Tutus are great for so many occasions!
I made this one in particular for a newborn baby girl.
I wanted something small and poofy for her baby pictures.
There are so many different ways to make a tutu,
and generally which way you choose can depend on it’s use.
I tried a lot of different ways and found this way to be the best
for a really full tutu and a good mix of colors.
Ready? Here we go!
Supplies:
Tulle – One spool each of whatever colors you need. If you are doing one color, do two spools.
(Click the link to see our 45 colors of tulle for $2.95/spool! We also carry Glimmer Tulle!)
Elastic – 1/2″ or larger. It really doesn’t matter.
(We carry a variety of elastic! Get 1 1/2 yards of White 1/2″ elastic for only $1!)
Needle and Thread
Scissors
Ribbon (optional)
First, measure, cut, and sew your elastic.
If you have the baby/child there with you, measure the baby/child. I cut 16 inches and then sewed the waist to be about 14 1/2 inches for a newborn. Add about an inch for each size up.
You can sew the elastic by hand or machine. If you use a sewing machine, use a zig zag stitch to secure the elastic.
Next, find something to hold the elastic while you tie on the tulle.
I used a hanger, but you can use anything such as your thigh, a cylinder, just make sure not to stretch the elastic too much.
Now it is time to cut!
For this newborn tutu, I used three different colors of tulle.
I used a little over half of each spool.
The Ribbon Retreat carries a wonderful selection of tulle for a great price! Each spool comes with 25 yards and is approximately 6″ wide for $2.95.
I cut each strip at 16″. After tying, this gives the tutu a length of about 6 1/2-7″ long.
If you want a different length, take the length you want (ex. 9″) and double (ex. 18″). Then add two inches (ex. 20″). So for example, if you want a tutu at 9″ in length, then you need to cut each strip to be 20″ long.
Now for tying!
This technique is a little different than most of the tutorials you will find.
Take one of each of your colors and put them together. Then you will tie a knot around the elastic. Don’t tie it too tight. Make sure you can still move the tulle easily (but not too easily! 
) Then you will tie a knot again in the other direction. Having each tie go a different direction allows for more fluff in the tutu. You can make sure each tie is going in the same direction if that is a look you prefer.
Keep tying knots until you reach the end.
I did stop a little bit before the end and take my elastic off the hanger and move the tulle around. I ended up adding a little bit more, but I wanted to make sure the knots were spread out equally.
After I was finished tying the tulle, I placed the tutu under something heavy. I did this to give the tutu a more unified look with the tulle pointing mostly out and not straight up or down.
I left my tutu under a box for about an hour and it came out great!
If your ends are uneven, you can cut to even them out, or make some shorter for a different look.
You can be done at this point…
OR
You can add lots of embellishments to a tutu.
Now this is where the ribbon is optional.
If you want to add embellishments of bows or flowers, you can sew it right into the elastic OR you can do what I did.
I sewed a small piece of ribbon (Light Pink Solid Grosgrain in 3/8″) around the elastic. I did this by hand. You want to be sure to leave enough room to slip in a clip easily.
Now for the bow!
I used Baby Pink/Pink Pink Passion Dots in 7/8″ and Rose Pink Double Faced Satin in 7/8″ to make a cute bow. The technique for this bow is the same as the Little Bow Technique (the second one in the tutorial). I layered the two ribbons together to make this soft look.
Just slip the bow onto the tutu and you are all finished!
You can also embellish the tutu by adding ribbon onto the elastic, tying knots at the end of some of the tulle, putting bows all the way along the elastic. The possibilities are endless! It is really fun to see what people come up with.
I will be putting up more tutorials using different techniques.
But first! You have to see the other bows and flowers I put together for this tutu. More on that coming soon!
57 Comments
I made one of these last spring. Thank you for your directs.
Putting two colors together at the same time will go so much faster. I love all your tutorials. I have a grand baby girl
10 months. I want to make her a bunch of things before I get to see her again.
Jodie – you are so lucky to have a cute little grand baby girl to make things for. She is lucky too! I’m glad you love the tutorials.
I am making one of these today, and will be blogging about it sometime in the next week- will share this link for others, as well.
