I am excited to share the tutorial on how to make your own Couture Cutie {Mullet Dress}. I have received several emails about buying one and since I don't have a shop I wanted to make sure you can make one for yourself!
In order to make this tutorial I had to make another dress (I was silly and didn't take pictures as I went for the one pictured above). This time I did the front a little different and it is a larger size. Sorry for the rather lame pictures but it is too big for Evie and I didn't have the time to round up a model :)
![_MG_2458](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5399471723_a34f001ae4_z.jpg)
The back has the same pleating and bustle, but instead of a rosette I did a pretty blue bow.
![_MG_2461](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5400063210_c9ecf186ab_z.jpg)
Now, lets get sewing!!!
You will need to purchase the Sweet Little Dress pattern (or a similar one). This dress is fabulously easy and I promise the bustle is really simple as well. You will need to cut out 2 extra "main dress pieces". One will be underneath all the ruffles and can be a simple white cotton (or any color). The other will be used as a backing for your "back main" part of the dress and also won't really be seen. You will also need 3 long strips of tulle and 3 long strips of color fabric. You can decide if you would like pleats, or a ruffle or even just a fun notion edging for the triangle on the back.
Once you have gathered your material and cut out your original pattern pieces follow the cutting instructions except only cut one of the main fabric pieces. Now take the "main" pattern piece and cut a diagonal curved line from the bottom left corner up to the middle of the "fold" side.
![_MG_2445](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5400055282_8de5427dcf_z.jpg)
Using this pattern cut out two more "main" pieces.
![_MG_2447](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5400056080_14ccfcfc02_z.jpg)
This next part only need be followed if you would like to make pleats. If you do cut a LONG strip of fabric that is four inches wide
![_MG_2448](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5400057222_d3fc24885e_z.jpg)
Once you do this fold the piece in half and iron it into place. Once it is well ironed use your iron to make pleats by folding the fabric onto itself.
![_MG_2450](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5399455575_78259c8923_z.jpg)
Take your pleats and lay it on the right side of one of your main fabric pieces so that the raw edges line up.
![_MG_2452](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5400059162_2c6c8d5ab2_z.jpg)
Take your second "main fabric" piece and lay it right side down, again lining up raw edges and then pin all the way around.
![_MG_2453](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5400060414_c4e41becba_z.jpg)
Sew up one side of the triangle and down the other. Once down turn the entire thing inside out. You can topstitch if you like.
![_MG_2454](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5399458931_d3c3796beb_z.jpg)
Next take your long strips of fabric and tulle. I left my edges unfinished because I like that look but you can totally hem them up.
![_MG_2455](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5399459693_de5cbe79f9_z.jpg)
Gather the pieces up until the are the same width as your last main fabric piece. I started with a solid yellow.
![_MG_2457](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5399473485_0253d399a5_z.jpg)
Then I repeat the process with the tulle, then back to a solid color then a toile.... I think you get the point ha! I usually use six strips and that is high enough up. Once you are done stack your pleated back piece on top of your just finished ruffle main piece (wrong side to right side). Now all you have to do is follow the Sweet Dress Pattern instructions treating the two back pieces as if they were one! To keep everything lined up I pine the two back pieces together with pins that are far enough in that I won't sew over them.
Not to bad right? I hope you win! This would make a super cute Easter Dress :) Thanks for all your wonderful support through out this Project Run and Play experience. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Kelly%20Crawford/sig2.png)
In order to make this tutorial I had to make another dress (I was silly and didn't take pictures as I went for the one pictured above). This time I did the front a little different and it is a larger size. Sorry for the rather lame pictures but it is too big for Evie and I didn't have the time to round up a model :)
![_MG_2458](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5399471723_a34f001ae4_z.jpg)
The back has the same pleating and bustle, but instead of a rosette I did a pretty blue bow.
![_MG_2461](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5400063210_c9ecf186ab_z.jpg)
This particular one is up for grabs! All you need to do is hop over to Project Run and Play, check out this weeks competition and vote! Of course I would love if you would vote for my creation but I don't think that is a very good "spirit of competition" to require it :) Once you have voted hop back here and leave a comment letting me know you voted and you will be entered! Easy-peasy 1-2-threasy!
Now, lets get sewing!!!
