Tutu’s are one of the easiest crafts and Oh So Cute! Our Tutu Tutorial with a crochet headband waist by Our Thrifty Ideas will teach you how to make a fun tutu that is super full, even, and fits most waists with no measuring.
Hi all, I’m so excited to be here again. Especially because of the fun tutorial I get to share! If you missed my last post, let me introduce myself. My name is Vanessa and I blog over at Our Thrifty Ideas. I share fun and thrifty ways to craft, DIY, and live a fun life.
This last week was my beautiful daughter’s 1st birthday. Because she is my first and only daughter, I go all out in the girly department! And I’m not sure there is anything more girly than a tutu!
The best part of this tutu is how easy it is to make. I literally sat down with my hubby one night and made it while watching one of the shows off our DVR.
Tutu Tutorial: Crochet Headband Waist
- Supplies -
(the crochet headband will fit up to a 20 inch waist)
(about 10 inches long – for a 12 month size, longer if you are making it for an older child)
For my tulle, I used a 1.5” Crochet Headband in Hot Pink, the Glimmer Tulle in American Beauty and Shrimp, and Moda fabric in Tangerine from the Dottie line and Sunshine Yellow Dots from the Grow With Me Line, as well as some giraffe fabric I had on hand.
All supplies can be purchased at The Ribbon Retreat where you’ll find an awesome selection of colors, great prices, fast shipping, and wonderful service!
Start by cutting all of your strips of fabric and tulle. Cut the tulle and fabric at about 10 inches long. Cut the fabric strips to be about 1 inch wide. The tulle is already cut on the spool at about 6 inches wide. Separate them all into sections. This will help in the long run, I promise!
To make things easy, I found a large cylinder to wrap the headband around. This helps keep the sections spread apart for easy looping, and it holds the headband still the whole time! You can use a oatmeal can, coffee can, Nesquik can… etc.
Start with the tulle strands on the bottom. The reason for this is because the tulle is so thick, it will help to lift the fabric and give it the “full” look. Next you will place the fabric strips on the row above.
Now, how to attach the strips:
Start by folding the strip in half and place the folded end down through the hole.
Then fold the tails down through the loop and pull tightly.
Once again, on the bottom row, you will want to do JUST TULLE, and put 2 strips of tulle per hole. You do not need to do a pattern when putting these in place, because they will all jumble together into a big poof anyway!
Then once you are done with the tulle, you will go up one row and put the fabric in, 2 strips per hole.
The tutu is fabulous… so full, and because of how fun it is, it’s definitely perfect for a party!
Thanks for letting me stop by again today. Please check out my blog Our Thrifty Ideas for tons of other fun projects I made for her party. You can also find me on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest and Instagram (@barkerfam)
Thank you so much Vanessa!
Isn’t her little girl a beauty! Every little girl needs a tutu and using a crochet headband is genius! It totally takes care of the annoying step of using elastic as well as keeping your tulle/fabric even. And I love how full the tutu gets!
Make sure to take a look at The Ribbon Retreat’s selection of Tulle, Glimmer Tulle, fabric, and Crochet Headbands. There is something for every little girl!
And also stop by Our Thrifty Ideas! Vanessa has a wonderful blog full of fun stuff! I personally love these tutorials: Decorative Shelf, Button Letter Wall Canvas, No-Sew Onesie, and a Ruffled Welcome Spring Sign
(and so much more!)
And if you’re a craft blogger who’d like to submit a tutorial of your own, visit our Project Submission Page to see all the details. We love our contributors!
Have a great day! ~ Shirley, The Ribbon Retreat Blog Editor
14 Comments
Great idea and really good instructions! I do love the t-shirt your daughter is wearing. Any instructions for making or purchasing? Thanks!
I’m confused… So you need 52 pieces of material total? Since there is 26 holes and two pieces or material in each hole, that’s 56 pieces of material right? And you fill the whole headband right? It looks in the picture like the tip of the band doesn’t have any material in it.
Hi Sara! Thank you for your comment! Happy Creating!!
What a great idea. Can’t wait to try it!
Hi April! The blogger used two colors of tulle on the spool. Our spools have 25 yards and are 6″ wide. I am not sure if she used them all or not, but the more you have the fuller it is and vice versa. I hope this helps! – Shirley
Hello. How many yards of tulle is needed? Thanks!
Hi Tara! Yes you just leave the tulle at 6″ width. – Shirley
So am I reading it correctly that you just leave the tulle at the original width of 6″?
I love this idea. How smart and talented you are. I have a 7 year old girl and this is going to be a start of Halloween costume. Thank you, Emma.
Hi Danielle! The blog author says “My headband has 26 holes around (I believe) and I did 2 per hole. So 52 strips of fabric and 52 strips of tulle. That’s total, not per fabric. So because I had different patterns, I split it close to even!” Have fun making your tutu! – Shirley
You recommend cutting the strips ahead of time and list the sizes, but how many strips of tulle and ribbon did you use? Thanks!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for your question. The crochet headband fits up to a 20″ waist. I have updated the post with that info as well. I hope this helps! Have a great day! – Shirley
This turned out so cute Vanessa!!! Great tutorial too
What sizes would you guess the headbands fit? I have a friend with a 3 year old and wasn’t sure how big they would really stretch. Thanks!