Making a tutu dress is not only easy and fast, it is also a fun activity, both for you and the kids. By making a tutu dress, you can quickly create a princess or fairy costume. This article will not only show you how to make a regular tutu dress, it will also give you ideas on how to decorate it.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Measuring and Cutting
Step 1. Measure the child's chest circumference
Use a measuring tape and wrap it around the child's chest, just below his armpit. This section will be the place for the elastic. Subtract 5 cm from the size you get. Use these measurements as a guide for cutting the elastic band on the top of the dress.
Step 2. Measure the child's waist circumference
Use a measuring tape and wrap it around the child's waist. Subtract 5 cm from the size you get. Use this measurement as the length of the waistband of your dress.
Step 3. Cut the elastic
Find elastic bands that are about 1.2 to 1.9 cm wide, and cut them to the measurements you got for the top and waist of the dress. That way, you get two pieces of elastic cord.
Step 4. Tie the ends of the elastic cord together
Take a sheet of one elastic band for the top of the dress, and tie the ends together to form a loop. Lay one end overlapping the other. Secure it with fabric glue, hot glue, or super glue. You can also sew the ends with a needle and thread. That way, your dress will last longer. Repeat the same steps on the belt.
Step 5. Buy some tulle rolls
Tulle, which is sold in rolls, is about 15 cm wide, making it perfect for making a tutu dress. You can buy them at most arts and craft supply stores. Rolls of tulle are available in a variety of colors. There are also options that are equipped with twinkling decorations. Sometimes, tulle has twinkling patterns such as polka dots, wavy and circular lines. You can buy tulle in the same color and pattern, or different ones to create a colorful dress.
- If you are making a short dress, or a dress for a baby or toddler, you will need two or three rolls of tulle.
- If you are making a longer dress, or a dress for children, you will need three or four rolls of tulle.
Step 6. Determine the length of the dress
Take a measuring tape and place one end under your armpit, where the elastic will be attached. Pull the tape measure down until it reaches the length you want, then add 7.5 to 10 cm to that measurement. You'll need to increase the length as the tulle will swell when tied to the elastic, making it appear shorter.
Step 7. Prepare a piece of cardboard according to the length of your dress
This cardboard should also be measured 7.5 to 10 cm longer by the length of the tulle. You can use a photo mat, a baking sheet, or any paper, as long as it's the right length and not too thick.
Step 8. Wrap the tulle along the cardboard
Place one end of the tulle along the bottom edge of your cardboard and wrap it around it. Continue to wind the tulle until the entire roll is used up.
Step 9. Cut the tulle
Slide the scissors along the bottom edge of the cardboard and cut the tulle. You only need to cut off one of the sides. Don't cut the side of the tulle otherwise. Each tulle sheet will be twice the length of your dress, as you will be folding the sheet in half later.
To make the tulle more interesting, try cutting the base of each sheet obliquely
Part 2 of 4: Putting the Dresses together
Step 1. Find or create a temporary dress shape
You'll need something to keep the elastic in place while tying the tulle sheets together one at a time. You can use any cylindrical object, as long as it is the same thickness as the child's waist. You can also make your own dress using a sheet of poster paper, then roll it up to the same size as the child's body, then glue it so the roll doesn't unravel.
Step 2. Attach the elastic to the object
Make sure the distance between the two is equal to the distance between the child's armpit and waist.
Step 3. Tie the tulle sheet to the top rope
Thread the looped end of the tulle under the top strap, and pull the dangling part through the loop. Pull it down gently to tie it. Repeat this step on the other tulle sheet. If you use more than one color, alternate between different colors. Don't attach the tulle to the bottom strap just yet.
The closer the tulle sheets are, the more puffy your dress will be
Step 4. Tie the tulle sheet to the belt
Take the first sheet of tulle (hold both ends) and tuck it under the belt. Bring both ends back up and tie a knot. Gently slide the tulle sheet back down. Repeat on the entire sheet of tulle.
Step 5. Consider attaching the ribbon to the tutu skirt
Use a measuring tape and measure the distance from the waistband to the bottom hem of the skirt. Double the size you got, and cut the ribbon to that size. Fold the ribbon in half, and tuck the loop under the waistband, just between the two tulle sheets. Bring the ends of the ribbon up through the loop, the same way you would tie the tulle to the top of the dress. Gently tug the ends of the tape back down. Attach the ribbon again every few inches so that it goes around the waistband.
Step 6. Consider shortening the tutu skirt
You can make a slanted or wavy skirt according to your tulle cut. To create a slanted dress, cut the front tulle shorter and leave the back intact. To make a wavy dress, cut some pieces of tulle shorter than others.
Part 3 of 4: Attaching the Ribbon and Belt
Step 1. Cut a few strands of ribbon for the top strap of the dress
The size of the ribbon should be four times the length of the top strap of the dress. You'll wrap this ribbon over the top's straps to hide the tulle knot. Do not use wire tape, as the wire can scratch and puncture the child's body. So, look for a soft ribbon with both sides made of satin.
Step 2. Wrap the ribbon over the top strap of the dress
Tuck it up and down between each tulle knot so it looks like a candy cane. Thread both ends of the elastic string behind the tulle knot, securing it with fabric glue or hot glue. You can also sew the two ends together.
Step 3. Make a neck strap top
To make a collared top, find the center of the dress and thread the ribbon around the elastic as you would tulle. However, do not pull the tape down. Pull the ribbon up. Tie the ribbon in a knot behind the child's neck. The length of ribbon you need will depend on the size of the knot you want, as well as how long the rest is. Use a ribbon about 2.5 cm wide.