Thank you so much for your very clear instructions.
Blessings,
Sarah
Thank you! Yours is gorgeous….I liked how you tied the three colors together and then knotted twice. I made a red, white and blue tutu for my three month old grandbaby and it really turned out cute! This was my first one and it was fun, quick and pretty simple. Loved it!
great idea, my little girl will love to have a tutu and i was searching for a tutorial. thanks for this
Like Jodie & Erin, I too have a granddaughter, she’s 2 year old. I’ve been making her hair bows for about 8 month now and used this tutorial to make her first tutu. I would love to make a layered tutu, but can’t seem to find a tutorial for making one. I’ve seen pictures of 2 and 3 layers, but I’m not sure how it’s done. Do you have any idea how this is done? I appreciate any help.
Thanks for sharing with us!
I Love how u explained everything so simple! This is the best and I’m gonna usr it thanks so much!!!
I made one for my little girl who is due in a couple of weeks and it turned out great! I can’t believe how simple and inexpensive it was so make! The only issue I had was not being able to find “spools” of tulle in any fabric store so I just had them cut me about 2 yards each of the colors I wanted.
I ended up with extra tulle, but I can use it for something else in her nursery. I am seriously considering making another one with different colors! Thanks so much for the easy instructions.
You’re welcome Dawn! I’m so glad it turned out cute! If you are looking for easy to cut tulle make sure to check out the tulle at The Ribbon Retreat!
Thank you Shirley for posting this!! I know how to make tutus, but mine always turn out…well, not right! Haha! I cant wait to make one for my little one to wear when we go to football games!! I do have one question though. My little one is very sensitive around her thighs, and she says that the tulle is “scratchy”. Any ideas how to solve this?!
My only thought is to wear something underneath the tutu, or to put fabric strips underneath the tulle. Maybe ribbon would work as well. I’ll see if I can find anything else too.
Allie,
You could easily make a “Slip” out of satin in a coordinating color.Perhaps the same color as the satin ribbon. That way if it happen to show it wouldn’t matter.
I LOVE this! I’ve just ordered my tulle – I can’t find it anywhere in Australian stores
they don’t do 6″ widths of it in colour, I’ve only been able to find white! I’m hoping my tutu endeavors are successful so I can sell to friends! Thank you for the thorough step-by-step instructions!
Kelly, you’re welcome!
Good luck!
I also have found a way to make a tutu for a baby by using a crochet headband instead of elastic. You just wrap the tulle around the loops on the bottom of the headband. It looks really cute! I hope to have a tutorial someday!
Love the color of the tutu! Beautiful! I was wondering about your knotting technique, if you find it better than what I use? http://www.free-homemade-gift-ideas.com/how-to-make-a-tutu.html
It might be that knotting them evenly results in a more even tutu. But maybe yours stay secured better?
Hi Gelia! I tried the technique that you use first and wasn’t really liking the look of mine. I had a hard time with finding the right balance of not knotting it too tight and still having it be tight enough to not come apart. Also the direction the tulle came out after using that technique wasn’t working for me. I think that technique takes talent and a little bit of practice.
I think yours are beautiful! You definitely have that talent! If it stays put, then it is a great technique, which most people use too. I just wanted to post a different way of doing one. And it definitely stays secure. 
Hi, I think it was Connie in July asking how to make layers – can you help with that – I have two nieces to sew for that I would like to make these – thanks for much. Anna
Hi Anna! I haven’t tried this, but it could work. I am not sure what age it would stop working though. My idea is to use a crochet headband as the elastic. If you want one layer, you put the tulle in the bottom loops. Go up a row to add layers. I think this could work really well, especially for infants and toddlers. For girls, I am not sure how much the crochet headband can stretch to fit around them. How old are your nieces?
well i have a neice who is 5 months and when i get the supplys i will make her one
Thank you for the very clear instructions. I seen these at a craft show selling for $25 and didn’t want to pay that. So I thought I would make one for my daugther myself and didn’t realize how easy it was. The ladies at the craft show said they use ribbon for babies instead of elsatic, so you can just tie it on them. Just another idea, I like the headband one too.
Oh my goodness… SO adorable… Would it be ok if I sold any items I made using this patten??
