Tutu Princess Shirt Tutorial

My 6 year old loves all things princess – does yours?  Hey who am I kidding?

I LOVE ALL THINGS PRINCESS TOO!!

I would love to make and rock this shirt!  Do you want to learn how to make it too?  Be honest…are you going to make it for yourself or your daughter?  Or both – maybe matching shirts lol?  Okay fine, be in denial!

Let’s get started.  First thing……

SUPPLY LIST

Silhouette Machine

princess File

Heat Transfer Vinyl (in your color of choice)

tulle (in your color of choice)

needle and thread

t-shirt

3/8″ corresponding ribbon

tweezers

heat press or iron

*If you already know how to cut and apply the htv to the shirt, skip down to the next section for directions on the tulle skirt.

Now let’s get to making!

1.  Download and open the Princesses Silhouette file in your silhouette software.
2.  Edit the name area.  If you do not want the name on the shirt, you can delete this section.
3. Size your design based on shirt size and how you want it to appear on the shirt.
4.  Arrange your design on the mat where you need it to be for cutting
5.  Place vinyl on your cut mat and load your mat into the machine by pressing “Load  Mat”.
6.  Edit your cut settings (this will vary depending on many factors: how old the blade  is, how old your mat is, etc.  Trial and error is best to find your perfect settings.)
7.  Click cut!
8. If you are using more than one color, move your next color section of your design onto the design mat to cut it also.
9.  Unload and use your tweezers to weed the unwanted vinyl from your design.
10.  Preheat your heat press or iron as instructed by the manufacture’s directions.
11. Pre-press the shirt to remove all moisture and wrinkles.
12. Align your design on the shirt where you want it to be and press.
13. Remove the transfer sheet from the shirt.
14. If you are using another color, align it on the shirt where you want it to be and press.
15. Remove the transfer sheet.
16. Press one final time to ensure that everything has adhered properly.

To add a tulle skirt to the princess:

1. Measure how long you need the skirt to be
2. Get a piece of scrap cardboard and cut it to the size you need (or anything the correct size so you can wrap the tulle around).
3. Wrap the tulle around the cardboard or other object as many times as you would like (between 3-5).  For me, this usually depends on how light the tulle is and the desired look  I am trying to reach.
4. Once you have the desired amount of times wrapped around.  Cut the tulle from the spool.
5. Using a needle and thread, sew along the top (uncut) side of the tulle to hold it all together.  Be sure to get all layers in there.  Only to a few times in and out with the needle so you can cinch it up.
6. Holding the tulle in one hand with your thumb on the stitched area, pull the need tight causing the tulle to cinch up at the top to make a gathered look.
7. Tie off the thread, still holding tight, so that the end look with remain gathered.
8. Place the tulle against the shirt so that you know where you want it to go.  If you would like, you can put a small dab of hot glue to hold it in place at the tulle waist area.  This will not hold forever, so you will need to tack it to the shirt also.
9. Using the needle and thread that is still attached to the tulle skirt, sew it to the shirt.  Going from the front of the shirt, into the back of the shirt.  Then in through the back, out of the front of the shirt.  Continue until the skirt is sewed on nice and tight.

To add a bow to the tulle skirt:

1.  Measure and cut about 3-4″ of 3/8″ ribbon.  I love grosgrain ribbon but any will work.
2. Fold the ribbon in half and crease it.  Then open it back up.
3. Cross the ends of the ribbon to make the tails of the bow correct.
4. Where the ribbon is crossed at, push it back to make the cross meet the crease.
5. Put a stitch in the middle of the meeting area between the crease and the crossed area.
6. Wrap the thread around the center of the bow twice and tie it off in the back.  DO NOT CUT THE THREAD OFF.
7. Using the same needle and thread that is still attached to the bow, sew it thru the tulle and the shirt to ensure it will stay and then tie it off and cut any remaining unneeded threads.
8. Now that your bow is attached, cut the tails of the bow to your desired length and shape and sear the edges with a lighter.  Make sure not to catch anything on fire!

Now the shirt is all finished.  This tutorial seems like a lot of steps but after doing this once, you will realize how easy and fast it really is and be inspired to put a tulle skirt or accent bow on all your little princess’s clothes!

*For an optional matching tulle skirt for your little girl to wear….check out this tutorial!

 

What do you think of this tutorial?  Be sure to leave a comment!  Also, feel free to let me know what tutorial you want to see next!