A simple tutu can be the base for many costume ideas and this easy skirt tutorial will have you quickly ready for even last-minute costume and Halloween parties! Learn how to make a no-sew tutu with this super quick and easy step by step tutorial. You read it right, there is no sewing involved – Yay!

Have you ever wondered how to make a tutu? A no-sew tutu couldn’t be more simple to make for little ones and it is a great handmade gift that encourages imaginative play. Package it up with a wand and a crown for a fun dress-up set. If you want another simple project try to make a headband out of an old t-shirt!

Completed No-Sew Tutu

I don’t know about you, but I have a little girl who loves to play dress-up. When she plays dress-up her imagination blossoms to life. That’s why I enjoy creating DIY clothing like this DIY tutu skirt. It is the perfect play skirt. What’s best is that you can make them in any color, length, and even layer them.

You can make a tutu for a child or even an adult tutu easily. Just follow along with my step by step tutorial guide and you will have the cutest tutu for girls. Add a bit more tulle and you can make an easy tulle tutu for an adult! No sewing machine is needed!

What supplies do you need to make a DIY Tutu?

  • Tulle (The local fabric stores carry various colors of tulle.)
  • 1 elastic headband (I found the elastic headbands at the dollar store.)
  • elastic cord (The local fabric or craft store carries elastic cord.)
  • scissors
Supplies needed for DIY Tutu skirt: tulle, elastic head bands, and scissors

How many yards of tulle do you need to make a tutu?

Tulle Needed to make a child’s tutu

The amount of tulle can vary by how full you want the tutu to be.  We used five yards of tulle for a child-size tutu and it worked great. If the tutu isn’t full enough you can always add more tulle.

tulle Needed to make a Tutu for an adult

Six yards of tulle should be enough to make tutu skirts for adults. You may need to use more tulle depending on the desired length, size, and fullness of the skirt you are making. 

How To Make A No-Sew Tutu

Start by cutting strips of tulle.  Cut the entire 5 yards of tulle into 4 or 5 inch wide strips. It doesn’t have to be perfect and the width of the strips can be varied. When you buy tulle it is folded once lengthwise on the bolt. Fold the tulle in half again lengthwise to make the cutting go quicker.

pink tulle folded and cut into strips for the skirt of the tutu


Open each strip up so it is folded in half one time like it was when it came off the bolt. Fold this strip again, finding the middle. You might skip the second fold if making for an adult.

Strip of pink tulle folded in half. The strip is folded a second time


Place the elastic headband on your upper thigh to make tying the strips of tulle onto the band easier. Place the middle of the strip that is folded in half under the elastic band.

Headband or elastic strip stretched around a knee. With the middle of the strip that is folded in half placed under the elastic band


Reach under and through the loop grasping the strip.Pull the tail through the loop.

A hand reaching under and through the loop grasping the strip of tulle.  the tulle is pulled through the loop attaching it to the headband.

This makes a slip knot, pull snug. Be careful tying tulle strips around the elastic band to not stretch out the band.

Pink tulle strip slip knot snuggly pulled around headband

Continue tying all of the strips of tulle onto the waistband, trying to tie them evenly.

Elastic headband with pink tulle strips completely wrapped around it. There is a knot tied in the headband to allow for adjustments.

If the waist of the tutu needs to be adjusted, tie a knot in the elastic band.

an adjustable knot tied in the elastic headband used for the waistband


TaDa! Now you have made a super simple tutu that is perfect for costumes and play! Don’t forget a wand and crown to make this tutu an extra special homemade gift.  This tulle tutu is a great way to avoid the cost of boutique skirts and create your own special birthday outfit for any little girl.  Coordinate the skirt to the birthday theme, and you will have a picture-perfect outfit!

completed DIY pink tutu

This tutu will fit children from about 2-7 years. To make the tutu longer in length for older children, don’t fold the strip exactly in the middle, making one side longer. 

Tips on How to Make a Tulle Skirt

  1. Child-size tutu skirt: Use an elastic headband for the waist.  This way you don’t need to measure elastic. If you do not have an elastic headband you can use the elasticized cord. To cut the elastic cord to size wrap it around the child’s waist. Make sure it is snug. Leave a little bit to tie a knot. The excess allows you to resize as necessary to do this adjustment undo and move the knot.
  2. Adult-size tutu skirt: The elastic headband we used for the child-size tutu might not be large enough.  To determine the length of elastic needed for an adult-sized tutu, wrap a piece of elastic around an adult waist.  Tie the elastic in a knot so it fits snugly for the elastic waistband.
  3. Adult-size tutu skirt: Remove elastic and begin tying on the tulle strips. If you need a longer tutu don’t fold the tulle the second time before tying onto the elastic.  This might make the tutu not as full, but it will give it more length.  Just add more strips of tulle.

