Happy February!
I had to dig into the archives to find this so I could make Miss Janey one and figured I would re-post while I was there.


I am so honored that Fave Crafts included it in their Valentine's Day Blogger Ebook which is chock full of heart day goodness.
I certainly found my fair share of things that I plan on making in the next few weeks.


So go craft some lovely.


Halley went through a major tutu phase and didn't understand why she couldn't wear one to school.  I got a little creative and satisfied her need for a tutu and the school's need for kids to wear normal clothes.
If you have been sewing for a while this will be crazy easy.
If you are new to sewing, it might look scary.  When I figured out how to do it I was new to sewing too.  You will learn a few new skills, like sewing on tulle (surprisingly easy), gathering (much easier to gather tulle than fabric) and sewing on knits (I have a trick to make it easier.)
I promise that when you are finished, you will not only be proud of what you have made, look really fancy, but you will be smitten and addicted to the Tutu T-shirt!



Here is what you will need:


2 1/2 yards each of two different colors of tulle
A t-shirt (I love the Cherokee perfect t's from Target.)
Coordinating thread
A rotary cutter, ruler and self healing mat, or scissors and a really steady hand.

{There will be enough tulle left over to make two more t's.}



On this Tutu T-shirt I am using red for the top shorter layer and pink underneath.

Cut the top, shorter layer 12 inches wide by 90 inches long. 
(The 90 inches is why you need 2 1/2 yards.)



Cut the bottom, longer layer 14 inches by 90 inches.



Fold each layer in half, separately.
Stack them on top of each other with the raw edges lining up.  The folded edges will be staggered on the bottom.  Pin the two layers together near the raw edges.



Using a basting stitch 
(the longest stitch on your machine and the least amount of tension) 
sew the entire length of the tulle near the raw edges.  
Do not backstitch on either end and leave lots of thread hanging on each side.



Pull one of the  threads and begin gathering the tulle.  
It will start to look like a tutu.  
When it seems about the right width to go around the t-shirt move on to the next step.



Starting in the middle of the back of the t-shirt start pinning the tulle.  
The shorter top layer of tulle should be the one laying on top of the t-shirt.



Continue pinning it as close to the bottom of the shirt, all of the way around.



Overlap it when you return to the middle of the back of the shirt. 



Place the shirt under your needle and foot.  
Return the stitch length and tension to normal.  
I like to use a medium size zig zag stitch.  
It makes it easier to catch the layers of tulle, as well as helps the t-shirt stretch.  
Backstitch at the beginning and end.



This is what mines looks like.  
Don't worry that it is a little messy.  
It will be covered by the rest of the skirt.



Here is the underneath of the finished product.  
You can carefully trim any wayward tulle if it is driving you crazy.



Hooray!!!  Look what you made!!! It wasn't so bad was it?



I couldn't leave Janey out right?
I made a few changes to make her a little onesie.
I cut just one piece of tulle 8 inches by 90 inches.
I gathered it a bit more than the bigger girls' shirts.
Then I pinned it starting in the back of the onesie.



Continue pinning it all of the way around.  Overlapping at the beginning.



Same zig zag stitch, trying my best to keep it straight without the benefit of a t-shirt seam.



She is going to be so dang cute come Valentine's Day!!!!



Lulu, who will only agree to model for me if there are smarties involved, 
looks pretty cute herself.



Showing off the back of the Tutu T-shirt and Messy Flower Headband.
I would love to see your Tutu T-shirt creations!!!
What else can you sew that is girly, yet so versatile, practical and under $10?
Happy tutu-ing!
(Feel like doing a little applique on your tutu t-shirt?  
Here is a great tutorial to get you started.)



39 Comments

  1. Adorable!!! Okay....I think I will "attempt" this because I need something for the girls to wear for Valentines Day. I will email my sewing teacher to see if she will help me....
    P.S. I like your new spruced up blog design! Cute!

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  2. Cute!!! Ok, so did you sew on the inside of the shirt - I'm assuming! Also, please, pretty please, share your secret for cutting tulle. I can't cut it straight to save my life - augh! A whole new meaning to zig zags!

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  3. You have no idea how excited I am about this tutu tutorial! I have done numerous searches on youtube for a lesson on sewing tulle. Thank you for breaking it down w/ exact measurements (because truly, I have no idea what I'm doing), exact tools, and for pictures. I think tomorrow's "activity" will be a trip to JoAnn's. Thank you for catering to a the visual learning crowd!

