Has your doll caught the ballet bug this year? Well, this week's craft just might be the answer! This tutu goes together pretty quickly, and you can make it in her favorite colors...
All you need is some ribbon, and some tulle. I am using 1/2 yd each of three different colors, but I wanted mine pretty fluffy. :)
Start by cutting the tulle into long strips. I've folded it up, so that one short pass with the rotary cutter yields a single long strip. Using a rotary cutter will save you a lot of headache (tulle can be very slippery!) but be careful. Like any powerful tool, rotary cutters can be dangerous!
Next, decide how far out you want your tutu to come (mine is 4" deep). Then, cut a piece of scrap cardboard that length.
Start wrapping a strip of tulle around the cardboard; when you get to the end, trim off any extra strip. Then, cut along one side of the wrapped strip, and unfold. You should now have a bundle of strips that are just the right length and width!
Keep doing this until you have cut up all your tulle. It takes a while, but trust me, this is the easiest way to make it happen. :)
Once your strips are in order, cut a piece of ribbon for the waistband. I've marked off the length of my doll's waist (11 3/4") on the ribbon, leaving some extra on each end for ties.
Tie the ribbon around a book for stability.
Then, start looping strips of tulle around the ribbon. Fold some strips in half, run the loop under the ribbon, then run the ends through the loop. Pull the knot tight.
Start adding tulle at one marking, and work your way around to the other marking.
All that's left is to tie it around your doll's waist, and fluff out the tulle a little bit for the most festive look!
Have fun, and let us know in the comments if you make this :)
Where can I get pattern for the leotard and is there a tutorial
Lauren
August 01, 2019
Do you know where to find a pattern for a Leo to match? This is sooo cute! Thanks!
Lin K
October 21, 2016
Jessica asked if this would work as a 50’s petticoat. The ribbon and pcs of tulle are bulky at the waist. The bulk is hidden on the dance tutu by the fluffy tulle layers. But as a petticoat under a dress it would be very bulky and add inches to the dress waist.
De
May 11, 2016
This was really fun to make, and soooooo much easier than trying to sew tulle. From first cut to finished project it was less than an hour. And it is adorable. Thank you! Great tutorial.
Sandy
April 29, 2016
I’ve used the netting that comes on a 6 inch roll already cut. Much easier than trying to fold netting yardage
Melinda Autry
April 29, 2016
How wide did you cut the strips with the rotary cutter?
Sandy
April 29, 2016
I’ve used the netting that comes on a 6 inch roll already cut. Much easier than trying to fold netting yardage
Jackie
January 08, 2016
How fun is this! Cute and no sewing, as such,
Nan
January 08, 2016
This is cool! I made one but used the sewing it on the sewing machine and pulling threads like gathering and then sewed it and removed the stitching. Like the old ways eh! This was for a very small puppy so I also put a little bit of ribbon on the back so the rough edges wouldn’t be on her belly. Too much work but did look great.
audrey
January 08, 2016
Very easy wonderful pattern. thanks so much! making it today!
Helen
January 08, 2016
Thanks so much for this tutu pattern, think I’ll just enlarge it a little and make a “mommie & me” set for my little granddaughter.
Jen
November 25, 2015
I believe the final strip legnth is 2 inches x 8 inches.
@BARBARA
October 23, 2015
What is the actual length and width of each strip?
Irene Watt
November 14, 2015
What a fun project and great result. Thank you. I did find it awkward working on the ribbon tied around a book. Instead I pinned my ribbon at the waist measurement marks to my jeans as I was wearing them, one end to one leg and the other end of the ribbon to the other leg, just above my knees, while sitting in my comfy sewing chair. By spreading my legs apart a bit I had the ribbon suspended in air, thereby much easier to work around and taught enough just by adjusting the width a bit between my legs. No book to get in the way and slow me down!
Barbara
October 23, 2015
What is the actual length and width of each strip?
Nikki Hughes
January 09, 2015
Thanks for the tip am making an 18inch doll in to a fairy thank you so much for the quick easy idea
latoia
December 07, 2014
I am making this now for a plush bunny i made for a friend’s burthday gift. Thanks so much for this tutorial! I used elastic but the technique still works fantastic!
Maggie Broderick
November 18, 2014
Thank you! I was just looking for a tutu for my grands AG doll. The price is ridiculous…I am not a sewer … but I am going to give this a try. It is much nicer than the one AG sells. I will let you know how it works out. Love that its not sewing. Thankx again.
Sylvia
October 24, 2014
I just made 2 of these in burgundy and soft white. I decided to tie them onto elastic and made enough to measure around the waist adding snap fasteners (UK=press studs) on the last 1/4" of each end of doubled over elastic, they are quite hidden by the pouffs. I did have a tube of 6" wide tulle and used your method of wrapping it around a 4" peice of cardboard. This worked out really well. Didn’t have enough on the white roll and had to cut some wide tulle into strips….boy what a chore, as it really does slip. But it is so worth it. Thanks so much for posting this and Shhhh! it is for my granddaughter’s Christmas gifts for her doll. So I’ll have to let you know what she thinks later!
Cathrine
June 29, 2014
Cool and cute !
dayna
May 10, 2014
To Jessica: I think the net tutu idea would be a great idea for a crinoline type slip. super, super idea. Just my thought tho :)
Jessica
April 10, 2014
Neat tutorial. Do you think this technique might also work for a net petticoat to go under a ’50s dress?
Carol
April 04, 2014
Granddaughters coming this week—cannot wait to present them their own doll tutus. Thank you!
Melinda
March 28, 2014
How fun, Susie! Way to go :)
SUSIE TAYLOR
March 25, 2014
THANK YOU SO MUCH . MY GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE SO SURPRISED AND LOVE THE TUTUS. this granny feels top of the world
iriyigu
June 21, 2021
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