December 06, 2012

DIY Projects - How to Make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt / Dress

How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt
This is another Tutu Skirt I made for 2-year-old girl, details in How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt.

Making Tutu Skirt or Dress is easy and inexpensive, everyone can do it only if you are willing to spend few hours on it.

After learning the basic techniques (that I am going to show), you can customize the color, the style or add any decorations on it, specially design for the child's fairy dress up party, Halloween costume, Christmas party, Birthday party.....

Basically, you only need two major materials, they are tulle ribbon and 1/2" wide elastic.

How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt and Dress

1) Measure the waist of the kid, and cut the wide elastic to the length that minus 1" to 2" for the waistband of the tutu dress.

2) Overlap the two ends of elastic by around 1/3" and sew it with needle and thread.

3) Cut the length of tulle ribbon, but what should be the length? The distance from the waistband to the length that you would like to have, then multiply by 2 and add 1" on it.

How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt and Dress

4) If your tulle ribbon is the whole piece, you should cut it 3" wide. But the tulle ribbon that I bought is in a roll, the width is suitable for making the tutu dress.

5) Everything is ready, let's start!

6) Place the elastic around the back of chair or something that similar to it.

How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt and Dress

7) Fold one strip of tulle ribbon in half (that is the reason of mutiply by 2 in length, step 3).

8) Tie a knot around the waistband (that is the reason of add 1" in length, step 3).

9) Repeat (7) and (8), and put the second knot next to the first knot.

How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt and Dress

10) Squeeze the knots tightly after making four to five knots. (my practise, seems much faster)

How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt and Dress

11) As reference:

Waistband: 19"
Tulle ribbon strip length: 15" (I cut the length of 31")
Tulle ribbon strip used: 90 pieces

How to make a No-Sew Tutu Skirt and Dress


Here are some tips in How to take care of Tutu Skirt / Dress

Recently, I use leftover tulle and ribbon to make a princess cape for my daughter, it is really a simple handmade craft, sure everyone can make it too! Here it is How to make a princess cape and tiara

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47 comments:

  1. MichTheDish27 May 2013 at 15:36

    I was just getting up the courage to make my daughters matching tutu's for the 4th of July and I am so grateful for your step by step instructions! Thanks for taking the time to post this!

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  2. Unknown7 June 2013 at 06:55

    I made my granddaughter one using your great post thank you got taking the time to show step by step.

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  3. Baby-O28 June 2013 at 16:58

    How do you prevent the tulle from wrinkling or how do you get the wrinkles out? The wrinkles are frustrating.

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  4. Unknown20 July 2013 at 13:07

    I'm making the tutu for a newborn that hasn't arrived yet...don't know what my waist should be

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  5. Unknown20 July 2013 at 14:36

    Shanika...if the baby is full term, you are looking at 14-15 inches for an avetage newborn. Mine were 14 inchrs but others in the family had huge babiea at theres were 15 in. In the waist. Temember that its best for it to be snug so it doeant wiggle or fall off. Its better for it to stretch than not. Also, line the tutu....babies hate scratchy tulle! Satin is cheap and pretty...

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  6. Unknown22 July 2013 at 13:23

    Learning how to make a tutu would be a great activity to have for my daughter's party next week! She and her friends can show their creativity and have a blast while creating their tutus. My daughter loves glitter so I have to make sure I grab some along with the supplies you've also mentioned. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  7. Unknown6 August 2013 at 17:38

    Hello again..my elastic keeps rolling when i tighten the Tulle ribbon...help

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  8. Sarah Aucoin7 October 2013 at 09:30

    You can steam the tulle to get the wrinkles out

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  9. Unknown11 October 2013 at 07:45

    Thanks for sharing these steps. My daughter is going to be so excited.

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  10. Jackie23 October 2013 at 13:42

    I just picked up my materials from the store today to make a white and pink tutu for my daughter's bunny costume. Thanks so much!

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  11. Tanya 29 October 2013 at 18:51

    Thanks for the instructions! I made my first one today for my daughter and she loved it. I got a helpful hint from the Hobby Lobby employees - they had me buy the elastic that's used more for headbands. Because it has the holes in it, its easier to layer if you want a fuller look or if you would like to use multiple colors. The only negative is that is does stretch out a lot more so I ended up taking close to 6" off of the waist after I measured!

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  12. Unknown30 October 2013 at 16:19

    this worked perfectly!!!! thank you so much for the tips!

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  13. V18 November 2013 at 11:59

    Added this to a blog post I wrote and cited you: http://longtermcarelink.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/easy-and-inexpensive-christmas-gifts/ Thank you for blogging some great crafts!

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  14. Think Bowtique28 December 2013 at 22:32

    Thanks for sharing will pin this now.

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  15. Unknown29 December 2013 at 13:42

    Do you remember how many yards you used for this tutu? I'm writing from Denmark (where we don't have tulle ribbon, so I'm thinking about getting it shipped, since I have to make a lot of peacock tutus.
    Thanks for sharing this great tutorial.

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    Replies
    1. Jessica30 December 2013 at 13:55

      I didn't do the measurement in yard, but I calculate it, it should be 78 yard for the Tutu dress. Hope this can help. Thanks.

