Monday, September 12, 2011

What Goes with a Tutu? A Princess Wand!

I've been giving tutus as birthday gifts to preschool-aged girls lately, but it just didn't seem like enough.  A few weeks ago it hit me:  a princessy scepter wand thingy!  Girls don't care what it's called, but they love it.
My daughter is the model for this one.  She is a tiny 1 1/2 year old and the recipient was a 3 year old so it's a little big on her.  And yes, that's a bathing suit shirt.  We were going to a pool party.

We'll start with the wand.

Remember the ribbon holder?  We'll be using some of the dowels from that project.

Get a roll of tulle to wrap around the dowel.  Start with a dab of hot glue to hold it in place

then start wrapping
put a few dabs of glue along the way as you're wrapping, just to be sure it stays in place.  Wrap all the way to the end.

When you get to the end, tie the tulle in a knot and glue it well.  Leave a train of tulle whatever length you desire.

Tie and glue a few more pieces of tulle and/or ribbon to the end.

My daughter ripped a little decorative fabric crown off one of her dress up outfits that day... it was perfect for this!

I glued it on to cover up where the ribbons were tied

I'm pretty sure you don't have a shimmery fabric crown lying around.  Get creative!  You can use beads, an applique, whatever you want.

Here's how I did the tutu if you're curious.  I'll keep it quick in case you're bored already

Sew a loop of elastic the size of the girl's waist (or you can use a stretchy headband).

Cut equal lengths of tulle (you'll need about 2-3 rolls, depending on how long and full you'd like your tutu) about 3 feet long.  I cut both rolls at once to make it go faster

Take each of these and fold it in half

Start tying them to the elastic by sending the ends through the loop like this
Pull tight.

You can tie the tulle pieces in a a regular knot, but doing it this way helps them lay better.  Keep tying them and pushing the tied pieces of tulle close together so the tutu ends up nice and full.  You're going to use more tulle than you think!  I can't give you an exact amount of tulle pieces because every tutu I've made has been different.  I also tied some pieces of ribbon into the tutu to add a little more color.

I heard the girl who received this tutu wouldn't take it off and wanted to wear it to bed.  Now that's a successful gift!  Here's one more pic of my girlie wearing it

This is such a great solution for an inexpensive girl gift.  Now, if I could just find something as easy to make for boys...

Let me know if you have any favorite go-to gifts!
Blessings,
Jamie
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25 comments:

  1. Such a great idea! I actually make a little wand myself when I create jewelry boxes for little girls...just a little extra to surprise them!

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  2. If only we could just whip up tutus for boys!! :) You know what is a simple answer to a quick boy dress up tho? A cape and super hero mask! All the boys I know are ALL about zooming around saving people! :)

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  3. How cute!! My baby girl is getting older and this will come soon! Thanks for linking up to Craft and Tell!

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  4. I've been wondering how to make the tutu's!!!! I'll have to try this!

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  5. Love these! A great idea for all of my daughter's little friends in dance class!

    Melanie
    bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks for the great tutorial. I've never seen a tutu made this way. It's great that you can add ribbons to the tulle.

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  7. Love this! I have been wanting to make my daughter a bunch of dress ups for Christmas so I will have to do this for her! Thanks for sharing! I would love it if you would link this up to my Ta-Da Tuesday Link Party!!! http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/2011/09/ta-da-tuesday-link-party-4.html

    xoxo, Ashley J

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  8. Love the wand - I make twirling ribbon wands, but this would be a fab princess gift! (I also make tutus the same way you do too!) If you have time pop over to www.twinklestutustwirls.blogspot.com x

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  9. Very cute! WIll have to keep this for the future! A new follower from blog hop. Please visit my site at www.uniquepartiesanddesign.blogspot.com

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  10. Perfect! Who doesn't need a princess wand?! Thanks for sharing at this week's BFF Open House!

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  11. Great tutorial. My little girl wants to be tinkerbell for halloween and I want to make her costume. This should help.

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  12. Beautiful! Simply beautiful.. we have a girl birthday party coming up for my little guy and I think I just found my gift! Thanks so much for the inspiration and for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. can't wait to see what you share next!

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  13. How adorable! I bet any little girl would LOVE this wand!

    Please feel free to link up your princess wand to my Make Yourself Monday blog hop!

    Jamie
    For Love of Cupcakes

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  14. This is such a cute idea. I'll have to keep this in mind for the future. I have a 1-year old so I know there will be plenty of parties in my future. Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

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  15. I love it! The idea is great and the final product looks so cute :) A joy for any princess wannabe :)

    Julia
    luxury watches

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  16. I love it. How adorable. I hope I have a girl one day so I can dress her in frilly things. thank you so much for linking up to my party Show and Share! hope to see you again this week!

    A mommy's life...with a touch of YELLOW
    tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com

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  17. Adorable! Thanks for sharing.
    http://fortheloveofwelleverything.blogspot.com/

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  18. OMG!!! My 3 year old would go nuts for this. Everyday she gets dressed into a random skirt and calls herself a ballerina. Guess I am off to buy some tulle and elastic. Thanks so much for sharing a simple craft. Sarah xx

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