Fairies, brides, and ballerina's Oh My! A mom's guide to making a tutu!

We all want our little girls to look adorable for Halloween! They walk around in fairy tales and naturally want to be in one for Halloween! To help along their desires while making them a one-of-a-kind costume!

You need:

6 yards of Tulle
Glue gun
Jewels
Buttons
Patches
Elastic or ribbon

There are a few ways to make this Tutu! You can use the Elastic waist two ways or you can use the ribbon method.

First decide what you want to use.

For the First Elastic Waist method, start by measuring the child’s waist Sew the Elastic to itself to fit the child’s waist.

Now cut the tulle into strips either 3 inches or 5 inches in width. Decide how long you want the tutu to be, double this and cut the strips of tulles’ width down to this length. Loop the tulle strips around the elastic piece by piece and tie on. The elastic should hit the center of the two ends of tulle that get tied together. Once you fill the elastic with all the tulle trim the tulle as needed for the proper length. Now, you’re ready to decorate your tutu if you are so inclined.

The second Elastic Waist method is to start by measuring the child’s waist. Decide how long you want the tutu to be, double it, and cut the width of the tulle to that length. Measure how wide your elastic is and add 1 cm. Fold the tulle in half and at the fold measure down to the width of your elastic plus the one centimeter. Sew along the fold at that measurement the entire length of the folded tulle. Slide the elastic threw this hole at the fold. Using a safety pin to attach one end of the elastic to something bunch the tulle as you go. Once all the tulle is on the elastic then sew the ends of the elastic to itself. Now stitch the ends of the tulle together around the elastic and all the way down to the bottom of the tutu. Your tutu is now ready to decorate! (I ran out of tulle so I don't have pictures to show of this method, apologies)

The Ribbon method is simple. Start by measuring the child’s waist with the ribbon and add 6 inches on each end, cut the ribbon to that length. Again, decide how long you want the skirt to be and double it. Cut the tulle down to that length. Fold the tulle in half. Along the un-attached ends, keeping them together thread the ribbon threw the tulle, bunching the tulle as you go! Once all the tulle is on the ribbon measure the child’s waist again and tie a double knot on each end of the ribbon to keep the tulle from sliding off. Now you’re ready to decorate!

Whichever methods you choose make sure to measure the child’s waist for comfort to avoid anything from being too tight or too loose! Now is the time to decorate! You can hot glue on some jewels, sew on some patches, or tie on some buttons (double knot to avoid losing your buttons)! Decorate the tutu to fit the costume! Make tutu’s for a little lady bug or a witch or even a scary ghost all in white!

If you have a blushing bride then you can also make a half veil to wear on the head! Using the elastic tie method of your choice, instead of tying the tulle all the way around, just tie it 1/3 of the way around and wear like a headband!

Whatever your little lady chooses to be, make sure she has a one of a kind, made just for her design! Make some for dress up play or to go under another costume’s skirt for added poof! Have fun making this and always take lots of pictures because there may come a day when it won’t be cool for mommy or daddy to make a costume!

Abby