Hi Lexie! It is definitely okay to sell items using this pattern. You can sell anything using any of our instructions on the blog or website. Thanks!
By far the best instructions. I was just wondering about the tulle you use. Ive been buying the spools of tulle at Hobby Lobby and it tends to really scrunch up, since it’s so soft. I was wondering if I should use a stiffer type of tulle, but don’t want is to be itchy for the kiddos either. Any ideas?
Hi Lily! Thank you for your kind words!
The tulle I used is from The Ribbon Retreat. It’s awesome! I believe that tulle is just a type of material that may scrunch up. My idea is to maybe use netting, but like you said, that may be itchy and not the same type of look. The tulle from The Ribbon Retreat is very easy to use and shape. I hope this helps! 
Thank you for the wonderful instructions. there is one part that i don’t fully understand but i am sure you are too busy to clarify. I dont understand the part where you tie the knot in two different directions. I understand the one direction; however, the other direction confuses me. I appreciate your expertise. Thanks
OK. I have worked on this for so long, and still I do not understand the second knot piece of the instructions. if you can, will you please e-mail me at lindaj.sullivan@ky.gov, or post on this site a clarification to this section of instruction? I really love your idea, that is why i am sticking with it. I love the full way the tutu falls prior to you pressing it down. Thanks
I love these tutorials!!! I have 3 daughters that are 9 (10 on Sunday) , 8 , and 6. .. To be perfectly hOnest I am addicted to making tutus! Lol a big problem is they won’t wear them because they scratch their arms.. They wear tops under them and that has solved scratching legs. I have tried different lengths… Please help:)
I just made one for my eleven month old for Halloween and it turned out so cute. She’s going to be a black cat and I wanted something to attach a tail to, and thought a tutu would be great. I made it in all black and tied a black marabou feather boa to the back of it for the tail. It only took me a couple of hours to do it, and that included the time spent running after the baby. Thanks for a great tutorial.
Hi Angie! Aren’t they fun!! There are a few things that may help with your scratchiness problem. 1. long sleeves will help in winter! (unless you are in a southern state…
), 2. You could put fabric around it so then it is kind of like a pettiskirt. Many people use a satin fabric, which hopefully we will be carrying soon at The Ribbon Retreat. We do sell Pettiskirts if you want to take a look at them to see how to go about doing this. Click the link to see them. Unfortunately, that scratchiness is just the nature of tulle. So tell your girls to just get used to it so you can make more! 
That sounds adorable!!! And I can just see you running after the baby while making it.
I have that same problem too! You’re so welcome, and thank you for reading!
Thank you so much! I am a first time mom and never had tutus growing up. Your tutorial makes it seem not so difficult! I am difinitely trying this for my lil princess who is almost 4 mo. now!
Thanks!
I love your tutorials! It’s helped me so much! The ribbon retreat offers great products as well! I was very pleased when I received my order in less than 5 days and everything was in perfect condition and great quality! Plus you save ALOT of money. Fabric stores are way over priced. I love the ribbon retreat!!!!
Lydia – thanks so much for your comment!! I am so glad you love the tutorials. We pride ourselves in the quality of our products and our service. Thanks for reading!
I just finished making 10 tutus for my daughter’s fifth birthday party with your technique. They all turned out beautiful and it was really a pleasure to make them. It was great fun choosing different color combinations.
I am so happy I found your page.
Thank you.
10 tutus? Wow!!! You are amazing! I am sure they will be loved! Thanks for your comment.
OMG, I’m SO glad I found this! I have a new neice that is 4 months old. I have boys, so I’m so excited to get into some girly things! I can’t wait to dive into this one!!!
my daughter is about 5 weeks old and by the time we go to get her pictures taken she will be atleast 7 weeks, what length of the tulle would u recommend? i want her to wear the tutu i just dont want it to overshadow her. she is a tiny little thing. she weighs atleast 8 lbs and is probably about 22 inches long. thanks!
Hi Kate! The girl that I gave this to used it in her 9 month pictures as well. There really isn’t one exact length that I would recommend. It is completely up to you. I would probably do the same measurements that are in the post. And you can also use a crochet headband (you can get them for a great price from The Ribbon Retreat!) and tie the tulle onto that, especially if you just want to do the tulle in the back and leave the front blank if she is going to be on her tummy a lot in the pictures. I hope this helps!
