This super full no sew tulle skirt tutorial will guide you through the steps to create beautiful tulle skirts without a sewing machine.
I am certainly not a professional photographer, but I do really enjoy taking photos, especially of my friends and family–I call it “mom-tography.” Last fall some close friends asked me to do a family session for their Christmas card photo. They wanted a look that was fun and playful, with a bright pop of color, so we decided to make a big puffy tulle skirt for their little girl to wear.
Had I known how easy it would be to whip these little puppies up, I would have tried it a long time ago. Their family photos turned out absolutely darling, and I made a mental note to make some full-skirted tutus for my own girls the next time we got around to doing a photo session of our own.
Fast forward almost ten months and here we are.
Luckily this time around I managed to snap actually takes some photos while I was making the skirts, just so you could see how simple they really are. I whipped them both up in about an hour and the girls were so excited about their fancy princess skirts that they happily agreed to pose for me. (P.S. The little jean jackets were a great sale find at the JCrew outlet!)
No Sew Tulle Skirt
Here is what you need:
tulle fabric (at least 20 yards per skirt) elastic (1/2″-3/4″ size is fine) scissors
Step 1: Grab a length of tulle and fold it over, then measure it against your model to see how long the pieces will be that you have to cut. This is not an exact science, but better slightly too long than too short!
Step 2: Cut your first piece based on your measurement, then cut remaining pieces until tulle is all cut.
Step 3: Lay pieces flat on top of each other, then cut in half, starting in the middle of the folded edge.
Step 4: Measure a piece of elastic around your model’s waist and tie in place. Don’t knot it too tightly, as you may have to adjust it after the skirt is finished.
Step 5: Take a piece of tulle and loop it around the elastic, pulling the two ends through the loop as shown.
Step 6: Pull to tighten loop, but do not tighten all the way until all the tulle is on the elastic so that you can adjust as necessary.
Step 7: Continue looping the tulle pieces onto the elastic until they are gone. Make sure tulle is evenly spaced on elastic.
Step 8: Place skirt on model. Trim bottom of skirt to make it floor length. Adjust elastic as necessary. Tighten tulle loops and you’re done! Whether you want to take your own photos or arrange a professional shoot, these skirts photograph beautifully!
Did you make this no sew tulle skirt? Share your experience in the comments!
Other easy DIY Projects you might like:
Ruth Soukup
Latest posts by Ruth Soukup (see all)
- Stop Worrying About Money - July 19
- How to Fit In More Fitness - April 28
- The Most Powerful Decision You’ll Ever Make - April 27
TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR HOME LIFE
Ever feel like you just can't keep up? Our Living Well Starter Guide will show you how to start streamlining your life in just 3 simple steps. It's a game changer--get it free for a limited time!
If you love this resource, be sure to check out our digital library of helpful tools and resources for cleaning faster, taking control of your budget, organizing your schedule, and getting food on the table easier than ever before.
Hi there these tutu skirts are perfect for a no-sew mum like me! LOL
Like others here although i get that you measure from the girls waist to the length you want and double so when you loop it over the elastic, “voila” it is the correct length, but how wide are each of the strips? Might try to make one for my daughter for Xmas using 3 colours and interspersing thinner and thicker strips eg one main colour and 2 highlights. Do you think this will work? Also, how was the elastic secured in the end? Did you sew the ends together or is it justed knotted on each time they wear it and if so how do you stop the strips sliding off when its undone?
Sorry for all the questions but not much money means it must be done correctly first time!!
Thanks in advance!
Demi,
Hey! I was doing some trial and error with this last night. For a girl’s size, I found that 6″ strips gave me lots of fullness. I also cut thinner and thicker strips in my “highlight” color to keep it interesting. The good news is that small imperfections don’t ruin the skirts. They come out cute & wearable even if you are a DIY novice.
The elastic: I tied it super tight, but then still felt that wasn’t secure (a bit bulky, too, because I didn’t have thin elastic), so I scrunched all the tulle strips as far away from the elastic joining, untied the knot, left a 1″ overlap, and (messily) tacked around the overlapping part until I was sure it was NOT gonna budge. Then just fluff the strips back around the skirt and hide the Franken-stitched elastic. I hope this makes sense! 🙂
Hi!
I was just wondering if the 20 yards was for one skirt or two skirts since two are pictured?
Thank you!
Megan
I’m going to make a costume for my neice 🙂 Just want to be sure of the measurments. If i need a skirt to be 20 inches long, and I buy tulle that is 45 inches wide, my strips should be 40 inches long, and 22.5 inches wide when i attach them to the elastic right? Thanks so much!
So cute, I’m making a really. Short one and a long one for Halloween.
Hi! My daughter is fourteen but she absolutely loves these. I was wondering about how much tulle would be needed to make one of these for her? She is about 5’4 if that helps. Thank you so much for sharing this technique!