Sew an easy princess tulle dress for little girls with this free pattern

Want to make a magical princess dress for your little girl without any sewing stress? This easy princess tulle dress tutorial is perfect for beginners – no zippers, no buttonholes, no tricky bits! Just straight stitches and lots of fun. You’ll get a free toddler princess dress pattern and step-by-step instructions to help you sew a dress that’s as cute as it is comfy.

This toddler dress is a mix of sweet and simple – it’s basically a peasant-style cotton top with an elastic neckline and a twirly tulle skirt sewn on. That’s it! It’s one of those projects that looks fancy but is secretly super easy to make.

I made this DIY princess dress for my 3-year-old daughter, and she was absolutely thrilled! She wears it to play pretend, twirl around the house, and sometimes even insists on wearing it to the grocery store. It’s got that perfect mix of everyday comfort and sparkly fairytale vibes.

Why you’ll love this free toddler princess dress pattern

• It’s a beginner-friendly sewing project – even if you’ve only made a few things before, you can totally do this.
• The elastic neckline means no closures to fuss over – no zippers, buttons, or snaps.
• Your little girl can easily dress herself – there’s no front or back, so she won’t need help putting it on.
• You can customize it with any cotton and tulle combo – use what you already have or go all out with glittery tulle! Totally customizable to match your child’s favorite princess.
• It’s perfect for birthday parties, Halloween, playdates, or everyday dress-up fun.

I had this floral cotton fabric in my stash for years, just waiting for the right project. Paired with some soft tulle, it turned into the sweetest little dress. It might sound like a weird combo – peasant top meets ballerina skirt – but somehow it just works. It’s comfy enough for everyday wear and cute enough to feel like a real princess dress.

The easiest toddler princess dress you’ll ever make

If you’re into easy sewing projects for little girls, this one’s a winner. I promise it won’t stress you out, and you’ll feel like a total boss when your kiddo puts it on and lights up with joy.

Also – don’t miss my other free sewing patterns for girls! If you like the top part of this dress, check out my flutter sleeve peasant top and long sleeve peasant top tutorials – both beginner-friendly and free, too.

Some days I tackle big sewing projects (like button-down shirts or this cute hooded coat pattern), and other days I just want a quick win. This DIY princess dress for toddlers is definitely one of those feel-good projects that you can finish in an afternoon and feel proud of.

My daughter is super independent, and one of the things I love about this dress is that she can put it on all by herself. No fuss, no drama. That was a big deal for me – encouraging her to dress herself and giving her that little bit of confidence.

So if you’re looking for a free printable princess dress pattern for toddlers, or just want to sew a cute little dress for pretend play or a special occasion, give this one a try!

DIY Disney princess-inspired dress for toddlers – easy tulle dress tutorial

Got a little girl who’s obsessed with Disney princesses? With just a couple of hours at your sewing machine, you can whip up a magical DIY Disney princess-inspired tulle dress that’ll make her feel like royalty. It’s easier than it looks – and you don’t need fancy skills or a huge budget to make it happen!

Use this free toddler princess dress pattern and sew a dreamy dress in no time. Want to make a yellow Belle dress from Beauty and the Beast? Done. A sparkly blue Elsa dress for your Frozen fan? Easy. This simple sewing project gives you the freedom to pick colors and fabrics that match your child’s favorite princess.

Whether your little one loves Cinderella’s soft blue look, Rapunzel’s dreamy purple, Ariel’s bold red, or even Tiana’s green and gold glam – the options are endless. Just grab some cotton for the top, a bit of tulle for the skirt, and you’re all set to create the perfect Disney princess costume for toddlers.

This homemade princess dress is surprisingly practical, too. It’s comfy enough for running around the house or playing dress-up with friends – and it holds up to being worn (and washed) again and again. You know how kids are – if they love something, they’ll wear it on repeat.

You might also like these easy sewing projects for girls:

• Want to use up some cotton scraps? Try this cute knotted headband tutorial – it’s a quick and fun sew, and there’s a free pattern included!
• Looking for more summer sewing inspiration? Check out how to sew a sweet little skirt with side bows – it’s perfect for sunny days and super beginner-friendly.
• I’ve also got a tutorial for a double gauze peasant top that’s breezy, comfy, and great for warm weather.
• And if your little one loves twirling, don’t miss this free pattern for a twirly circle skirt dress – it’s as fun to wear as it is to make!

