DIY: Romantic Tutu

 

Tutus are a classic DIY project. They are so easy to do and always have a fantastic result. Here's how I made my romantic tutu for "The Schelling Point."

Step 1: Get lots and lots of toile. I got 4m of stiff toile (if that's the name), 2m of soft toile and 2m of a pretty sparkly fabric like toile for the top layer.

 

Step 2: Cut all the toile into widths of 28 inches (the length of the skirt you want to make).

Step 3: Measure your waist and then cut and needle some thread (doubled) to that length, plus 15cm. You will use this to gather your toile to the length of your waist.

Step 3: Tie a knot with the threat at the end of the toile. Because it's a netting material, you'll need tie the ends together.

Step 4: Make a running stitch along the top of the toile to gather it together.

 

Tie a knot at the end.

Step 5: Repeat with the other layers of toile.

Step 6: Sew the top layer (the sparkly layer) to the 2nd layer. Lay out the top layer with the wrong side up, and then flip the 2nd layer so it is upside down, pin, and sew along the waistline. I hope that makes sense. By doing this you're creating more body in the skirt due to stiff layers facing up instead of down.

Step 7: Sew the bottom layer onto the rest of the skirt. You don't need to flip this layer upside-down because the tough toile is strong enough to keep its shape without needing the extra lift.

Step 8: Sew threw all the layers on the sewing machine. This will give it strength.

Step 8: To create the ribbon to tie the skirt together, cut out a 1.5m long strip of fabric that is about 20cm wide. Find the middle and measure the width of the waist and mark the ends with a pin.

Step 9: From the end of the strip to the end of the measured waist, pin the two ends with the right sides together and sew. Remember to stop sewing where the waist starts!

 

And sew both ends of the ribbon!

Step 10: Cut the ends of the ribbon on diagonals and sew together

Step 11: Turn the ribbon right-side out and iron flat.

Step 12: Baste under the edges of the middle section of ribbon. This is where you will attach the ribbon to the skirt.

Step 13: Litterally shove the skirt into the pocket you've made in the waistband and sew all the layers together. Do this on the sewing machine first (be careful because I broke my needle) and then go over by hand if you missed any sections (you will most likely miss sewing the back of the waistband onto the skirt.

Step 14: Remove all your basting.

Step 15: Prance around in you're new tutu and uggs!