| HOW TO SEW ON THE TULLE SKIRTS The actual method is pretty much the same for the short/flat/classical/pancake tutu, the bell-shaped tutu and the romantic/long tutu (They standardised classical ballet terms, could they standardise tutu terms? lol. Anyway...). For the purposes of saving space (and so I can be lazy and draw less pictures) I've only drawn the - normal - short tutu here. Also: Whilst I've draw all the following diagrams with the zips closed (because I'm not quite as talented as one of my cousins and can't draw everything and anything without following some sort of template) you will sew on the tulle layers with the zip open, yes? Otherwise your machine will just say "NO!". lol. |
 |
| To begin, simply fold up the first layer. TACK the second layer in place (don't even think about pinning. When I sewed my tutu, I came up with the term "Swimming in tulle". When you sew yours, you'll know what I mean) about half an inch from the first layer, seam edge facing down, opening at back. Sew as close as you can to the zip edge - you can see in my diagram, I've left the ends loose so that when I get out my trusty needle, I can hand-sew the remaining bit. Now for the decisive moment. You have a choice between sewing all the layers with the seam edge facing "down" or alternate them. I prefer to alternate, as it is in my opinion that theoretically, if all the layers have been sewn with the seam edge facing "down" the tulle will stick upwards too much, however tacking may solve this problem. Otherwise, if you care to alternative, simply repeat the same process but with the seam edge facing up this time (if you were to do a bell-shaped tutu skirt, this is how you would be sewing the remainder of your layers.). If you have guidelines drawn on, good for you, if not (naughty naughty!) then just make sure you sew an even line about half an inch down from last time. And then we're back to square one! Flip up the last layer, and go back to alternating between seam edge facing up or down, until all the layers have been sewn. If you've done your panty guidelines correctly, all the layers should be sewn going all around the body (ie you shouldn't have to cut your tulle in half). you will find that some layers may or may not go below the zip (in this diagram, the layers won't, but that may simply be because I'm a dogey drawer). |
| After you've sewn on all your tulle layers, stitch up the centre back opening (although you will need to leave some so that the zip can actually be used/person can get in and out of the tutu) using either invisible thread or similar coloured thread. I prefer to hand-stitch, but if you prever machine stitching, help yourself. I didn't try to turn the edges under though - I just overlapped them slightly, as I think it's a bit to troublesome to do something fiddly when it really won't be seen all that much anyway. Congratulations! By this stage, you have something that looks like a tutu. It's not over yet though. Sorry! You still have some tacking to do. What this does (and we're talking big fat stitches here, don't worry it won't be seen) is to join the layers together so that you don't have all the layers coming apart when the dancer jumps - it's a tutu, not "Iwannaflywatchmewatchmepoofpoof". lol. Tacking can also hide any discrepancies in the tulle, and be useful in securing the decorated plate (if you wish to make/use one) onto the tutu. Click here to return to the main page Last updated 28/8/04 |