Resize a Simple Girl’s Tutu for Dolls {or make one from scratch!}

A simple tutu goes a long way in dressing up doll play!

I made this tutu recently for a Bitty Twin (a 15″ doll) and I wanted to try it on the 18″ dolls. Using doll clothes we already had, I paired the skirt with a swimsuit and tights to make a dance costume. Marie Grace models it very elegantly.

This tutu is a repurpose project and was made from a girl’s tutu.

Would you like to make one too?

The basic construction is so simple I’ve included the instructions to repurpose one or make one from scratch.

Tutu’s are so popular right now they’re not just in dance! This would be cute paired with other doll fashions!

Let’s get started!

For this project you will need a simple girl size tutu like this one Lucy is wearing. It is a one-size-fits-all dress up/costume tutu from Walmart and cost $1. You could also make this tutu from scratch with a piece of tulle that’s 14 1/2″ x 58 1/2″.

We will be making both the repurposed tutu and the tutu from scratch side-by-side. I think you will agree they are both so simple!

Let’s make sure your tutu is constructed the same as mine. The basic girl’s tutu is made of one piece of tulle folded in half to make two layers. There is a seam at the top that is also the elastic casing for the skirt. If yours is constructed differently you will need to make adjustments.

An added bonus: This little tutu is dressed up with ribbon on the bottom edge. The ribbon adds a nice touch. (If yours is plain you may want to think about adding some for that extra pizzaz!)

Pick out the seam at the waist and remove the elastic.

Once the elastic is removed, it leaves me with a circle of fabric 14 1/2″ wide and 58 1/2″ long.

If you are sewing this tutu from scratch cut a piece of tulle to the same measurements, 14 1/2″ x 58 1/2″. If you want that cute ribbon edge, stitch a 3/8″ ribbon to one edge of the tulle. Sew the two ends of the fabric together. Now whether you are repurposing a girl’s tutu or sewing from scratch we are both at the same step.

We are going to size down this fabric to make a doll size skirt.

Open up the fabric circle and fold it with the raw edges together. In the photo the fold is on the right.

Fold the fabric in half again, reducing the fabric down to around 3 5/8″ x 58 1/2″. (remember the fabric is folded lengthwise so laying flat it measures 29 1/4″ long) Pin it along the double folded edge. (I didn’t get a picture of this…mine is already stitched and pinned to a board to photograph it!) Be sure the double folded edges lay together neatly. This is going to be the elastic casing.

Using a generous 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch along the double folded edge.

Leave an opening.

I’m using the 3/16″ elastic that was already in the skirt. If you need elastic, 14″ should be plenty to start with. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic.