Autism Awareness Month
Meet Melanie
Meet Melanie, a bright, beautiful, energetic eleven-year-old whose smile lights up the room. She loves Disney princesses and has developed a passion for RV-ing. Melanie has autism. Each individual with autism is unique. Though Melanie can communicate through short, repeated phrases or words, she is mostly non verbal. Meeting her specific emotional, behavioral, and educational needs requires a team comprised of her family and a network of dedicated professionals. I am proud to play a supporting role as one of her grandmas.
How to tutu
When Melanie outgrew her Disney Princess dresses, my daughter Kelli asked if I could make a “grown-up girl” sized tutu. Though I’d never made a tutu before, I was willing to try.
Fortunately, there are dozens of resources online, and even non-sewers can do this! https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/how-to-make-a-classic-tulle-tutu
The materials include ½ inch wide elastic and rolls of tulle. After I measured and cut the elastic to fit (the waist measurement minus 4 inches), I stitched the ends of the elastic together to form a loop. Using a sewing machine would be best, but you could hand stitch it, or even secure the elastic with a safety pin. (though I’d be afraid the pin might come undone and stick the wearer)
Next, I cut the strips (twice the desired length of the tutu) and loop and tie them on the elastic. I would recommend slipping the elastic onto the back of a chair if possible to keep it from twisting as you tie. For days my sewing room was an explosion of rainbow tulle, some of which wanted to follow me around the house.
I added a bow… and ta da…. a tutu! Ready to be boxed and shipped.
The Big Reveal
I think the tutu passes the Princess test! Kelli reports Melanie wore it to speech therapy that very day. The whole process sums up my philosophy perfectly: Life would be better if more people wore tutus! I may need to make one for myself!
Threads of Thought:
April is Autism Awareness Month. I was surprised to learn it was established in 1970, over 50 years ago. Knowledge and awareness have come far since then. Many believe it’s time to shift the conversation from Awareness to Acceptance so those with autism can find fulfillment in all areas of their lives. A simple change in our vocabulary can lead us further towards accepting autistic individuals for the unique gifts, perspectives, and personalities they bring to our world.
It’s perfect and her smile is priceless. You’re absolutely right, the world would be a better place if there were more tutus. My friend Silvana believes this and has created a business and an entire social movement based on it!
https://tulletribe.com/pages/about-the-tulletribe
That’s a great idea!
You scored on this beautiful tutu for Melanie. Looks like she loves it. What a fun and easy project to delight the receiver. Next perhaps a boa. I think this world needs more feather boas.
Thank you for a delightful post.
Devi
It was fun to make. For a week it brightened up my sewing room, but now it has a new home 🙂 Hmmm…I do have enough tulle left for a boa…..
I don’t suspect that Melanie gives “thumbs up” but her smile says it all! With left- over tule, perhaps you have enough to make Ed one.
I’ll start working on that right away! 🙂
I love the pictures, the tutu, and your writing is taking on a real presence of your remarkable persona. Love it!!!
Thanks! The blogging experience is really a fun way to express myself.