Take Two on the Tutu-- TUTU DRESS

So after a rave response from my Tutu skirts, I decided to step it up a notch and make a tutu dress.  I didn't even know these dresses existed, until I was searching for something cute to buy my niece.  Here is an example of what one looks like...

Cute huh!  Even though this dress is as cute as a button, the $60-$80 price tag these online boutiques charge is not.  I decided I can make this dress and at almost a tenth of that price.  I went to my favorite craft store, Hobby Lobby for my goodies.  I bought a crocheted headband (found in the baby wearable aisle), a roll of tulle, 2 yards of a fairly thick ribbon, about a 1/2 yard of thin ribbon (already had), fancy buttons, and a 1/2 yard of poly satin.

I began to cut the tulle to about 27 inch long strips.  Like the tutu skirt, all you have to do is tie the tulle to the crochet headband. 

Once you've tied the tulle around the entire headband, it's time for the fun part... DECORATING!!!  I decided to make my own satin flowers this time from scratch, instead of using fake flowers from the floral department.  I think the satin flowers gives the dress a softer and more natural look.  The tutorial for the satin flower will be posted soon!  I sewed on the flowers to the crocheted headband.  I then took the thicker ribbon and tied it to the front top part of the dress to form a halter-like strap.  I then tied the ribbon to the back of the dress and tied it into a bow. Tada, you have yourself a tutu dress.

Front of Dress:

Back of Dress:

I decided that the dress needed a bit more detail, so I intertwined the thinner ribbon with the crocheted headband and sewed the ribbon ends together.  If you do decide to intertwine ribbon to your dress, make sure you account for crocheted headband stretching. 

The total cost of all supplies was around $12 and it took approximately 1.5 hours to complete.  I hope my niece likes it!