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 :)
For Pixie Faire,
Melinda
27 Comments
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.
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.
I’ve used the netting that comes on a 6 inch roll already cut. Much easier than trying to fold netting yardage
How wide did you cut the strips with the rotary cutter?
I’ve used the netting that comes on a 6 inch roll already cut. Much easier than trying to fold netting yardage