"Tutu-torial Tuesday" - How To Make a Tutu!

So yesterday, I gave y'all a sneak peek at today's tutu-torial.  With Kaelyn's 2nd birthday party coming up, I wanted to try and get her something special to wear, and with the increasing popularity of tutus (along with the high prices), I decided to try and make her one myself.  I googled multiple tutorials for tutu-making, and found one I really liked.  Taking this tutorial, I attempted to add my own spin into things.  In going with her birthday theme, there were two colors I wanted to use. I went to Wal-Mart in Richmond on Saturday to purchase the tulle I needed, and came to find they didn't carry one of the colors I needed.  Thankfully, I was going to be visiting my parents the following day, so I figured I would wait and check at the stores in their area.  The first store (another WalMart), they didn't even carry fabric, so that was a bust.  The second store (Michael's) also didn't carry fabric, but as it was the first time I'd ever been in a Michael's I was completely awestruck and just flooded with ideas to use for future Tutorial Tuesdays!  But once again, a bust.  The final store I went to was a third WalMart about a half hour north of where my parents live and in the same shopping center as the Michael's.  Not only did they carry fabric, but they had the shade I needed (lavender).  Unfortunately, they only had 5 yards of it, meaning I was going to need to either purchase a third color or make my secondary color (pink) my primary, which would have been disappointing.  After brainstorming a bit, I decided to go ahead and add a third color (which ended up being the better choice in my opinion).  Overall, I ended up purchasing 12 yards of tulle and when I was done making the tutu, I still had a good 2 yards left, and its approximately a 2T-3T sized tutu.  That evening, I got to work!

Supplies
Tape measure
1 package/yard 3/4"-1" wide elastic
Needle and thread to match elastic
10-12 yards of tulle, depending on the size and colors you need, this can vary
Ribbon or embellishments

Step 1
Purchase and gather your supplies.

Step 2
Using a tape measure, measure the waist at the smallest point of the person you are making the tutu for.  You can also just use the elastic to measure, but the tape measure will be more exact and there is less likelihood of you accidentally stretching the elastic with a tape measure!

Step 3
Measure out and cut the elastic the appropriate length needed.  Take 1 end of the elastic and bring it approximately 2-3 inches past the other end and sew them together (it will look like a rectangle once you are done).  This is because while you are working, the elastic will be stretching and you don't want it falling off!

Step 4
If you aren't comfortable continuing by hand, find something wide enough to slip the elastic around.  Personally, I preferred holding it than putting it around something to work with it.

Step 5
Measure and cut your tulle into strips.  Whatever length you want your tulle, double that.  For example, I wanted the tutu to be 12" long, so I cut my strips at 24" long (about 12" wide on each as well).  Some people recommend cutting all the strips ahead of time, some prefer to cut as they go along.  I prefer to cut as I go along so I don't end up cutting too much and I can use what I have left for another activity!  But its mostly based on your personal preference!

Step 6
Take a strip and fold it in half so it's the length you want.  Then, perform a slipknot around the elastic. (Step By Step photos for the slipknot instructions are coming soon!)

Step 7
Continue with all the strips, performing slipknots around the elastic and keep them slid close together while you continue around.

Step 8
Once you get back to the portion of the elastic you sewed, the tulle will be looser to fit around the larger part of the elastic.  At this point, you can place a bow, flower, or embellishment of your choice, to hide anything that may be out of place.  At this point, if any of your length seems to be off, you can trim it evenly!

And there you have it! A homemade tutu!  I'll be making another in the next 48 hours, so I'll be sure to have step-by-step photos for you guys soon!  And hopefully, my little model will be in a better mood and more cooperative so I can get better photos than these!  Hope you guys have a tutu-lly awesome time trying these out for yourself!