I have always wanted to buy my girls one of these tutus that can be found in boutiques and craft fairs but have been to cheap to pay the $15+ price tag. Upon inspection I noticed that they were just elastic with strips of tulle tied onto the elastic. I thought…I can do that. So I finally got around to doing it and they are so simple. Really! I spent about $3 on tulle from JoAnn’s (use your 40% off coupon), and used some elastic and flowers left over from previous projects. (I found my little rose bud flowers at Wal-Mart and had used them to make some baby head bands when my baby was a newborn).
I took some elastic (any size will do) and measured it so that it fit nicely around my baby’s tummy. Then I sewed it together with the sewing machine several times so that it would not unravel. (You can also hand stitch it).
Then I took my tulle (originally I used tulle from the bolt to make the smaller tutu which is a bit cheaper than on the spool. I found the spool tulle in the wedding aisle at JoAnn’s, which I will be using for the longer skirt for my older daughter). Anyways, cut your tulle into 6 inch wide strips with the length being double that of how long you want your skirt to fall. So…for the baby I wanted it to be 10 inches long so that it fell a bit below her knees. I cut my tulle into strips that measured 6 x 20 inches. Make sense?
For the baby I ended up using about 2 yards of tulle total cut into strips. You will need more for a bigger skirt. Originally I did not get enough and had to go back for more :(!
Then slip the circle of elastic up onto your thigh and while sitting on the couch with your feet propped drinking your favorite soda, scratch that…I just quit…ice water, tie each strip onto the elastic with a double knot. Your skirt will be more uniform if you make sure that the knots are at the base of your elastic.
Then when your tulle fills the elastic to your liking your done. So simple. But of course I wanted to add a little something extra. I hot glued three rose buds in the center of the tutu!
I am really happy with how it turned out. And you cannot beat the price tag! By the way, I would love to see how your projects turn out if you ever use any of these ideas. So if you want to you can leave me a comment and a link to your pics.
these are so cute! I need a little girl…
Find the closest day care, make a bunch, and surprise the little girls one day! Debbie
Way easier than the one I did. I’ll definitely go this route next time. I love the pictures- what’s cuter than a bare baby belly, pink fluff, and a bandaid to match?
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Found you through One Pretty Thing. :)
Love the tutu!!!!! And your pictures are too cute too.
I’ve lobbed here from “One Pretty Thing” too! Love this tutu – my little girl turns 3 next month so she might be getting one of these (and maybe her friends as well)! Thanks to you!
Awesome tut and adorable baby! The pics you provided make it totally clear!
Thanks!
Oh my goodness, this is *exactly* what I’ve been looking for. I can’t wait to make one for my 3.5yo! Thank you so much for sharing your brilliance!
Have just made one of your tutu’s and posted about it on my blog! Thanks again. Might be trying it in tulle next.
I made one for my sister to use in her photography studio. She loved it and then started making her own. Thankd for the idea!
I had a tutu craft party and it was a success as you can see!
http://shelleyinspired.blogspot.com/2009/06/tutu-craft-party.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
Love, love, love this tutu! I made one for about AUD$10 for my 1 year old daughter. She loves it too. Using 1 metre of 270cm wide tulle, cut 18 strips of 50cm(L) x 15cm(W). So easy!
I love the idea of these beautiful boutique tutus. I made a patriotic one for my daughter and used a ribbon instead of an elastic. I also put far more tulle on hers. It's ankle length! She loves it! The good thing is it will fit her for years and years since it is adjustable. Thanks for the great tutorial!
I love this Tutu.I made it for my grandaughter who will be here January 2010. I bought a pink onezie,made the strips 10" and it is beautiful. Cant wait for her to wear it. Thanks for a great instruction. It was super easy and fast.Now I have request from 3 new mom's for their ballerinas.
Hi There,
I ended up buying a tutu ebook on etsy. I just recently stumbled across your blog~:o) I wish I had waited, I could have saved 5 bucks. Her tutorial was basically the same thing you said. I guess still in the end it beats paying for those ridiculously priced $40 ones in boutiques. Anyways, I have pictures of it posted at my blog if you are interested in seeing how mine turned out. Let me know what you think~:o) Great blog btw!! Your pictures are fantastic~:o) I added you to my fav blogs~:o)
I used your tutorial to make my daughter a tutu. Thanks! It was so simple! Stop over and check it out!
http://littlehandsbigblessings.blogspot.com/2009/11/youre-tutu-cute.html
I know that you posted this some months ago but I am so glad you did. My 4yo is a dress up diva and she is going to get a couple of these from Santa. I have made several things and gotten tons of inspiration from you and your site. Keep up the great work.
I used this tutorial to make my daughter's tutu. I love your website and I have found many ideas that I want to try and blog about. Here is my link http://craftsredesigned.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutu-for-my-princess.html
You are an amazing woman and I always love to see what you come up with next. Thanks for the tutorial it made it so easy for me.
I would like to be able to link to other blogs in comments. Do you have right click disabled? I can't seem to even cut and paste to their blogs to see how their projects came out.
I love your pictures! The tippy toe pic is so sweet.
I made two tutu's – I don't have my model yet- she is due to arrive in October… but here are the pics!
http://nooneentity.blogspot.com/2010/09/tutu-cute.html#links
I made a couple of these for Halloween and blogged it. And gave you a link, of course. :D
http://happycakecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/10/autumn-fairy-costume-finale-finally.html
Thanks for sharing your tutorial.
Perfect! Was looking for a way to do a red and green tutu for my daughter’s Christmas ballet recital (her first and she’s 3. Can we say adorable?).
I made a few of these for my grand daughter…when she isn’t wearing them I drape them over her lampshade…just make sure you have a low watt bulb!!! I also used one to tie back her curtains.
I’m expecting my first granddaughter somewhere around March 7th. I’m a huge Chicago Bears fan so I mad her a Bears tutu! Thanks for the easy tutorial as well as the super simple bow tutorial!
Thank you so much, Amy! This is a great idea!
How would suggest to make it fuller? Always size should I cut the tulle if making it for an adult? How much tulle do you think I might need to purchase?
Thanks for your help.
Simply precious!
your idea is so great and I love your tutu
Thanks so much and excuse me for my english
Maguy