How to sew a tutu onto an elastic band???

Question

I am sewing a tutu for my daughter. I have the tulle all cut and hemmed and I don't know how to sew it onto the elastic so it will still stretch. Is there some kind of trick to this? I sew quite a bit I never use stretch bands.

Answer 1

Are you following a pattern?  Is this for a child for dressing up, or a real tutu?

Fun play tutu: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/ho...

Easy dance tutu for kids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKUxblXHW...

For the real thing, these books are a better bet: http://www.tutu.com/bks_costume.html

Answer 2

Don't sew the tulle to the elastic. Sew a casing in the tulle at the waist, then thread a length of elastic thru the casing, then sew the ends of the elastic together. The tulle will slide freely when the elastic stretches.

Answer 3

After 13 years of sewing ballet costumes for my daughters, I can say I have never sewn a tutu onto an elastic band. All tulle skirts are sewn and gathered in separate layers to fit onto a non stretch fabric leotard made of satin etc. Each layer is sewn 1cm under the last until it is the desired fullness. A tutu is constructed on a pair of elasticised (in rows) pants in the same manner and pulled on over the leotard. This is done in the same manner as those frilly baby's under pants for special dresses.