You will need to purchase the Sweet Little Dress pattern (or a similar one). This dress is fabulously easy and I promise the bustle is really simple as well. You will need to cut out 2 extra "main dress pieces". One will be underneath all the ruffles and can be a simple white cotton (or any color). The other will be used as a backing for your "back main" part of the dress and also won't really be seen. You will also need 3 long strips of tulle and 3 long strips of color fabric. You can decide if you would like pleats, or a ruffle or even just a fun notion edging for the triangle on the back.
Once you have gathered your material and cut out your original pattern pieces follow the cutting instructions except only cut one of the main fabric pieces. Now take the "main" pattern piece and cut a diagonal curved line from the bottom left corner up to the middle of the "fold" side.
![_MG_2445](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5400055282_8de5427dcf_z.jpg)
Using this pattern cut out two more "main" pieces.
![_MG_2447](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5400056080_14ccfcfc02_z.jpg)
This next part only need be followed if you would like to make pleats. If you do cut a LONG strip of fabric that is four inches wide
![_MG_2448](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5400057222_d3fc24885e_z.jpg)
Once you do this fold the piece in half and iron it into place. Once it is well ironed use your iron to make pleats by folding the fabric onto itself.
![_MG_2450](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5399455575_78259c8923_z.jpg)
Take your pleats and lay it on the right side of one of your main fabric pieces so that the raw edges line up.
![_MG_2452](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5400059162_2c6c8d5ab2_z.jpg)
Take your second "main fabric" piece and lay it right side down, again lining up raw edges and then pin all the way around.
![_MG_2453](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5400060414_c4e41becba_z.jpg)
Sew up one side of the triangle and down the other. Once down turn the entire thing inside out. You can topstitch if you like.
![_MG_2454](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5399458931_d3c3796beb_z.jpg)
Next take your long strips of fabric and tulle. I left my edges unfinished because I like that look but you can totally hem them up.
![_MG_2455](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5399459693_de5cbe79f9_z.jpg)
Gather the pieces up until the are the same width as your last main fabric piece. I started with a solid yellow.
![_MG_2457](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5399473485_0253d399a5_z.jpg)
Then I repeat the process with the tulle, then back to a solid color then a toile.... I think you get the point ha! I usually use six strips and that is high enough up. Once you are done stack your pleated back piece on top of your just finished ruffle main piece (wrong side to right side). Now all you have to do is follow the Sweet Dress Pattern instructions treating the two back pieces as if they were one! To keep everything lined up I pine the two back pieces together with pins that are far enough in that I won't sew over them.
Not to bad right? I hope you win! This would make a super cute Easter Dress :) Thanks for all your wonderful support through out this Project Run and Play experience. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Kelly%20Crawford/sig2.png)
Voted! And I can't wait to make a mullet dress for my little one.
ReplyDeleteI voted....I hope you win! I love the dress.
ReplyDeleteI voted too! I wish I had your mad sewing skills!!! A-Mazing! :)
ReplyDeleteI voted! And! I also posted a link on facebook and asked that if others loved what you made that they vote for you as well! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteJaimee
jetyson747@yahoo.com
I voted. That was how I found your blog in the first place. I love the adorable stuff you create!
ReplyDeleteI voted earlier today. You entry was AMAZING!!! I love everything you do. My little niece would love this sweet little dress.
ReplyDeleteI voted and LOVE everything you do! Keep 'em coming! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI voted. I love your blog. Thanks so much for providing patterns and helping me learn to sew. I've used your summer's eve pattern and this pattern won't be any different. You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI already voted first thing this morning :) Everything you sew is amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
mjwebhome (at) yahoo (d0t) com
I voted! Loved your dress and this couture cutie!
ReplyDeleteI voted! Love your designs, and thanks for all the tutorials you have shared!
ReplyDeleteGreat dresses! I voted. Hope you win.
ReplyDeleteI voted!! Hooray for the Mullet dress and more bustles! They'd be crazy not to pick you!
ReplyDeleteI voted! I'm so inspired by what you do...thank you for sharing your patterns!
ReplyDeleteI voted! Everything was pretty!
ReplyDeleteI voted, and put this adorable dress in my ever growing to do list. Thanks so much !
ReplyDeleteI voted yesterday, hope that counts, i did vote for you though :) (but it was a hard call - so many nice things)
ReplyDeleteTotally voted, and I love the collar on the dress you made. It suits your model, and I love her hair up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your patterns. I love your creativity.
