Tutu Tuesday in Middleton
Right, darling, you know how I adore a good tutu, right? And what better day to rock one than a Tuesday? So when I saw that the Middleton Community Centre was hosting a special #Tututuesday event, I knew I had to be there.
I mean, what better way to kickstart your week than with a burst of frills and the spirit of dance? And it wasn’t just any old tutu Tuesday, oh no, this was an actual competition for the "best tutu in town."
As a professional ballerina (you might have caught my YouTube videos!), I’ve worn a fair few tutus in my time. My own wardrobe has got a selection of styles - I've got everything from the classic, knee-length, romantic ones you see in Swan Lake (always a bit special!), to the shorter, more sassy tutus perfect for contemporary dance pieces. Then there’s the extravagant ones - like the fluffy, bouffant tutus for Don Quixote - think a lot of tulle and the best big ballerina dream ever!
But for this competition, you had to have a bit of a creative flare! You needed a tutu with personality - like one that incorporated everyday items! The people at Middleton were creative and I saw some seriously awesome tutus.
It felt a bit like the Chelsea Flower Show for tutus (don't judge!). We had tutus covered in real flowers - imagine a tutu made entirely from peonies! Oh, my word! There were tutus made out of things like old newspaper - you wouldn't think you could do that with paper but honestly it was an amazing tutu! We had ones with teacups stitched into the layers, tutus with Christmas baubles all over, and even ones with biscuit tin lids! And the most surprising, of all the entries was a tutu created with empty biscuit packets, like all the different flavours and everything! Genius!
Now, I’m a massive fan of tutus, so I had a great time judging with fellow tutu lover - Ms. Margaret Smith (an actual expert on sewing, she’s designed tutus for productions across the region!) It wasn't easy picking the best because there were so many fabulous entries. After much deliberation, the top prize went to a "Tea Party Tutu." It was beautifully decorated with delicate floral patterns and little fabric teacups hanging off the layers, and then there were teapots, teacups, teacups – even teacup handles and spoons, - so many things you can put on tea! The whole thing just exuded whimsy and charm.
But honestly, the competition was a joy! Everyone there - young, old, and between - were in good spirits. There was music playing, refreshments, a lot of laughter and even a little dancing. It was so lovely seeing people come together with a shared passion - tutus! You might be thinking, how could tutus be a shared passion, but when you see it all in action... You just know.
My friend Hannah, a seasoned seamstress and dancer, joined me at the competition - I dragged her with me of course! We had a brilliant afternoon chatting, munching on some yummy cakes and just having a lovely time.
You see, I don't care about a boring old ordinary Tuesday. Tuesdays need a dose of magic! So go forth, embrace the day with a burst of frills! You never know - you might just start a new #Tututuesday trend in your town. And let's see what those tutus are all made from - make sure you put the details on the photos on Instagram so everyone can be inspired by you!
And if you happen to find yourself in Middleton, remember to keep an eye out for future tutu events! The vibe at the community center was wonderful. I loved it so much that I'm planning to create a 'How to Tutu' class - with everything from how to choose the perfect fabric to techniques for adding special details (including all sorts of awesome ideas!).
Until then, happy #tututuesday everyone. Let's all rock a bit of frills in the middle of the week - and get creative!