Creating a Costume Girl: Competition Pieces

Wondering what to do in your spare time?

Well make tutus of course!

Comic Tutu
Photography by: Robert Steiner
steinerphoto@gmail.com

This tutu was made out of some Archie comic strip fabric I bought many, many years ago. When I started making tutus, I thought why not? The skirt is made from pre-colored soft tulle cut into strips and gathered together in one long piece before being attached to the panties. Skirt colors are randomly selected and plated nicely with a crumpled newspaper look. Stones are used to highlight red, pinks and blacks to offer a little sparkle. This tutu was just plain FUN!

Water tutu
Photography by: Robert Steiner
steinerphoto@gmail.com

Over the last few years I have been asked to design and make many
production and recital costumes for
the Ballet Ouest that are nature or animal related. I often use photographs to help me identify characteristics of my subject. The water tutu came about from a photograph of waves crashing into a beach (dreaming of a vacation I guess). I looked at many different pictures to interpret common elements. This tutu is the first of 4 I plan to complete through out my journey.

Toile sheets
Photography by: Robert Steiner
steinerphoto@gmail.com

This tutu was inspired by the bedroom sheets in my daughters room. I wanted to create something feminine and pretty. The tulle was died to match the pink fabric. The bodice features and pinched front panel with highlighted pink stones.

Mustache tutu
Photography by: Robert Steiner
steinerphoto@gmail.com

I found this fabric as a small sample. It was fun to design a tutu around a theme such as Movember. The tulle has been died two shade of brown. I made this tutu in my size and now I can check off my bucket list "wearing a tutu."

Dress-up tutus
Photography by: Robert Steiner
steinerphoto@gmail.com

Ballet-Demi, Romantic tutu

These two romantic tutus were made for the girls to present a special performance to Michelle for her birthday last May. They quick and fun to make and often get used still for dress-up. The tulle was died to match the sparkly plated skirt.