10 minute Tu-Tu

Well, it actually took me 15 minutes but 10 sounds so much catchier, no?

1st off let me say I in NO WAY invented this method for making a tutu, it's one of those where there are probably 100 tutorials out there and who knows who came up with it first. (although I'd certainly like to shake her hand!) Mine is a combination of all the things I liked from different ones I've read over time, hope you like it too. Ahem, tu tu. (bad, bad joke. I'm ashamed of myself)

You'll need:

-3 rolls of nylon tulle (can be found in weddings aisle of your local craft store)

*Samster Mommy Tip* At $2.99 a roll I've found it to be about the same price as getting tulle cut off the bolt. And with the roll you don't have to do any cutting, hence the 10 minute part!)

-elastic for waistband

-cardboard piece for wrapping (one of the flaps on a cardboard shipping box will work well)

-2 rubber bands

-little girl with ballerina tendencies

The piece of cardboard is going to save you a TON of time, the traditional method has you cutting each strip by hand! Eek! By wrapping the tulle around a piece of cardboard that is the same length of your tutu you'll only have to make one cut. Whew.

Start by wrapping the tulle around your piece of cardboard. When you finish with one roll just keep on going with the next...

When you're done snap two rubberbands on to hold it all in place.

Cut along ONE of the ends.

Measure your child's waist and cut your elastic to that length + 1/2". Stitch the ends together really well. (ex: Sam's waist is 19 & 1/2" so my elastic was 20" & the part that overlapped was 1/2")

Place your elastic around something like a chair back or large book & then start tying slip knots with your strips of tulle. I did Sam's with one or sometimes two strips at a time and made the pattern 2 lavender 1 gold so that it would just have shimmers of the gold but mainly look purple.

Sorry those last 2 pics are so blurry, this may have something to do with it...

Keep on knotting until you've used up all your tulle or fill up all the space on the elastic.

If you try adding more knots than you have elastic space you'll find that you're waistband gets all stretched & wonky. At least I did. But no worries, just remove a few knots and it'll snap back in shape!

Also if you don't like the length don't be afraid to give it a trim. I did. The fluff hides an imperfect "hem" line.

Adorn on princess & enjoy the magic only a tu-tu can give. (:

ps- wouldn't this make a great, quick & inexpensive Christmas present for all those little nieces & playfriends?!