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Instructions for How to Make a Tutu

Instructions for How to Make a Tutu by ambrosialove.
Folks have been asking - I figured it was time to take a close up photo, do some drawings, and put everything in one easy to find location. Props to Cherron for telling me how to make mine. 

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

You're going to need 2-8 yards of tulle, found in your local fabric store. Tulle seems to range in price from very cheap (I got mine for less than $1 a yard) to not really at all expensive for fabric (I saw some tulle for like $6 a yard - it was rather fancy looking). Two yards will suffice for a children's tutu. I doubt most of you are wanting to make one for a kid though. I used six yards for mine - my tutu is ridiculously poofy and has about a six inch gap with no material. One day, I'll fix that, but for now I just twist it to the side. Depending on how you cut your stripes and tie them on, you may need more or less fabric.

First, you're going to need to cut the tulle into strips. My tulle just happened to be twice as wide as I wanted my tutu's length to be, so I decided it would be easiest to loop the tulle around the ribbon. I cut my stripes about 4 inches wide - the width of these stripes is going to determine the poofiness, so use my tutu to judge.

After you have your strips cut, you're going to want to fasten them to a ribbon or elastic. If you use ribbon, make sure it matches the tulle - or at least compliments it. I forgot to buy ribbon from the fabric store and all I had laying around with some olive green piece. There are several methods for fastening the strips to the ribbon - you can sew them, tie them, or probably even use fabric glue. I opted to tie them on. Because my strips were twice the length I wanted, I just doubled them over and looped them around the ribbon.

Because I am such a horrible explainer of what I mean by 'looping around the ribbon', I drew a picture. Unfortunately, I am also a horrible drawer. I opted to crop out the final result, which is what you achieve by pulling the ends tight, but I don't think it's a crucial element. Just know that in the drawing below, you are actually looking at what will become the inside of the tutu's waist. You want the clean part of the loop on the outside, as in the photo above.

DSC02154

You may want to play around with other methods of fastening the strips to the ribbon. If you have any questions, I will try my hardest to answer them.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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anathea says:

Ooh, thank you. This will assuredly add to the already fluxing amount of adult tutu photos here on flickr. Whee!! ♥
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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pixel_chic says:

I sense there will be lots of tutus appearing in the flickr future
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

Yeah - I should have just said 'Put twenty dollars in an envelope and mail to . . . ' I could definitely make a ton of these for twenty bucks apiece!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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pixel_chic says:

Definately, I will take a blue and orange one...
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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SaylaMarz  Pro User  says:

I heart you.

This is amazing. Much cooler than the sewed onto elastic poof I had as a kid.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Kelli {Rainy Day Photography} [deleted] says:

Oh yay! Thank you!
--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

~~gone~~ [deleted] says:

oh man... i almost wish i HAD commissioned you to make one for me now... haha
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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lights_and_shadow says:

Awesome! I'm going to have to make one now.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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Véro722 says:

I.ve never had the intention of making a tutu, but after reading your instruction and your drawing, I.m tempted to make one. But I wouldn.t have any reason to wear one!!! :-)
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Moody Me [deleted] says:

yeah! i am going to make one too! thanks!!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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.tara.  Pro User  says:

Man, I would totally pay you to make mine :D I am going to try it this weekend though I think!!!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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PhotoKat  Pro User  says:

Um, yeah...that was so cool of you to put up there but I'd probably just buy one ;-) I'm not very crafty LOL
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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grace_tee  Pro User  says:

I'm going to the fabric store tomorrow! When's tutu day?
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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sundance1953 says:

Will it go with my cowboy hat? Maybe I'll try one. Good for a laugh. If my wife don't find out. Never mind, ain't worth it.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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cherriesjessilee  Pro User  says:

I'll have to make one for my Lily! Thanks!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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rachel a. k.  Pro User  says:

This is awesome. Thanks!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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TXAlleKat  Pro User  says:

thanks!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

mnopq [deleted] says:

woo hoo! I love all your tu-tu photos Ambrosialove!! I'll be definitely be making one! Thanks!! :) ♥
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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*Photo Jen*  Pro User  says:

Oooooooooh...I'm definately going to try this!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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briemarie  Pro User  says:

amber, thanks for posting this. i would totally pay you to make a tutu. i'm sure my nieces would love one of their own.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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Sunneschii  Pro User  says:

oh... col idea! I want one too!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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Véro722 says:

I bought some tulle this week. There was only white tulle :-I It was 1,60$CAN/metre . I don't know when I'll have the time to make one :-I I have to do some housework but it's so boring, I need the tutu!!! :-)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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Esquinadelaiguana says:

this is so great.. i was thinking of doing one myself.... and this instructions make my day.... :) i definitely will make one...

p.s. sorry for my english..... and thanks again for the tutu recipe...
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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rowiegrl says:

One more thing to add to my "things i wanna make" Thanks very adorable.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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sharwest  Pro User  says:

thanks for the tip!

—linked from tribe
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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melodramababs  Pro User  says:

my husband is not going to like that I found these instructions! oh. so easy to make!! My tutus are actually skirts (one's a cinoline) that I simply pulled up and safety pinned into place. But this is so easy!

And I love the poofyness of your tutu! Thanks for these instructions!

--
Seen in a discussion of Tutus!. (?)
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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arleneblanck says:

thanks for such great instructions. I just made one for my 10 month grandaughter.

www.flickr.com/photos/skylerbug/1419648788/
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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Big Bad Voodoo Mama  Pro User  says:

I have a question for you on reusing this pattern. I make hand dyed and embellished kids clothes, and I would really like to make some matching skirts for my online store to go with some of my shirts.

Would that be acceptable to you? I can of course give you credit for this pattern, as I do not want to steal someone else's work, but this is the best instructions I have found for making these.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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robeno5 says:

thiank you very much!
because of this i was able to make
my doggie a tutu for holloween and
after i make my pink tutu we weill be matching
when we go trickortreating
:D


Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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*Photo Jen*  Pro User  says:

I finally made one today:

Our Home-made Tutu
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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mithril.adiminte says:

How long were the strips that you used? [Before you tied them on.] Or, How long is your skirt?
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

The tutu is to my knees:

Packing In A Tutu

So, I'm thinking 3-4 feet (since it's doubled over).
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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mithril.adiminte says:

Much thanks! I'm making this for Halloween for my fairy costume ^^
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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Laney G  Pro User  says:

So you just get a regular piece of ribbon to loop them around? And tie it around your waist? Is that how it stays on?

This is so great. Thanks for the info! :)
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

Yep. Or you can use elastic.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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cooperbabe2008 says:

I am so using this for my halloween costume. Thanks so much the instructions.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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Laney G  Pro User  says:

Thank you!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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sandycheeeks says:

wow thats so awesome!!! you are so much more helpful than yahoo answers and google :)

thanks now im off to make my ballerina costume for halloween :D !
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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Sunshine Abby says:

So I'm basically using these directions to make my tutu right now.

And so far, the tutu is coming along pretty great!
Thanks =]
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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speakrfreakr27 says:

thanks for the TUTORIAL!!! I am seriously going to use it, to make my bumble bee costume. I'll post pics. Thanks again!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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cooperbabe2008 says:

I love my tutu. Im wearing it to a Halloween party tonight, then again on Wednesday. Once I take pictures, I will definitely show you.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

I made a new tutu!

The Newest Addition To My Closet
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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bibliogrrl says:

Thank you so so so much for this! My best friend and I are doing a bike race, and are going to wear matching tutus. This is going to make my life a million times easier. This is the best tututututututotial (:D) I've been able to find...

Off to work!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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purlingsprite  Pro User  says:

I made one for my little one. Thank you! I posted it over on my blog: www.purlingsprite.com

Thank you, thank you!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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Danielle Hamilton Photography  Pro User  says:

this is SO much fun!!!
Can´t wait to make one
=p
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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.tara.  Pro User  says:

Yay! My first one!!! Thanks, girl!

