Thursday, December 2, 2010

*GIVEAWAY*

Merci BowTu will host a giveaway for a Christmas tutu if we reach 150 fans on facebook by December 7th! 
Find us here!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Simply Adorable Tutu Tutorial

Tutu Tutorial




Supplies:
Tulle(1-3 spools depending on size of tutu and color choices)--can be purchased at Hobby Lobby, Wal*mart, Joann Fabric or other similar craft store. If you want to make several for gifts(or to sell), I highly recommend www.allthemakings.com . This is my supplier and their tulle is very soft, even the shimmer type.
3/8 inch Elastic (or ribbon can be used for waistband)
Ribbon
Needle and thread or hot glue gun
Cardboard or cutting board
Scissors
Measuring tape
Here are a few pointers that I have learned by trial and error in the making of many a tutu.
Use 6 inch wide tulle spools--cutting by the yard tulle is difficult and time consuming, 3 inch strips do not make as nice of a tutu and require more cutting and tying which equals more time.
Double layer thin tulle to make a fuller tutu and cut down on tying time.
Cut elastic approximately 2 inches shorter than what you want your finished size to be.

Ok, let’s get started:
  • Measure and cut elastic and sew or hot glue gun closed with approximately ½ inch overlap.

To cut tulle, you need to find either a cutting board that is the right size or cut a piece of cardboard to the right size for your measurement, for example, if you need 15 inch lengths of tulle, find a cutting board that is 7.5 inches long and wrap the tulle end over end and cut. You can cut anywhere on the board and your strips will be approximately 15 inches.


  • Slide elastic waistband onto your leg or stretch it over something to hold it in place slightly stretched(make sure it is not stretched too much.)Now take your tulle strip(s) and fold in half lengthwise. Make a loop at the top, slide it under the elastic.

  Putting your fingers through the underside of the loop, grab the tulle and pull up through the loop. 
Neatly pull tight.
REPEAT until elastic is covered. As you work, you will slide the knots close together for optimal fullness. Also be sure you are tightening enough that the tulle is not loose, but not so tight you are rolling the elastic.

Size Guidelines:
0-6 months    12 inch waist        6 inch length
6-18 months    15 inch waist        7.5 inch length 
18m-3T        18 inch waist        9 inch length
3T-5T        20 inch waist        10 inch length

3 and up is best to measure for waist and length because size really starts to vary here. If you are making one for a chubby cherub or a dainty darling, you might also want to measure just to be sure. Remember waist measurement minus 2 inches is what you will actually cut your elastic.

If you desire to use ribbon for the waist, you will measure approximately 20 inches tie a knot, measure child’s waist and tie another knot, measure another 20 inches and cut. Be sure to heat seal(or some prefer fray check) your ribbon so that it does not fray.

Finished product! Size 6-18 month tutu in red/white combo and one white strip in between. 
Approximate cost for this size is $3.75!! 
Make one for the little girl in your life! The sky is the limit for possibilities of color with tutus!
Check out Merci BowTu for more ideas and color combinations!