Sewing supplies – girls tulle dress pattern

• The free PDF pattern for the peasant top – size 3T – download below (seam allowances included)
• Cotton fabric of your choice
• Soft tulle fabric
• Lining fabric for the skirt – satin/cotton
• sewing machine
• sewing machine needle / jersey needle
• matching thread
• sewing pins
• fabric scissors
• 1/8 inch elastic / 1/4 inch elastic
• bias tape

Free step-by-step tutorial – how to sew a tulle dress for girls

Ready to start sewing? This is where the magic happens! Follow this easy tulle dress tutorial for little girls, and you’ll have an adorable princess-style dress ready in just a couple of hours. It’s the perfect sewing project for beginners who want to try their hand at making a special outfit for their daughter, niece, or granddaughter.

Let’s break it down step by step. No stress – just take it slow and enjoy the process!

What you’ll need:

• Bodice (peasant-style cotton top)
  • Cut on the fold: 1 front piece, 1 back piece, and 2 sleeve pieces.
• Skirt lining
  • 1 piece of cotton: 13 inches long x 44 inches wide.
• Tulle skirt
  • 2 pieces of tulle: 13 inches long x 118 inches wide.
• Notions
  • About 32 inches of bias tape (for the neckline and sleeves)
  • Around 55 inches of ¼ inch wide elastic

Let’s get sewing!

Step 1: Start with the bodice

Lay your fabric out and pin the front bodice piece to one of the sleeve pieces, aligning the armhole curves – right sides together. Sew it using a 3/8” seam allowance. Then do the same on the other side with the second sleeve.

Quick tip: Press your seam allowances to one side after sewing – I skipped this once and regretted it later when the seams didn’t sit flat!

Step 2: Add the back bodice

Now, take your back bodice piece and line it up with the sleeves’ other side, matching the armholes just like before. Again, right sides together – sew it all in place with a 3/8” seam allowance.

After that, go ahead and finish all four armhole seams. You can use a serger if you have one, or just a basic zigzag stitch to keep the fabric from fraying. It doesn’t have to be perfect – just secure and neat.

Step 3: Sew the side seams

Now that the sleeves and bodice are all attached, it’s time to sew the peasant top together at the sides. Place the front and back right sides together, making sure the underarm seams line up neatly. Pin them in place and stitch down each side with a 3/8” seam allowance.

Once that’s done, go ahead and finish the seams with your serger or a zigzag stitch, and press them flat so everything looks tidy. Trust me, that little press makes a big difference!

Step 4: Finish the raw edges

Let’s clean up the neckline and sleeves next. Use your serger (or a zigzag stitch if you’re working with a regular sewing machine) to finish the raw edge around the neckline and the bottom edge of each sleeve. This step helps prevent fraying and gives your dress a more polished look.

Step 5: Make the elastic casings

Time to form those casings! Start with the sleeves – fold the bottom edge under about 1/2 inch, press it, and sew close to the raw edge, leaving a tiny opening so you can insert the elastic later.

Repeat the same process for the neckline. This is how we create stretchy openings for the arms and head, which makes this DIY peasant dress for toddlers so easy to slip on and off – no buttons or zippers required!

Once the casings are sewn, set them aside for a bit – we’ll thread the elastic through later.

Step 6: Create the skirt lining

Grab your 44” x 13” cotton rectangle – this will be the lining for the tulle skirt and help make the dress more comfortable to wear. Fold it in half, right sides together, so the short edges meet. Pin and sew the side seam using a 3/8” seam allowance.

Finish that seam with your serger or a zigzag stitch to keep it nice and neat.

Now it’s time to gather! Switch your stitch length to the longest setting on your sewing machine. Sew a basting stitch all the way around the top edge of the skirt lining, about 1/4 inch from the edge. Don’t backstitch!

Gently pull on the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until the top edge of the skirt lining is the same width as the bottom edge of the peasant top bodice.

This is where the dress starts coming together, and it’s so exciting to see it take shape!

Step 7: Sew the tulle skirt layers

Tulle can be a little tricky to work with, so here’s how to avoid those annoying puckers and stretched-out seams. First things first – switch to a fresh ballpoint or jersey needle. I used a size 70/10 and it worked perfectly. Then, set your machine to a short straight stitch and slow it way down. Tulle is delicate and slippery, so patience is key!

