using a big hairband (the Goody Ouchless ones that look like headbands but are elastic and go all the way around) - this alleviates the problem someone asked about earlier, with the curling up of the elastic, because the band is narrow and cylindrical.
Thanks again! I'll post a picture of it, if you'd like!

[JoAnne]

Your tutu's are adorable. As soon as I saw how easy this looked I went out and bought the tulle. My local fabric store didn't have the six inch rolls so I bought it on the bolt and cut it down. I made the whole thing last night, in under an hours time (even with all the cutting). It turned out great!! My little princess is going to be 3 in a few weeks so I made it for a gift for her, I can't wait to give it to her!! I'll post a pic soon!! Thanks for the great tutorial!!

[Shannon]

Thank you for posting this tutorial! My one year-old daughter is going to be a ballerina for Halloween! It turned out so cute.

[Merita]

I'm speechless... You're so creative and genius.... Thank you. :-)

[Gisaco]

What size spools of 6" tulle did you use? I saw some that were 25 yards, and some that were 65 yards. Of course, i bought the 65, but hesitate to cut it all up for one tutu :-)

[Kelly]

Just a comment - I've done this type of tutu and if the child is the right size, you can use an elastic headband for the waist. Then you don't even have to sew the elastic! ;-)

[Diane]

Too cute! Looks like my neices will get a tutu for Christmas! Thanks!

[Jane E]

It's really cool of you to post this :) thank you! It seriously helps alot :) and btw.. i didn't notice any of those spots u mentioned :P

Cheers!

[Liesl]

Oh. My. Goodness. I'm so freaking excited to do this for my daughter. You have made my day, and I'm sure hers as well. Thank you for this!

[keisha]

thank you so much for this!
I teach a dance class and had no idea how to make tutu until this!
You're a life saver :]

[Sandra Tillman]

Thank you for this!!! I have to say you are so right...There is no reason in complaining when you get a bunch of orders all of a sudden...lol.
I just started making them and gave my first one as a gift on Friday and by Saturday I had 6 orders!!!
Plus my little girl is in love with hers!!!

[Lisa Daniels]

Oh Goodness This Really Helped Me, I Just Finished My First Skirt For My 4 Yr Old And It Only Took Me Around 45 Min It Was So Easy. Thank You So Much!!!!!!

[Nicole]

Thanks so much for taking the time to make a tutorial and share it!! I was thinking of family pics and thought how adorable to have my baby in a tutu! Thanks again.

[betül in turkey]

it is fantastic.I am a student.I will be teacher for kids. I have my homework to costum's lesson. I searched fairy costum. I will do it.;)

[Blythe]

This was genius! I think I can handle it...one 1st Birthday Tutu coming right up!

[tori w]

omg - love the tutorial! can't wait to play with this idea in adult sizes.

[Lori]

Great tutorial!! I'm getting ready to make one for my daughter for an Easter gift. She'll be so excited. I bought some ribbon as well and I'm hoping to do light pink and purple ribbons in between the tulle. Can't wait to see how it turns out!!