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  4. That is an awesome tutorial and those tutu t-shirts are precious! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I had saved this tutorial in my bookmarks and used it last week to make one for my daughter. Super cute!! Do you know if it washes well?? She keeps wanting to wear it but I don't want to get it dirty b/4 valentines day.

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  6. reeeally want to make this! so cute. Although all my 2 year old wants right now is the "peek hedban" she sees on your sweet model :)

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  7. Oh my gosh, Leila would go truly nutso for this!!! (And I might be able to get her to preschool in something besides a pettiskirt over jeans!) You are a genius, my friend!

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  8. Yay! This is on my to do list!! I am loving sewing since the scarf along!! I got a little carried away with making ruffles on things...for me and Allikaye. But they are super cheap and spruced up plain t-shirts (and a cardigan for myself!)! I posted about them a bit ago. Can't wait to make this too!

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  9. you are crazy creative!

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  10. Holy cuteness batman!
    Seriously. Cutest shirt ever. I am definitely going to make a couple of these for my girls!
    Yippee, thanks so much for sharing!

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  11. Julie ~ it's fabulous! So fun...

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  12. I love this tutorial! And I'm lovin' the new blog layout =)

    Have a blessed week!

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  13. Too cute, but what else can we expect from you? I have got to start sewing, My grandma has a sewing machine waiting for me to pick up at her house and this might just be the first thing I make!

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  14. I'm making three of these today for my daughter, her best friend and my niece. I'm so excited! What a cute idea!

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  15. I am 'sew' going to make this! I am a beginning sewer, so I appreciate the details!
    http://biscuitsngravymama.blogspot.com/

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  16. That is too cute! She is adorable showing it off!

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  17. OMGoodness! A tutu! A shirt! The word fancy! Beginner sewing capabilities! Julie, was this post written for me? ;) Thanks doll- I am just in love with this tutorial. Now let's hope my machine and I can get along long enough to make it happen...

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  18. Hi there! Adorably cute! I have two girls 11 months apart in age and tutu's are a staple in my house. When I am not looking, they even sneak them on for school after I leave for work - he he! This tutorial is adorable!!! Thanks so much!

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  19. I have to feature this!! Absolutely ADORABLE!

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  20. The cutest thing ever!!! My daughter needs one of these in every color. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

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  21. Totally, totally adorable. I'm actually putting your site into my sidebar. What clever ideas you have here. Thank you.

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  22. So adorable! Thanks for sharing.

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  23. this is a great tutorial. thank you so much for posting it for all of us! I love your blog, it always makes my smile.

    ps- the pictures below are incredible!

    -Kate
    room22design.blogspot.com

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  24. This is darling! I love the idea, I totally want to make on for my daughter. I am going to link to this on my blog http://sewwhattoday.blogspot.com

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  25. must try this for Cameo - too too cute!

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  26. Holy cow. That is too cute!!! Thanks so much for sharing! :)

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  27. Hi, I´m from Brasil. I loved what you did to the shirt, so I posted in my blog: http://kidsindoors.blogspot.com/2010/02/saia-na-camisa.html
    with the link to your tutorial.
    If you don´t want I can remove it!
    You are so creative!

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  28. Check out my blog today. My DIL and I made your tutu shirts!!! Thanks!

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  29. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! I am doing this right now on my daughter's little t-shirt for Valentine's day.

    Blessings!
    -Sarah

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  30. Just made two for my little girls for Valentines. I'm fairly new to sewing and your tutorial was just perfect for me. Super easy, and so fun for the and the girls. Thank you!

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  31. Wonderful job, and ridiculously cute!! :>) I linked to this on my weekly roundup - thanks so much for sharing!

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  32. I adore this! Must find time to attempt myself.. though I'm sure it will not turn out as cute...

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  33. Thanks for the awesome tutorial! I made on for my niece for St. Patrick's Day and I can't wait to see it on her! Check it out on my page http://thatcraftyjuls.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-first-tutu-shirt.html

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  34. Thanks for the compliment Julie! It wasn't embroidery though....I used freezer paper, made a stencil with it and painted the "ailee" on =)

    P.S. Love your name! ;)

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  35. Would you be willing to make one to sell? Thanks for your consideration,

    Jana Barbay
    mysongs88@bellsouth.net

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