Cheat Sew Tutu

Make a tutu without ever plugging in your sewing machine! This cheat sew tutu from Crafty Guides is a great way to cheat the system--you'll learn how to make a tutu without sewing, and it'll still look girly and adorable.

Materials:

• Tulle From The Bolt (fabric stores sell tulle by the yard from a bolt, which are mostly 54" wide) or 6" by 25 yard rolls of tulle.
  • If using tulle from the bolt, you will need to get at least 5-6 yards of tulle for a baby/toddler size. Ages four and up will need at least 8-10 yards of tulle.
  • If using tulle from the roll, purchase 6" by 25-yard rolls/spools of tulle. You will need 2-3 rolls for a baby/toddler size and 3-4 rolls for ages four and up. I personally love using tulle ribbon from a roll/spool. It's mostly used for wedding decorations and gift-wrap. It's better to work with and quicker to cut.
• Rotary Cutter or Fabric Scissors
• A self healing cutting mat
• 1/2" "-3/4" Width Roll of Non Roll Elastic (Amount needed, all depends on waist measurement) or elastic headband for waist
• Needle and Thread
• Optional: Paper Towel Roll and Paper Towel Roll Holder and A lip edge ruler

Video:

Instructions:

Waistband Construction:

• Measure child's waist and cut elastic 2" inches smaller than initial measurement.
• Stitch both ends of elastic together by hand or with a sewing machine.
• Make sure it's secure by pulling on the elastic.

For a 100% non-sew tutu, use a simple stretchy headband for the waistband. If you want a more exact fit, it's best to use elastic and sew the ends together using a needle and thread. No sewing is involved in the skirt portion of the tutu. Most stretchy headbands come in one size so this option may not work for all waist sizes.

Cutting Tulle:

• If using tulle from a bolt, cut it down into six inch strips. A fast and simple way to cut it, is to roll the tulle into a tube... It should look like a tube of gift-wrap paper.
• One end of the tulle will have a folded edge (it should come folded from the fabric store). Starting on that edge, measure three inches and make your first cut with a sharp pair of fabric scissors. Then measure six inches over and cut again. Repeat every 5-6" until you have cut the whole length. You might have to adjust the strip width to make the strip widths as even as possible.
• If using 6" by 25-yard rolls of tulle, you won't need need to cut six inch strips, since the roll already comes in a six inch width. You will still have to cut each strip to your chosen length.
• Let's say you would like the tutu to be 14" inches long. Double that length to 28" and add 1" to compensate for the knot you will be tying at a later step. and Cut each strip to 29" long. The length is up to you.
  • Once you have the length you want to cut the strips to, unroll up to 3 rolls of tulle on top of each other (this is to save some time).
  • Make sure the ends meet at the 1" mark on your mat.
  • Place the quilters lip edge on top of the cutting mat where you are going to be making your cut. The lip edge ruler works like a t-square against the edge of the mat for slip free cutting and measuring
  • Roll the rotary cutter across the tulle layers. Continue cutting strips. A baby/toddler tutu will need between 40-60 strips of tulle.
• Some strips might not come out entirely even, but it's okay if that happens. Most mistakes can be hidden once all the strips are tied on.

Making the Skirt:

• Tying Tulle to Elastic Using Double Knot Technique:
  • Then bring your elastic over the paper towel roll.
  • Take one of your precut strips and then bring it behind the elastic. Make sure both the ends of your strip are even with each other.
  • Utilizing the end that's on top, bring it behind and back up thru the loop so as to form your first knot. As you tighten the knot, confirm both ends of the strip are even. Make a second knot utilizing the same strip you made your first knot with. Again make sure the ends are even.
• Tying Tulle to Elastic Using Slipknot Technique:
  • An alternate way to tie your strips on is utilizing the slipknot method. Fold your strip in half and bring it behind the elastic waistband to create a "U" shape loop. Make sure the ends are even. Bring the ends thru the loop that you have made and pull down to tighten. Try not to pull it too tight.
  • Continue tying strips until you achieve the desired fullness; between 40-60 strips for a baby/toddler tutu.
  • A good rule is to fit in at least 3 knots per inch of your waistband measurement (minus the 2").

After completing steps above, you will have a completed non-sew tutu!!