How Much Tulle Does It Take to Make a Tutu?

Tutus make an amazing addition to any costume, for kids and adults alike! Learn to make a tutu for your little one, or sew one for yourself.

Every costume trunk needs a good tutu! We recently sat down with Melissa from Crafting Princesses, who has created several easy step-by-step tutorials for spectacular DIY costumes, including Skye from Paw Patrol and this gorgeous Moana tutu. Read on for her expert tips on selecting and cutting tulle for your own tutu creation.

 

Types of Tulle

Melissa suggests using polyester tulle for the bounciest and fluffiest tutus, while nylon tulle makes a better choice for a less voluminous skirt. To determine the quality of your tulle, scrunch it and then press it flat with your hands. Good tulle will release the wrinkles fairly easily. If it stays wrinkled, the tulle is likely cheap and will not hold up well to the wear and tear that your costume may be subject to.

 

How Much Tulle to Use

In general, Melissa says, you’ll use between 100 and 600 yards of tulle depending on the waist size and desired length. Keep in mind that exact measurements are best when possible, but below are Melissa’s suggestions for sizing:

 

Elastic Waistband Measurements:

Size	Waistband Measurement
0-3 months	14”
3-6 months	15”
6-12 months	16”
12-18 months	17”
2T	18”
3T	18.5”
4T	19”
5T	19.5”

Note: For larger sizes, use an exact measurement and subtract 3 inches to allow for stretching.

 

Tulle Lengths

Cut your tulle twice as long as the desired length of your tutu, referring to the size chart below. 12” tutus work for ages 10 and up, but use exact measurements if you’d like a longer tutu.

 

Size	Tutu Length	Tulle Length
0-3 months	5”	10”
3-6 months	6”	12”
6-12 months	7”	14”
12-18 months	7.5”	15”
2T	8”	19”
3T	10”	20”
4T	11”	22”
5T	12”	24”

 

Tutus are fantastically fun and add flair to any outfit, but they’re also great for special occasions. If you’re participating in a 5K run or walk in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, make a DIY tulle tutu in pink to show your support. For more craft ideas, read about the other ways we’re using ribbons, tulle, and embellishments to raise awareness for breast cancer — and take 10% off select pink products from October 7–13!