DIY Monday: JAE's $7 tutu

Like we did with JOE, we will be doing a 1st birthday photo shoot session for JAE. I wanted to use the same tulle I used for JOE but dye it gold since that's the color scheme I am going for but I decided against it because I have never done a dye job before and honestly didn't feel like trying to figure out what combination would get me the right shade of gold that I am looking for. So instead, I decided to purchase it and go from there. It was also quite cheap so this saved me a bunch of time. 

I got the tulle from Hobby Lobby for $1.99 per yard. I only needed 1 yard. Compared to the amount of work I would have to do to figure out the dye process, I figured this was definitely a better option for me. 

I also found this lovely pink tube top for $4.99 and decided this would be her outfit for the shoot. 

This was a pretty easy DIY and took me a total of 20-minutes to complete. 

First, I folded the tulle in half length-wise and then folded it again so it was a quarter of its original size. 

Next, I very loosely stitched the tulle across the length using a thread color that matched the top I'd be attaching to it. 

Then I pulled it together to create the "gathers" for the skirt.

Then I turned the top inside out and placed the gathered tulle around the top to determine position. I also pinned it to ensure I would be sewing in a straight line. 

Then I attached the tulle to the top using loose stitching. Why loose? Because the top stretches and I want to make sure the stitching wouldn't hinder JAE's ability to get into the dress if the attachment stitch was too tight.

I turned it back right side out and here you have it.

JAE tried it on and really liked walking around in it. However, the first thing I noticed is that the tulle is pretty sheer and also that it was rather long. Which means I have to get something to put underneath.

I tried to decide between adding a gold colored material under OR just letting her wear a pink diaper cover underneath. I decided to go with the pink diaper cover AND shorten the tulle. We will be using one she already has at home. I am undecided between a light pink and bright red one since she doesn't have a matching shade of dark pink. For now, this is what she'll wear but I'll take the red just incase. 

For the tutu, all I did was fold it again about a third of the way so that it is shorter and also slighter less see through. Then I did 5-individual stitches in sections of the tutu to make it look fuller. 

And this is the finished product. Before and after.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing her show off at her photo shoot session. Now to bake her cake. 

And because no blog post is complete without a picture of my babies, here they are loving on each other. Gosh...I feel sooooo blessed!

I hope you had a great weekend! Cheers to a fabulous week!