How to Make a Tutu Skirt

Tutus are the skirts used by ballet dancers when they perform, and by little children when they play dress up or pretend. Tutus must fit well, and be beautiful as well as durable. The sizes are basic, with an elastic waist and full tulle materials, and they can be made in any color or pattern desired. We'll show you how easy it is to make one!

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Take measurements. Have the tutu-wearer-to-be stand still, with their back straight.
- With a measuring tape, measure around the waist with a measuring tape.
- Measure from the waist to the part of the leg where the tutu skirt should end. Most tutus fall between 11 in. (28 cm) and 23 in. (58 cm) from the waist.

Make the elastic waistband. Cut a piece of 1/2 inches (1.27 cm) elastic about 4 inches (10 cm) shorter than the waist measured.
- Sew the ends of the elastic together with a sewing machine.
- Use a variety of stitches to sew over the area 2 or 3 times to ensure the elastic will not come apart.
- The end result will be a wide elastic circle. Have the person who will wear the tutu skirt try on the elastic, and make sure it is tight enough around the waist.

Choose the tulle to be used in the homemade tutu skirt. Tulle comes in many different colors, and can be found in fabric stores, or arts and crafts stores.
- Most tutus are a solid color, but different colors of tulle can also be used together.

Cut the tulle to size. Take the desired finished length of the tutu and multiply it by 2. Add 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) to that number to get the length. Make each strip 3 inches (7.6 cm).
- For example, if the length of the finished tutu will be 20 inches (50 cm), cut the tulle into strips 41.5 inches (105 cm) and 3 inches wide.

Attach the tulle to the elastic band. Fold the tulle strips over the elastic. Stitch the front of the strip to the back piece with a sewing machine. Do this for all of the tulle strips, until the circle is complete.

Check the fit. Have the recipient try on the tutu to make sure the length is correct and it is easy to dance in. Tutu skirts are often worn with a leotard or bodice on top, tights and ballet shoes.

Finished.

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A sewing machine will be helpful, but not absolutely necessary. The elastic and the tulle can be stitched by hand, with a needle and thread. It will just take longer.

Buy more tulle than would seem to be necessary. For a tutu skirt for a small child, purchase at least 10 yards (9 m). For an adult, purchase at least 15 yards (13.7 m) for the ballet skirt. It is better to have extra on hand in case of mistakes, or corrections.