Darlings, December is upon us, the festive season is here, and the air is filled with the excitement of upcoming Christmas shows. Naturally, every ballerina wants to look her absolute best during the holiday performances! And let's face it, nothing says Christmas cheer like a show-stopping, dazzling tutu! But don't fret, my dear readers, for this season I'm sharing my little black book of tricks to create the perfect tutu that will turn heads and make you the envy of every ballerina on stage.
To begin, gather your materials, my dears. A touch of whimsy and a generous sprinkling of festive sparkle are absolute musts for this Christmas delight.
- A base tutu - Find a classic, two-tiered tulle tutu. Preferably something soft, billowing, and oh, so beautifully delicate - a true blank canvas for our creation. A pale blush pink will create a divine base for the shimmering delights to come. Don't worry if it's a tad boring now - we're about to make magic happen, my lovelies! Try The Dance Boutique - they have some lovely options.
- Glitter and glamour - Nothing says Christmas like shimmering tinsel and sequins. Think delicate, ice-blue sequins in a multitude of sizes - small ones for subtle sparkle, and large ones for that show-stopping, twinkling effect. Find these dazzling beauties at your local fabric shop or, for those seeking truly exquisite delights, I suggest John Lewis - they have some divine selections, my dear.
- A dash of colour - A pop of festive colour adds a certain vibrancy. I suggest a shimmering deep red or a sparkling gold ribbon for an added flourish around the bottom of the tutu. Remember, darling, subtle, tasteful and elegant. I always find that a silk ribbon adds an element of refinement that cannot be beaten, available in various stunning shades from Liberty London.
- The finishing touch - An elaborate spray of shimmering snowflakes or a delicate, frosty design using gleaming fabric paint is perfect to tie everything together. Don't be afraid to experiment with stencils and your artistic flare. This can be easily found in the art section of Hobbycraft and John Lewis have some fantastic stencil patterns too.
Armed with these simple items, let the creativity flow. Create a delicate dusting of sparkle over the entire tutu - it's about that soft, celestial glow. Then, with the ribbon, add a flourish at the bottom. Imagine snowflakes cascading gracefully down the tutu. Finish it off with some sparkly red or gold fabric paint for an air of elegance that simply screams "festive cheer" and "Winter Wonderland." Don't be afraid to play with shapes and create a snowflake masterpiece with those stunning stencils.
The perfect leotard for your dazzling Christmas creation is a deep red - it's striking, it's beautiful and will set off your fabulous tutu beautifully. Opt for one in a luxurious fabric - satin is divine and feels amazing to dance in - the ultimate in feminine glamour. Try Dancewear Direct - they have some exquisite choices.
Finally, darlings, to achieve a true, timeless festive look, remember, it's not all about the clothes, but it is about confidence! Wear your creation with pride and confidence and be a radiant star. The world will be mesmerized, my dear.
I hope you found these tips to be divine. Now, go out there, my darlings, create your perfect Christmas look and, most importantly, enjoy the wonderful season!