How to make a tutu

It's time to sew up a storm - all kids love playing dress up, so a mini tutu is the perfect addition to your little one's dressing up box!

Let their imaginations go wild and ask them to choose which of their favourite toys will be getting the mini fashion makeover then get out your sewing box out and, using our easy-to-follow instructions below, whip up a ballerina's tutu which will suit any cuddly toy or even open-minded Action Man.

And, while these instructions are using pin this gorgeous tutu can be done in any colour you fancy, just choose your netting, you can even repeat the steps and double up the look neon pink on orange, anyone? Go wild and your little one's will be prancing around for hours on end! Maybe even leaving you time for a quiet cuppa... fingers crossed!

This fantastic guide comes to you from the wonderfully talented Belle and Boos S is for sewing book - a great investment buy if you love an afternoon of creative sewing. 

You will need:

• Pressing cloth
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Sewing machine
• Safety pin
• Silk flowers

Step 1

Press the strip of pink net in half and then half again lengthways, using a pressing cloth. Sew the short ends together and snip the folds along the bottom edge to separate the layers. Machine stitch around the top edge, 1cm down from the fold, to make a gathering channel.

Step 2

Snip two tiny holes in the wrong side of this gathering channel on either side of the seam. Fix the safety pin to the elastic, then thread it through the channel and draw up the ends so that the waist measures 24cm. Sew the ends of the elastic together and trim. Decorate the tutu with any remaining silk flowers.