I have seen a lot of inquirers on how to make tutus, etc. so I brought over some information from my site to share with y’all!
This is the one I made~ Make sure you scrunch your tulle together really well to have a really full tutu! I use about 20 yards of tulle in each of mine.
To measure your waist, make sure you measure your model and then take off about 2-3 inches of elastic. I know that sounds drastic, but as you put on the tulle and tighten it, it stretches the elastic out and makes it bigger..so if you don’t take down the waist size before, your waist will end up really big and you will be taking it half apart. Trust me, I did it twice.
On elastic size, that’s preference. I find with older girls, the 1 inch is a good size, but for the babies, you may want something less wide like a 3/4th inch elastic. They cost about $1.20 at walmart.
To add to these instructions since it isn’t listed in a lot of places, 6 inch tulle works really well, not the big tulle you find on the bolts. I use the big tulle on the bolts, so I end up having to cut in a lot of ways to get it to be not to thick. If you go that route, you generally have to cut the length and width.
Premeasure your tulle out and have it all ready so you can basically go from start to finish. A general rule is that it should be about 22-24 inches in length so when you fold it in half, it hangs long enough. If you measure out 24 inches, it will be 12 inches in length. So basically half your length to determine how long the skirt is. I do all the trimming at the end so I dont worry so much.
Where you did the sewing will be a little hard to close the last few pieces of tulle over the top. I always put an embellishment in that area to cover up any discrepancy.
TIP: Instead of Elastic, you can use big satin ribbon and the just tie in a bow. Its easy removal…but that’s half the problem…your child, especially if you have a young one, can remove it. Elastic is a lot more snug.
Some Halloween Ideas for Tutus:
- Red Tulle with Black Puff Balls glued on Make a LadyBug
- Orange, Purple, and Black tulle for a witch
- Yellow, Orange, White for Candy Corn
- Hot Pink and Lime Green for Strawberry Shortcake
- White and Light Pink for a “50′s” Look
- Purple and Light green for a Fairy
- Yellow and Black for a Bumble Bee
Make sure you add some embellishments like sparkles or pom poms when your done! I added flowers to mine!
Other Embellishments include things like Satin Ribbons, Rhinestones, Puff Balls, Flowers, Rose petals, or small premade ribbons that you can find at Micheal’s or Hobby Lobby.
I use hot glue.
Come see my newest tutorials
HOW TO MAKE A FAIRY WAND
Other tutu posts of mine I would love for you to check out:
———————————————————-
Other sites that may help you (but my instructions are probably as clear as you are going to find)
*coming soon will be Fairy Tutu instructions
- Free Tutu Instructions site #1
- Tutu Instructions site 2
- Tutu Instructions site 3 (these are good!)
- How to make a Fairy Wand (w/ crystal ball – i made this, its super cute!)
- How to Make a Tulle wand (my site! very cute!)
- How to make a Tutu Halter Dress site #1
- How to make a Tiered Tulle Skirt
- How to make a Tulle Halter Dress site #2
- How to make a Layered Tutu
- How to make a tutu for your Barbie (new!)
- try instructions on ruffled socks
- How to make a Pillowcase Dress
- How to make a Pettiskirt (martha stewart)
- How to make a Pettiskirt with pattern tutorial
- How to make a beaded headband
- My favorite place to shop, and they have tutu’s and tutu outfits quite a bit!
- Tutu Pour Mon Deux
- Mud Pie Baby Perfectly Princess Tutu Dress, 0-6 Months
- Cotton Candy & Bubble Gum Tutu for Infant
- Small Miracles Girl’s Glamor Light Up Tutu
- Pink Ballerina Princess Costume Tutu Party Dressup 6/8
- Danskin Girls Leotard with Tutu and Bow Detail
And my friend Koris page where you can find AMAZING princess hairstyles like this one she did!
(picture used with permission)
I used your info today and made my first tutu. My daughter is 9 months old and we are big Gator fans so I made her an orange, blue and white one. It is ADORABLE! Thanks for the great information!!
How much tulle did you use for your 9 month old? I want to make one for my soon to be 3 month for her pictures and not sure how much to get, thanks!
I am so going to attempt to make one. I’m not super creative but this looks like a fun project! Thanks for all the great links and tips!
Such a cute skirt! How long of tulle should I cut for a 0-6 month old? And for a 6-12 month old?
And, is the width you use 6inches? Or do you cut it in half and use 3 inch strips?
Hello,
I made a tutu for my daughter birthday and it turned out really well, the only thing is it get’s knotty and bunched instead of smooth and pooffy, any advice??
