Making Tutu's

It is now officially Fall which means it's time to start thinking about Halloween costumes! Johanna is an easy one when it comes to brainstorming ideas. I asked her who she wanted to dress up as and her response was a very enthusiastic "TINKER BELL!" After perusing through amazon and etsy I decided why spend the money for someone else to make it it when I can just make it myself? I thought first thing I needed to make a tinkerbell costume that she would want to wear was a good tutu so I googled 'how to make a tutu' and went from there. Well I survived making the tutu and let me tell you, easy peasy! In case you are inspired to surprise your little princess with one here is my interpretation of how to make a tutu.

 

What you will need:

2-3 different colors of tulle

elastic 1/2" or larger 

needle and thread

scissors

hanger

time

patience

 

Step 1: Measure your little ones waist with the elastic then sew together to form a waist band

(My advice, take about an inch off from what you measure because the elastic will loosen after you've worked with it. I didn't do this and now Johanna's tutu is a little on the loose side.)

Step 2: Secure your elastic band on to a hanger so you can work freely.

Step 3: Cut tulle into strips. The length depends on how long you want it to hang on your child. What you will need to do is choose a length, then double that and add one inch. For instance: You want the length to be 12 inches long on your little one? Then cut 25" length strips (12+12+1). The width of the strips is also preference.

(More advice: don't be super concerned about exact measurements or straight cuts. As your are knotting the tulle you won't notice this detail.)

Step 4: Take each strip of cut tulle and tie it on to the elastic band.

Step 5: Play with tulle like a crazy girl

Step 6: Have toddler watch Tinker Bell for distraction...errrr... inspiration.

Keep tying the strips into (double) knots until you've filled the entire band. This is about 3 yards worth of tulle from Walmart.

Step 7: Add glitter tulle!

 Step 8: Cut glitter tool into strips at a shorter length than your first color

Step 9: Repeat tying knots like you did before adding the shorter glitter tulle between every 2 or 3 strips of your first color. This time I put the band around my leg to work with the tulle easier.

Step 10: Give to your child and enjoy!

 

 

Bonus step: Place under something heavy to flatten a little and trim anything that may need touching up. I hadnt done that yet in the above pictures.

 

So easy! The Walmart tulle was like 80 cents a yard or something ridiculous and the glitter tulle was 3.99 if I remember correctly. Elastic is a buck and it took me about an hour and a half to complete. So worth it if you ask me!

 

I'll keep you posted on the rest of my adventures of making my first homemade Halloween costume :) Oh and if you're wondering who JJ will be I'm trying to decide between:

 Peter Pan

-or-

Tinker Bell's best friend, Terrance

 

Who do you think JJ should be?

(Ideally, Jeff would be Peter Pan and JJ would be Terrance. Sadly, there is about a .000005% chance I'd ever get my Husband in green tights let alone pointy shoes and hat. That and he specifially told me he is only dressing up every other Halloween, the little stinker.)