- Consider using glossy satin ribbons on both sides.
- For a more subdued look, consider using a transparent ribbon or sheet of tulle instead.
- Do not use wire tape, as it can puncture the child's body.
Step 4. Consider making a shoulder strap dress
To make a strappy dress, put the dress on the child first. Take the ribbon and wrap it around the elastic in front, similar to tulle. However, do not pull the tape down. Pull up. Bring the two pieces of ribbon over the child's shoulders and tie them to the elastic at the back. Use a ribbon about 2.5 cm wide.
- For a casual-looking dress, use a satin ribbon on both sides. To create a softer look, use a transparent ribbon. To make the dress look more luxurious, use a lacy ribbon.
- Consider using a sheet of tulle as a shoulder strap. This material is perfect for making princess dresses.
- Do not use wire tape. The sharp tip can pierce a child.
Step 5. Cut the ribbon for the waist strap
Prepare a piece of ribbon at least 2.5 cm wide. The length of the ribbon depends on the size of the embellishment you want when tying it. The length should be at least twice the child's waist circumference.
Step 6. Attach the ribbon to the belt
Find the center of the ribbon and tape it to the center of the waistband. The width of the tape you use should not exceed 5 cm. Wrap the ribbon around the dress and tie a knot behind the waist. Leave the ends dangling or cut them shorter.
Part 4 of 4: Pairing Decorations and Accessories
Step 1. Attach flowers or brooches to the top of the dress
You can decorate the top of the dress by attaching flowers or brooches where the shoulder strap and elastic band meet. Here are some ideas you can try:
- If you're making a neckline dress, tie a fabric flower or brooch to the bow knot, right where it meets the elastic.
- If you're making a strappy dress, glue a fabric flower or ribbon to the front of each shoulder strap.
Step 2. Attach the trim to the shoulder strap
You can glue fabric roses to the shoulder strap tape. Apply glue to the back of the fabric rose and press it against the ribbon. Glue one more flower 2.5 away from the first flower. Continue until a row of fabric roses forms in the center of the ribbon.
Step 3. Decorate the center of the dress
This middle part is located between the waist strap and the top of the dress. You can attach fabric flowers or ribbon to the tulle sheet with fabric glue or hot glue. You can also pair beads, sequins, or even a butterfly decoration!
Step 4. Attach the floral ornament to the belt
You can turn a tutu dress into a fairy dress by gluing fabric flowers or ribbon along the waistband. Don't remove the dress from the handles just yet. Apply fabric glue or hot glue to the back of the fabric flower or ribbon, then press it against the waistband. Hold the flower position for a few seconds before pairing another flower. You can use fabric leaves as well.
Step 5. Attach the glitter embellishment to the waistband of the dress
If you're using a plain ribbon as a belt, you can create a pattern of wavy or twisty stripes with glitter or glossy paint.
Step 6. Make a princess dress with beads
Purchase beads and glue them to the waistband of the dress's waistband with fabric glue or hot glue. You can also match the beads in a pattern of twinkling stripes to make it even more interesting.
Step 7. Decorate the skirt of the dress
Glue fabric flowers or ribbons to a few strands of tulle on the skirt of the dress. You can also glue butterfly and lace trim. If this dress is going to be used as a witch costume, add a spider embellishment to make it look even scarier.
Step 8. Add a wrinkled effect
To give your tutu skirt a wrinkled look, take tulle of a different color and cut it into strips 12.7 cm wide, making a 12.7 x 15.2 cm rectangle. Lay the rectangle horizontally, so that the shorter sides are on the right and left, and the long sides are facing the floor and roof. Place it on top of one of the tulle sheets on the dress. Attach it so it's about 6 inches (3 cm) from the bottom hem of the skirt, then tie a knot.
Step 9. Create a flower petal display
You can make your dress look like flower petals by making a knot at the bottom end of each tulle. Try to make the knot as close to the end of the tulle as possible, and tie the knot tightly. Use scissors to trim the remaining tulle ends, and trim them as close to the knot as possible.
Step 10. Make a tattered dress
You can cut the tulle skirt sheets to different lengths to create a ragged look. This look is perfect for a wizard or pirate costume.
Step 11. Add a conical hat as an accessory
If this dress was made for a princess costume, you can make a conical hat to complete it. You just need to roll the poster paper into a cone and bring the ends together. Decorate this hat with tulle, sequins and glitter embellishments.
Step 12. Consider making a fairy or princess wand
Take a 30 cm long stick and wrap a ribbon around it so it looks like a candy cane. Glue the ends of the tape to the logs using glue. Use hot glue or super glue to attach the beads, or buttons to the bottom of the wand. Cut a few strands of ribbon and tie them to the top of the stick. Bend the cleaning wire into a star or heart, and glue it to the top of the stick.
- You can also paint heart or star wood and attach it to the stick in an attractive color and glue it to the stick instead of cleaning wire.
- You can also use other objects to decorate the top of the stick, such as Christmas ornaments, cloth flowers, and plastic dolls.
Tips
- the twinkling tulle comes off easily. Consider making it outdoors, or have a vacuum cleaner nearby.
- Consider buying multicolored tulle, and pairing them alternately.
- You can buy tulle by the meter, but you'll need to cut it to length first, and then cut it into sheets.