Alternate Technique for Waistbands

You can also use a ribbon for the waistband. This makes a very adjustable waistband. First, tie the ribbon around your waist and secure it with a bow. Next, while wearing the ribbon add the steps of tulle, shifting the ribbon around your waist as you go. Then simply untie and tie again to put the tutu on and take it off.

Check out these other ideas

Now that you know how to make a tutu you can make many different skirts including this darling witch costume! You can make this DIY no-sew Halloween costume in an evening. For this witch costume, we used rolls of tulle instead of the tulle on the bolt. We also used this same tutu tutorial to make a Wonder Woman costume.

We never can decide on what to be for Halloween until the very last minute. That’s why it’s good to know how to make this easy and versatile tutu. You don’t need to stick with just one color of tulle. Try mixing in some different colors throughout the same skirt. 

You will be amazed at how quickly a tutu can be made. With a themed t-shirt and an easy tutu, you can easily fix just about any “I don’t have a costume” dilemma!

no-sew-witch-costume-

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5 from 2 votes

How To Make A Tutu Skirt [No-Sew Tutorial]

Learn how to make a no-sew tutu with this super quick and easy step by step tutorial. You read it right there is no sewing involved – Yay!
Author Cindy Hopper

Equipment

  • Pair of Scissors

Ingredients

  • 5 yards Tulle (Use 5 yards of tulle for a child-size tutu and at least 6 yards for an adult-size tutu.)
  • 1 Elastic headband
  • Elastic cord (Use the elastic cord when an elastic headband is not available.)

Instructions

  • Start by cutting strips of tulle.  Cut the entire 5 yards of tulle into 4 or 5 inch wide strips. It doesn't have to be perfect and the width of the strips can be varied. When you buy tulle it is folded once lengthwise on the bolt. Fold the tulle in half again lengthwise to make the cutting go quicker.
  • Open each strip up so it is folded in half one time like it was when it came off the bolt. Fold this strip again, finding the middle. You might skip the second fold if making for an adult.
  • Place the elastic headband on your upper thigh to make tying the strips of tulle onto the band easier. Place the middle of the strip that is folded in half under the elastic band.
  • Reach under and through the loop grasping the strip.Pull the tail through the loop.
  • This makes a slip knot, pull snug. Be careful tying tulle strips around the elastic band to not stretch out the band.
  • Continue tying all of the strips evenly onto the elastic band.
  • If the waist of the tutu needs to be adjusted, tie a knot in the elastic band.
  • TaDa! Now you have made a super simple tutu that is perfect for costumes and play! Don't forget a wand and crown to make this tutu an extra special homemade gift.  This tulle tutu is a great way to avoid the cost of boutique skirts and create your own special birthday outfit for any little girl.  Coordinate the skirt to the birthday theme, and you will have a picture-perfect outfit!

Notes

  1. Child-size tutu skirt: Use an elastic headband for the waist.  This way you don’t need to measure elastic. If you do not have an elastic headband you can use the elasticized cord. To cut the elastic cord to size wrap it around the child’s waist. Make sure it is snug. Leave a little bit to tie a knot. The excess allows you to resize as necessary to do this adjustment undo and move the knot.
  2. Adult-size tutu skirt: The elastic headband we used for the child-size tutu might not be large enough.  To determine the length of elastic needed for an adult-sized tutu, wrap a piece of elastic around an adult waist.  Tie the elastic in a knot so it fits snugly.
  3. Adult-size tutu skirt: Remove elastic and begin tying on the tulle strips. If you need a longer tutu don’t fold the tulle the second time before tying onto the elastic.  This might make the tutu not as full, but it will give it more length.  Just add more strips of tulle.

About Cindy Hopper

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Comments

  1. Great idea with the headbands! To make it even faster, I buy the tulle on spools sold in craft stores and Walmart. They are exactly 6″ wide and you can cut to the length needed. Each spool is usually 25 yards in length.

  2. I would think you could also make these for American Girl dolls as well. Then your child and her doll would match. Thinking of using a hair elastic to make some for Monster High and Barbies. Thanks for this idea.

  3. Another way to do this is to use tulle spools-Hobby Lobby has them on sale frequently. It can save you time!

  4. I see many tutus in my future, if my new daughter is willing to be like her mama. I may not be girlie, but nothing is cuter than a tutu and some leg warmers!

  5. I made seven of these last Monday. For the two and under girls, I folded the tulle twice, so it was really short. I was able to make three with ten yards. I love this! Several more to go and I will have some happy girls this Christmas! I am an old maid aunt who likes handmade gifts!

  6. This is beautiful ! Just wondering how many yards will I need for my 4 month old. Could you help me please?

  7. This is so easy and perfect! Thank you for helping me solve the “what should I give my 2 year old?” problem.

  8. Brilliant, I’m going to make these for my youngest fairy party! Invites went out today so great timing!

  9. We just made these for my daughter’s brownie troop…they are adorable and easy enough that she made it herself 🙂

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