It’s real. You’ll notice a few new changes here at Homemade Toast. (1) I am officially a domain owner. Horray! (2) I attempted to re-design. Not what I anticipated, and still working out the kinks – but I am learning and having fun along the way. (3) I’m going CRAFT!
Yup. It’s time.
One of the things that I have loved about Homemade Toast is how it has pushed me to try new things, new recipes, new ingredients, new hobbies. Cooking is something that I love to do, and also something that I love to share. (If only I could share the pounds too, can that be a thing?)
I am so excited to take Homemade Toast to the next level, and start sharing even more of what I love. I will still continue to post recipes, but you will also start seeing tutorials for DIY projects and crafts here at the blog (now sans .blogspot!). I hope that this new change will continue to push me to try and make new things, serve as a creative outlet, and hopefully – inspire others to create as well!
So, to kick things off – I thought I would post a tutorial for these cute little Cinderella and Belle dresses.
Meet my loves: Kyah (Cinderella) and Hannah (Belle).
They are sisters, best friends…. and princesses.
Like most little girls they are in love with anything princess. Particularly, princess dresses.
We have such an obsession with princess dresses in our home that Daddy finally instituted “Princess Hour.” The girls have one hour to wear whatever princess dress they want, their crowns, their magic wands, their plastic high-heels. Sometimes they even get to wear lipstick and blush.
When the hour is through, the idea is that they will change back into their play clothes and put their princess clothes away. We are trying to get through this phase without tears, but it has yet to be perfected. We’re working on it.
So, it came to no surprise that Kyah insisted on being Cinderella for Halloween.
Hannah just wanted to be a princess like her big sister, and I just love her dark skin in yellow – so I subtly convinced her to be Belle. Didn’t take much.
I first went to the fabric store – looking for a pattern that I could adjust to what I had in mind. I didn’t really find anything I loved, and I wasn’t excited about spending $8 on a pattern I didn’t like.
So, I decided to make my own.
My number one priority was for the dresses to be comfortable. My little sillies like to dance and sing and wiggle and run. Their dresses needed to be able to do those things, too.
I thought about using a stretchy knit at first – but I loved the idea of using shirring pieces to add flexibility to the dresses. Knit fabric just doesn’t have the same princess appeal as shiny and sparkly fabric does.
Needless to say, the girls LOVE their princess dresses. Although, I think the best reward came when I showed Kyah her dress for the first time. Her eyes lit up. But, before she ran to her new dress – she ran to me, gave me a hug and said “I love it so much Mommy!” Can’t beat that.
Halloween is less than 2 weeks away! But there is still time. Promise, your little princess will go nuts over their handmade dress. And, who says they even need it for Halloween? Princess are princess anytime of the year – at our house, most of the year!
Both the Cinderella dress and Belle dress are so different and unique – but they both have one thing in common – the shirred bodice. The shirred bodice is what makes the dresses so comfortable – so my little princess can dance and play just like princesses should.
I love the way the Cinderella dress flows, and how the little hip poofs (yes.) are actually poofy. It adds so much dimension to the dress, and is a distinguishing characteristic of the classic Cinderella dress.
And then there is the Belle dress. I was a little hesitant at first, using so much fabric – but it is surprisingly light weight and so comfy and soft, not to mention those ruffles are to die for on pretty little girl!
These are my first ever tutorials – I am learning and apologize in advance for any mistakes that you may find. If you have any questions about a tutorial or pattern – please comment or contact me directly through the link at the top of the page and I will answer as soon as possible.
Also, please excuse my well-loved cutting mat. If you have a princess in your life, I’m sure you understand. π
Anonymous says
These are darling! What a wonderful end to get mommy loves…still love to get those when I sew something cool and trendy for my preteen.
Kelli says
Wow the dresses are beautiful and your tutorial is fabulous! You explained everything so well I feel like I could actually make one. I have a 3 year old that would just die to have one of those dresses!
Lisa says
Gorgeous dresses! The girls seem to be loving them too. Wonderful tutorial. You are so talented!! I’d buy both dresses.
Craftyhomemade says
Beautiful dresses. I know my little girl would love it, but I`m not so good on sewing, TFS.
Indira
Anonymous says
I love these dresses will definately have to ty to make these for my Addybug princess [email protected]
Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says
Thank you so much for sharing, they are absolutely beautiful and looks like I actually might be able to make one if I follow your instructions. We’d love for you to link up to our costume parade. Here’s the link http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2012/10/join-homemade-costume-parade.html
Kirstylee says
Wow! These are SO adorable. Too bad I have only have sons. I’ll just have to make one of these for my niece because they are too cute to ignore.
Leisha says
Thanks so much you guys!! You have totally made my day!!
Charlotte says
WOW! You are truly talented, such a fantastic post. Your girls must be super excited in those dresses. I am very jealous and may try making one in adult size π
Leisha says
Thanks so much! I would LOVE to see one in an adult size! You’ll have to send me a pic if you do!
Tanka says
Gorgeous dresses!! And your girls are just adorable π Thank you for the tutorials π
Hugs from Ukraine
Tanya
Leisha says
Thanks Tanya! They sure do love being princesses!
Anonymous says
LOVE the dresses-well explained on what to do but couldn’t get the belle dress to show directions. :/ not sure on skirt will have to check back-maybe my computer
Leisha says
Thanks you! There have been a few people who have mentioned that the Belle tutorial will not show on Explorer. Is that what you are using?
Anonymous says
You’re kids are soooooo cute! They’re true princesses!
Lindsey says
Holy criminy, Leish! I had no idea you had made these! What pretty little princesses! They definitely have thee coolest princess costumes I’ve EVER seen. π
Anonymous says
So beautiful!!!
Roxanne Chase says
Hi there.
Dresses are amazing and I have been inspired to sew both for my little ( my first sewing project) I would love to start with Belle’s dress, but I do not see the tutorial? Also please advise how much and what Material I would need fo rthis?
Thank you so much!
Roxanne-South Africa
Caroline Fox says
Leisha, I totally came across this on Pinterest without knowing it was yours! You’re famous π What adorable little princesses!
Peter says
These two princess dresses are absolutely precious. Nice job and thank you for sharing your creative process, it’s really helpful!
In case you (or any of your readers) are interested, there is a creative costume contest at http://www.halloweenhero.com/costume-contest-2013.html and the grand prize is $250. You are free to enter as many times as you like, so long as each entry is unique.
Thanks again for these unique costumes and tutorials.
Best,
Peter
Mithon Hasan says
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Cute Baby Girl Outfits says
You are extremely talented! These are adorable princess dresses. I know your daughters will have hours of fun in them. Cute baby girl dresses are so much fun.
How to Tighten Skin says
Those princess dresses are really great. You should start selling them!
Anonymous says
Thanks for the awesome post! I made the cinderella dress for my daughter for this last halloween and she still wears it weekly!! And every princess party we go to I get loads of compliments (which really should be passed along to you). Any chance you’ve made other disney princess dresses for your girls? Ive been searching around for tutorials so I can make her more princess dresses, but none come close to the quality of your design–love love love the elastic thread π
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Hi, I am from Ecuador, and i like this dress but i have a problem with the sizes because we don’t use the same sizes here, I am average height, and i am a medium size in my country. But i need help with which size should i choose?
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