Terminology, What does....mean? PURCHASE ARTICLE HERE: https://tutusthatdance.com/collections/faq-articles/products/terminology Many of the terms used also have other names or definitions. These are the definitions we will be using. BODICE: top part of a ballet tutu or costume. BASQUE: the section of a tutu that fits around the hips from waist to upper or “high” hip, PANTY: What the net ruffles are sewn onto. CLASSICAL TUTU: Short ballet tutu. Can be the whole tutu or referring to just the skirt portion. Hooped or un-hooped. RUSSIAN or PANCAKE TUTU: a very flat, thin tutu with a hoop. "Russian tutu" also may refer to bodice(longline)style. ENGLISH, BELL or EUROPEAN TUTU: softer non-hooped tutu POWDERPUFF TUTU: Short, fluffy tutu made famous by Karinska PLATE: The decorative top layer. ROMANTIC TUTU: A long soft tulle skirt. Typically, 4-6 layers or more. Occasionally only one very full layer (see Balanchine "Serenade") Lengths can be from mid-thigh to ankle. TACKING or STRINGING: The method of using small loops of thread to shape and control the classical tutu skirt ruffles. HOOPING: Narrow steel “ring” insert in among the net layers to help hold the skirt out and flat. TUTU NET: A stiff net, either “diamond or hexagon shaped holes. Other names/types are “diamond net”, “Balanchine net”, 40 denier net, ‘can-can net”, Horsehair net. Craft net: A softer netting readily found in fabric stores. Craft net is not suitable for making tutus. TULLE: Very soft, very small holes. Used alone or with other types netting for romantic tutus. Also used for top skirts on classical tutus for a softer finished look. RUFFLES or FRILLS: Long tightly gathered strips of net. 9-12 layers of ruffles are average for a tutu skirt FASHION FABRIC, TOP FABRIC: The outside fabric. Brocades, Silks or Bengalines are common ones used. LINING: The fabrics used on the inside of a bodice. Used to give structure, stabilize and support the outside fabric. Usually dense, tight-knit cotton. COUTIL being the most commonly used. INSET or INSERT: A separate section that is used to imply a chemise, blouse behind a bodice. Or can be a nude colored mesh/lycra used to give the illusion of a deep plunging neckline. ELASTIC STAYS: Small pieces of elastic used to connect the center front of the bodice to the basque. Allows the bodice to stretch. BONING: Adds structure, support, and shape to a bodice. Similar to a corset. Types: White flat steels, spiral steel, plastic, rigilene. BONING CASING: Flat tubes of dense fabric that bones are inserted into and used to secure the boning to the bodice. Optional method. WAISTBAND: used to secure a tutu at the waist. Petersham ribbon being the most commonly used on tutus. HOOKS and BARS: Fasteners used to close a tutu or tunic. FLAT LINING: a costume method of construction (see article) BAGGING OUT: a costume method of construction (see article)
