| The tutu | | | | fabric. This could included cutting the edges of the |
| About 150 years ago, when ballerinas first began | | | | fabric so the dress looks like it is made of feathers. |
| dancing on their toes, a new type of dress called a | | | | Early tutus were often sprayed with paint after they |
| tutu was invented. This was for two reasons. Firstly, | | | | had been sewn together, to give the colour required. |
| it was very light, so the dancers could move easily | | | | The spray unfortunately made them very stiff, and |
| about the stage. Secondly, and most importantly, | | | | difficult to iron! |
| they allowed the audience to see the complicated | | | | The first frill is now attached along the curved |
| footwork and leg movements that are so important | | | | bottom line of the pants using a sewing machine. It is |
| in a ballet. | | | | important that the stitching is straight. Four more frills |
| HOW A TUTU IS MADE | | | | are then added, along the bottom four lines drawn |
| To make a tutu you require two pieces of fabric, cut | | | | on the pants. Each of these frills faces upwards. Four |
| to the shape shown in picture 1, to the right of the | | | | further fills are then sewn along each of the |
| page. These two pieces, joined together, form a | | | | remaining lines on the pants, this time with the frills |
| ‘basque’, which wraps around the waist and | | | | facing downwards. Picture 4, to the right of the page |
| hips. | | | | shows a side view diagram of this. All of this means |
| The whole dress is made to the waist measurement | | | | that the bottom frills push against those at the top, |
| of the individual dancer who will be wearing it. | | | | which is what gives the tutu so much body and |
| However, each dress is designed so that alterations | | | | shape. In total, between 6 and 7 metres of netting |
| can be made quickly. This might be necessary if the | | | | will be used! |
| dancer is injured and a substitute dancer has to | | | | The pants are now joined together at the other |
| appear. | | | | edge, and elasticated at the leg line. They are sewn |
| For the next stage, you will need two more pieces | | | | onto the basque that was made earlier, and each |
| of fabric to make the front and the back of the | | | | later of frill is joined at the back, so that each one will |
| pants, as shown in picture 2 to the right. These are | | | | wrap all the way around the dancer’s body. |
| joined together down one edge. The lines on the | | | | The tutu is now joined to a lined bodice, which is the |
| pattern indicate where the frills will be sewn. The | | | | part of the dress which covers the dancers stomach, |
| pants are left flat for the moment, as in picture 3. | | | | chest and back. It can now be decorated with |
| The frills, made of netting, are now added. The | | | | sequins or extra lace, or left plain, depending on |
| designer has already chosen what colours to use, and | | | | which ballet it has been made for. |
| may also now decide to add more details to the | | | | |