We've put together the ultimate resource guide for making beautiful ballet outfits for dolls, plus a free doll sized tutu tutorial for both 18-inch and 14.5-inch dolls!
The Ultimate Pattern Collection For Swim and Dance Costumes
Looking to make a matching girl and doll dance outfit? Love the intricate details of professional ballet costumes, and want to recreate them for your doll? Pixie Faire has the ultimate pattern collection for swim and dance outfits that can help you create those dreamy looks for your doll!
Ballet Accessories For Dolls
Looking to build your doll her own ballet studio? Be sure to check out our free tutorial for a ballet barre that you can make yourself!
For more ballet accessories, check out these patterns...
FREE Tutorial: How To Make A Doll Sized Tutu!
Looking for a no-sew craft to make for your doll? This tutu goes together pretty quickly, and you can make it in her favorite colors...
This video and the step by step photos demonstrate the technique for making an 18-inch doll tutu, but we've also included the measurements for making a 14.5-inch doll sized version!
This tutorial originally appeared on Pixie Faire in 2014.
Check out the tutorial in video form here:
All you need is some ribbon, and some tulle. I am using 1/2 yd each of three different colors, but I wanted mine pretty fluffy. :)
Start by cutting the tulle into long strips. I've folded it up, so that one short pass with the rotary cutter yields a single long strip. Using a rotary cutter will save you a lot of headache (tulle can be very slippery!) but be careful. Like any powerful tool, rotary cutters can be dangerous!
For the 18-inch doll size: Cut strips 2-inches wide.
For 14.5-inch doll size: Cut strips 1.5-inches wide.
Next, decide how far out you want your tutu to come.
For the 18-inch doll we made our tutu about 4-inches deep. For the 14.5-inch doll, we chose about 2.5-inches.
When you've determined the depth/length of your tutu, cut a piece of scrap cardboard that length.
Start wrapping one long strip of tulle around the cardboard; when you get to the end, trim off any extra. Then, cut along one side of the wrapped strip, and unfold. You should now have a bundle of strips that are just the right length and width!
For the 18-inch doll size: Your strips will be 2" x 8". You will need about 70 strips.
For 14.5-inch doll size: Your strips will be 1.5" x 5". You will need about 35-45 strips.
Keep repeating the cardboard cutting method until you have cut up all your tulle. It takes a while, but trust me, this is the easiest way to make it happen. :)
Once your strips are in order, cut a piece of ribbon for the waistband.
Measure the waist of your doll, then add enough extra length to tie the ribbon in a bow. Mark the waist measurement onto the ribbon so you know where your ties will begin.
For an 18-inch doll: Our ribbon was about 27-inches long.
For a 14.5-inch doll: Our ribbon was about 16-inches long.
For stability, tie the ribbon around a book or safety pin each end to something sturdy.
Then, start looping strips of tulle around the ribbon. Fold a group of strips in half, run the loop under the ribbon, then run the ends through the loop. Pull the knot tight.
Start adding tulle at one marking, and work your way around to the other marking.
The more strips you group together in each knot, the fuller your tutu will be.
All that's left is to tie it around your doll's waist, and fluff out the tulle a little bit for the most festive look!
This adorable leotard made to fit a WellieWishers™ doll is an easy pattern hack of the LJ T-Shirt Variations pattern. Let us know in the comments if you'd like to see a post full of fun leotard pattern hacks!
We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us -what's your favorite type of music to dance to?
Thanks, everyone!
The Pixie Faire Team
100 Comments
Teresa LaCombe
June 03, 2020
My favorite music to dance is 80’s
Devon
June 03, 2020
Classical music – in ballet class, of course ☺️
Esther
June 03, 2020
Down at the Twist and Shout by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Donna Landreth
June 03, 2020
My favorite music to dance to is Country. I also like rock n roll but not so much hip hop and rap and always thank you Cinnamon for the awesome giveaways.
Esther
June 03, 2020
Down at the Twist and Shout by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Lisa
June 03, 2020
I love to listen to pop music so that is my favourite dance music.
