Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: A tutu without sewing
• Method 2 of 2: Sewing your own tutu
• Tips

Tutus are great costumes and a fun addition to any regular outfit. Buying a ready-made tutu can cost a lot of money, while making your own is so simple and cheap. Try out both of the following variations, without and with sewing, of the homemade tutu.

To step

Method 1 of 2: A tutu without sewing

1. Choose your tulle. A classic tutu is made from tulle or another stiff, lightweight fabric. You can use any color, but make sure the piece of fabric is between 130 cm and 200 cm wide and 1 to 3 meters long, depending on the size of the wearer. You also need a tuk ribbon or band in a matching color of your choice.
2. Take the measure. Use a tape measure around your waist (the narrowest part of your torso) or a little lower and write the size down. This is where the tutu will be, so take the size there.
3. Cut the material. Use the measurement of your waist to determine the length of the ribbon. Add 12 to 25 cm to make the closure of your tutu. Spread out your tulle and cut it vertically into 5 to 15 cm wide strips. For a larger, fuller tutu, use wider strips. For a flatter tutu, use narrower strips. The number of strips you need to cut depends on your waist size and how wide you cut the strips.
4. Attach the tulle to the ribbon. Fold each strip of tulle in half, forming a loop on one side and two loose ends on the other. Place the folded strip on top of the ribbon with a few inches of the loop extending above the ribbon. Then fold the loose ends under the ribbon and pull them tight through the loop, knotting it.
5. Keep adding strips of tulle. Work along the ribbon, pushing the attached strips together tightly to create a full effect. Fasten all the tulle strips in the same way until the entire ribbon is filled, except a few inches at the beginning and end - these will be used to tie the tutu.
6. Show your new tutu. Tie the ribbon around your waist with the loose ends and voilà! Your tutu is finished. Enjoy your beautiful new smoke wear it in combination with your regular outfit or as part of a costume.

Method 2 of 2: Sewing your own tutu

1. Choose your tulle. To sew a tutu, you can use a piece of fabric that you cut into strips or tulle ribbon. You can use any color for your tutu and the amount you need will depend on the size of your waist. You also need narrow elastic, one inch wide or narrower.
2. Take the measure. Wrap a tape measure around your waist or where you want the tutu to be. Make sure that the size is not too large; loose-fitting elastic doesn't fit well and looks weird when you wear it on.
3. Cut your fabric. If you are using tulle by the meter, lay it flat and cut strips that are between 3 and 6 inches wide. The wider the strips, the fuller your tutu will be when it is finished. If you are using tulle ribbon, cut it into long strips of equal length between 130 and 200 cm long. The strips are folded in half lengthwise, so your tutu will be half the length of the strips. Cut your elastic to fit around your waist.
4. Sew on the tulle. Fold each strip of tulle in half lengthwise around the elastic. Use a lockstitch from your sewing machine to sew the ends together directly under the elastic (and not on top).
5. Keep adding tulle. Secure all the strips of tulle around the elastic, sliding them together slightly as you work. You may need to cut more strips if you have too few at the end of the elastic.
6. Finish the waistband. When you reach the ends of the elastic, sew them together using a zigzag stitch from your sewing machine. Divide the tulle so that it is evenly distributed on the waistband and you're done! Enjoy your beautiful new tutu and show off your needlework skills.
7. Ready!

Tips

• Another idea is to sew the gathered tulle directly to the waistband of a tights or to the bottom of a tight-fitting T-shirt.
• Try using different colors of tulle and dividing it over the skirt to create a colorful effect.