Darling, this month, it’s all about the leotard and the tutu. There are no rules and that’s what is so fantastic about our art! So for April 2015, I've got a gorgeous and fabulous look for you to steal the show on stage and off. This is a design so pretty and so wearable that you'll want to live in it from your pliés in the morning to a cheeky, elegant supper at a trendy restaurant.
Now let's start with the tutu. It needs to be both elegant and flirty, and with just a touch of sparkle. We want to take inspiration from the ethereal grace of Audrey Hepburn. Think elegant and beautiful and of course a bit romantic!
**Let’s look at what you'll need. This is the essential kit:**
- One piece of tulle: 4m x 2m. If you don’t have access to fabric, buy a cheap ballet tutu, pull it apart and use the tulle you have created as a base. (Available from your local craft store.)
- Sewing thread matching tulle colour (Available from your local craft store.)
- Embroidery thread (to create some little love hearts!) (Available from your local craft store.)
- Fabric scissors (Available from your local craft store.)
- Tape measure (Available from your local craft store.)
- 1 m of velvet ribbon to match your tulle, 3.5 cm wide (Available from your local fabric store.)
- Needle (Available from your local craft store.)
- One satin ribbon - your choice of colour but choose one that complements your tulle beautifully – think soft pastels – a colour that would look divine on Audrey’s favourite tiara (Available from your local craft store.)
And for the leotard – oh darling – make it stunning with the colour you select. For that perfect Audrey look try an pale cream colour – something to suit her lovely skin tones. I chose to add some embroidery to the neckline to make this a a real stunner and something which just about any dancewear shop has.
**Now, for those divine, graceful movements, let’s design and make that gorgeous tutu!**
- Take the tulle and using your scissors, cut 20 strips of tulle that are 30 cm long by 3 cm wide. Now that’s what I call elegance.
- Now fold one end of each piece of tulle over on itself about a centimetre and then fold again.
- Then put a knot about a centimetre or so from the top. We're making the tutu like a fine ballet string that will dance, so be so delicate with your fingers. Don’t want to create a hissy fit. You see my dear, we want this to look like she is barely even wearing anything.
- You should have 20 pieces.
- Take a new piece of tulle, a little smaller (a generous 3m x 1.5m, darling! This time the smaller one will have some serious action!), and take a piece of the 3cm wide ribbon, put it on this tulle piece (you’ve got that sewing machine, haven’t you darling?), sew one end down then place a few of the tulle pieces at the base. Take the other side of the ribbon and, darling, sew that down. Now darling - you should have this beautifully draped circle!
- With your new needle and thread, sew in a series of cute, teeny hearts onto your beautiful tulle to bring a splash of vintage flair, think romanticism here my love. I do so adore those hearts, don't you?
- Take a beautiful satin ribbon (one that matches a vintage Tiffany ring, maybe – this is a classic combination - think Hepburn again! ). Don’t go for huge colours darling – stay soft. Take the satin ribbon and sew a circle with your sewing machine so you can then attach it to the leotard. This can just be a very delicate piece, don't forget that darling, that Audrey is the queen of refinement. If your satin is a very soft tone the stitching can be so, so lovely in this very refined, simple style if the stitching matches.
- Take that other ribbon and put it round the leotard and create a tie! This will go just above the tutu but the lovely tulle must swirl beautifully all around. Remember that it’s not a belt. It’s just for elegance.
You see? Easy! Go out there, dear, get on that stage with the most stunning look! This is perfection and what is beautiful about fashion my love, is it changes every season but stays classic because of the classic influences.