How to Make a Light-Up Tutu
by TechnoChic in Circuits > Wearables
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How to Make a Light-Up Tutu
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Here's how to make a custom high-quality light-up tutu from shimmer tulle, sequin elastic, and fairy lights.
Watch the video, or read the step-by-step instructions below.
Supplies
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I searched far and wide to choose the best materials to make this simple and epic project! You can buy the materials at the links below, or I've put together a kit that has exactly the materials you'll need so you don't have to buy in bulk.
The Supply Links:
Fairy Lights with Batteries - https://amzn.to/3yrPdX8
Sequin Elastic - https://amzn.to/3w4kQ7S
Pink Shimmer Tulle - https://amzn.to/3M2EuX3
White Shimmer Tulle - https://amzn.to/3sqkWnQ
Teal Tulle - https://amzn.to/3N8mieK
Purple Tulle - https://amzn.to/3kWgTLV
Crochet Hook - https://amzn.to/3FxGLY1
Small Sewing Kit - https://amzn.to/3ytewbj
Fabric Glue (Optional) - https://amzn.to/3KWJaMY
Or, Get the Kit! It has everything you need to make 1 tutu:
Cut the Tulle
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- Wrap the tulle around a book or piece of cardboard that is 8 inches in width, then cut down one side to make 16-inch lengths. Repeat for all colors of tulle.
Mark the Battery Spot
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- Take out the sequin elastic
- Make a note of the length of the battery holder, and skip this section of the elastic
- Insert the crochet hook through the elastic on the bottom of the three sections as shown
Knot the Tulle to the Sequin Elastic Waistband
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- Take the piece(s) of tulle and fold them in half, finding the center
- Use the crochet hook to pull them through the sequin elastic until a small loop forms
- Place your fingers through the loop and pull the "tails" through
- Tighten the knot by pulling on the tails
Repeat the Knots
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- Measure the waist of the person you are making the tutu for, then subtract 2 inches to allow for stretch
- Keep making knots until the tutu is the desired circumference, thinking about how the pattern will repeat
Give the Tutu a Haircut!
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- The tutu will look way nicer with a haircut!
- Using the empty tulle spool as a guide to measure, trim the tool so that it is all about the same length and has a nice blunt "haircut"
Make the Battery Pack Pocket
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- Trim the extra sequin elastic (if there is any)
- Remember that you saved a spot for the battery back in step 1.
- Close the Tutu and sew the ends together as shown, keeping the battery pack flap loose
- Tack the end of the flap to make a small pocket that will allow the battery pack to sit inside as shown
Prepare the Tulle for the Lights
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- To position the lights inside the skirt, separate half of each bunch of tulle and push it towards the inside of the skirt as shown
Add the Lights
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- Place the battery holder into the pocket and unravel the fairy lights
- To keep the lights in place, snip a small hole where each LED should go, insert the LED through, then push the wire flat as shown to keep it in place
- OPTIONAL - Another method would be to use a small drop of fabric glue to keep each LED in place. This would require drying time but would make the connection more durable.
Finish!
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- Return the tulle to its proper position
- Turn on the Lights
Twirl and Twinkle!
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It's time to wear your Light-Up Tutu!
I hope you enjoy this tutorial! If you want to see more of my work, you can follow me here on Instructables and on Instagram and YouTube - Please Subscribe! You can also buy tech-craft kits designed by me at TechnoChic.net.
I've also included links to all of the supplies. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on purchases made through the links below, and that helps me make more tutorials like this. :)