TuTu Crazy

a generic tulle skirt? pffftttt!
Fairy wood imp frippery? NOT for YOU!
oooh NO!
you seek the most groovalicious of ALL tutus.
One that shows the universe your ultimate love for firefighters, farm houses and pink pirates.
A tutu that's all about YOU!
Because what else is there, but YOU in a tutu?

here's an easy peasy method* to construct a custom theme tutu suitable for your over the top fashion moments.

HOOORAY!

make one for yourself, your better half, your mom.
heck make it a family affair and do one for your dog.
(that'ill really make me smile!)

this ible shows the creation of a tutu where I am rippin' up crazy fabrics, sewing with black light reactive ribbons and threads while rockin' out to Radio Sing-Sing.

make one or ten and then please please post picsof your tutu prance.

• I work with fabrics everyday so I have lots of tools that the home sewer may not have. I actually used four different machines to construct this tutu. DON'T DESPAIR! Use your tools, fabrics and trims to the best of your ability. Remember the important aspect is the design...not the method.

Make it fun. Make it inventive. Make it yours.
By all means please remember it's just a tutu.
It's supposed to make you, and everyone around you, smile!

Enjoy!

Step 1: Deconstruct the TuTu

A tutu is a formal piece of attire for ballerinas. There are very precise rules on how to make one.
Google it, 'cause that's NOT what we are making.

We are actually making a very short crinoline or pouffy petticoat- but the name is not as groovalicious as a 'tutu'.
Seriously, who wants to wear a crinoline these days? You did click the crin link, yes? Pfft not wearin that!
Much more groovy to think about Desmond anyway.

Now that you know the rules.....lets break them and deconstruct the tutu.

As an example I am using my favorite BRC '08 tutu.

The parts:
Waistband
Tiers
Finishing

its all in the pics.

Comments

[janamorrisova]

So I have just finished my crazy tutu and it is GREAT! Can't stop dancing in it around the house. Here it is:

[Lynne Bruning]

FABULOUS!!!!

I love it!!!!!
Keep on dancing.

[frenzy]

I have great news!

This posting has won today's "I Made It" Challenge. For winning you will receive a 3 month pro membership!

Thanks for using instructables!

http://www.instructables.com/community/June-is-I-Made-It-Challenge-Month-Win-a-Pro-Mem/

[thesidra24]

nice tut ..will try it ..
i wonder if you could make tutorial on any or all of these:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPgV0gF2iYs/TzDSVnx4viI/AAAAAAAAADA/Ow_p4UJAaK8/s1600/Topshop%20Lace%20Tutu%20Ballerina%20Dress%20by%20Rare%20Opulance%20in%20Coral.jpg

http://www.happybirthdayboutique.com/images/Hot-Pink-Polka-Dot-Birthday-Mouse-Tutu-Outfit1.1.jpg

[HeavenBlueRose]

How cool! I love the blue one you did :3

[Kerushii]

so i am going to try this for a cosplay costume for a up coming anime convention and im hoping i dont screw up :[

[Lynne Bruning]

sweet!!!
You are going to be beyond compare.
Do send pics!

[reganbella]

I have one question. Why don't we just call it a four?

[canapop]

I was just wondering how you would change the measurements if it was for some one plus sized say size 16 or more. Just times it by 2 or otherwise?...
hope to hear back soon

[Lynne Bruning]

I'm sorry I havn't been here in a long time!
I don't make with an exact pattern I just do as I go.

What I would suggest is make the waist band without gathers so you can slide it up to your waist. So - your hip measurement plus 8 inches.

Then start at hem and work up.  For a starting point - my tutu's generally have a hem of 450" +.

I hope this helps!

[roneisaqt]

I'm plus size as well, and i just found this. thanks for replying even though its been a while. :) thanks!!!!

[haptotrope]

It would probably need double what you've got here. for a size 16 or and more on up into the 22-24 range. Its A LOT of fabric, and twice+ as much sewing, but noting is sadder than a tutu without enough 'tu' -- if you get my drift. (but it would make a sassy bustle! :-)
I would also add a 1/2" to each strip width(or another strip), since there is more hip and butt to get over...or just love the immodesty factor and roll with it.

Personally, for a Plus size, I'd get the fabric to the full length of 1000+ inches and carefully iron/press/stack and cut through it with a sharp rotary cutter. Ripping is good, but that's a long way to go for fabric that is probably not "on grain" (the tolerance for high end drapery is 1") and really could go "anywhere" (widening, shifting, even right off into the salvage) from your initial strip measurement.

I'm also a fan of fabric that has some structure to it -- if you look at it in the store, and its all flacid... then pick something else. This may help something with this much more fabric feel more like a tutu and not a crazy-awesome gored skirt (tho a good crinoline could push it over the edge too!)

Anyway, Awesome job! Lynne! -- any chance you've got a "cheatsheet" for the measurement estimates? (tier1=333 tier2=444, etc?)

[thepelton]

If you cut a tutu in half, would you have a oneone, or a tu? (Sorry, couldn't resist.) 8>)

[Lynne Bruning]

You got a TuTu patch for that! Thanks!

[angel138]

^^^ omg! absolutely love ur skirt and boots ^_^

[Lynne Bruning]

lol!

