Challenge Dress #3 - "The Matilda Tutu Dress"

Challenge Dress #3 – "The Matilda Tutu Dress"

Oh my gosh, I just want to squeeze those cheeks!! This is my baby girl, Matilda Jane, and she is just the sweetest little thing ever. Matilda is 7 months right now and even as I look at this picture I feel like my heart might explode. When I was pregnant with Matilda, I wondered if it would be possible to love another child as much as I love her sister (Savannah). And oh boy is it possible – I love this little lady to death! Matilda Jane is a little ray of sunshine every single day!

I am constantly sewing things for my daughter Savannah because I figure Matilda will wear it eventually, but for the “challenge” I decided Matilda need her very own dress and a special one at that! I used the Sienna Dress Pattern for her little dress, but made a few adjustments for my sweet baby girl.

Challenge Dress #3 – “The Matilda Tutu Dress”

For “The Matilda Tutu Dress” I used two different recycled t-shirts. I thought this t-shirt was perfect for my little Matilda because she truly is such a good baby and “sweet” is a very good word to describe her.

I shortened the 6-12 month Sienna Dress Pattern and added a tutu with some bright pink tulle (purchased from Hobby Lobby). I used a gathering stitch (meaning I set my regular sewing machine to the longest stitch possible, did not back-stitch, thus I was able to gather the tulle to make the tutu).

I also made a pair of matching ruffle bottom bloomers to go with the tutu dress. I just LOVE ruffle bottoms on little baby girls – it’s SO cute. I used the green t-shirt to create these ruffles. I simply cut two long strips (about 2.5 times longer than the width of the bloomers) and used a gathering stitch to make the ruffles. I then stitched them down the center to the back of the bloomers. Again, you don’t need to worry about finishing the edges of knit because it doesn’t fray!!

I made the sleeves a 3/4 length and added some rick-rack to add a little whimsy.

After you have run your gathering stitch through the top of the tulle, pin the tulle to the dress and sew with a regular straight stitch (1/2 seam allowance). I just love how the tutu flares out while she’s sitting (she’s just barely starting to sit up).

And here’s my little Matilda Jane sitting in a bumbo seat trying to model her little dress. Oh she is just such a sweetheart! I love you from here to the moon and back again!!

Cottage Mama’s Note:

All pictures of the challenge dresses were taken by Megan Abelard Photography. More of her work can be seen on her website: http://www.meganabelard.com
The Sienna Dress Pattern is an incredibly well-written and easy to follow sewing pattern. I highly recommend it for even the most beginner sewer or anyone who is interested in starting to sew with knits. Click here to find out more information.

7 Comments

reimaginedtreasures.blogspot.com says

February 14, 2010 at 1:58 PM

Darling! Matilda Jane is precious!
creative jewish mom says

February 15, 2010 at 9:06 AM

Love it! Would love for you to drop by my blog linking party today and link to this and more…..
hope to see you @creativejewishmom.com
all the best!
Lesley says

February 15, 2010 at 8:44 PM

Stopping by from Creative Jewish Mom. That is so cute especially the ruffle bottoms. I hope to try to make some tutus in April-the no sew type.

mymommymakesit
making toys from recycled items to save my sanity and the planet
kirstin & jordan says

February 15, 2010 at 11:55 PM

Ummm, I can’t tell you how much I love this (or how much it makes me wish I had a daughter). In the meantime, I’ll keep sewing for my nieces, because ideas this good MUST be tried out!
We have a Friday Fun Find party (on Fridays, obviously) and I’d LOVE it if you’d link up…
Again, seriously fabulous!
malkah says

February 16, 2010 at 8:20 AM

Oh, those adorable ruffled panties!!
Looking forward to seeing you at Creative Jewish Mom next week.
Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com says

February 17, 2010 at 9:18 PM

So cute! And a cute little outfit as well!
Trista says

May 7, 2010 at 3:01 PM

ADORABLE!!!! Your daghter is so precious and I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for visting my page earlier, you are going to be one of my favorites to visit!