Stretch tutus are a great choice for younger dancers who are just starting to enter competitions and are growing quickly. Stretch tutus will generally last for 2 seasons.
My tutus are made from stiff Italian ballet net and stretch fabrics such as lycra or stretch velvet. The bodices are lined to give a firm fit and dancer confidence. The tutu skirt has 7-10 layers of net that are tacked together with nylon tags to give the iconic tutu shape with a gentle slope from the high hip to the edge of the tutu skirt. I like to vary the colours in the skirt, even if the colours are just subtle shades of each other, as I think this gives some life to the skirt.
A basic competition-ready tutu starts at $450 and includes a lined and decorated bodice with a 7-10 layer skirt. Other features and their prices are listed below although there may be variation for some fabrics or embellishment techniques:
Nude insert $25
Simple plate with linear trim and rhinestones $25
Intricate plates with applique trim and rhinestones from $50
Spanish 3-4 tiered ruffle plates from $75
Lace overlay from $50
Scalloped or feathered edges to net $25
Decorated Arm puffs/frills or sleeves from $35
Custom dyed net from $25
Corselet style bodice $50
Faux corset lacing $25
other customised options POA
The tutu illustrated is an eisteddfod-ready costume and features a ruched faux corset insert, corset lacing, an elaborate pieced plate, rhinestones and beading on appliques, arm cuffs and feathered net. It would cost $675. My tutus average around $600.
Hello, I’m wondering how I go about asking questions before an order.
Thanks,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
Just tidying up my blog. We’ve chatted about a tutu offline. Let me know if you need any further information
Hello,
I am absolutely awe struck by the beautiful tutus you make. I am from South Africa and I own a shop that sells dance wear and I do ballet myself. I would however like to make my own tutus. I currently import my training tutus for my shop from China. They have 8 layers of netting and a lycra basque.
Besides attempting to copy the tututus I import I have never had any formal training in the art of making a traditional/classical tutu.
I would be so grateful if you could give me some pointers on how to make these masterpieces. I have been professionally trained in sewing, so I do know my way around a sewing machine.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
My sincerest regards,
Linda
Thanks for the kind comments Linda. There are a lot of good patterns around now and with professional sewing skills it won’t take much of a shift in perspective to go from streetwear to stagewear. I almost exclusively use patterns from Suzanne Dieckmann (Tutus That Dance) and Danielle Legge (Tutus by Dani). There are other patterns around but I find these 2 pattern makers have really captured the essentials of beautiful line in traditional and stretch tutus respectively. I’ll PM you.
cheers
B
I am looking for a really nice stretch tutu for my daughters first ballet solo performance.
Hi Samantha,
When do you need the tutu for?
cheers
B
Hello,
How long does it take to make a tutu? I’m specifically looking at your Paquita Bell Tutu.
I look forward to hearing from you! Your tutus are stunning!
Hi Jennifer,
The actual making is not very long, but my schedule is almost full with just a few places left in June 2020
thank you for all of the wonderful images … it is so inspiring to look at the beautiful work that you do.
🙂
thank you … I love my job