Carola Thompson
June 03, 2020
Me dance LOL…but I love watching my uninhibited grandkids dance
Vicky Wells
June 03, 2020
I love show tunes, my granddaughter takes ballet and I pretend along with her, great fun!!
PennyT
June 03, 2020
Way too uncoordinated and clumsy to be a dancer, but I’ve always thought zydeco dancing looked like fun.
Louann
June 03, 2020
Swing
Melody
June 03, 2020
ABBA is one, Santana another..depends on my mood at the time. :)
Sharon
June 03, 2020
I dance when the mood hits me. When I am in a store, I dance to and sing along, but it has to be a good song! ;)
Gail Beam
June 03, 2020
I loved dancing to the music of the 60’s and really enjoyed the street dances that were sponsored by the University when I was in college.
Doll Lover
June 03, 2020
My favorite dance music is classical waltz & ballet music…
Bobbilin
June 03, 2020
80’s rock!!
Madeleine F.
June 03, 2020
We love ABBA!
Kathey
June 03, 2020
I grew up in the 60’s. It’s the best
Claudia
June 03, 2020
I love western music.
Patricia
June 03, 2020
ABBA, of course! It energizes all generations. My daughter and I used to dance to it, just to burn some calories, and now my four granddaughters join in.
Lynn
June 03, 2020
I like country.
Lyn K
June 03, 2020
I like to dance to music that has a good rythm and beat be it slow or fast that makes me feel happ y and wand to get up a move.
Moi
June 03, 2020
Would love to dance again with my husband to country music
Jozel
June 03, 2020
I don’t dance much anymore but used to dance to rock and country music.
B Martin
June 03, 2020
I like to dance to classic rock and country music.
Kate
June 03, 2020
I remember dancing to American Bandstand (back in the Philadelphia days) with my sister. I was 5 and she was 8. We were teenagers in the 60s and in college in the 70s. I still put on the great music from those times and dance my heart away!
Janet
June 03, 2020
My favorite music to dance to is country music. Either upbeat or slow.
Sandy
June 03, 2020
i enjoy being able to dance with my hubby although we don’t get to do it often. Big band music is great for couples dances.
June
June 03, 2020
I don’t dance but like country music. Fast and slow.
Debra Luecke
June 03, 2020
My favorite is Rock and Roll
Sandra
June 03, 2020
80s pop
Fran Renton
June 03, 2020
I was raised in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. My parents enjoyed all types of music and we three kids joined the school band in 5th grade through high school graduation. I danced to the rock and rollers of the 50’s and 60’s but love the waltzes of long ago.
Alyssa
June 03, 2020
I’m a dancer! My favourite music to dance to is either something really emotional or sassy and jazzy. It really depends on my mood.
Lois J DeRoest
June 03, 2020
Orchestra and a romantic waltz
Christine L. Brown
June 03, 2020
I love to dance to the 60’s music. I love to
Turn the music up and dance with my grandkids, it’s so much fun! All music is great, but that one is a bit more fun!! Live it!!
Randy Keller
June 03, 2020
I grew up attending German-Russian wedding dances — polkas, schottisches and the ever-favorite butterfly!!
Feriba
June 03, 2020
Line dancing looks like it would be fun !
Tamalyn Hafen
June 03, 2020
I like to dance to rock and roll. Also like softer instrumental music for the slower danced.
Holly
June 03, 2020
Don’t dance but like just about any music
Marian
June 03, 2020
I have always loved to dance. I took dance lessons and particularly enjoyed jazz dance, contemporary and ballet. I have even taught dance. In high school and college I truly enjoyed any occasion to dance and to almost every type of music. Still love it, just not as able to execute the moves.
Linda A C
June 03, 2020
I like slow dancing now that I’m getting older.
Mae Lynn Beck
June 03, 2020
Not much of a dancer but I like to dance with my husband to slow country tunes.
Cindy
June 03, 2020
I like a lot of different types of music! Thank you pixie faire team!
Bridgette Shippy
June 03, 2020
I like a lot of different kinds of music.Thank you so for the chance of winning this!
Karen L.
June 03, 2020
My favorite music to dance to is the Standards
Bridgette
June 03, 2020
I like lots of different types of music! Thank you for the chance to win this!
Bonnie
June 03, 2020
Not dancing anymore but did like to waltz and Polka. Also tried country line dancing for a while.
Sue
June 03, 2020
I am not a dancer but if I was I would like Big Band music to dance to.
Cath
June 03, 2020
For those of you that remember the Frank Sinatra era: “I won’t dance, don’t ask me
I won’t dance, don’t ask me
I won’t dance madame with you….”
Trust me when I say ain’t nobody in this world that would want to hear me sing or see me dance. I do love to watch classical ballet seconded by ball room dancing. Making ballet outfits for the dolls is too much fun. I might get happy feet if I would manage to win that gift card, though. Thanks for the opportunity. Happy stitching everyone.
Katherine E Ackerman
June 03, 2020
I love most every type of dance. Jitterbug, Charleston, and jive
Lorraine M
June 03, 2020
I am no longer able to dance , but I did plenty of it in my younger years. I love the music of the 60’s and 70’s and also PBS specials like Lawrence Welk, Perry Como, Motown music, Elvis, Beatles, Pat Boone, Blues music like B.B. King, Dionne Warwick,Whitney Houston, The Eagles,Stevie Ray Vaughan etc. My music interests are very broad! My favorite dances are Rock & Roll Jive, Twist, & Waltz. I loved to do like Ballroom Waltz on skates at the rink whenever a certain couple of guys would show up and ask to skate with me. One was a trained figure skater and he was very good! Dancing across the ice was such a thrill and I often wish I could turn back the clock and enjoy it again! I listen to the oldies on my TV a lot and thankful for those memories!
Lorraine M
June 03, 2020
I am no longer able to dance , but I did plenty of it in my younger years. I love the music of the 60’s and 70’s and also PBS specials like Lawrence Welk, Perry Como, Motown music, Elvis, Beatles, Pat Boone, Blues music like B.B. King, Dionne Warwick,Whitney Houston, The Eagles,Stevie Ray Vaughan etc. My music interests are very broad! My favorite dances are Rock & Roll Jive, Twist, & Waltz. I loved to do like Ballroom Waltz on skates at the rink whenever a certain couple of guys would show up and ask to skate with me. One was a trained figure skater and he was very good! Dancing across the ice was such a thrill and I often wish I could turn back the clock and enjoy it again! I listen to the oldies on my TV a lot and thankful for those memories!
Carrie
June 03, 2020
My favorite dance music is 80’s music.
Kim Tait
June 03, 2020
I’m not much of a dancer but I’ll go with rock ‘n’ roll
Sylvia
June 03, 2020
I don’t dance to it but I love swing. Lots of energy and looks like so much fun.
Joy
June 03, 2020
Oh please, rock & roll is here to stay! :)
Leanna
June 03, 2020
I like to dance to upbeat music!
lisa
June 03, 2020
I like rock and roll. but I don’t dance. I like to listen though.
Grannie Frannie
June 03, 2020
Never learned to dance but I’d sure give the waltz a try! I’m a die-hard romantic and the waltz looks so lovely.
cathy
June 03, 2020
Rock and roll of the 70’s and 80’s
Adrianne
June 03, 2020
Pretty much anything if it has the right beat
Kim
June 03, 2020
I listen to instrumental and Christian music but I will dance to any slow music that will get my husband on the dance floor
Deborah
June 03, 2020
I loved dancing in my youth, especially, rock & roll! In fact, I was a professional dancer at my university, The University of Kings College, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada from 1969 to 1972! Fun, fun, fun… Now, I love listening to duwop, old rock & roll, and lots more singers with various singing styles on PBS! Ta, Deb.
Tanya
June 03, 2020
I love the 50s, 60s and 70s! And dancing from all those eras!!! From rick ‘n roll to disco! Wish I could do ballroom and salsa!!!
Cheryl R
June 03, 2020
I’m a country girl so I love the classic country dances and the line dancing of my era. Such fun!
Cindy
June 03, 2020
I love to dance and do the fox trott or the Walz or Polka.
Dianne Mann
June 03, 2020
I love to dance to something slow by John Ledger, Michael Buble and others like them.
Vickie
June 03, 2020
Middle Eastern Belly Dance music or classic rock!
Pete Hardy
June 03, 2020
Pretty much any EDM. Some faithless, chemical brothers or Daft Punk, or any good trance. Keeps me moving when I’m working too
Elizabeth
June 03, 2020
I love to dance to rock ‘n’ roll music.
Maureen
June 03, 2020
Love the 60’s music, rock n roll, what else is there!!!
Christa
June 03, 2020
I love dancing to country love songs with my husband.
Mardelle J.
June 03, 2020
50s Rock ’n Roll!!
Kerry
June 03, 2020
I will dance to just about anything! Just gimme a beat.
Marilyn
June 03, 2020
I like to dance to the oldies,ballet,tap, and Irish music.
Marilyn
Alice Denny
June 03, 2020
It has been years and years and years since I danced. My ex-husband and I were a sensation on the dance floor during the disco years. Him in his turquoise bell bottom polyester suit and me in my pink and turquoise satin hot pants outfit. Those were the days.
Maureen
June 03, 2020
I like all types of music, but I don’t dance anymore!
Gail K
June 03, 2020
I love the 60’s music – - good old rock and roll!! Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Freddie Cannon, the Supremes, and of course – - ELVIS!!
Jane
June 03, 2020
old time rock & roll
mami2jcn
June 03, 2020
I like dancing to 80s pop music.
Jackie Koepnick
June 03, 2020
country 2 step waltz love to watch others dance
Sandra
June 03, 2020
Contemporary Christian music
Both for listening and dancing
candy
June 03, 2020
rock and roll 60’s, my husband and I still like to cut a rug.
Eliza
June 03, 2020
Classical!
Candie L
June 03, 2020
I like the classics (as in my classics, 70s, 80s, 90s). Thank you
Susan P.
June 03, 2020
I love to dance with my Kitty to Michael Buble.
Carol B
June 03, 2020
I grew up with old-time rock and roll —bop, jitterbut, mashed potatoes, twist and so many others. That’s still my favorite music for dancing. But, I learned country swing dancing in my 50s and find it really fun. Don’t like to listen to country music but love to dance to it.
Johnnie
June 03, 2020
Music from the forties, fifties, and sixties.
Joyce Gizzi
June 03, 2020
I’m not much of a dancer but I enjoy watching other people dance, jitterbug is fun to watch.
honeychile
June 03, 2020
I like to dance and use a hula hoop with contemporary Christian music.
Pamela
June 03, 2020
I love to dance to old time rock and roll!
Laurie
June 03, 2020
I move/dance to Christian music. Thanks!
pat p
June 03, 2020
That sounds like a trick question. My favorite music to dance to is just about any music that I like and that I am familiar with. It also depends on my mood, sometimes I want something fun and upbeat and sometimes I like some kind of flow to the music.
Piroska
June 03, 2020
I like dancing to slow dances.
Jo
June 03, 2020
Rock and roll
Judy McP
June 03, 2020
I love watching dance shows on tv, like So You Think You Can Dance. I love the show tunes, and hip hop, and just about anything else when there are fun, talented dancers to watch.
Heidi Brown
June 03, 2020
I can’t dance but I love watching almost everything!,
Beth C
June 03, 2020
I like dancing to any music with a good beat!
Sharon Thomas
June 03, 2020
My favorite music to dance to is rock and roll. I love this tutorial. We have two granddaughters and one grandson all taking ballet….practicing at home right now but will be back to the studio when it reopens.
Allison
June 03, 2020
We love dancing to everything from The Nutcracker.
Debbie
June 03, 2020
I’m not a dancer but love listening to praise and worship music Christian music. Two of my daughters are ballerinas so I love to watch their classical ballet!
Teresa LaCombe
June 03, 2020
My favorite music to dance is 80’s