all american tutu

my girls won't wear jeans.
ever.
jeans bug them.
all dresses and skirts all the time.

so how can I sneak them into a pair of jeans?
make a tutu of course.

what's more american than a 
red white and blue denim tutu?
I have a three pack of firecrackers who will be
tutu-ing it up come this fourth.

You can too.  Easy and inexpensive.  Promise.

Supplies:
Jeans you don't mind cutting up.
Three yards of tulle
(I am making a 5T.  You  may need more or 
less, depending on the size.)
Denim needle for your sewing machine
1 inch grosgrain ribbon

First cut the waistband and belt loops off of the jeans.
If your jeans have elastic, remove that as well.
Cut a piece of ribbon the same length.
Use a lighter to seal the ends of the ribbon.


Cut the tulle into twelve inch pieces.
You will have three per color.
Or nine total if you are using one solid color.


Open up the tulle.
Sew a gathering stitch along the entire long side.
For my machine I use zero tension and a stitch length of 5.
Make sure NOT to backstitch on either end.


Don't let the pile of tulle attack your assistant.


Because she attacks back.


This is what the gathering stitches look like.


Pull the bottom thread on one side and 
gather the tulle until it looks like this.


Pin each gathered section of tulle to the 
ribbon in the your desired color combo.


Here is what it looks like from the other side.


Switch to normal tension and stitch length on your machine.
I use a fairly big zig zag stitch to make sure 
the threads grab all of the crazy tulle.
Stitch down the entire length of the ribbon.


My assistant thinks you are doing a great job!


Pin the ribbon to the inside of the denim 
waistband with the messy side down.


Fold in the ribbon where the button goes.


Sew a straight stitch along the legnth of the waistband.
Clip stray threads.
Done!!!


A certain firecracker had no interest in working today.


She was not feeling patriotic.
The only freedom she was interested in was 
freedom from her mother's photoshoot.


But a little candy got a semi smile out of her.

(You can find instructions for the tank here
and grab a headband here.)





Posted in , ,

86 Comments

  1. LettiJune 25, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    So adorable. I would love to make one but I know that I would have to have you sit next to me and show me step by step.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 25, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    Sooooo love it! You think Size 14 in womens is too large?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 25, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    p.s. jk

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 25, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    sort of

    ReplyDelete
  5. Heather @ Glitter and GlossJune 25, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    OMG, I'm in looooove! You're so creative, Julie! Hmm...I've got plenty of jeans to cut up, but what are the chaces I could learn to sew by the 4th?! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SaraJune 25, 2009 at 4:39 PM

    Oh my goodness! That is soooo getting copied. Thanks for the idea!

    ReplyDelete
  7. SouthernDogwoodsJune 25, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 25, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    I think that is the cutest little assistant I have ever seen. Awesome tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SouthernDogwoodsJune 25, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    TUTU Cute! I love these and I wonder if I can crank out 2 before the 4th!?!?! Hmm, better go fabric shopping!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JenniferJune 25, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    I love that pic of Janey grabbing the tulle! cracks me up!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jennwith4June 25, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    I would love to make this but not enough time for me. Maybe next year! (Love the assistant!)

    ReplyDelete
  12. CrystalJune 25, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    Oh my this is so cute! I love the entire outfit. Maybe I can pull it off by next week.

    ReplyDelete
  13. SaraJune 25, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    super cute idea! :) love it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. TashaJune 25, 2009 at 5:05 PM

    If only I had a girl. Love love love them! Someday maybe. Maybe for my neice next year when she is a wee bit bigger. You seriously are such a fun Mom! And I bet that firecracker will be LOVING to show it off on the 4th of July!

    ReplyDelete
  15. BethanyJune 25, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    Here is me being INSANELY jealous of all your amazing talent! My sweet girl would look DARLING in one of those. If only I knew how to sew...

    TUTU cute for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kelly O.June 25, 2009 at 5:39 PM

    very cute! i think I might make one for Canada Day (July 1st)

    ReplyDelete
  17. HollyJune 25, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    Cute pictures! The reluctant model in your photoshoot did a great job. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. SamanthaJune 25, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    what an absolutely fantastic idea! It took me a while to realize (6 pairs of jeans later)that one of my daughters WILL NOT wear jeans either. That is a great use for them!

    ReplyDelete
  19. MommafoJune 25, 2009 at 6:05 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. MommafoJune 25, 2009 at 6:07 PM

    Your pictures are great. :) And putting the tulle skirt on a jean waistband is ingenious!!! You're brilliant. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Simona WaltersJune 25, 2009 at 6:23 PM

    if only I had the time as well... I have plenty of jeans!! I can't wait to try this idea out. Thanks julie!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AuroraJune 25, 2009 at 6:32 PM

    Ok, that is tutu cute (ha ha!!!) I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. JennyJune 25, 2009 at 7:05 PM

    What a cute idea! I like your way of gathering the tulle. I've made a tutu before by knotting it on elastic, and I really didn't like how it turned out.

