A bell tutu is puffy, but still has a flowing shape.
A bell-shaped tutu is one of the classical styles of ballet tutu. It's not quite as stiff as the pancake tutu, which is the shortest and stiffest tutu that sticks out from the waist without any curves. However, the bell tutu is stiffer than the romantic tutu, which reaches past the knees and has a soft flow. The bell tutu hits about midthigh and flows over the hips to make a bell shape. It's not difficult to make a bell tutu, but it will take you several hours to complete.
Instructions
1. Measure around the waist where you want the skirt to sit. Multiply this measurement by four. For example, if you have a 25-inch waist, then your final measurement should equal 100 inches.
2. Cut the tulle into strips that are about 15 inches wide. Use the width of the fabric for the length of the strip. Stack all of the strips together into a pile. You should end up with about 20 layers of tulle.
3. Sew the layers of the tulle together about one-half inch down from the long edge of the fabric. Sew another line of stitches about one-half inch below the first. Pull the ends of each thread string to gather the tulle together. Gather the tulle until it's two inches longer than your waist measurement. Sew a small vertical seam between the two ends of the gathered stitches to secure the fabric and prevent it from becoming ungathered.
4. Cut a piece of ribbon to make the waistband. The ribbon should be equal to the waist measurement plus about 10 inches on each side to make a bow.
5. Pin the tulle to the bottom edge of the ribbon with straight pins. Pin the tulle to the center of the ribbon, leaving a tail on either side of the ribbon.
6. Sew the tulle to the ribbon. Tie the ribbon around the waist to finish the tutu. The fabric should make a gentle bell-shaped curve off of the hips.
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