Discover how simple it is to create a Dog Tutu. Your fur baby can wear it as part of a costume, as a fun accessory, or to show off their playful personality. Make a matching Adult-sized Tutu for yourself so you two can look cute together.
I love a good DIY. Whether for my house, the kids, the camper, or the dog, I love the challenge of frugally creating something useful and fun.
I have made several tutus over the years. When I made the recent rainbow tutu pictured below, I realized there was enough tulle left to make a dog tutu.
Even though this tutorial shows a rainbow pattern, you can make it any color you wish.
Check out my Dog Bandana and Dog T-Shirt Tutorials.
How to Make a Tutu for Dogs
Making a tutu for your dog is fun and easy. See the cutting chart below to size for your pooch.
You will need the following supplies:
- Tulle
- Elastic
- Cardboard
- Scissors & measuring tape
- Sewing machine or needle/thread
Tulle most commonly comes in 25-yard spools that are 6″ wide. One spool is enough for most dogs. Only the largest of dogs need more.
This Pack of Rainbow Tulle shown above is enough for a dog tutu and a regular adult tutu skirt.
The following chart is a close approximation of dog sizing and tulle needed.
Steps for Making a Dog Tutu
Make a tutu with the following easy steps:
- Measure and cut elastic
- Stitch elastic into a loop
- Cut strips of tulle
- Knot double strips of tulle on elastic
- Put the tutu on your pet and post many pics on Instagram 🙂
Start with the Elastic Band
Determine the length of elastic needed by wrapping it around the dog’s waist. Yes, this can be challenging!
Shorten the length by 2″ so that it will be a little snug on the dog. The tutu part will slide down to the underbelly if too loose.
Overlap and stitch the ends together by hand or with a sewing machine.
Cut the Tulle Strips
Cut a piece of cardboard at least 7 inches wide to match half the strip length you want for your dog. According to the chart above, you need 13″ strips for a medium dog, so the cardboard will be 6½” long.
Mark one cardboard end with an X to indicate the cutting start edge.
Start by lining up the edge of the tulle with the marked cutting edge and wrap it around the cardboard repeatedly. If the tutu is one color, wrap all the strips at once. For more than one color, see the chart above to determine how many of each to cut.
Cut along the starting cut edge only. Pull the tulle strips off the cardboard and lay them in the desired pattern.
Cut all strips before assembling the dog tutu.
How to Knot a Dog Tutu
The tutu is made by tying slip knots of tulle around the elastic. To create a stiff tutu that sticks out away from the dog’s body, double up the strips of tulle.
The easiest way to tie this skirt is by putting the waistband around a form. Cut down the cardboard used to wrap the tulle to be half of the waist measurement or use a pillow, stuffed animal, or similar as a waist form.
Loop a doubled-up strip of folded tulle under the band, evenly pulling the ends through the loop until a loop knot is formed. Make sure to loop the knots in the same direction each time.
Continue the knotting process to form a ⅔ of a skirt. The empty ⅓ goes around the dog’s underbelly.
While not all dogs will put up with wearing a tutu, Lennon was the perfect model. She loves showing off her rainbow pride. I would love to see photos of your pup in the tutu you make!
More Pet DIY
DIY Dog Tutu
Discover how simple it is to create a Dog Tutu. Your fur baby can wear it as part of a costume, as a fun accessory, or to show off their playful personality.
Materials
- 6" wide tulle rolls, see chart above for amount
- 1" no-roll elastic
- cardboard
- needle & thread if not using a sewing machine
Tools
- measuring tape
- scissors
- sewing machine
Instructions
- Wrap the elastic around the dog's waist to determine the length needed.
- Remove 2" of that length so it will be a little snug on the dog. The tutu will rotate down to the underbelly if it is too loose.
- Overlap to form a loop and stitch the ends together by hand or with a sewing machine.
- Cut a piece of cardboard at least 7" wide to match the half the strip length* for your dog. (ie: 8" for a large dog) *See chart above
- Mark one cardboard end with an X to indicate the cutting start edge.
- Line up the starting edge of the tulle with the marked cutting edge and wrap it around the cardboard repeatedly. For one color, wrap all the strips at once. See the chart above for multiple colors to determine how many of each.
- Cut along the starting cut edge only. Pull the tulle strips off the cardboard and stack them into the desired pattern. Cut all strips before assembling the dog tutu.
- The tutu is made with slip knots of tulle around the elastic. Double up the strips of tulle to create a stiff tutu that sticks out away from your dog's body.
- The simplest way to tie the knots is by putting the waistband around a form. Cut down the cardboard used to wrap the tulle to be half of the waist measurement or use a stuffed animal, pillow, or similar as a waist form.
- Take a doubled-up strip of folded tulle and loop it under the band, then pull the ends through the loop until a loop knot is formed. Make sure to create even knots in the same direction each time.
- Continue the knots over ⅔ of the elastic. The empty ⅓ goes around the dog's underside.
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