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How to make a tutu yourself is not as hard as it seems. There is even one method of tutu making that does require any sewing at all, and methods that do entail stitching are usually not complicated, but patience is needed. Beyond this you can attach your tutu to a leotard to make a complete costume and then decorate the tutu. The process can also be a fun and creative project.
Tutus come in all shapes and sizes and making them can be a fun sewing project or a full out artistic endeavor. According to the Australian Ballet, different tutus serve different purposes.Australian Ballet: Art of the Ballerina The elongated romantic tutus that the Willis wear in "Giselle" are designed to make the ballerinas appear ethereal and as if they're floating across the stage. The shorter tutus as seen in "Swan Lake" are intended to show off the sculpted legs and intricate footwork of dancers. Additionally, there are several variations of these types of tutus that can create a different look and feel for a performance.BNet: Dance Magazine - "One true tutu..." (October, 2008)
Most non-professionals looking for instructions on how to make tutus will simply need to construct a small costume tutu for a child getting ready to dance in a ballet. There is a great no sew option that will serve this purpose in a jiffy. For aspiring designers, costume makers, professional dancers with a flair for fashion and any one else who desires to create stage quality tutus there many patterns to choose from. -
How to Make a Tutu Tips
- For the no sew option; Do not tie the tulle on in tight knots initially; this way it's easier to re-adjust if necessary.
- For a fun twist;, alternate colors of tulle.
- Decorate so that your tutu will complement stage scenery.
- Resist the urge to over-embellish, it's a common mistake of first time tutu-makers.
- Buy more tulle than you think you'll need; tutus require a lot!
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Step 1: Make Your Tutu Base
- The base of the tutu is just the bare layers of tulle but its size and shape will greatly impact how the finished product looks.
A No Sew Tutu Base
- Tie the tulle around the elastic band at the middle point of the tulle length.
- So if you cut your tulle in a length of 12 inches, you'd tie it in the center to the band and have two 6-inch pieces of tulle hanging downwards.Make Them Yourself: Tutu
- To aid in this process, you can slip the elastic band around a chair while you tie on the tulle.Make Them Yourself: Tutu
- Cut out as many lengths of tulle as you think you'll need. You can always cut more and add them later. If you use a lot of tulle the tutu will be puffier.
- Take your elastic band and cut it the length of your daughter's waist. You can then either sew the band back together or simply tie a discreet knot.
Sewing a Tutu Base
- Beforehand measure the intended wearer's waist and cut the tulle as wide as you need for a good fit.
- Cut out the lengths of the desired amount of tulle and place the lengths over top one another; lining up their edges.About.com: How to Sew a Ballerina Tutu for a Halloween Costume
- Sew the edges of the layers of tulle together with a zigzag stitch to prevent any fraying. A zigzag stitch simply entails connecting together the rows with a zigzag line.
- Next you'll need to align the stitched tulle to your elastic band.About.com: How to Sew a Ballerina Tutu for a Halloween Costume
- Firstly, find the center and quarter points of the stitched tulle without bunching the tulle together.
- Then, do the same for the elastic band and tack the tulle to the band on the marked points, leaving a bit of the tulle overlapping the elastic band.
- Lastly, bunch the tulle together and pin it to the band in several places so it holds.
- Attach the tulle to the band by using the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.About.com: How to Sew a Ballerina Tutu for a Halloween Costume
- After you've sewn on the tulle, trim any fragments or loose threads.About.com: How to Sew a Ballerina Tutu for a Halloween Costume
A Store Bought Base
- Buy a tutu base from a manufacturer or retailer.Dance Teacher Magazine: Enhance Your Tutu Expertise Many dance students choose to save time and buy inexpensive plain tutu bases. All these students then have to do is decorate the base.
Step 2: Attach the Tutu to a Leotard
- This step is optional. If you're making a tutu for a child to play in you can easily slip or tie the tutu over whatever they're wearing. However, most dance students gearing up to perform will need their tutu attached to a leotard to for a complete costume.
- First sew the ends of the elastic band together so you have a complete tutu shell.
- You then have two options for sewing the tutu to the leotard;
- The first requires you to use a makeshift mannequin to tack the tutu onto the leotard.Burda Style: How to make a tutu skirt Then you carefully stitch around the entire circumference of the leotard attaching the tutu as you go.
- The second option is more highly recommended by expert seamstresses;cut the crotch of the leotard and then flip the the leotard and tutu upside down to sew them together. This is usually a less labor intensive method since it does not entail sewing while standing, but you must also re-sew the crotch once you're finished.Burda Style: How to make a tutu skirt
Step 3: Decorate Your Tutu
- This is arguably the most fun part of tutu-making as it's pretty easy to do and the possibilities are nearly endless.
- Design and sketch out how you'd like your final tutu to look, then go to your local craft store and pick up all that you'll need to do the job.
- Consider the following ideas
- Dot your tutu with glue and sprinkle glitter on top of the glue dots; or create a sparkling hem by lining it with glue and glitter.About.com: How to Sew a Ballerina Tutu for a Halloween Costume
- Tie together small ribbons and hand sew them throughout the tutu.About.com: How to Sew a Ballerina Tutu for a Halloween Costume
- For a romantic look, stitch together bunches of tulle to create the effect of draping layers and depth.
- Sew an overlay or a piece of fabric over top of the tulle that compliments the color.Burda Style: How to make a tutu skir
- Embellish the tutu with any other sequins, feathers, stick on decorations, lace or embroidery that you think will look great.The National Ballet of Canada: Make a Tutu
- Get creative and have fun!
Step 4: Options and Variations
- One of the perks of sewing your own tutu is that you can vary the pattern to create an array of unique looks. Here are some common options.
Pancake Tutus
- These are tutus that seem to stretch straight outward and are very flat looking like pancakes.
- Buy extra stiff tulle.Class Act: Anatomy of a Tutu This is the key to making a pancake tutu.
- Do not cut the lengths of tulle too long, as even stiff tulle can droop if its lengthy.
- Sew the tutu as you would any other.
Extra Fluffy Tutu
- These tutus look like clouds and seem to swallow ballerinas right up.Class Act: Anatomy of a Tutu They are also a favorite among little girls.
- Cut twice as many layers of tulle as you would to make a regular tutu.
- Sew the tutu as you would any other, but use a thicker thread to hold all those layers together.
Ribbon Wrapped Waistband
- These are tutus that have an elegant ribbon at the waist.
- Instead of using an elastic band, use a ribbon.
- Sew the tutu as you would any other, but sew the layers of tulle to the back (or non-shiny) side of the ribbon, so that the stitches cannot be seen.About.com: How to Sew a Ballerina Tutu for a Halloween Costume: Finish the Waistband
Conclusion
- Making a tutu can be a challenging and time consuming process. However, it is not as hard or complicated as most people perceive it to be, and you're likely to impress many with a homemade tutu. The most important thing to remember is to be creative and keep in mind the person or purpose you're making the tutu for.
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