Speaking of Halloween and projects, back when my nesting kicked into overdrive and I completed like 3 projects in one week, I made Bug's Halloween costume. She is a Lady Bug (go figure). I am not sure why, but I can not stand those super bulky baby costumes you get from the store and I feel like this was a better lady bug costume than a giant felt round suit I could have put my daughter in.
Step 1. Purchase supplies.
- tulle in color(s) of choice - you can find tulle by the yard at Walmart, 2 yards total should be enough, or by the roll at Hobby Lobby, 25 yards of 6 inches, I used less than 1 of each of the red and black.
- Ribbon of color of your choice (no-sew method) - I used Red 7/8 inch (you can also use elastic instead, 3/8 inch is best)
- scissors
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine or needle if using elastic
- Use the measuring tape to measure your baby or toddler's waist. Bug's waist is 16 inches. Now you should account for how much "bow" you want after you tie onto babe. I added 12 inches to each side, so my ribbon was a total of ...
16+12+12=40 inches - If using elastic use this formula to cut...
16-2=14 inches
The -2 accounts for the stretching of the elastic as you knot the tulle around it, or else you'll end up with a 18 inch waistband when you're through.
- However long you wanted the "bow" strands to be, in my case 12 inches, measure in that far from the edge of your ribbon and tie a knot. Do the same to both ends. There should be your waist size (16 inches) between the knots. Also use a lighter to burn the edges so they do not fray
- Sew the edges of your elastic together, be sure to go over the stitch multiple times to make it stronger against wear and stretch
- You could do some form of epic math to determine exactly how much of each strip you would like, or you could do like me and cut as you knot. Now here's how we form our strips.
- How long do you want your skirt? This one is 10 inches long, comparing it to other's I have made I prefer 8 inch.
Length x 2 (fold over) + 2 (knot account for knot) = total length
8 x 2 + 2 = 18 inch strips for a 8 inch long skirt - I find that 3 inches wide strips work best, so each strip should be 3W x 18L
- Now how many layers of strips per knot depend on how fluffy you would like your skirt. This one is just 1 single layer per knot. Here's a picture of Bug's birthday tutu that is 3 layers for super fluff! Christmas tutu will be 2 layers.
- I use one of those teeny pant clip hanger things to hold my ribbon/elastic to make thing a bit more stable.
- Take your first "knot" set (1 layer or how ever many layers you chose for one knot) and fold it in half to make it shorter. You'll be using what I call the "bookmark knot". Put the loop you created by folding the tulle behind the ribbon, pull the free ends of the tulle up around the ribbon and through the loop and pull tight. You'll want the clean side of the knot to face out, (pictures to come).
- Continue knotting your tulle onto your ribbon/elastic in the pattern of your choice to get your desired look. The lady bug tutu is 4 black knots 1 red knot repeat... My Christmas tutu is 2 green, 2 red, repeat.
- Tie this adorable fluffy tutu onto your little girl and take pictures!
There is my tutorial for the day. I'm looking forward November. It's getting cold here and nothing is better after a long cold day working on the farm than coming home to something hot and fresh out of the crock pot! I have decided to do a month long series crock potting our meals. It's a win win for everyone if I can keep it up everyday (with the exception of Sundays and Thanksgiving). Hubby comes home every night to a hot meal. I can prepare dinner during the part of the day I feel my best instead of around 5 pm when I start to get worn out chasing Bug especially with Peanut getting as big as he is and giving me pregnancy
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