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Easy No-Sew Tutu

December 17, 2011 by Anna Ranson

I finally made the girls some easy homemade tutus (after the fairy party months ago!) and it was SO straightforward. This requires NO sewing at all and takes only about 30 minutes to complete- that’s my kinda project!

You simply need:
  • elastic
  • tulle/ netting in your choice of colour
That’s it!

 I originally bought this pink netting on a roll for C’s fairy party to decorate the garden with. The rolls were 25 yards each. I planned to reuse it eventually to make some tutus and the width and length turned out to be just right, which was lucky! I sourced this on eBay and it was very reasonable.

 First of all, measure around the wasit using the elastic, making sure it’s quite snug as otherwise the tutu will fall down when dancing! Tie it into a circle.

 Then cut the tulle into a pile of roughly equal lengths. Mine were about the length of my forearm, but that’s hardly exact! You can be more precise if you wish. I was aiming for quick and easy 😉

 Take one piece and fold it in half. Lay it over the top of the elastic. Tuck the two ends behind the elastic and through the little gap in the middle, pulling it snugly to form a simple knot.

 Don’t make it too tight as it will be hard to move the strips around later if you need to adjust them.

Continue adding the pieces in this way, tying them as closely together as possible to give it a really full look.

 You can be as inventive or simple as you like at this stage. For one of the tutus I used just one shade of pink. For the other I used mainly pale pink but added in a few darker ones too. You could also add ribbons using the same method to attach them.

 Continue tying the pieces on until the elastic is completely covered. This will cover the knot too.

 That’s it!! Find some willing volunteers to test them out and have some fun!

 C. calls this her “twirling skirt” and I think that’s a perfect description!

 It’s not all perfect in terms of matching lengths, but I secretly admit to quite liking that effect! Not too pristine, but still plenty of frothy-girly-goodness for dressing ups, make believe and dancing!

 And for looking pretty darn cute with your sister too!

 What about making this as a gift for a little person this Christmas? Or as a great addition to the classroom dressing up box? I’d love to hear if you try one!

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Filed Under: Costumes, DIY, Dramatic Play, Dressing Up, Fairies, Gifts, Homemade, Imaginative Play, Toys, Toys & Games

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Comments

  1. RedTedArt says

    December 17, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    Oh my! How cute! LOVE your no sew idea! Brilliant!

    Maggy

  2. Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

    December 17, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    Thank you Maggy! You know that PipSqueak just have to have one too!

  3. Brianna Mayflower says

    December 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    So gorgeous! I even want one for ME! =)

  4. Ellie says

    December 17, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    You’re girls look SO gorgeous in their lovely skirts and love the simple no sew technique, I think I know a couple of little girls who would like some of these! Thanks

    Ellie

  5. Bosliefje says

    December 17, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    i love it! thanks, great (cheap)idea for my classroom!

  6. Naomi @Upcycled Creatively says

    December 17, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    How wonderful! Such an easy idea and they look VERY pleased with them. Thank you for sharing. If only I had girls 🙂

  7. Cerys @ rainy day mum says

    December 18, 2011 at 12:16 am

    Gorgeous. I love making these. T had one as part of her Halloween costume made out of orange and purple tulle.

    I’m thinking of making her a red and black one for her 1st birthday as very likely to have a lady bird themed party.

  8. Sheryl says

    December 18, 2011 at 12:56 am

    Oh my goodness – these are ADORABLE! My little girl is now a teen, but I can see these being a hit in my 2’s and 3’s classes. Thank you for sharing!

  9. MiaB says

    December 18, 2011 at 4:39 am

    Must do this project. My daughter would love this 🙂 And it looks so easy. Thanks for posting.

    ~MiaB
    http://www.mamamiasheart2heart.com

  10. LadyD says

    December 18, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    Thanks so much. I will make this for my sweet granddaughter Flora!
    Merry Christmas!

  11. Emily Gwilliam says

    December 18, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    I adore this idea! So beautiful! I have been wanting to get one for my little girl for a while now, but the people who make them tend to charge quite a lot as far as I can see! Thankyou for this fab technique and making it achievable 🙂

  12. Scented Sweetpeas says

    December 19, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    That is fantastic! I have some tule ready to make a tu tu for my little one and you have inspired me to get cracking 🙂

  13. Julia Deering says

    December 19, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    These tutus are SO lovely. Your girls clearly love wearing them too – beautiful photographs! x

  14. hpmcq.com says

    January 7, 2012 at 12:10 am

    love it love it not sure my 3 year old would appreciate it though 🙁

  15. Melksham Mum says

    January 7, 2012 at 12:10 am

    Your girls look beautiful in them! I made myself and my daughter tutus in a similar way in the summer for Camp Bestival x x

  16. Emma @mummymummymum says

    January 7, 2012 at 12:13 am

    Stunning photos, and brilliant idea. xx

    • Anna Ranson says

      August 21, 2012 at 9:32 pm

      Thanks!

  17. Unknown says

    January 7, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    What width is your tulle? I bought 6″ rolls, but your knots look fuller. Love, love, love this project though.

  18. MamaMelanie says

    January 7, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Sorry my name didn’t show up – I’m the unknown asking about the width of the tulle.

  19. Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

    January 7, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    I would say they were about 10″ perhaps? Maybe just use more pieces to fill it out? Hope it works out for you!

  20. Hannah says

    January 11, 2012 at 8:37 am

    Love love this!! my little girl would really love wearing one of these 🙂 how old us your youngest? I’m just wondering if Aniah is too young to do some of the activities on your blog yet, she’s 18 months.

    • Anna Ranson says

      August 21, 2012 at 9:31 pm

      Sorry Hannah! I’m terrible at keeping up! She was about 22 months here. Certainly you can do lots of the projects- most started at around 1 year and are easily adaptable

  21. tutu dresses for toddlers says

    April 22, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  22. Elizabeth Hart says

    May 14, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    A fantastic idea – I made one today in two shades of blue for my little boy. Worn with a Thomas t-shirt all afternoon!

    • Anna Ranson says

      August 21, 2012 at 9:30 pm

      That’s SUPERB!! I would love to see that!

  23. Jennifer Middleton says

    November 1, 2012 at 6:20 pm

    My SIL is a dance teacher and my niece is very much a girly girl. I want to make her one for her 2nd bday. How many yards do you think I’ll need? Thank you!

  24. Anonymous says

    March 20, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    I love this, a project I can actually do. My three year old granddaughter is going to love it when it comes in the mail for her birthday!!!! Thank you so much!!

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About The Imagination Tree Hello and welcome! I'm Anna, Mama of 4, early years teacher and play enthusiast from the UK! Click here to read more about me.

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