How to make a tutu skirt (costume)

1. Materials & tools

Materials (For the adult size (38 cm length))

• Tulle (soft) — enough for 3–5 wide layers
• Flat elastic (2.5–3 cm wide) — waist length plus overlap
• Optional: a lining fabric (to prevent see-through)
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Tutu skirt (costume)” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the waist, skirt length and fullness (ratio). Presets for child, adult and extra full. A higher ratio means more volume.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Decide the measurements
   Set the length and the fullness ratio. A higher ratio means more gathers and more volume. Use the top-edge figure shown in the tool as a guide.
2. Cut
   Cut 3–5 layers of tulle to the same rectangle. Cut one waistband.

4. Sewing

4-1. Gather the tulle

1. Keeping the layers together, run two rows of long machine stitches along the top edge.
2. Pull the bobbin threads to gather it down to the waist measurement. Spread the gathers evenly.

4-2. Attach the waistband

1. Cut the flat elastic to the waist length and join it into a ring (or thread it through the band strip).
2. Sew the gathered tulle onto the band, or sandwich it in the folded band and stitch.

4-3. Finish

1. The hem can be left raw — tulle does not fray.
2. Cutting the hem in steps, or layering tulle of different lengths, adds movement.

✏️ If see-through is a concern, add a plain (ungathered) satin under-skirt inside; it hides underwear and helps the tulle stand out.

5. Tips & variations

• Layer colors: layering different-colored tulle flashes color as it moves — try rainbow or pastels.
• No-sew version: fold and knot strips of tulle onto flat elastic one by one — no machine needed.
• Change the character: black for Halloween, white for ballet or a swan, pastels for a fairy or princess.