Tutus 101: Bad Mom Crafts

If you don’t know why The Bad Moms Club is so obsessed with tutus then you must read this post at Her Bad Mother. If you are already a Bad Mom (or Dad) who knows all about Tutus for Tanner then come over here so I can give you a big hug. (((hugs)))

Hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable with that sloppy display of affection but we seriously love Tanner around here and we really love everyone that supports Tutus for Tanner in any way possible. Because supporting this cause is not all about fund raising (tho’ money is good), it’s also about raising awareness about Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, and most importantly showing our love for Tanner.

And how do we show that love? In less than two weeks many of us will be running walking at BlogHer 5k for Tanner and many of us are furiously whipping up the tulle like tutus are the new LBD. But how does one whip up a tutu when they are craftastically challenged? It’s actually a lot easier than you think. Seriously folks, if I can do it? Anyone can do it.

So using the glorious Design Mom’s tulle tutorial for guidance, here is how I made my tutu for Tanner:

• Buy the 6 inch wide x 25 yard long rolls of tulle (I found mine at Michaels but many wedding supplies stores have the same stuff). For a nice full adult size tutu you will need two rolls.
• Coordinating ribbon makes it pretty. Because I staggered my ribbon, 25 yards worked nicely (make sure it isn’t too stiff, you want it to flow like the graceful running ballerina you aspire to be — or not)
• Piece of cardboard or something stiff to help measure the tulle lengths
• Scissors
• Elastic stuff for the waist band in a color that won’t distract through the tulle (see how crafty I am? I don’t even know what that elastic waistbandy stuff is called. Home Ecomonics Fail.)
• Safety pin or a little bit of thread with needle to close the waistband
• Pant hanger with clips to hold elastic in place (optional but it helped the sorrowfully uncoordinated like me.)
• Season one of True Blood (also optional but it helped)

Put in an episode of True Blood and measure out a length of elastic for the waistband. Remember you need to be able to slip this tutu off over shorts. I like mine low on the hips.

Clip a section of that measured length of elastic on the pant hanger — taut but not too tight. Set aside.

Measure a piece of cardboard the length you want the tutu to ‘fall’ on your person. For each strip of tulle, I folded /wrapped the tulle over this length of cardboard and then trimmed with the scissor. [Edit to add as suggested by commenter Crystal] “it’s easiest to wrap the whole length of ribbon (ed add: and tulle) around the cardboard piece (cut the cardboard to the length you want first of course). When the whole roll is on there just cut the tulle at one end of the cardboard – you’ll now have a whole roll of strips done in one big cut!“. Don’t worry about the cutting because it doesn’t need to be straight or precise — tulle is very forgiving. Basically each strip will be twice the length that you want the tutu to fall. My strips of tulle were approximately 75 cm long but note I wanted a longer tutu. Cut as many strips as the roll allows.  Then do the same with the ribbon.

At this point you will be surrounded with a pile of beautiful tulle & ribbons (note: it’s a good idea to lock up the cats) and Sookie Stackhouse will be making out with Bill in a way that should be illegal. Find that pant hanger with the elastic waist band stuff and proceed to the next step.

This is the fun part: start knotting the tulle to the elastic. I did two strips of tulle followed by a strip of ribbon but you do it anyway your heart desires. Tutus for Tanner HAS NO RULES!

Knotting the tulle is easy:

Fold over one piece of tulle so the ends are even. Grasp the middle section, fold the loop middle section over the elastic then thread the two end sections through the loop (you want the middle section to be across the front like in the image below).

Next puuuuuuuuuull it tight just like Bill puuuuuuuulls Sookie close.

Now it should be nicely knotted to the elastic and easy to slide around. Sort of like when Jason Stackhouse gets tied to a bed by one of his many ‘lovers’ who undoubtedly will end up dead in upcoming episodes.

Repeat this step — inserting the ribbon where you see fit — approximately 800 billion more times or until Sookie runs out of immaculately clean, tight white t-shirts to wear. Move the elastic along the hanger (or chuck the hanger if you don’t find it useful) and trust me, soon you will realise ‘OMG I have the most glorious Tutu for Tanner EV-AH and I made it all myself!’

Good job and come on over so I can hug you again. Now for those who can’t make it to BlogHer 5k or a run/walk in your area, you can always support Black Hockey Jesus and his pledge to run as many 5ks as it takes to raise 5000 dollars for MD research. That man rocks. Read the details at his post or click on the donate button below. Every dollars is appreciated.

Now go forth and multiple tulle and think about Tanner. Because trust me, he loves you for this. And so do we.