Lace Leotards & Tulle Skirts
I met one of my closest and dearest friends my freshman year at Notre Dame. And now over 7 years later, we were reunited on campus (at the Sacred Heart Basilica) for her wedding.
It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony and I was thrilled to have been a part of her big day!
Last spring, she asked me if I would make 3 flower girl dresses for her wedding. Despite having little experience in children’s clothing, I took the offer and figured it had to be easier than women’s clothing. But little did I expect to learn so much during the process. This is not a bad thing, in fact I’m happy to have learned so much along the way!
My friend wanted the flower girl dresses to have full champagne tulle skirts, cream lace (long sleeved) tops, and maroon/red sashes.
This past summer, I kept my eyes open for lace, but I didn’t start the project until I received measurements in late September.
When I started making mock-ups and shopping for fabric, I started think: Can I make leotards with lace? The girls should be able to get in and out of the dresses easily. Can I find a beautiful lace that has both ease and beauty (most stretchy laces are knit and can look pretty casual)?
Ultimately, I decided to have the girls wear lace leotards with tulle skirts. I figured this would be the best option for making dresses for girls long distance (sizing would not have to be perfect). Also, the leotards would be more comfortable for the girls and the mothers wouldn’t have to fuss with tucking in tops all day.
After searching all over the web and area stores, I found the perfect lace!
Tulle Skirts
After nailing down the leotard design, I began the tulle skirts.
I found a really good deal on a bolt champagne tulle. I was excited because it looked like a great price and the exact color we were looking for!
UNFORTUNATELY, some things are too good to be true! The tulle fabric was really thin and looked nothing like the champagne color online (see the photo below)! Despite this, I tested the color and tulle by cutting a few layers of tulle and gathering the ends (see below).
It was not the color tulle my friend envisioned. Instead, I used tulle I found at my local fabric store.
THE SASHES
The bride wanted the sashes to match the bridesmaid dresses.
The bridesmaid dresses were back ordered and didn’t arrive until a couple weeks before the wedding, so I didn’t start the sashes until a week before the wedding. Luckily, I had no problem finding fabric that matched the color and fabric of the dresses!
One side of the sash was a burgundy matte chiffon (same fabric of the bridesmaid dresses), while the other side was a burgundy sateen fabric.
I couldn’t have been happier with the final dresses! They really looked cute on the girls and went really well with her wedding!
I shopped for the fabric & sewed the dresses, but this was my friend’s design. And therefore, I have to give her credit for designing these adorable dresses! This is only a glimpse of how beautiful the ceremony was and I wish I had professional photos to share with you!
Shop similar lace leotards on my (shop here for the new ones) Anagrassia website or Etsy
My daughter loves this look for her flower girl…by chance do you make the leotard sleeve with a natural, scalloped lace edge rather than hemming the edge of the sleeve?
Also the leotard that is all white lace with nude lining…can you make that style in cream lace (no zipper, full lace)?
Thanks Gladys! I just sent you an email. Let me know if you don’t receive it!
Beautiful work, marusya — love your stuff!
Is there any chance you’d be willing to sell the pattern to your skirts? I am also making tutus for long distance bridesmaids, and am struggling with how to best approach the waist (tie vs. elastic).
Thanks!
Thanks Karen! I’ll send you an email. I can understand what you’re dealing with!
Beautiful work!
Is there any chance to make Bridal Lace Leotard for adults? I wonder if you could make one sleevless and back open (from the top of the back till the weist). Could you add some shinny sequins here and there?
Thanks
Vasiliki
Thank you Vasiliki!
I’m sure I could! What would it be worn with (or for)?
It’s for my sisters wedding. I want to wear it with an a‑line vintage skirt. The skirt will be coloured, maybe yellow or siel or peach. What colour do you propuse for the top?
How much is going to cost?
Could you please let me know on: [email protected] (it’s my e‑mail)
Thanks very much
Vasiliki
So sorry for the late response! I just sent you an email! Thanks Vasiliki!
[…] began making these dresses for my friends wedding (click here to read post) and continue to make them for weddings! Recently, I’ve made some of my favorite dresses thus […]
Are you selling these dresses? I would love this for my flower girls! My email is [email protected]
[…] flower girl dress blog posts here: 1 & […]
[…] other flower girl dress posts here: Post 1, Post 2, Post […]
[…] other flower girl dress posts here: Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, and Post […]
Are you making them for sale?? I’m looking for a dress for my little girl..she’s going to be a flower girl, and we’re looking for lace dress with tule..just like you have here
Hi Natalie! You can find most of my pieces on etsy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Anagrassia
The skirt and leotards are sold separately.
I also sell alencon lace leotards. These alencon leotards are more expensive and not sold on etsy. (See the designs in this blog post: https://marusyamarusya.com/winter-2015-anagrassia-leotard-options-for-flower-girl-dresses/) Email me if you’re interested in the alencon lace designs. Thanks!
[…] See other flower girl dress posts here: Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, and Post […]