You may or may not know this about me: but I race wearing tutus.
Not in triathlons because that would take too long in transition but in road races where there are no costume changes along the way.
Yes I love tutus and knee highs and everything that will allow me to have a grand old time on a long run course.
13.1 miles or longer, you will find me in a tutu.
They’re surprisingly easy to run in, too!
They’re cute and sparkly and they’re light and they give you a nice wide buffer between you and the next runners around you. Your tutu requires that people give you space and that’s a nice added effect I didn’t expect when I raced the first time.
Also, you become a pacer for other people! Lots of people wanna keep up with the tutu! After the Disney Wine & Dine, two dudes came up to me and told me I paced them the whole way which was nice! Because I pr’d that race! (And then I promptly ran to the bathroom and for the rest of the night could not partake in the Wine or the Dine aspect of the race. But at least I looked better than I felt!)
The tutu also, ahem, hides things that might be going on under the tutu and if you have to make an unexpected pit stop in some bushes at the Disney Marathon, then it provides an outside barrier between you and the world.
Quite frankly I don’t see why everyone doesn’t run in a tutu! Just kidding. I know they’re not for everyone but I love dressing up, I’m a Halloween person and at my sons’ birthday parties I’m known to dress the theme. I have no shame.
Now that I’ve reviewed the race day tutu, I’m going to show you how to make the race day tutu. Or a tutu for everyday/whenever. Or a tutu for the little women in your life, either one. First, here’s my Video Tutorial! Yes! A vlog! So enjoy!!
When I made my first tutu, I need to actually see someone tying the tulle on, so that video is of me showing you how to make one. If you are perfectly capable of reading instructions and executing, here is how to make a tutu:
Ingredients:
1. 10-12 yards of tulle any color. If using 2 colors, use 5-6 yards of each color. You can use the spool kind like in Michael’s or the tulle by the yard from a fabric store. I prefer by the yard because it’s easier to cut.
2. 1/4 inch elastic, 3 yards
3. scissors
4. measuring tape or ruler
5. chair or pillow
Directions:
Measure your waist. Then measure the elastic to match the size of your waist, minus 2 to 3 inches, and cut there. The elastic is stretchy so you don’t want it the exact size of your waist, you want it a little shorter so that it doesn’t fall off. Tie the elastic around a big pillow or around the back of a chair. It’s easier to put the tulle on this way. Then, cut the tulle in 6 inch strips about 2 1/2-3 feet long. Time to put the tulle on the elastic! First fold a piece of tulle in half. Then put the folded tulle behind the elastic, the round part at the top and holding the ends of the tulle together, pull the ends up through the “U” shape (around the elastic), and pull to make a knot. Do this with each piece of tulle, all along the elastic until you’re done!
To fasten, take the two ends of elastic and tie together for a pull-up tutu OR tie a pretty piece of ribbon around each end of the elastic and tie it together in the back. The end! Again, if you have any question about how to actually put the tulle on the elastic, check out the video or leave a comment below.
NOW. Do you dream of running in a tutu? YOU DO??!! Guess what? See that purple one in the video that I am in the process of making?
I am giving that one away! For just a comment below! And I will draw the winner from Fitbloggin!
All you have to do is:
1. Leave a comment telling us whether you’d love to run in a tutu (or not).
2. For an extra entry, retweet this giveaway!
3. For an extra entry, follow or subscribe to Shrinking Jeans!
4. Finally, for another extra entry, post this giveaway on Facebook and tag us.
You need to leave a comment below for each entry (although only the first one is mandatory!) Contest closes at Midnight Eastern time Friday morning, I will draw the winner Friday during the day!
Have fun and GOOD LUCK!