I’ve been flat out lately and forgetting to take photos but I’m sure you’ll forgive me just posting some pictures of finished tutus rather than construction steps.
I often will buy a couple of metres of beautiful fabric if I can see a tutu in it. I could not resist this beautiful embroidered taffeta. It is green and is shot with a purple-fuchsia colour. The dancer who chose it has flaming red locks and ivory skin. It was a perfect choice for her.

bejewelled venise lace on green shot fuchsia taffeta
The plate was made with long points that echoed the bodice decoration.

plate decoration
And for a soft effect the skirt was cream. White looked too harsh and ivory wasn’t right either.

Green taffeta tutu
The next tutu was another pink Aurora. This one was pink and silver and had a delicate feel. Both of my recent Auroras were for the same ballet school so I wanted them to stand apart but both be lovely.

bodice edge piped in silver
The pink silk we chose was a little too light when it was lined so I put a layer of darker pink poplin between the silk and the drill to give a little more strength to the colour.
plate and lace overskirt
The silver overskirt and venise lace gave the tutu an airy ethereal look.

lovely pale pink
And finally a little tutu for a very dedicated young 10 year old. We used royal blue dupioni and gold corded lace for a regal look.

corded lace bodice appliques
There was no plate but I matched the colour of the skirt to the bodice so that the line of the bodice carried down onto the skirt. I used the corded lace to make a flay lace overlay. I used blue rhinestones on the lace to increase the negative space in the design and break up the sold stretches of gold.

lace overskirt
The whole effect was rather regal

Royal blue and gold
and I finished off the ensemble with shoulder frills and a tiara.

hand-made to match the tutu