Another tutu question

[mxrod4]

so, i learned to make a tutu with 3" strips and i cut them 18" long so the tutu is 9" long. i tie them on ribbon, not elastic, i can't do elastic, i hate it. anyway, my question is... is there a difference between using 3" wide tulle or 6" wide tulle? it's a pain to cut the 6" rolls down to 3". would 6" wide tulle make for a fluffier tutu, or less fluffy? thanks for your input! check out the tutus i have on etsy right now [currently in the "yart sale section" of my shoppe].

-marcella
mxrod4 on Etsy - The Little Ballerina (http://mxrod4.etsy.com)

[beansnana]

so, i learned to make a tutu with 3" strips and i cut them 18" long so the tutu is 9" long. i tie them on ribbon, not elastic, i can't do elastic, i hate it. anyway, my question is... is there a difference between using 3" wide tulle or 6" wide tulle? it's a pain to cut the 6" rolls down to 3". would 6" wide tulle make for a fluffier tutu, or less fluffy? thanks for your input! check out the tutus i have on etsy right now [currently in the "yart sale section" of my shoppe].

-marcella
mxrod4 on Etsy - The Little Ballerina (http://mxrod4.etsy.com)

Are you having a problem using the elastic? As in stretching out? The 6 in tulle will make it fluffier and saves a whole lot of time but that is JMHO

[mxrod4]

yeah, the first one i made was stretched out waaaaay too much, it fit me instead of my daughter! lol.. and then the second one i did the knots just come undone really easily. i don't sew so i was going for a no-sew tactic. didn't work for me with elastic. i've come up with a snap button ribbon tutu that i like. check it out here: Handmade Accessories on Etsy - Custom Boutique Tutu now with Snap Buttons and Extras by mxrod4 (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25597951)

i think i'll try using 6" tulle then, it would make it so much easier! thanks!!

-marcella
mxrod4 on Etsy - The Little Ballerina (http://mxrod4.etsy.com)

[mabear74]

I just love the snap button idea! I have a hard time with elastic stretching on my too, and my girls seem to prefer the ribbon. I have thought about just starting to sew my tutus......

[s_hernandez402]

I make tutus sometimes but I hate elastic also. I had the same problem with the stretching out. I think the 6" is easier to work with and it looks fuller. I really like the idea of the snaps also.

[polychic]

if the elastic is stretching so much, you're probably tying the tulle too tight. Try a square knot that is not so tight that it pulls and make each piece of tulle uniform and then just SQUISH as much on the elastic as possible. This makes it way fluffy without stretching the elastic. Also, try 3/4" no-roll elastic. You can get it by the yard at joann's. HTH!

[mxrod4]

if the elastic is stretching so much, you're probably tying the tulle too tight. Try a square knot that is not so tight that it pulls and make each piece of tulle uniform and then just SQUISH as much on the elastic as possible. This makes it way fluffy without stretching the elastic. Also, try 3/4" no-roll elastic. You can get it by the yard at joann's. HTH!

a square knot? you mean like a regular knot instead of the ones that all the tutorial's show? that could help out... hmmmm.. thank you for the advice!!!

[beansnana]

a square knot? you mean like a regular knot instead of the ones that all the tutorial's show? that could help out... hmmmm.. thank you for the advice!!!

A square knot is right over left, and left over right. One thing about tying the tulle to the elastic is to put a finger between the tulle and elastic when you tie it off. By tying too tight, the elastic will stretch out a lot. My first tutu was a disaster. I am fairly large in statute, but this thing was bigger than that. Live and learn and read other peoples instructions. LOL Tried and true. Try it that way and see what happens.

[squabbles]

My neighbor wanted one for her 7 month old, so I told her I would make one. Since I had never done one before, I figured I would make my 10 yo one first in case I messed up. I measured my 10 yo first and had to take off some. Tied some more and still had to take off elastic. Its now done, but it will prob fit me!

Made my neighbor's DD hers and measured it at 10 inches with elastic. Thought it was too small, but once I was done tying, it fits her perfect.

Needless to say, not a big fan of elastic either.

How do you attach the snap clips to the ribbon?

[LilyK]

I use the put a ruler over the elastic when I tie the tulle, it does'nt stretch the elastic.

[beansnana]

My neighbor wanted one for her 7 month old, so I told her I would make one. Since I had never done one before, I figured I would make my 10 yo one first in case I messed up. I measured my 10 yo first and had to take off some. Tied some more and still had to take off elastic. Its now done, but it will prob fit me!

Made my neighbor's DD hers and measured it at 10 inches with elastic. Thought it was too small, but once I was done tying, it fits her perfect.

Needless to say, not a big fan of elastic either.

How do you attach the snap clips to the ribbon?

One thing to remember when measuring out the elastic is to measure the waist and minus 1 to 2 inches as well.

[mxrod4]

but then doesn't that lose the stretchiness for the elastic, and the point of it? that's why i didn't like it. i'll have to try the square knots. you guys gave lots of great advice! thanks!!! i just sew the snap clips on, i leave a few inches of ribbon on both ends. so if i want like an 18"-20" tutu, i'll add the tulle to fit 20", fold the extra ribbon over and under and sew it to itself. then sew on the snap clips. but i need to find a better cleaner way of making the snaps work. if you check out the pics on my etsy page you'll see that i added the flower on the clippie so it can cover the snaps, and you can put it wear it needs to be. it's not permanently only covering one part of the tutu. but thank you ladies!!!!

-marcella
mxrod4 on Etsy - The Little Ballerina (http://mxrod4.etsy.com)

[beansnana]

but then doesn't that lose the stretchiness for the elastic, and the point of it? that's why i didn't like it. i'll have to try the square knots. you guys gave lots of great advice! thanks!!! i just sew the snap clips on, i leave a few inches of ribbon on both ends. so if i want like an 18"-20" tutu, i'll add the tulle to fit 20", fold the extra ribbon over and under and sew it to itself. then sew on the snap clips. but i need to find a better cleaner way of making the snaps work. if you check out the pics on my etsy page you'll see that i added the flower on the clippie so it can cover the snaps, and you can put it wear it needs to be. it's not permanently only covering one part of the tutu. but thank you ladies!!!!

-marcella
mxrod4 on Etsy - The Little Ballerina (http://mxrod4.etsy.com)

no, not at all. You can even weave satin ribbon around the knots when you are done to make it more finished as well.

[kavettahulse]

I agree that the 6 inch makes much less work. Just make sure you measure the waist and then be sure to subtract an inch from that to allow for stretching. Then as someone else posted make sure you use the square knots so it doesn't stretch as much!! I do love the idea of the snaps, great idea!!

[Barbara Jean]

I use the put a ruler over the elastic when I tie the tulle, it does'nt stretch the elastic.
Love this idea Lilyk!!!

[Barbara Jean]

A square knot is right over left, and left over right. One thing about tying the tulle to the elastic is to put a finger between the tulle and elastic when you tie it off. By tying too tight, the elastic will stretch out a lot. My first tutu was a disaster. I am fairly large in statute, but this thing was bigger than that. Live and learn and read other peoples instructions. LOL Tried and true. Try it that way and see what happens.
Exactly what she said, lol!

[bells n' whistles]

Snap buttons - what a great idea!

[mxrod4]

i think i'm gonna stick with the ribbon for now, but try out the 6" tulle. thank you for the suggestions with the elastic!!

marcella
mxrod4 on Etsy - The Little Ballerina (http://mxrod4.etsy.com) - stay tuned for the new "birthday tutu", coming soon!!