I voted! This dress is darling! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI vote each week as soon as I see the projects posted! I'm competing in Project Toddler Runway, so I love getting a chance to get inspired and vote on projects that I have no vested interest in! I've LOVED your projects so far, and this is darling!
ReplyDeleteI voted! I love this.
ReplyDeletevoted! I love this second version - the colour palette is adorable! I'd love to win it for my niece - it's her birthday next month!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win.
Voted and am hoping I win the dress. Between three girls I am sure it'll be well used.
ReplyDeleteI voted! This dress is so cute!! I LOVED your project for this week tho :) O.M.G!!
ReplyDeleteVoted!
ReplyDeleteI voted for you! You do such beautiful work! And it would be so fun to dress my daughter in one of your dresses!
ReplyDeleteI voted for you! I love this dress! I am going to make my little girl one for Easter and then I am going to make the Frosted Pane skirt, just because it is amazing! Love everything you do! Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI voted for you. What a fun little dress. I have a darling niece that would look adorable in it.
ReplyDeleteVoted! You are my FAV on Project Run and Play. I am OVER THE MOON to see you posted The Mullet Tutorial!! I just started getting into sewing and I am aww-inspired by your creations! I show my husband everything you make and we are both in LOVE with The Mullet Dress. THANK YOU for sharing!! You are my daily MUST read. :P
ReplyDeleteLove this dress!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Just read this was a giveaway after I commented that i love the dress so I hopped over and voted! Thanks
ReplyDeletemichellehaskell@gmail.com
I voted yesterday!! I love this dress. So cute. You have some amazing talent! I also think you are very cool for posting all your tutorials for free!
ReplyDeleteI voted! Thanks for offering the giveaway - what a sweet idea!
ReplyDeleteI voted! Gorgeous! I love this dress and so would my daughter :)
ReplyDeleteI voted! And I am gathering the materials to do the windowpane skirt. I had been collecting interesting mens dress shirts from thrift stores to make a quilt for a charity auction and have plenty of leftover shirts that didn't quite fit with the rest. I think a vintage tuxedo shirt with the pin tucks will work great for that skirt!
ReplyDeletei voted...my my its getting more difficult each week...but obviously i have my favourite ;-))
ReplyDeletebecky
I voted!! I LOVE this dress! Seriously, you are so creative. I want to win. If I won that would be one less dress to sew!
ReplyDeleteVoted! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI voted. Such talented ladies and adorable outfits!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all the entries in the competition. It's so hard to choose just one to vote for.
ReplyDeleteLove the 2.0 version. Thanks for all of your inspiration and tutorials.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I voted. :)
I vote as soon as I see the posting! I'm thoroughly enjoying your designs! They are inspiring!! :)
ReplyDeleteVoted! (As I have every week :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely voted for this dress. You're fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love your stuff and I voted yesterday!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute, cute dress! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
ReplyDeletehttp://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-couture-cutie-toddler-dress-with-bustle-back/2011/01/30/
--Anne
I love your blog! I come and check it every day now. My daughter will look so cute in this dress. I've been saying I was going to try to make this one myself! We will see how it turns out. Oh yeah and I voted Sat.
ReplyDeleteVoted! Thanks for the great tute :) mamalusco at ortelco dot net
ReplyDeleteVoted! I love this dress and the competition keeps inspiring me with more things to make for my little girl!
ReplyDeleteI voted! All the entries were so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI voted a few days ago! All the entries were great! Thanks for the tute and the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI voted (actually a few days ago before you posted this!) Both of the dresses that you made are so cute! Thanks for the giveaway! bufordkyle(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI voted!!! I love this dress!!!
ReplyDeleteI voted! I love all the entries from this week deciding was hard. Thanks
ReplyDeletelbroadstreet@tds.net
The dress is beautiful! I'm loving everything all of you ladies are putting together. I voted!
ReplyDeleteI voted, I love all the entries and creativity!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness so cute! I voted! Love your blog!
ReplyDeletejamiewingo_24@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Jamie
Voted! I am loving the competition and seeing what you come up with each week.
ReplyDeleteamo72 at ymail dot com
I voted!! Love this dress!! What size is btw?
ReplyDeletealiaswoman78 at yahoo dot com
I voted and I absolutely LOVE your blog and creations. Thank you so much for the tutorials!!
