how to make a tutu

This one, y’all. She is so funny right now. Piper’s always been such a daddy’s girl. But this year, with Burke in school all day, she’s really become my little sidekick. Having the chance to spend our afternoons painting and sewing and crafting and playing pretend certainly hasn’t hurt. And she wants us to match all the time, which isn’t really my thing, but I totally go along with. Because bonding! She’s also super into dress up and pretend right now. And making her a gorgeously pink and fluffy tutu was calling my name around Christmas time (as predicted, she LOVES her gift!). Want to make one too?

TUTU DIRECTIONS

Fabric pieces-

Two pieces of 48″x15″ non fray chiffon

Two pieces of 108″ x 16″ tulle (in this case, peach)

Two pieces of 144″ x 15″ tulle (in this case, pink)

One fitted tank top, not ribbed (I like the ones at J Crew)

Eight pieces of 4″x24″ tulle (peach here) Four pieces of 4″ x 24″ tulle (light pink)

*Note- I was just working with what I have on hand here in Saipan (and wanted to share the measurements I used to make this exact tutu). I think you could easily make your tulle (and even your chiffon) all the same length. The gathering covers a multitude of differences.

FOR THE TOP

Stack four pieces of peach tulle (4″ x 24″) and sew a gathering stitch down the center. Gather down into a ruffle that is half the length of your tank from collar to waistline. Repeat. Stack the four pieces of light pink tulle (4″ x 24″) and sew a gathering stitch down the center. Gather down into a ruffle that is the length of your tank from collar to waistline. With the tank on your recipient, mark her belly button with a fabric pen. Draw a ‘waist line’ in fabric pen slightly below your belly button mark, all the way around the tank. Pin the two peach ruffles in the center of the tank, with the bottom extending just past the waistline. Pin the light pink ruffle on top. Sew in place. Measure the waistband. Cut a piece of elastic an inch longer than the measurement, sew into a loop. Make sure the elastic matched the diameter of the top.

Layer the matching pieces of chiffon and tulle. Add a row of gathering stitches (or two, making a channel) along the top edge of each stack and gather the chiffon and tulle down to the size of the waistband. Sew the three stacks together to make the “skirt” (this ‘skirt’ isn’t even sewn together into a tube the edges kind of blend together in a fluffy mess, though you can sew it into a tube if you want it to be a little neater looking). Match the waistband up with the top of the skirt and pin in place. Sew the two together. Slide the top down into the upside down skirt. Slide the bottom of the tank top over the skirt. Sew around the entire perimeter, at least an inch from the edge to encapsulate the elastic. Turn right side in (you might have to flip the elastic down) and you’re finished! Pink, beautiful fluffiness- instant favorite. Perfect for twirling. And spinning. And ballerina-ing.