https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/fairy-tutus • Posted by Lady Llanalla
I have seen many little tuts in stores for more than I was willing to pay. When I went to make one from a pattern it was yards of tulle and hours of hassle. This took a couple of hours on the couch and can be made for any size person. You will need: 30-40 yards of wide ribbon Less than one yard of elastic Scissors Clear nail polish/varnish 10-20 yards of embellishment ribbon if you want.
I have seen many little tuts in stores for more than I was willing to pay. When I went to make one from a pattern it was yards of tulle and hours of hassle. This took a couple of hours on the couch and can be made for any size person. You will need: 30-40 yards of wide ribbon Less than one yard of elastic Scissors Clear nail polish/varnish 10-20 yards of embellishment ribbon if you want.
1. Cut a piece of elastic so that it fits snugly around your/your child's waist. (I used ribbon for my first three but am convinced elastic will work much easier)
2. With elastic you will need to sew the loop closed before you begin adding the ribbons that make up the tutu. (If using ribbon make it super long so you can tie it on each time you want to wear it)
3. Measure how long you want your tutu skirt to be. The one I made is about 9 inches long, but it is for my infant, if you want to make one for your 2T-size 6 child I suggest at least a foot maybe 16 inches if she is tall. For adults I suggest two feet. It puffs out remember. Double your measurement and that is how long each ribbon needs to be. They will be in half tied around the skirt, it gives it fullness and all that fun stuff. The wide ribbon is for the bulk of the skirt, the narrow ribbon is for embellisment.
Cut your ribbon. I suggest cutting all the wide skirt ribbon first so you can sit and tie all the ribbons on at once, also you can measure one and use the 1st ribbon as a template for the rest. They don't have to be exact, they puff. If you wish to add embellishment ribbon later you can cut it out after you have assembled the first bit, also it will be obvious if you need it later. (and it will be assembled so your angel can have it sooner) To calulate how many ribbons you will need use this handy guide: two ribbons (knots) per inch around your waist. Nice and neat right? So if your waist is 18 inches (and you are 6) then you will need to cut 36 ribbons to go around, 25 inches and you will need 50 and so on.
If you think your ribbon tutu will be getting a lot of wear (I suggest taking this added precaution). Take some clear nail polish and "paint" the ends of your cut ribbon. It will need to dry on a nonstick surface like linoleum or silicon or something like that, but it means you cut down your chances of fraying be A LOT.
Fold the ribbon in half and place it on the elastic (or ribbon) it is to be tied to.
Tuck the ends under the loop created by the folded portion against the elastic (or ribbon)
Pull the ends tight.
Add embellishment ribbons if you so choose with the same knot process.
Voila a Tutu!