Bodice Level 1 Course

• Anyone interested in learning or advancing ballet costume-making skills—beginners, experienced stitchers, studio owners, and passionate ballet fans are all welcome.

• No previous experience in costume making is required. TutuSchool is designed to accommodate all skill levels, from beginners to advanced creators. However, participants must already know how to sew both by machine and by hand. 

• We currently offer three levels of course difficulty. Please take the time to read the course prerequisites so you can learn at the level that bests serves you.

• Each seminar provides the opportunity to work at your own pace, choose your own projects, and receive personalized support from instructors.

Because when you come to a class, the time is 100% yours – no dogs to walk, families to feed, neighbors to drop by and interrupt your process.

Our goal is that you leave us with costumes that are better than what you normally do at home. Our teachers will not let you skip steps, or avoid the tedious parts of the process, like proper pressing and cutting, and will teach you by not only showing you how they do it, but by helping you step-by-step. Our goal is not just to disseminate the information, but to help you with HOW to do things in the best way to create something beautiful and strong, and to answer all your questions as to WHY we do things the way we do in the order we do.

We promise to make it worth your while to spend your time with us. 

Tutu.com’s Shop literally makes tutus every single day.  We make more tutus than probably any shop out there, and by doing so we have come up with many new ways that enhance the time-honored traditions.

We are constantly innovating because when you repeat a process thousands of times, you know it so well that you have the luxury of improving on the techniques.

Although we do design, we consider ourselves to be technicians, engineering tutus and other ballet costumes to be strong and to last, in much the same way that an engineer realizes the designs of an architect.

Read our Faculty Bios.

Our teachers, all top ballet industry designers, pattern-makers and technicians, will lead you step-by-step through the magical journey of creating beautiful professional-quality Classical and Romantic tutus, and other ballet costumes.

Our professional faculty has amassed years of knowledge working in top ballet costume shops and companies, with professional dancers and directors, and with IBC (International Ballet Competition), Prix de Lausanne, and YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix) competitors.

Our teachers and lecturers are all working professionals with clients ranging from New York City Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Moscow Ballet, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Houston Ballet, UNCSA, Gelsey Kirkland's Studio Company, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS, and shows on Broadway and television.

Most of our courses have several options of projects to choose from varying in style and complexity, therefore the cost depends on which project you select.

Cost of our classes INCLUDE expert instruction and individualized support throughout the seminar as well as fabrics, notions, and materials for your project. You’re welcome to shop online at Tutu.com ahead of time for additional materials or supplies or bring your own from home. We offer a special discount for seminar participants ahead of classes.

We have add-on options such as Tutu Marathon or Make Your Own Schedule to allow attendees who are experienced to complete courses at an accelerated pace.

Tutu Marathon - For those stitchers who are experienced enough to absorb and apply techniques quickly. These are two FULL days – definitely not for beginners, or those who like to stitch slowly and savor the experience. You will receive the same instruction as in the Classical Performance Tutus class or the Stretch Tutus class, but at a faster pace (16 hours over two days - 9am to 5pm - instead of 24 hours over three days), the same choices, and the same designs as the other tutu classes except over a two-day session rather than three-day session. This allows marathon students to take additional classes, if they so desire. If you do happen to get behind, don’t worry - we have Free Time scheduled each evening, until 9pm. During this time, you can stay and catch up on your project. Be aware that there will not be a teacher available at that time, so be sure to write down any questions you have to ask during class the next day. Please read the descriptions under Classical Performance Tutus, or Stretch Tutus as it all applies to the marathon, the only difference being you will need to work at an accelerated pace. Advanced and Stylized Performance Tutus are not offered as marathon classes. This course optional add-on has no fee.

Make Your Own Schedule - For experienced stitchers who can take direction and then work independently. If you are not very experienced with dance costuming, and/or you are more comfortable with more hands-on attention, this will not be a good choice for you. Available classes for the Make Your Own schedule are all Tutus, Bodice One and Two, Dance Dresses, some of the Tiaras and Headpieces and Men’s Tunics Level One. There is a $100 fee for this optional add-on per course.

Please email claudia@tutu.com if you have any questions. We are happy to customize a schedule to meet your needs.

• Your own sewing machine and basic sewing supplies.
  
• View our online checklist so you know exactly what to pack.