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Terrific Holiday TuTu {Tutorial}

When my best friend Stephanie and Sister-in-law Tara told me there were pregnant and expecting girls I couldn't have been more excited to make TuTu's for their little ones. Everyone I knew had boys and while they are fun in other ways, you can't dress them up in frilly lace, ribbon, rhinestones, or TULLE! I have since began making these TuTu's not only as gifts for holidays, birthdays, and special occassions, but have begun selling them to the general public as well. They are fabulously easy to make and customize. Below are the step by step instructions to make your very own TuTu for your own little princess.



Items you will need:



6" tulle in assorted colors of your choice* (sold by the roll at most fabric stores or available online)

1-2" Satin Ribbon in color of choice

Scissors

Yard stick

Measuring tape (used to measure waist of the child you are fitting)

Large table or work space



*Note: depending on the length of the TuTu you are making and the size waist of the child you will need anywhere from 3 rolls at 20 Yards each (infants), 6-8 rolls at 20 yards each (toddlers age 2-4), and 8-10 rolls at 20 yards each (young children age 5-7. You can always add more tulle depending on how fluffy you want the TuTu.



Additional Items for your TuTu {Optional}:



Ribbon with stripes, polka dots, plaid, etc.

Silk flowers (mums, daisies, sunflowers, etc.- something big and bold that can stand alone)

Rhinestone add-ons (applied with adhesive or fabric glue)

Pom-Poms in assorted sizes and colors

Leaves



Use you imagination to add a creative twist to the TuTu...the sky is the limit!

Measuring your child:

Measure your child's waist first. You will need a piece of ribbon that is 24" longer than the measurement of the waist, to allow enough extra ribbon to tie the bow. (ex. waist=16" you will need 40" of ribbon.)

Measure from your child's waist to knees or ankles (depending on the length you want the TuTu.) You will need to double this length and cut the tulle into strips to prepare for tying to the ribbon.

Directions:

1. Take your piece of ribbon that was cut per the directions above and lie it flat on a surface.

2. Take the first piece of tulle and fold it in half, making two equal lengths. Place the loop under the ribbon 12" from the end and pull the ends through the loop making a loose knot around the ribbon.

3. Repeat step 2 until you reach the 12" mark from the other end. If you are using more than one color of tulle you may alternate colors individually or make sections of colors by using 3-5 strips of one color first then adding 3-5 strips of the second color and continuing to alternate.

4. Add any additional embellishments you would like to the TuTu(see list above). Tie the two 12" ends together in a pretty bow to finalize your TuTu and voila...you have a TuTu fit for a princess!