Darling, It's All About The Tutu!
November is a time for romance, don't you think? And what says romance like a perfectly crafted tutu? This month, my darlings, we are going to be exploring how to create the perfect tutu to capture the hearts and eyes of everyone in the studio. Imagine: your arabesque is floating in the air and the softest light is bouncing off a cloud of tulle that you've made yourself.
The Vision: A Vision Of Beauty
Now, we're not going for a garish costume. We're talking understated chic. Think of your favorite ballerina. Is she flamboyant? Or does she elevate the performance with a sense of serene elegance? That's what we're going for.
Start with the base. This season is all about those delicate, off-white shades that say "I am so elegant and delicate I could melt." I find a simple leotard from Dancesport (they're just delightful, don't you think?) to be perfect. They always fit beautifully, especially their 'Capri' range.
Now we come to the real star of the show: the tutu. For this look, we are going with a classical, single layer style. We don't want anything fussy here.
Creating Your Masterpiece
Let's start with the tulle. Look for a slightly stiffer nylon tulle - I know it sounds counterintuitive, but trust me - for our main tier, we are going for a shape that's almost conical. Think of a slightly concave 'A' shape. That's the key!
A good supplier like Dancewear Universe will provide the perfect quality tulle you need. We're going with 'White Ballet Tulle,' for a light, but firm feeling. We will also need an extra soft layer for a romantic final touch: buy a packet of a good-quality nylon mesh - something like Fabrics Galore's 'Bridal Netting' is a winner. And of course, to get that romantic softness, we will need some lovely light satin ribbon, also from Fabrics Galore , in an pale lilac. That touch will give the illusion of a light sheen, perfect for dancing under the studio spotlights.
Let's start with the main tutu tier, and get those beautiful layers dancing! You'll need:
- Tulle: around 3 metres
- An old petticoat for the base - the old and softer, the better
- Thick cotton thread to tie your tulle together - don't skimp on this! I like to get a nice cotton - the colour doesn't matter
Now cut strips of your tulle - think 5 inches deep and roughly 4 feet long to get that delicate cloud shape.
If you have an older sewing machine it can be quite helpful in this stage but is not strictly needed. However, make sure the tension of your machine is very low if you're sewing it together.
First: gather the edges of the tulle on the inside of the strip, pull the thread tightly to create a frill, and then tie around the old petticoat. A big, floppy 'A' shape! Remember, it's all about that cloud effect.
We do the same with the second tier of nylon mesh. Again: gathers, pulled tight. It gives a lovely feeling of movement, don't you think? And the ribbon goes around the edges for a gorgeous flourish!
Darling, This Is Only The Beginning
Now: how you can really take it to the next level is to play around with little details. That’s where you find your personal style. Maybe you want to add a little sequin trim. Perhaps a few little beads on the edges. Or just use your beautiful tulle, ribbon and patience to create a romantic piece to wear with pride!
But one thing is certain, Darling: you can make a fabulous statement by being creative with your own vision of tutu beauty, and once you get those feathers flowing on stage, everyone is going to know who has the real style!