The most positive thing I can say about my crafting skills is that I’ll always have a go – although that often leads to nothing more than a frustrating mess.
And that’s fine, we can’t all be good at everything (see also cooking and running and writing and..hmm, wait just a minute) but it also means that when something does go well once in a blue moon I am ridiculously proud of myself – even if it’s something so easy a five-year-old could do it.
When I wanted a tutu for Freya I considered buying one but I looked around I couldn’t see an affordable one I liked so I thought “I know, I’ll just make one”, as you do. As always I turned to the internet but I was getting more and more disheartened until I read the magic words “No sew tutu”. I swear there was a little burst of the Hallelujah Chorus.
Just in case you’re in need of a tutu (it works for adults too) and you’re pants at crafting like me I thought I’d share. I’ve added some different versions to a Pinterest board too. I hadn’t planned on blogging about it so the pics are not great but you’ll get the idea.
First, you need to choose whether to use ribbon, a crochet hair band or elastic for the middle. I was originally going to make it with ribbon but I stupidly let Freya hold it while I was getting prepared and in those few seconds she managed to get it covered in something (how is that even possible?).
After going back to the drawing board I remembered that ages ago I went through a phase of wearing headbands (which Freya went through a phase of pulling off) so I already had an alternative in the house.
Earlier in the day we’d bought the material, which I know now is called tulle (always learning) – although I asked the lady in John Lewis for “tutu netting” which worked just as well. I bought a metre of the pink and half a metre of the white which came to £4.45 (my mum says you can get this cheaper if you shop around/eBay etc).
Here’s what you do:
1. Cut it into strips depending on how long you want it (you are going to fold it in half so take that into account). There are guides for this but I guesstimated because I wanted it to have a punk-ish feel (and I couldn’t be bothered to measure).
2. Find something to put your band around. I tried a lampshade but it wasn’t great so went for a vase instead.
3. Fold a strip in half and thread it through the headband, folded end first, push the other end through to make a knot and pull tight.
4. Repeat, alternating colours as you want. It looks great with just one row but I had material left so did a second row to make it fuller.
5. Bask in your crafting glory.
I started then had to stop and cook dinner, which is why the photos gradually get darker, but I would estimate the whole thing maybe took 30-40 mins – and the best part is Freya loves it.
Are you are crafter (or not)? What’s the best or worst thing you’ve ever made.
After The Rain 
*psst…’crating’ I’m assuming that’s ‘crafting’ 😉
The fact you even get to the point of trying anything off pinterest deserves a massive ‘high five’ as I just pin stuff…and one day in another dimension I WILL make all these things. More impressive is that you actually completed it! The tutu is fantastic and looks great on Freya! 😉
Btw on a sad font loving side note, that comic zine font you’ve used is one of my faves ;D
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Thank you for the spot (tired eyes :)) and the compliment on the tutu.
Nothing sad about font-loving, in my opinion. I have to say I’m more a fan of swirly whirly ones but I like to mix it up.
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I’m slowly adding links to fonts, graphics resources and they have loads of freebies! A lot of free to use commercially too which is good. I really like sparkly gold stuff, completely goes against my ‘ard metal image 😀
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I have a lovely collection on the PC but can’t work out how to get them on the Mac. Can you do a guide for that too? 😀 Sparkly gold, goodness me!
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Off the top of my head I’d say just find the font folder on your PC, grab ’em all and stick them on a flash drive then move them to the Mac and install them individually (just double clicking them should work). Some of them may not work on a Mac, but you maybe able to go download a Mac version 😉
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Thank you. You rock! I shall try it asap.
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Aww so cute!! I am very impressed!! xxx
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Also I have the exact same t-shirt! My mother got it for me years ago! Freya has great taste! xxx
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Hah! Maybe I need to make you a tutu to go with it? 🙂
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I would be so up for that – I could dance around my flat in it! xx
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I made these and even my sparkly, fluffy girl refuses to wear them. No taste clearly!
As for me being a crafter? Well in my head I am, in reality I have neither the time or patience and probably lacking the ability too. 😉
Great make! 😀
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Thank you. I think I’m just getting Freya young enough that she doesn’t know any better. Hehe.
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I think they are beautiful, they look amazingly effective. I might have tried them on myself…well they are very stretchy! 😉
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This is brilliant and Freya looks so cute in hers. Like Muddy mum, I am a crafter in my head but I completely lack the talent ha! x
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I think I might be the same. Hehe. Maybe we can start a club.
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