      Delete
  16. Unknown15 April 2014 at 13:07

    So is the tutu dress in strips? You cut 3"strips? I'm making this for my daughter's bday and I'm just confused with a roll of tulle I then cut it in strips and the skirt will be strips put together to look like a full skirt

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  17. lori29 April 2014 at 15:30

    Do u make four to five knots on the same strip? I'm confused on how u do that

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    Replies
    1. Jessica25 July 2014 at 21:10

      I only make one knot in each strip, you can refer to step (6). Thanks and sorry for late reply.

      Delete
  18. Unknown15 June 2014 at 21:25

    Well how do I make it extra full like real poofy

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    Replies
    1. Jessica25 July 2014 at 21:19

      In step (7), you can overlap two to three strips, then tie a knot. Thanks and sorry for late reply.

      Delete
  19. Unknown14 July 2014 at 10:23

    how can I line with satin?

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    Replies
    1. Jessica25 July 2014 at 21:24

      I haven't tried satin, but I think the measurement and the way to make should be the same. Suggest you to try few satin to see how it looks like before you cut out all the satin.

      Delete
    2. Unknown28 November 2014 at 20:37

      I want satin on bottom too... it gives it a more elegant look! I have put the two together and it looks great... but getting them on the elastic is the question. I dont want to cut the satin in strips I want to line the tutu on the satin. Your thoughts?

      Delete
    3. Jessica4 December 2014 at 09:01

      I have the same idea too, I am still thinking how to put them on elastic, I already bought some materials and going to try too, in my imagination, it looks great! When it done, I will post it. Really hope I can finish it before Christmas!

      Delete
  20. Babycouture5 August 2014 at 04:31

    Well explained!!! Followed instructions and made one for my own daughter as well. First I was interested to buy tutu dress online but now I would prefer making by myself and will suggest my friends too. Simply amazing....

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  21. Jessica19 August 2014 at 20:09

    Very first, I was planning to buy one for my daughter too, but its quite expensive. Later on, the ribbons are on sale, so I bought some and think it was worth trying to make one myself, and finally it worked! And of course, I only spend less than $10. Hope your daughter like it and thanks.

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  22. Unknown20 August 2014 at 20:34

    Thank you for posting this! I featured your project on a post about amazing baby gift ideas. http://tulipsorchids.blogspot.com/2014/08/20-diy-baby-shower-gift-ideas.html

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  23. Unknown11 October 2014 at 23:05

    Easy peasy. And very cute. I'll definitely be doing this. Thank you!

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  24. DanaMo1 November 2014 at 04:53

    How much ribbon was on each of those rolls?

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    Replies
    1. Jessica10 November 2014 at 09:22

      Each roll is 4 inch with 25 yards, I bought it from Micheal's at clearance sale, each roll only $1.

      Delete
  25. glorybees728 January 2015 at 10:18

    How do you calculate how many strips you need? Did I miss that?

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  26. Unknown18 March 2015 at 22:28

    I've used 6 yds of glittery tulle for a waist size of 26 in, cutting it in stripes 3 in wide, the lenght of the skirt was 27 in, it looks gorgeous in light blue, green and purple for a "fairy princess" costume

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  27. Unknown26 March 2015 at 14:55

    How would I line this with satin and then tie knots to the elasitic?

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    Replies
    1. Jessica1 April 2015 at 19:55

      Tie the knots first, then machine-sew the satin with the tulle. Thanks.

      Delete
  28. Unknown18 October 2015 at 12:32

    I agree, you are never too old to have a tutu...My friend is hosting a witchy party for the second year (women only) and we are in our 50's! "Witchy" costumes (are you a good or bad witch?), good food, music and friends make a great night. Loved the idea and the instructions, so simple!

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  29. Unknown23 October 2015 at 16:11

    How would I make this tutu shorter for a teen costume? I am wearing it over leggings and my waist is about 24 inches.

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  30. Unknown30 May 2016 at 08:48

    love it! you really have inspired me to take another look at some of my dresses and use them as skirts.
    african french lace | nigerian lace fabric

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  31. Unknown23 August 2016 at 22:12

    Powerful Tutorial. Thank You For Posting. tutus for girls are always awesome

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  32. Jessica Mitei3 September 2016 at 10:46

    Thank you!!!1

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  33. Unknown10 January 2017 at 06:53

    nice little sweet dress. love this dress and colors
    Sequin Fabrics

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  34. Unknown21 June 2017 at 13:29

    How do you keep the elastic from folding over? That's why I always use the hedbands,they are so much easier

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  35. Ashok16 August 2017 at 05:28

    Thanks for very clear making process.
    Kids dresses

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  36. Spandex collection4 July 2019 at 05:42

    OMG its really beautiful. Nice to see this. I found some excellent fabrics from Spandex Collectionin NYC near me which was a nice weight, not too beefy.
    Stretch Sequins
    Glitter Stone
    Designers Lace
    Stretch Lace
    Printed Spandex

    ReplyDelete
  37. Fabrics_World_USA15 July 2019 at 04:30

    It is amazing. I just love it. I buy some excellent fabrics from Fabrics World USA in NYC near me which was a nice weight, not too beefy and cheap price.

    ReplyDelete
  38. gopipatel18 December 2019 at 22:08


    It was really great blog provide helpful information !
    How to Read an Aura for Beginners

    ReplyDelete

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