    ReplyDelete
  24. JennyJune 25, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    I have a question: How do you get this on? Does it close at the snaps? Or do you slip it on?

    It doesn't look like it is open at the snaps in front, but I would think it would be hard to slide on a non-elastic tutu.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousJune 25, 2009 at 7:53 PM

    Very cute!!! Love your assistant. My girls wont wear jeans either but I'm sewing machine challenged so I will just have to drool over your creations :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. BethanyJune 25, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    Darling, darling, darling! And your assistants? D-A-R-L-I-N-G!

    ReplyDelete
  27. JeanetteJune 25, 2009 at 9:07 PM

    Does your baby ever frown? Even when she's in attack mode she is smiling!

    ReplyDelete
  28. TonyaJune 25, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    so cute joy! love it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. TonyaJune 25, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    oh my gosh...i so just called you joy....

    JULIE....

    I swear I know your name...i am so blaming it on my baby blues brain mushiness...somebody slap me...

    (sorry)

    but it really is a very cute tutu!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Kristin SellarsJune 25, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    SO adorable! I love how you used jeans for the waistband!

    ReplyDelete
  31. EmileeHopeJune 26, 2009 at 5:35 AM

    Too adorable!!! I can't wait to have kids of my own and make some adorable outfits like that! (hopefully I have girls so I can play dress up!!)

    ReplyDelete
  32. MelissaJune 26, 2009 at 5:42 AM

    Thanks for the tut. Very sweet - here is a question. Any tip on washing tule?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Frameyourwords.comJune 26, 2009 at 6:29 AM

    from the vintage pearl...love the
    4th of july tutu!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Rach FairchildJune 26, 2009 at 6:34 AM

    What a cute tutu! I know my friends little girly girl would love that!

    ReplyDelete
  35. CelesteJune 26, 2009 at 6:42 AM

    Oh that is SO CUTE!! I'm with your girls, I would actually rather where dresses everyday too. But, I have to admit - that some days, I DO enjoy wearing my jeans :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sumo @ Sumo's Sweet StuffJune 26, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    Your 'assistant' is too cute! I have the perfect assistant, too, now I just need to learn how to sew! :) What a great tutorial, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Mommy ToyJune 26, 2009 at 7:34 AM

    What a great idea!! You are so crafty!! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  38. RebekahJune 26, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    Very cute! What a great project! My girls didn't like jeans either - I think it's from those years of wearing easy up-and-down pants while potty training! Imagine my oldest daughter's chagrin when I told her she had to start wearing jeans because I couldn't find anything but jeans at the store last fall for 9 year olds.

    ReplyDelete
  39. JessJune 26, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    I love it! And, I love that candy can make your lil flash such a sweet smile!

    ReplyDelete
  40. HeatherJune 26, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    Love the patriotic style! So cute!

    heatherdemke(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. AmandaJune 26, 2009 at 7:41 AM

    What a fun tutorial! I'm linking up to you from the Vintage Pearl, hoping to win one of your sweet flower clips for my daughter. I LOVE them. Too cute! (and your daughters are too cute modeling them!)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Jamie LynnJune 26, 2009 at 7:52 AM

    Great idea! I am going to make one right away!! I love your etsy shop! Great stuff! :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Heather | Cookie MondaysJune 26, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    you have the cutest little firecrackers around!

    ReplyDelete
  44. MeredithJune 26, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    Found you through vintage pearl and I'm glad I did...love that tutu!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. GosfamJune 26, 2009 at 8:06 AM

    I love your tutu idea!! Super cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. RoryJune 26, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    Love this...making it this weekend. I so saw you on Momtog and bookmarked you, then my computer crashed and I hadn't found you again, yet!! Now I have! I have 2 firecrackers that enjoy their tutus as well.

    ReplyDelete
  47. DeniseJune 26, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    cute idea.
    i'm glad to see your employees don't always cooperate too. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  48. JennaJune 26, 2009 at 8:29 AM

    OMGOSH this is the cutest tutu I have seen! I found your blog from Erin and your etsy shop- your stuff is awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Polka Dot MoonJune 26, 2009 at 8:43 AM

    Your girls are TOO MUCH! Simply adorable!!!

    Love the tutu too!

    ReplyDelete
  50. kerryJune 26, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    i've recently started reading your blog...and then saw you had a giveaway at vintage pearl!! i so hope i win! i so had to show some blog love to you!!
    love your style girl...

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnonymousJune 26, 2009 at 9:18 AM

    so very creative!

