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
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!
What is the actual length and width of each strip?
Thanks for the tip am making an 18inch doll in to a fairy thank you so much for the quick easy idea
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!
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.