[alisonb]

Jealousy is such an ugly emotion - but I am soooo jealous of this stash!!

[Lynne Bruning]

lol

[Wicken]

Fantastic tu-tu-tutorial! I've been making this kind of skirt (without benefit of serger) for my daughter for years, only not as wonderfully wild as yours. I always used inexpensive-but-cute poly-cotton prints. Less thrilling, but my offspring lacks the face-piercing/head-shaving/Doc-wearing gene that I have. I'm a ripper, too. I love doing it. VRRRRRip! To gather by hand, I recommend making more marks, like 8ths or 16ths or as many as you need to not lose your mind. Same number on each piece, top AND bottom of every tier. Place your gathering basting on the top of each tier, 2 rows at least machine-basted or hand-basted stitches, or I have a friend who zigzags over kitchen string and pulls that way. Start with the bottom two tiers in your lap (I always press and hem the lowest tier first, and I usually sew the side seams as well, because it goes better for me with the hand-gathering). Pin the marks together all around. Get each section of the two tiers to 'fit' by gathering the lower tier until it lies nicely against the upper, pinning as you get it all sorted. I usually pin every inch, starting with a pin in the middle of the section and then distributing pins around as I futz with the fabric. Then I make sure it looks nicely even. And then I give up and sew and hope for the best. It gets easier as you go, as each tier is smaller. :) If you avoid children and pets during this process (and partners who insist on acting like one or the other), you will have no troubles. But, now I have a serger. JUST now. And taffeta. And hot pink netting. I will have to indulge... and then talk my girlfriend into wearing it.

[Lynne Bruning]

HOT PINK NETTING improves everything!

Your notes on dividing tiers so as to keep your gathering even is a needed addition to the tutuorial.  Thank you.

I hope your girlfriend flounced and bounced your latest creation!  So much fun to be had rockin the tutu!

If you have a chance please post a pic.

[peekaburora]

wow! I love this! I just started teaching myself to sew and I wanted to make a halloween costume (tis the season and all). so when I found this it was amazing! I've always had a slight obsession with tutus so I decided it would be the first thing I made (other than an apron which was badly needed and good learning basis). I'm very excited to see how this will turn out. I started my waistband but I have to go fabric shopping again before I can really crack down on it. oh btw I love your comments. your sense of humor and energy is so contagious!

[Lynne Bruning]

Thanks!
Again sorry for the unseasonably delayed response.
I hope you are all tutulicious!

[jet h]

Hi, I love this, so great! I will make one! thank you for the diy! greetings jet

[Lynne Bruning]

Do not postpone your joy,
Make it asap!
and you could end up like this flying tutu!

[jet h]

waoooow thats cool the flying one! I must first staying in the hospital for a few weeks, but then i will make it and i send i can a picture. Great job! greetings and have a nice summer jet

[KreaKatri]

This looks really great! How time-consuming is it for, say, a moderat sewer, but not great?

[Lynne Bruning]

Did you make one? Do you have pics? janamorrisova's is so inspiring! that you'll want one too!

[KreaKatri]

No, didn't make one yet, I haven't found the perfect not-pricey-but-gorgeous fabric yet :) So it might take a while before it's done, but when it is I'll be sure to post some pictures.

[Lynne Bruning]

Time will depend upon how fluffy you want the tutu.<br/>Some of my tutus have a 850" hem and it takes a long time to finish.<br/>Some tutus are 300" hem, these take an afternoon.<br/><br/>How many tiers also effects the time allotment.<br/><br/>having fabrics that will rip from selvege to selvedge save LOTS of time as no cutting is involved.<br/><br/>Quick and easy would be 3 to 4 tiers with a 300" hem = an afternoon of fun craftiness!<br/><br/>enjoy enjoy!<br/>

[RachaelLaRae212]

How would I gather the tiers without a serger? I absolutely LOVE the tutu! I wanna make me one for the Ren Faire! I have soo many ideas!

[Lynne Bruning]

For ease...I would use a zig zag stitch to keep the fabric from fraying. Have a blast at RenFaire! And please post a pic - janamorrisova's is so inspiring I would love to see what you create!!

[MimsieSky]

Hi Lynne! I'm about to embark on making one of these babies...I have a question before I start though... do you make more than one layer? or do you just make a REALLY LONG strip and it gets frilly with gathering? Have you tried it with more than one layer?

[Lynne Bruning]

Your right in that it could be doubled. But I make a really long strip and gather as I sew to the upper tier. I encourage you to just make it! Just look at how adorable janamorrisova's is!!!

[DELETED_MegWeaves]

(removed by author or community request)

[Lynne Bruning]

Thanks Meg. I'm simply saying you don't need 'special' tools to make a tutu, but you do want a creative mind. Please let me know if you find them on sale, I could use a spare.

[uguy]

This is just TuTu fine. Excellent job!

[canida]

Wow, I think my eyeballs just exploded!
MUST make one of these!

[Lynne Bruning]

Yes, step out of the kitchen and rip it up girl! I'll be lookin' for you on the playa - based on your i'bles I'll be wanting dinner too!

[baseball_babe]

NICE i would totally wear that if i could find a shirt to match lol

[Lynne Bruning]

There a link just for YOU on Step 13.