Start by sewing the side seam of your first tulle rectangle, right sides together. Then do the same for the second piece. You’ll have two big loops of tulle now.

Pro tip: Set your iron to the absolute lowest heat setting and gently press the tulle side seams to help flatten them without melting anything. Be careful here – tulle doesn’t love heat!

Next, gather each tulle layer individually. Use a long basting stitch all around the top edge of the first tulle layer and gently pull the bobbin thread until it fits the bottom edge of the peasant top. Then do the same with the second tulle layer.

Once both layers are gathered, it’s time to stack them: place one tulle layer inside the other, lining them up so the wrong side of the first layer touches the right side of the second. Pin them together and sew around the top edge to join them.

You’re basically making a double-layered tulle skirt that looks fuller and fancier without adding bulk – it’s perfect for that classic princess look! (If you need more tips on working with tulle, I’ve got a full tutorial linked.)

Step 8: Attach the skirt lining

Now that your tulle layers are sewn together, it’s time to add the cotton skirt lining. Take the lining you gathered earlier and place it right sides together with the second tulle layer (that’s the outermost one). Match the top edges and sew all the way around.

This step gives the dress a nice finish inside and keeps the scratchy tulle from touching your child’s skin – super helpful if your little one is sensitive to fabrics.

Step 9: Join the skirt to the bodice

We’re almost there! Take the completed skirt (tulle + lining) and turn it right side out. Then, place it inside the peasant top, which should also be right side out. Line up the gathered top edge of the skirt with the bottom edge of the bodice. Pin everything in place, making sure the side seams line up nicely.

Sew all the way around with a 3/8” seam allowance, then finish the raw edge using a serger or zigzag stitch. Flip the dress right side out, and voilà – your princess tulle dress is almost done!

Step 10: Add the waistline casing with bias tape

Let’s make the waistline look neat and add a comfy stretch! Take your bias tape and pin it along the serged edge where the bodice and skirt meet, with the right sides facing and the folded edge lined up with the seam.

Sew along the crease of the bias tape, just like you would when making a casing. I like to fold the short ends of the bias tape inward before stitching – this keeps the raw edges hidden and leaves a small gap for inserting the elastic later. It’s a small trick that makes a big difference!

Next, fold the bias tape down toward the bodice and topstitch the other edge to the inside of the dress, smoothing it as you go. You’ll now have a clean, tidy casing all the way around the waistline.

Step 11: Cut and insert the elastic

Now it’s time to add the elastic – this is what gives your tulle princess dress for girls its shape and helps it stay put during all those royal twirls and cartwheels.

Cut the following pieces of 1/4 inch wide elastic:

• Neckline: around 18 inches – adjust based on your child’s head size
• Sleeves: about 7–7.5 inches each – make sure they’re snug but still comfy
• Waistline: measure your child’s waist and add 2 to 3 inches – I used 22 inches

Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through each casing – neckline, sleeves, and waistline. Once it’s all the way through, overlap the ends and sew them together securely. Then close up the small opening in each casing with a few extra stitches.

You’re so close now – your dress is basically done!

Step 12: Hem the skirt lining

To finish things off, hem the cotton skirt lining so it looks nice and professional. Start by serging or zigzag stitching along the raw edge to prevent fraying. Then fold the hem up by about 1/2 inch to the wrong side and stitch all the way around.

Give the hem a quick press with your iron to make it nice and crisp. And that’s it – done and dusted!

You did it!

Your DIY girls’ princess tulle dress is now ready to wear! Whether she’s headed to a party, dressing up like Belle or Elsa, or just playing pretend at home, your little one is going to love it – and you’ll feel amazing knowing you made it with your own hands.

Did you find this step-by-step tutorial helpful? I’d love to know what you think – and if you give this free girls tulle dress pattern a try, don’t forget to tag me or send pics. I’d be so happy to see your magical creations!

Post Scriptum

This post was originally published on March 2, 2020, in a slightly different form.

I decided to remake the whole tutorial and sew a new girls’ tulle dress since I was not happy with the quality of the step-by-step photos and the bias tape I used for that dress – it was kinda ugly and clashing, and it bothered me, no matter how hard I tried to ignore it.

It was really cute , but I felt this free princess dress pattern deserved a better sewing tutorial. I hope I achieved it!

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