For this fun tutu dress we are welcoming back guest blogger Caitlin of An Enchanted Box on Etsy, where you can find her charming tutus & tutu dresses! This Minnie Mouse tutu dress was created with The Hair Bow Company supplies below, but if you aren't a DIY'er yourself, you can find a selection of tutus available ready to go at An Enchanted Box!  

DIY Classic Red Minnie Mouse Tutu Gown

You can’t get any more timeless than Minnie Mouse! Whether you’re planning a special family

vacation, wanting to make a birthday gown or looking for a Halloween costume, with these

directions and some supplies from The Hair Bow Company you will be right on your tutu-

making way!

Bodice:

1 Black 8” Lined Crochet Tutu Top*

Tulle*:

5 rolls of Red

1 roll of the Gold Polka Dot Tulle in Red

Embellishments:

3/8” Black Grosgrain Ribbon

1 Polka Dot Mouse Bow in Red (optional)

1 Costume Mouse Ears Headband (optional)

Additional Items:

Scissors

Recommended:

Crochet Hook

Safety Pin

Fray Check or Lighter

Cardboard or something thin that measures 15” in length

* NOTE: This dress is designed to fit the average three or four-year- old. For children unusually

sized for that age range or those who are younger or older, you may need to change the size of

the lined tutu top. Consider using a lined 7” tutu top for children under three and a 10” tutu top

for children five and up. Check out The Hair Bow Company’s website for details regarding

dimensions and adjust your tulle material accordingly.

Step One: Cutting the Tulle

You will begin by cutting two 65” strips of tulle from the red and one from the polka dot tulle.

Set these aside to be used for the poofy sleeves later. Cut the remaining tulle into 30” strips. TIP:

if you find a box, cookie sheet or cutting board that is 15” long, you can simply wrap the tulle

around it and make a single cut, thus saving you considerable time!

Step Two: The Skirt Pattern

You will be making two rows of tulle around the bodice. I recommend completing the entire first

row of the skirt before moving on to the second as this will help keep your rows even.

You will use two strips of red tulle for each hole on the first row. On the second row, you will

use one strip for each hole and alternate between the red tulle and the polka dot.

Classic Minnie Mouse Tutu Dress Tutorial

Step Three: Attaching the Skirt

Always be sure that you are tying your knots in the right holes. There should be a solid square

between the knot and the lining. Take the two strips of tulle that you will be threading into the

hole, layer them on top of each other and then fold the double strip in half to find the center thus

making the strip 15” in length. To attach the tulle of the skirt to the bodice you will implement a

basic Larks Head knot. Don’t worry, it’s not a complicated knot! All you do is take the crochet

hook and go up under the hole and out the other side. Then, grab your double strip of tulle where

you folded it at the center with the crochet hook and pull a couple of inches through to create a

loop. Take the tails of your tulle and pull them all the way through the loop you made, and, ta-

da!, you have yourself a Larks Head knot. You’re just going to repeat all the way around to

attach your skirt. After you’ve completed the first row, move up to the second by going to the

square immediately above the first row. TIP: to get a cleaner look to your Larks Head knot, roll

the tulle between your fingers just before tightening it as this will keep all the fibers close

together.

Step Four: Ribbon Straps

Once you have finished the skirt, it is time to move on to the bodice. First, count how many holes

are around the top of bodice in order to locate the middle of the front. I recommend that you very

gently slip a safety pin in the hole one or two spaces below that middle square so that you don’t

lose track of it but it is not in the way. Just as with the bottom of the skirt, be sure you are

working on the row that has a solid square between it and the edge. Count out seven holes to the

left, then seven to the right of middle, for a total of fifteen holes in the row. Take your crochet

hook and go under those fifteen holes between the bodice and the liner. Cut 50” of your black

ribbon. Hook the ribbon and gently pull it through and, viola!, you have the front part of the

straps! TIP: seal the cut ribbon ends with either Fray Check or sear the edges quickly with the

flame from a lighter. Do NOT use a candle as that will leave a soot mark on the ribbon.

Step Five: The Back of the Ribbon Straps

On the back of the dress, count three rows down along the seam (which should be in the center

back), then, count three holes to the left. Now, take your crochet hook and go under the two

furthest holes and pull the ribbon through so that it comes out toward the seam but there is still a

hole between where the ribbon comes out and the seam. Do the same on the other side then tie a

bow and your straps are done!

Step Six: The Poofy Sleeves

Take the three 65” strips you cut earlier. Gently fold into thirds or roll (like a scroll) the edges

toward the middle lengthwise. This will keep the raw edges of the tulle on the inside to give the

sleeves a more polished lool. Once you have folded / rolled each of the three pieces, lay all three

on top of each other and pinch the middle of this triple strip. Pull half of the tulle striping through

the middle front hole, making sure that you have a solid square between the square you a pulling

the sleeves through and the edge of the bodice. The center the triple strip will now be in the

center of the bodice, with half to the left and half to the right.

Step Seven: Finishing the Poofy Sleeves

You’re almost there! To finish off the poofy sleeves, go one hole diagonally above where the

ribbon straps went through the back and then two across moving away from the seam. Go under

two holes, and grab one side of the ribbon sleeves and pull them gently through to whatever

poofiness you desire. Do NOT pull the poofy sleeves tight or your princess will not be able to get

her arms through. You will probably need to slightly adjust the tulle so that the stripes are clear

and not jumbled. Now, this is the tricky part. Take your crochet hook and, between those two

holes, pull the tulle up a few inches to create a loop. Then take the tales of the sleeves and pull

them through the loop to tighten the loop and knot them into place. Repeat on the other side then

trim the ends to desired length. Or, skip all this knot tying and just the tails and tie a bow in the

back of the dress.

Step Eight: Finishing Touches

Okay so now you have a few options. If you would like to be done by this point, then take a

Polka Dot Mouse Bow in Red and clip it onto that center square in the front of your gown and

presto! you’re finished. If you would like to make a bow out of the polka dot tulle then simply

cut another 65” strip, fold it in half long ways and then do an according fold about 4” long and as

many folds as you would desire. I recommend four loops on each side but, to make it fluffier,

just keep making loops. Next, take a piece of thin ribbon and tie a knot as tightly as you can

around the middle of your according fold. Gently flair out each fold. Finally, take the ends of the

ribbon and tie it around that middle square in the front center of the gown to secure the bow. Cut

off any excess.

Step Nine: You Did It!

Way to go! You are a fairy godmother in the making, having created this dress for your little

princess.

You’ll find this completed Minnie Mouse dress and more available on my store at

www.etsy.com/shop/AnEnchantedBox

Resources:

Process photos, DIY & Crafting Expertise courtesy Caitlin of An Enchanted Box

Model Photography by Ava K Photography

You can find tulle here at The Hair Bow Company.

You can find crochet headbands here at The Hair Bow Company.

Shop Caitlin's ready made tutu dresses here at An Enchanted Box.