Tutu How To

I was so looking forward to taking pictures as we made our tutus during our tutu-making party, but we were not able to get back together before the big day. Instead our tutu making turned into a cram session before a big test!
We barely got them done, got our race bibs on and piled in the car (with S in the trunk!) and got to the starting line somewhere near the beginning of the race in time to not miss it completely!

So here is my tutu tutorial



We made long tutus, but depending what you need it for and/or who you need it for you can customize the length.

We purchased our tulle at Len's Mill in Woodstock but any Len's Mill will do. The lady told us to buy 8 yards of tulle from the bolts, we wanted to be extra poofy so we bought 12 yards, 4 of each colour (flamingo pink, teal blue, and mandarin orange).
THERE IS NO NEED FOR 12!!! While it was only around $16 we have SO much left!
My best guess, for our tutus, 6 yards would have been lots.
If you're making a shorter tutu you will need even less.

We also bought purple elastic for the waistband, $2 for 10 yards (clearly no one was loving the purple!)

After that all you need is a pair of scissors, and if you're picky a measuring tape too.

 

 

The first thing I did was leave my tulle folded in half (the way it comes off the bolt) and cut it into 4 inch (approximately, I am definitely not the aforementioned 'picky'!) giving me folded or double strips that were 4 inch x 27 inch - resulting in a 27 inch long tutu.

 

 

Now that you have your strips cut, and your waistband elastic cut to size (and sewn together or with enough left to tie a bow to fasten it) its the fun part, looping the tulle strips.

 

Take the folded end of het tulle strip and wrap it around the elastic waistband, then pull the loose ends through the loop. Pull tight so it is fastened securely to the waistband. Once you get a hang of this you will be flying through this step! Heck, you could do this while watching your favourite show (PS Grey's 200th episode is on tonight!).



 

 

When you're done it will look a little something like this! I alternated colours and did two of each colour before moving on to the next. For this step you may call me 'picky', there will not be a misplaced colour or break in pattern if I can help it!

 

 

Here it is - the finished product, tied nicely in a bow!

 

 

 One last look here at my race day get-up - since race day there has been an article published bad mouthing Colour-Me-Rad and other organizations like it. Let it be known they do not claim to be a not-for-profit but a for-profit organization. They do give to a charity in each race city in exchange for volunteers.
If you are doing a race solely for the charity aspect, this is not a race for you. If you want a race full of fun and colour, sign up to a local event as soon as you can! I don't regret it, best $40 I spent lately!

PLUS our pictures from during & after the race were just released on www.flo-foto.com and they are awesome!

 

Enjoy your tutus, and comment here with a link so we can see how tulle changed your life! (a little over-dramatic?)

Until we meet again.

PS - here are some Len's Mill Coupons should get lost in their vast world of craftiness!