ReplyDeleteAmy
I voted! You have amazing skills and love seeing all the new things you come up with, thanks for always sharing!
ReplyDeleteI voted!! Awesome dress.
ReplyDeleteI voted. I love this dress it is priceless!!! I would love to win it for my little one, fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteErin
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI voted for your design because I liked it the best (not just because you are offering a giveaway) ;) Thank you for the breakdown of how you did it! I want to try it now that it does not seem as intimidating. :)
oh...I hope I didn't miss it, but I voted the first day I was allowed. I love the fact that you provide free patterns and tutorials. But I think I would buy them too. I love your work
ReplyDeleteI voted! And I am excited to try one on my own;)
ReplyDeleteI voted! Thanks for the tute! :) daydreambelievershop{at}gmail{dot}com
ReplyDeleteI voted and hope you win! Would love to win this adorable dress for my granddaughter:)
ReplyDeleteI've voted - and I LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteI voted and I adore your design this week! I also love number 1...so I hope you both get through. And I can't wait to make this dress for my own daughter...It is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI voted too! Loving the mullet dress. :)
ReplyDeleteI voted on Saturday, and I look forward to your creations each week! Thanks so much for writing such a beautiful and inspiring blog...and, of course, for the gorgeous giveaway! This dress would be beyond adorable on any little girl! Thanks again for sharing your talents with us :)
ReplyDeletejessdepew at yahoo dot com
I voted... by the way your blog is my favorite and that is saying something because I have a ton of craft blogs that I look at.
ReplyDeleteVoted!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable Easter dress this would make!!
I voted - and I voted for your dress last week - just love it!
ReplyDeleteI voted this week. And if I could have voted three times for this dress last week I would have! I guess once was enough after all!
ReplyDeleteI voted. So many cute ideas and inspirations!
ReplyDeletekristiannasharma@ YAHOO. com
I love Project Run and Play! I voted and plan to keep voting until the end!
ReplyDeleteI voted! I am so excited to make some mullet dresses for my little girl. You have the best tutorials, thank you for posting them.
ReplyDeleteI voted! I loved this dress and voted for it last week:) I would love to win it for my girls:)
ReplyDeletecnyda (at) me (dot) com
I voted!! Thanks for the tutorial!!
ReplyDeleteI voted!! Thanks for all the great patterns and tutorials!
ReplyDeletelaciek22 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Voted! Such a cute dress!
ReplyDeleteI voted! I hope you win!! I loved your dress this week, and I am so excited to try your tutorial.
ReplyDeletevoted! you're so creative- thanks for the awesome tutorial!
ReplyDelete4rissa@gmail.com
I voted! krystle(at)daisysgarden(dot)ca
ReplyDeleteI loved this look so much I made my own! I had some difficulty attaching the bustle though and would love to know how you did it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/26062878@N04/5405473908/in/photostream/
I voted! I love the dress and if I get ambitious I may try to make my own!
ReplyDeletebarbwong@sbcglobal.net
Definitely voted! Love the 2.0 version. Would love to dress my little girl up!
ReplyDeleteI voted! You are very talented!
ReplyDeletevoted! F Finally a very wearable mullet! hope to get it(pretty please generator)
ReplyDeleteI love it.
ReplyDeleteI voted, I can't wait to make this!
ReplyDeleteI voted. I am so excited to see all the creations you make for this contest.
ReplyDeleteI voted :) Thanks for the tutorial as well :)
ReplyDeleteDesiree
weeshareblog@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI voted! I am definitely going to add a bustle to my niece's Easter dress!
ReplyDeleteserena84 at yahoo dot com
I voted!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the several-tutorials...
trickridinggirl at yahoo dot com
I hope I'm not too late. I did vote, but didn't find out about your giveaway until today. I love this tutorial more than life itself...almost. It has inspired me to drag my sewing machine out and give sewing another try.
ReplyDeleteI voted, but didn't know about your give away. I need to make one for my daughter and for a silent auction.
ReplyDeletesorry posts hubby's name.
I voted last week too! Hope I'm not too late! Love your ideas :)
ReplyDeletevoted for ya- LOVE the playset!
ReplyDeleteCan you tell us how you made the awesome front on the original one??? LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering about the front on the original one too!!
ReplyDelete