Hi, love your tutu! I just made one for my neice who is fixing to turn 1 next week and it came out really cute but it all scrunched up or matted up which is still cute but I really wanted it to lay flat. You said “spool” I bought the tool by the yard so they are not the same?
I would love to thank you for posting this easy tutorial! I have just completed my very first customized tutu for my preemie daughter’s first birthday. The directions were very simple and extremely easy to follow. Thanks again!
OMG….I was just looking all over the internet for a TUTU outfit for my daughters 1st birthday…I couldn’t find anything I really liked…I am def going to make one…Thank You for the easy step by step instructions!!!! I am going to try multiple colors…I can’t wait!!! Thanks again!
Oh she will be so adorable! This really is such an easy tutu. Let me know if you have any questions! Have fun!
I just spent $58.00 on a tutu ensemble for my daughters 2nd birthday. Well, I just followed your tutorial & made one just as cute for $9.00, yes, $9.00. I chose red, white & light pink for a Valentine’s day tutu & it came out adorable. I got my tulle from Walmart for $2.97/ spool. They have limited selection but was able to find what I needed. Your tutorial was SO easy to follow. I will NEVER spend that kind of money on a tutu again. Thank you so, so much!!!
That is awesome Stacy! And the feeling that you made it is priceless!
We also carry 45 colors of tulle for $2.95 a spool! We now carry glimmer tulle as well! 
I am wanting to make my daughter a tutu
I have been looking for a while now. This web page is amazing! and helpful. I am just wundering, is there any certain type of ribbon to use or can you use any.
I am not using elastic as my daughter is only 5 months and i dont want it to be tight round her waist.
If you could email me it would be great
kira_guest@hotmail.com
Thank you
Kira x
I just did this last night after dinner and finished it. It was so simple and it came out ‘BEAUTIFUL’!!! Thanks so much.
So fun! Thanks for your comment! And enjoy your new tutu!
I have been looking over the internet on how to make a no sew tutu because I have a friend that is a photographer and she is always wanting tutu’s and I had never found one that worked quite so well. This one is super easy and turns out to be a prettier tutu – funny how none of the other tutorials that I have looked at or even purchased suggested putting 2 different colors together at the same time. For anyone that is looking for tulle and a bit afraid of making purchases online – if you have a nearby Hobby Lobby you can find just about any color and even sparkle in the 6″. Thank you so much – my photo friend will appreciate knowing she no longer has to go to boutique’s to find such cute tutu’s and pay an enormous price.
I have a granddaughter who is 7 mos old. My daughter and I want to open a small boutique w/handmade baby girl items. Approx. how long does it take to make a tutu once you get the hang of it?
Hi Carla! That is a great question. I have only made a few, but I can ask around. Thanks!
Thanks so much for this great tutorial! One question (and I see two others have asked as well) – can you re-explain the knotting in different directions part? Pretty please?
Hi Jamee! Basically I tie the knot. One end goes clockwise around the other end of the tulle. Then when you knot again, make the one end of tulle go the opposite way so counter clockwise around the other end of tulle. Does that make sense? That’s the best way I can think of how to explain it. It’s like a square knot. Does that help?
I love this!!! Thank you sooo much for sharing!!! I have been making tutus but have been doing them a different way. I’m going to make my daugther one like this for her 1st Birthday
MAN THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE A TUTU MY MOTHER DID NOT KNO HOW TO MAKE IT BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE A TUTU FOR MY B-DAY
Costumes are so expensive these days and I am always looking for ideas for my dance company. About how much would it cost me to make these for kids that wear a size child 10/12. We are on a budget and just trying to get an estimate per child. Thanks so much. Your tutu is beautiful!
Hi Kelly! It depends on how full you want the tutus and also how long you want them. Let me know, thanks!
I guess they would be about 10 inches long. Give or take a couple inches for the varying sizes. Most of them are 10/12 and about 54 inches tall. Does that sound like the right length for a child that size? I would like them to be as full as possible. Thanks!