    ReplyDelete
  52. CurlyGirlDJune 26, 2009 at 9:23 AM

    Oh my gosh! Thank you for the amazing tutorial. And your messy flowers are just GORGEOUS! I may need one to celebrate July 4th! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  53. TiffanyJune 26, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    Cute - thanks for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  54. CarlaJune 26, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    Love it...you are SO creative! I wish I had an oz of your creativity!

    ReplyDelete
  55. JillJune 26, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    So talented!

    ReplyDelete
  56. SamanthaJune 26, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    SO adorable! I came here from Vintage Pearl... love your work! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  57. KariJune 26, 2009 at 10:03 AM

    Cute idea to use a waistband from a pair of pants!

    ReplyDelete
  58. JaneeJune 26, 2009 at 10:21 AM

    I love your blog! Your girls are BEYOND precious!

    ReplyDelete
  59. AmberJune 26, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    What an adorable idea. Know if only I knew how to use a sewing machine :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Mom2Da'GorgeousesJune 26, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    How nice of you to share this tutorial. I made one for each of Da'Gorgeouses for their 3rd birthday, it wasn't sewn like this one, but it was a BIG hit!

    Hugs & Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  61. annaleeJune 26, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    so stinkin' cute!!! i love your stuff and the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  62. TerraJune 26, 2009 at 12:11 PM

    The Vintage Pearl sent me your way! I love your signs and super cute tutu!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Jake and Liz PostlewaitJune 26, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    What a great blog...I LOVE the bows and the simple signs. Could you do names? Great work :)

    ReplyDelete
  64. jaquelyn {mama thoughts}June 26, 2009 at 12:34 PM

    That's great! My 5 year old sister would love that. Thanks for the instructions and such! =)

    ReplyDelete
  65. The Rantings of a Drama Queen's MumJune 26, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    very cute. I entered your giveaway on Vintage pearl.

    ReplyDelete
  66. The DollJune 26, 2009 at 1:04 PM

    So adorable. I wish I was that talented.

    ReplyDelete
  67. MagdaJune 26, 2009 at 1:13 PM

    I love the tutu idea, and the entire patriotic outfit is adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
  68. TinsleyJune 26, 2009 at 1:42 PM

    This is so cute...Your headbands are way cute too.

    ReplyDelete
  69. BrookeJune 26, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    Oh my Gosh this is so very cute!

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  70. GwenJune 26, 2009 at 6:56 PM

    LOVE your blog, I will be bookmarking the pattern for the tutu!!

    ReplyDelete
  71. UnknownJune 26, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    You, darling, are one of the most talented and creative women that I have known! Well, I don't know you, but you know what I mean :)

    LOVE it!! Wow. It's gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. ColleenJune 26, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    I love your 4th of July outfit, so cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  73. The LinksJune 26, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    Sew fun!!! I love all of your stuff!!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. emtdlbJune 27, 2009 at 5:35 AM

    That is such a cool idea. I know my daughter would have been in love with that when she was younger. Red, white and blue are her favorite colors. Soooo neat and creative. I am jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  75. SueJune 27, 2009 at 7:14 AM

    I hope my daughter is a "girly girl" and only wants to wear dresses and skirts! The tutu is adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  76. JodiJune 27, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    so cute- I'll have to keep these directions for when my little pumpkin gets a bit older!
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  77. AnonymousJuly 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    Oh my gosh this is soooo adorable! I am really wishing I had a daughter to make one for. Don't think the 4 boys would appreciate it. :)

    Just found your blog and I am loving it!

    ReplyDelete
  78. UnknownJuly 1, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    This is so precious!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Lauren @ten23designsJuly 1, 2009 at 6:25 PM

    I just adore this. My daughter is 2 months old & I cannot wait to make her one of these.

    ReplyDelete
  80. AnonymousJuly 2, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    Ya see. Projects like this make me wish I had a little girl.

    ReplyDelete
  81. michelle@somedaycraftsJuly 3, 2009 at 7:12 AM

    That is an absolutely darling outfit! I linked to this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. Mary BethJuly 4, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    Thanks for the inspiration...posted pictures on my blog today: www.whatcanmakemefeelthisway.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. ValerieJuly 9, 2009 at 9:34 PM

    Wow! A jean waistband and a tutu? Brilliant! I am linking back to you at my blog! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  84. RowanmayfairsAugust 18, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    I have been looking every for intructions to make these..

    Thank you !!

    Now I'm off to search ebay for CHEAP jeans to cut up !!

    ReplyDelete
  85. maddiesmommyMarch 15, 2010 at 6:47 AM

    What a great idea. I am sewing challenged and I think I could actually make this . Thanks for making it look so easy. OHHHHH and your assistant is BEAUTIFUL.

    ReplyDelete
  86. http://www.artfire.com/users/auntiechrisquiltfabricAugust 16, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Girly girl but with a twist.Cute!

    ReplyDelete