Behind the Scenes: Tutu-making

BEHIND THE SCENES

TUTU-MAKING

WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED BY

ZHIWEN YAP

An average tutu takes 40-60 hours to make.

The grace and ease with which a dancer leaps across the stage in a well-made tutu belies the challenging process behind making her intricate costume.

It can take years to master the art of making tutus. “Tutu making is a very specialised craft that requires a combination of many different skills such as design, fitting, dance knowledge, corsetry, beading skills, etc,� explains Elizabeth Gurney, who makes tutus for dancers all over the UK and Australia from her home in Shropshire.

A former dance teacher and owner of a dance school, Elizabeth began making tutus when her daughter started ballet and couldn’t find someone to make her constumes. Though she has no formal training, Elizabeth’s involvement in the creation of costumes for her dance school’s shows, and participation in tutu making courses have honed her design and construction skills.

“I taught myself a lot of my making skills whilst studying and working,” says Eloise Smith, who juggles tutu making with her job as Costume Supervisor at the Royal Opera House. Like Elizabeth, Eloise also had to take adult courses in tutu construction to learn this specialised craft.

The chances of commercial tutus fitting perfectly are slim, as everybody is a different shape.

Even after mastering the art of costructing a multi-layered tutu from scratch, tutu makers face many other practical considerations.

“Ballet costumes have to fit perfectly, be strong and breathable, but also lightweight so as not to hinder the dancer’s movements, �

Elizabeth says.

The tutu skirt must not be weighed down with too many embellishments. There should be no ruffles over the shoulders, or anything protruding from the torso. Consideration must also be given to the music, choreography, and whether the dancer will be partnered as these affect what and where decorations can be placed.

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The most important thing is designing something that shows off the dancer’s line.

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- Eloise Smith

“Tutu making is hard, and to make it fit well is an acquired skill,� Elizabeth admits. Eloise has started experimenting with stretch fabrics to cater to her young customers who grow between fittings, whilst with the traditional method of making tutus the bodice is constructed similarly to a corset. Makers also need to learn how to get the relevant information out of shy dancers. Eloise explains,

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At the end I want a dancer that is comfortable in her tutu so she is confident when she gets up on stage.

The process is always slightly different as every customer is individual.

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That’s what makes it

so exciting!

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- Eloise Smith, London-based tutu maker

Regardless of how challenging it can be, Elizabeth and Eloise still speak fondly of their work.

Eloise remembers her favorite project, a Black Swan tutu, with pride, “The tutu skirt had two big wings on it with velvet feathers, which took a long time to put together.”

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It is my most ambitious decorated tutu so far, I loved it!

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- Eloise Smith

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The smile on a dancer’s face when she puts on her finished tutu makes all the hard work worthwhile.

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- Elizabeth Gurney

“I love that I can work from home doing something I really enjoy. I have always loved ballet and making tutus keeps me in touch with the ballet world,” Elizabeth confides.

“I just had a mother send me a picture of two girls I had made costumes for. They were dancing a duet together and came in first. They looked great and I was very proud. To know I can give girls that extra bit of confidence on stage is wonderful,” says Eloise with a smile.

With special thanks to Eloise Smith and Elizabeth Gurney