Thursday, August 8, 2013

Time to Make a TuTu!

Ok, so Gigi has recently discovered the magic of the tutu...
Which is great, except this particular tutu was made for a 6 month old Gigi...
So now, the tutu puts a bit of a squeeze on her 2 year old tummy.
(Can I get an Awwwwwww!!!)
She doesn't seem to mind it, but since I found this roll of pink tulle on clearance for next to nothing, I decided to update her tutu repertoire, while sharing the super easy process with any other ambitious girly mamas out there!
Step one is to decide how long you want the tutu to be, I've found that a large hard back Dr Seuss book serves as a good template...simply wrap the tulle around and around the book until it looks like you may have enough to fill out the tutu skirt...
Then simply cut along the bottom edge of the book...
When you're done you should have a pile that looks something like this!
(inevitably you will end up having to cut a few more, but this is a good start)
Now you need to measure your child's waist and cut a piece of elastic to fit, sewing the ends together with a zigzag stitch to create a circle...
The easiest way to tie your tulle onto the elastic without losing your mind in frustration, is to slide the elastic up you leg...
Fold the tulle piece in half, slide the folded edge under the elastic, and flip the ends through...
When you pull it tight, it should look something like this!
(try not to pull it too tight, you don't want to bend the elastic)
Once you have repeated this process endlessly, you will end up with what looks like a finished tutu...
Sadly, this assumption is premature, because a waistband made of tulle is itchy, and an itchy tutu will never be worn, so...
Bring on the ribbon!
The ribbon I used was 3/4" wide, and that was a little too wide for this, it made the wrapping process more difficult and not as neat as it should be, but it's what I had...
Begin by tying one end of the ribbon onto tutu...
Then carefully begin wrapping the ribbon around every piece of tulle (yes, this is a tedious and frustrating process, but it is well worth it to protect those sensitive tummys!
Gorgeous!
Ok, lets test out this tutu...
Oh yes!
And what do you do when presented with a brand new pretty pink tutu?
Well, first you pose like a "rina" (ballerina)
and then you put on a show...
 And, of course, big brother is a willing and enthusiastic audience...
And the tutu just never gets old...
Although, Gigi's enthusiasm for the mama paparazzi wains relatively quickly...
"Dop it mommy!"





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