How to make your own tutu dresses

The tutu appeared in 1832 in Paris. It appeared on Marie Taglioni and was cut high enough so that people could admire her legwork. It was dubbed "The Romantic Tutu” and appeared during the Romantic era, hence its name. This first tutu consisted of three or five layers of soft tulle. A Romantic tutu will serve very well as a tutu dress. This article provides a guide to making your own tutu dresses.

Measurements

Measure how long you would like to make the length of the dress. Measure from the point on your daughter's chest to the point where you wish the skirt to end. Multiply that number by two and write it down. Add 1 1/2 inch to that number to take into account the width of the elastic.

Preparation

Buy a 100 yard of six inch wide tulle and a 25 yard roll of six inch tulle. The rolls can be contrasting colours. Buy thread for sewing the elastic. Measure around your daughter's chest and cut the elastic to length. Make sure that you add 1/2 inch seam allowance plus an inch to allow for the stretch. Cut the tulle from the 100 yard roll into strips the length that you took in section one. Cut the tulle from the shorter roll into strips half the length of the longer strips. Pick out a wide ribbon that will match the colour of one of the two rolls of tulle.

Construction

Sew the elastic into a circle into the dimensions that you need (see section two). Place the elastic around something that will approximate the circumference of your daughter's chest. Layer three of the long strips of tulle together, thread them through the elastic and approximate the centre. Tie the tulle into a knot. Repeat this step until you have gone all the way around the elastic till it is covered with tulle. Take one of the shorter strips and tie it around the elastic and knot it. Do this until you have gone all the way around the elastic. Tie the ribbon in the ceneer of the elastic. Make sure that the ribbon is even on both sides. Slip the dress over your daughter's head and into position. Tie the ribbon up and around the back of her neck to hold the tutu dress skirt in place.