Monday, December 6, 2010

The $7 Ballerina

You are going to LOVE this!!! And there's hardly any sewing involved either.

When I realized that I'd have two little girls here for our Christmas celebration, I immediately thought of this project, and this is what you'll get:

The $7 Ballerina

Cute, huh? And boy oh boy do kids love them! Okay, go grab a pen and pencil and this is what you do. First, get two rolls of tulle from Michael's, or Joanne's ($2.99 ea. from Joannes without a coupon) and some 3/4 inch elastic. One package of elastic should give you enough for two tutus.

Cut the elastic 1 inch shorter than your child's waist measurement. (I had no kids around, so I cut mine at 17 inches.) Overlap the ends about 1/2 inch and sew together with the zig zag on your machine or by hand. Next cut your tulle the length you want the skirt times two plus one inch. I just used a tablet of 9x12 tracing paper and using the shorter side, twirled the tulle around until there was no more on the roll.

Then I cut it on ONE side. My pieces measured about 18 inches long.


After that, you put the elastic up your leg, past your knee, sit down and place one tulle piece through the elastic and holding it halfway, tie a knot. Continue in this manner until you have used all the cut tulle from both rolls.

And when you're done, you should have a lovely tutu that some child will adore!! That's all there is to it! All for only about $7. (Unless you have a coupon, which would make it less.) I made two...aren't they cute together??


21 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I do love them - and your great tutorial!! Awesome!

LJ said...

absolutely adorable!

Amanda said...

omg -- my girl is only 10 months old, but I could totally see making these for her sometime soon. Thanks, Carol!

~Amanda (Hohnstreiterrific)
(I changed my blog so didn't want you to get confused on who this was...ha ha!)

Amy Friend said...

Yours came out really nicely! My daughters both have them and love them! I hope your little visiters have tiny waists though! My tiny 18 month old has a 19" waist. My 5 year old has a 22" waist.

Amy said...

very cute, and who can beat the cost?I can see a lil girl I know wearing one in every color they make!!thanks for sharing,Amy

Piper said...

Great tutorial! I love making these and they are so much fun. This will make the cutest picture of them together. And what could be more adorable than pink tulle on little girls!
See, I knew I would rope you back into sewing for little ones! Pull out that Carol pattern now! LOL!

Spiced Coffee said...

So cute and SO easy!!!

felicity said...

This mama of a just-about-3-year old girl thanks you from the bottom of her heart for this idea, Carol!!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Well, I don't have any little girls around, but I love this technique and can think of other ways to use it.

I LOVE this place!!

Sparky said...

I want one...lol...I could put it on my snow dame...on my door...what do you think...now how cool is this...at first I thought they were candles and you were going to put them on them...ok..that is how my mind works...love this Carol...ok, and here is my issue..I have only grandsons...6 of them...no girls...can you believe that...and I am such a girly girl too lol...

Poppyprint said...

you'll have to show us the tutus on your little models when they arrive! Adorable.

Nancy said...

Ok...now I need to go buy some tulle... LOVE THIS and so will my 3yo and 4 yo granddaughters...

Karen said...

I have a grand daughter who will love this. It's just so easy.
I do have a question. We don't have tulle sold in rolls here. I have to but it by the yard/metre.
What width and length is the tulle in your roll?
Thanks for your help.

Nancy said...

I did it!! I just finished making two tutu's...

Thanks so much...I think two little granddaughters are going to be thrilled...

http://withthreadinhand.blogspot.com/2010/12/well.html

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

Love them and the tutorial looked great to follow - thank you!!!

Rettabug said...

OMGosh....I love the new header!!! I will have to change the little button I have on my sidebar, too. This one is soooo much more YOU!

Cute two tutus!!!

Claudia said...

Hello, I followed you from Madame'
blog. OH wow!, I love your tutu, is that all of your work on the picture above? Just a great job. I will to visit you more often. It is a warm feeling here. hugz

Millie said...

What a great tutorial. But I have to mention your beatiful header!!!!Samm did such a good job making you this gorgeous header and button.

Ellie Inspired said...

Carol, those two little tutu's look so cute sitting there. It will be fun to see them on those little girls twirling away! Hope you can snap some pic's to show us. LOVE the new header too!! It really reflects your style and fun personality.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I absolutely have to do this for my 4 year old granddaughter - she'll love it! Thanks for a great tutorial. blessings, marlene

Linda said...

O.k. womannnnn just where in the heck were you: when my daughter was a little one! well I still have one younger granddaugther that I am sure will love to sport one of these around so am sending the info to my daughter. thanks so much! it is sooooooo cute! and cheap (ya gotta love that!) Linda