here it is, my fifth and final planned project for the fall kids clothes week challenge. this tutu is a major component of Em’s halloween costume, angelina ballerina (that’s the best image on the least annoying site i could find). she was not into modeling for me after her nap today…
…so if you think she’s always happily willing to pose for my photos, trust me that is not the case. even for a pink angelina tutu!
the pattern is from “little things to sew.” i’ve now made 5 out of the 20 projects in that book (that’s the highest completion rate of any of my sewing books – definitely worth the money!). this one was especially user-friendly. i had made a tutu once before, and remember that cutting the many strips of tulle was an irritating nightmare. the method in LTTS has you fold over large pieces of tulle, gather, and sew onto a ribbon waistband that ties in the back. it was frustration-free and turned out great. i also love the suggestion of layering multiple colors of tulle. i started with burgundy at the bottom, then medium pink, then three pieces of light pink. it created a pretty, subtle ombré effect.
i also made a felt rose to clip to the waistband, just like angelina has.
to make the rose, i cut out a circle, then started cutting it in an imperfect spiral until i got to the center. i shaped it into a flower, hot glued it around the back to keep it in place, then glued on the leaves and a small circle with two slits to thread an alligator clip through. i’ve seen the circle flower method floating around the internet, and my mom used it to make some paper flowers recently, too. nice and easy.
i’m kind of glad she wasn’t in a modeling mood today, actually – it’ll leave a little more room for surprise when the rest of the costume is pulled together. 😉
not going to sign off on KCWC just yet, as i have a “bonus project” that may or may not come together before the end. we’ll see! happy final days of the challenge, everybody!
skirt as top 
It’s simply stunning! And my son is no longer a fan of modeling these days. I don’t blame him. 🙂
It turned out really well! I definately have this page bookmarked for when my daughter is a bit older, I agree it’s a great book. I’ve only done 2 projects so far and I’ve been really happy with them.
thanks for sharing all the details ~ I’ll be back later when I make these…
it is so so precious. my girls would die for one of these, I’ll probably have to buy the book now, seems like such a good one! and I love the styling for these photos, on the chalkboard is so perfect!!!!
oh yeah, you definitely need the book. i just painted chalkboard paint on a canvas – we take it down and have her do some new art every so often. turned out to be a great backdrop!
wowza, it’s gorgeous! the rose is spot-on, too. you’re so good!! i can’t wait to see the whole costume!
thanks! the ears are giving me a bit of trouble…maybe after a couple days of sewing rest.
This makes me want a little girl so bad! It’s just perfect. I think I better add that book to my wish list too 🙂
s would be so jealous if she ever saw this. it’s beautiful.
thanks! you should make her one. 🙂
can’t wait to see the finished costume–this one is giving me serious girlchild-envy :o)
Love it. What a lucky girl she is!
Aw, I wish I had a little girl to make a tutu for! Oh well, maybe one day.. 🙂
Looks great!! I finally ordered that book thanks to you 🙂 ha ha
Kristin, could I ask you where you bought the tulle? I’m having a surprisingly hard time finding tulle for holiday sewing…
The tutu looks amazing! And I love how the flower turned out, too. It was the perfect Angelina tutu 🙂