You can use this method to make wigs as well – when I made a tutu for my daughter, I made a black and blue pirate wig for my 2-year-old son. Just cut the tulle a bit shorter (14-16″). I’m planning to make a brown-and-tan lion’s mane for him next!
What do you spray on your tutu’s to prevent them from sticking together???
I’ve already made a couple of tutus and I’m happy with them except for the ends. I had purchased one and the ends are very even. Is there a trick to trimming the tutu once you are all done tying on the tulle? Thanks.
did you use 3 layers of tule for the one you made? if so, what was the pattern?
OK. I’m trying to make a tutu for my 5 year old. I made a red and black one with tulle from walmart on the bolt. I cut it in 2 inch or so wide strips and 24 inches long. I tried to make it really full with the tie method. but how do you get the strips to stand up o stiff out like in your pics? Mine just scrunched together. Do you use starch or stiff stuff? Please help I want to make her the perfect tutu for her birthday! Thank you for your help!!!
I did mine in layers…so i did like shorter and longer over the top of each other so it poofed out more. I also put a TON of tulle on there.
trisha
Ok, stupid question here…you said you make yours in layers- how do you do that ? I get how to make a no sew tutu but having trouble envisioning how to layer it without sewing…thanks
Hi,
I’m just curious why you prefer the 6″ spool vs. the tulle on the bolt. I am having a hard time finding the colors I want in the spool! (I don’t want to order online because I want to see the fabric in person).
Also, how many yards do you think I would need for a 1 yr. old tutu?
Thank you so much!
Its pre-cut on one side on the 6″…the bolt is going to be like 3 yard across, so you have to cut it twice. If you get the spools, you only cut it at the length…it just makes it easier.
Hi! Which directions did you use for your daughter’s tutu? Its adorable!
My own! ill make one coming up and publish in here…i am trying to decide the colors!
sorry I meant *thin not thing
I doubled up my tulle and used the slip knot technique but my tutu is still coming out very thing and it’s all one layer. every tutu I see seems like it has multiple layers to it. How do I get this look?
Hi!
These are so cute! Which of the linked instructions did you use?
Thanks!
Hi! Thanks so much for posting this! I want to make a couple of collegiate tutus for our daughter to wear this fall at football games. She’s not born yet, but she’ll be about 6 months old by the time football season rolls around. What’s the best way to know how much elastic to use? Would it be safe for me to measure the circumference of a size 6-9 month onesie and just use that?
Thanks for the awesome info!!! I have been eyeing some awesome tutu’s online and just couldn’t see myself throwing out all that money for 2 tutu’s for my daughters. A friend suggested making one and to google I went!!!
My question is, when I go to JoAnn’s, how many yards of tulle do I need? I have an almost 4 year old and a 7 month old. Any ideas from experienced tutu makers would be much appreciated!
I used 100 yards of 6 inch tulle for a 21 inch waist band and they are very full ( I cut mine at 26 inches in length)
how did you get the flowers on????
I have 2 yr old twins so I have made a few tutus (thanks so much for the instructions they’ve saved me TONS!!!!) I started out making them on waistband wide elastic and I’ve even tried the very skinny elastic and no matter which i use the tulle stretches it out so much that there’s no elasticity left in the waistband… I have consequently started just making them on ribbon and sewing a hook and eye where each end of the ribbon “meets” at their bellies, then tying off the excess into a pretty bow in the front. I would like to know how to keep the elastic from stretching so much but still being able to keep the tulle taut and jam packed on the waistband so it keeps its fluff… any suggestions??
You really can’t keep it tight – I measure their waist and take 3 inches off and use a safety pin to hold the elastic together. Then I put on the tulle and when I get close to the safety pin I measure it around them again and cut the elastic if I need to. But usually taking 3 inches off is about perfect.
littlemissbeautifuldesigns.com for tutu dresses. custom made with yards and yards of tulle. awesome prices
Where do you buy the tulle and waist band? than you so much. Elizabeth
i buy tulle wholesale, but you can buy per project at walmart, joann fabrics, or hobby lobby. The price is anywhere from 99cents to $2 a yard
Waist band elastic you can get those places as well and costs about $2.
http://www.giftsintl-us.com/products.php?cat=83 Very cheap and they ship fast. However, they don’t have all of the bright colors I wanted. The waist band I have bought at Hobby Lobby and JoAnnes fabrics
Thanks a ton for this site I just ordered stuff to make a tutu for my daughters first bday I am so excited to make it
i am so excited i found these cheap and easy instructions. now i can be a REAL bumble bee ballarina!!!!!!