Easy Peasy No-Sew Tutu

Remember how I dashed out before our big snow storm to buy supplies for a tutu instead of the essentials??  Well, the storm hit and hit hard.  Anna and I stayed inside (except to venture out to play in the snow for a bit).  I used the indoor time to my advantage and made a tutu for Anna's 1st birthday party.  I mean, what princess goes to her party without a tutu??  Now, this was my first attempt at making a tutu so I was a little nervous.  I even bought a back-up tutu just in case.  Alex doesn't understand the need for a back-up tutu, but then again he doesn't understand the need for her to wear a tutu at all.  I explained that the back-up tutu is really an everyday wearable tutu so it won't go to waste.  He just shook his head at me.  Hmmm, men...

Anyway, here's the process with pictures:

Measure you child's waist (or the waist of whomever will be wearing the tutu - I don't know what you are into ... I don't judge) and subtract 2 inches. 

Use a fabric glue to secure the ends together.  Overlap an inch on each end. 

Press together.  Please excuse my dry hands.  It's cold here.
I have admit that ended up sewing my band.  I realize that it's technically not a 'No-Sew' tutu then, but you can do what you wish.  You could also staple or hot glue the ends together.  You just want it to be secure.  No one wants their tutu busting open on them.

Decide how long you want your tutu to be.  I wanted 5 inch pieces.  Double that amount and add an inch.  Cut your strips of tulle accordingly.  So, my tulle was 11 inches long.  You will need about four pieces of tulle for every inch of the waistband. 

Grab a roll of paper towels and come wipe off my kitchen counters.  And then use the remaining roll to put your band around.

Take one strip of tulle and fold it in half.  Push the folded side between the paper towels and band facing down.

Bring the ends together down through the loop, around the band.

Tighten

Go to your On Demand and rent a good Lifetime movie.  Repeat the strip process a million times until your entire band is filled. 
Question here - if you only have strips on half of the tutu does that make it just a tu?  Think about that.

Trim the uneven pieces of tulle.

Pat yourself on the back for being so awesome.

Go grab your gun ... your hot glue gun.

While your glue gun is getting toasty, measure out ribbon that is long enough to go around your tutu with extras for a bow.

Apply a bit of hot glue to one piece of tulle.  Pardon the focus on this picture.  I was trying to get an 'action shot' and it didn't turn out quite like I hoped.

Secure the ribbon to the tulle without burning your fingerprint off.  Unless you need to burn your fingerprint off for some crime-related reason.  Then I suggest hot glue as a method.  I've heard that acid also works.

Work your way around the entire tutu by applying glue every 3rd or so strip.  Notice that I did not pull the ribbon tight.  Keeping it loose allows for room if the waistband needs to be stretched.  Tie the ends in a knot.

Tie a bow.  I want to note that I hot glued everything so the bow will not fall out or twist.  Just a little trick to make sure Anna looks her best even when she's rolling around on the floor. 

Ta da!!  One tutu that's worthy of being worn by a little girl I know on her first birthday!!  I'm pretty happy with it, and I'm only down a few fingerprints in the process.
Stay tuned for pictures of her in it at her party!