"295/365: I made a tutu!" by .tara. [?]
295/365: I made a tutu!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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mom2sweetiepie says:

I can't wait to try it. Thank you so much.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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twnklmoon  Pro User  says:

Whoo hoo! I picked my colors, and am using a nice powder blue rope, and I am ready to go. Will make my tutu tomorrow and hopefully post a picture this weekend. Thanks SO much. You ROCK!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

scruffalumpakins (*Leigh*) [deleted] says:

Found this posted in a group...LOVE IT! Thank you so much!!! :o)
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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lusciousnis says:

Too cool! Thanks for sharing!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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paperkitteneyes says:

thanks so much, you saved me a load of trouble.
its funny too, i was gathering colors i had and i was like "wtf and am i going to do with these?" and they are the same you used in your example! they go together so well.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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{ Beautiful Moments } says:

Thanks for sharing, you inspired me to make these skirts for a shoot that I had in my mind for weeks....

Sweetness all over
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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elineart says:

Thank you!!!
You inspired me to make one!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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smflynn32 says:

Ok, so now I really want to make a tutu and give it to my dance teacher for her birthday! But I dont understand how much tulle i need! She is about 5'6 so please tell me how much I would need.

Thanks a bunch!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

smflynn32 The amount of tulle will depend on how poofy you want it, how long you want it, and obviously how big the hips are. At a minimum, I would say you'd need 4 yards. Max - 10 yards. Good luck!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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Silvered Capture  Pro User  says:

OH! Fun... I think I have a new project!!!!! YAY! Thanks!

--
Found in a search. (?)
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Yeyers [deleted] says:

thanks for the tutorial.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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100% Fruit Juice says:

Oh man!
I made mine green
I absolutely LOVE it!
:D
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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got hope says:

Oh, I've found my next project! haha on tutututuorial! thanks for the instructions!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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FallenGracePhotography says:

this is great thanks , ive just made mine and anothers , photos to come soon :)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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Fractal 00 says:

hheheeheh you became multi talented :) glad to see that your still on ... cheers !!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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SchonaKesslerPhotography  Pro User  says:

Wow Thanks for the info! Can't wait to make some!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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*ojoyous1*  Pro User  says:

I'm SO glad I found this!!!! I want to do a tutu & am sewing impaired!!!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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thejay5family(marie)  Pro User  says:

WOW - just what I was looking for & from a contact even :)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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camilaustral says:

i loved your other photos, really pretty... too bad people steal nice pictures! :(
i've always wanted to have a tutu!!!
i'm going to make one for a costume party i have ;)

thank you so much!!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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vanity021 says:

I love the tutorial. I wanna make Tutu's for my girls for an Olivia the Pig bday party. If I pick 2 colors, do I just alternate it. If the girls are only 2 1/2 feet tall, how long should I cut the tulle? How do I measure how much elastic? i am all new with this type of craft...i am sooooo excited. can't wait to hear your response so I could go to the fabric store.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

vanity021 - Yes, just alternate the colors. Your strips are going to be doubled over, so just make sure the tulle is twice as long as you want the tutu - some folks do long flowy tutus and others do short ones that just kind of stick straight out. I've never worked with elastic though, so I don't know what to tell you about how to measure that. With the ribbon, I just measure right above the hips where the tutu sits, add a bit more for the bow, and cut my ribbon to size. I would guess elastic would be the same . . . ?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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♥Junedel  Pro User  says:

Hi ambrosia... thanks for the tutorial. I just finished making one for my little girl and it's so adorable.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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JuliaKRodgers says:

I am now obsessed with tutus, and am making two for my daughter's first birthday--one to go with each of her birthday shirts, one of which will inevitably get icing all over it. So I must have a stand-by outfit! I can't wait to show off the tutu outfits and my girl in them! Thanks for the help in creating a tutu-maniac.....
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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ohhsopretty says:

I want my tutu to be seriously poofy for my birthday party so should i add layers on layers or do you recon that would look silly. Also, do you recon if i cut the top off of a pair of joggers to use the elastic that might work?
Oh sorry to be a pain could you show me a pic of what it looks like on an adult too? thank you soo much for this, so handy!! x
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

ohhsopretty You can use that elastic, but I would imagine elastic is pretty cheap and sold wherever you're getting your tulle. For the poofiness, I would suggest cutting narrow, shorter strips, tying them all on, and then judge whether it's poofy enough or not. If not, just squeeze them tighter and add more, or you can probably add more on top. I'm not really sure though - perhaps some other folks will weigh in.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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Amy-Rose says:

thankyou, thankyou!!!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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ohhsopretty says:

thank you sooo much for this it took me bloody ages to find out how to make one i really hope it works alright!! thanks x x x
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

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red_converses says:

I made three of these for christmas presants for my cousins and they loved them!
I also made one for myself to wear under a dress for 50's sunday. It came out great and I can't wait to wear it again.
I used elastic for the one for myself and ribbon for the ones for my cousins.
Ribbon is definitely easier to work with. The elastic is very twisted and you can't really untwist it. It happens in the looping process.
But it feels fine when you are wearing it and is covered with the tulle.
I need to buy some more tulle to fill in the bare spots but it came out great and I wanted to thank you!

Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

PerfectByNature-SW [deleted] says:

Thank you so much!
I didn't think it would be so easy and I will definatly make one of those <3
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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Eliza_Blaze  Pro User  says:

Holy crap, thanks! I am making a ton of them and giving them out at Burning Man this year.....
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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terecool says:

thank to help me
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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Rachel.::.K  Pro User  says:

I might not get my cwd assignments done, but I am definitely making a tutu tonight.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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avantsgirl2000 says:

I would like to say thanks for explaining how to make the tutu but i would like to know how do u make a layered tutu? thats whats kinda confusing to me
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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ambrosialove  Pro User  says:

avantsgirl2000 - I'm not entirely sure I understand what you mean. In my description above, the tulle is doubled over, so that's kind of creating a layered effect . . . but I don't know if that's what you're talking about.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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haemophiliac  Pro User  says:

thx for the instructions. mine i think will be all black. or maybe i'll layer two of them, black on top of a pink one. that would probably give more coverage too. fun fun fun. wish i still had my toe shoes from my ballerina days.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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avantsgirl2000 says:

Hey thanks for responding. I actually understand it now. I tried it out and by it being double it does give it that effect but its not layered. i kinda answered my own question by trying it out. sorry :)
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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Smashley2 says:

Thanks so much for sharing! I found a place online that sells them for $45 made the exact same way. With 3 daughters you just saved me a bundle!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

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ladivasoprano says:

Thank you so much! I'm making these for a production I am in. These are perfect and a lot easier to make than the other version I was making before!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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curdsnwhey  Pro User  says:

Thanks so much for sharing this. My little girl is dressing up for a Carnivale and she is so excited about the tutu. Again, my thanks.
Nan
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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Amy-Rose says:

i got to make some and i just wanted to say thanks again! couldn't have done it without you. Thank you sooo much!

Enchanted
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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daraetiennemurray says:

i love this!! for halloween me and my friends dressed up like mimes!! i'll see if i can send the pic. sometime
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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tankgirl  Pro User  says:

Awesome! After I finish my current sewing project, I am so making one of these!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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SchonaKesslerPhotography  Pro User  says:

Worked out great! Thanks again!
_MG_3887_3
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

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hannahstutus says:

Nice instructions - since i make them for a living - the one thing to look for in tulle if you want quality ones is pull on it alot of the cheaer tulles will tear when you pull and are very scratchy, I've made 100's of tutus I have lots of samples search Hannah's Tutus and you can find some
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

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mommy2my2girls says:

Excellent info! I make custom tutus as well. I love the super poufy ones! Search Picklebug Boutique to find some of my tutus!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Signe can be found here: flickr.com/lovesigne  Pro User  says:

thank you!
i've been looking for something like this for ages :]
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Daniela Lamarão says:

I just finished my first one. I love it. Thank you for sharing.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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ms.matashi  Pro User  says:

Thank you so much for this tutorial. This is great. I will be making one for a photoshoot soon.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Dvlshkitten  Pro User  says:

Yay! I just made mine today. Love it!! Thank you!!!!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Bastett7  Pro User  says:

thank you, thank you, thank you!! I've been wanting to make one for the longest time and I finally did with your help! worked out great!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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tutusNtoeShoes says:

I LOVE the tutu that I just made :)

The only thing I added, I sewed the completed ribbon (with the tulle tied) to a piece of fabric that had eyelets sewn in so it would look like the romantic tutu's I used when I danced. It also allowed me to hide a 2nd layer of tulle to make it extra puffy
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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thebugsmommy  Pro User  says:

THANK YOU!!!!!
I am going to have to try this :)
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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