We are surprising our children with the news of our upcoming family trip to Disney World on Christmas morning, so many gifts this year are themed around the trip….and I knew I wanted to have some Disney princess dresses for the girls to wear while down there. My problem was that the dress up stuff we have- even the really nice quality stuff, doesn’t seem like it would be very comfortable to wear walking around a park, nor would it be conducive to going on and off rides all day. So I set off to see what I could find on the internet.
That’s how I met Shannon from Nannabells on Etsy. Let me tell you, this woman is my hero (and her cousin, but we’ll meet her later). She had some darling peasant style dresses for babies (and more recently, toddlers!) on her shop site, but none in sizes that would fit my girls. Dresses that were cotton, and didn’t go down to the ankles or longer, that looked like a kid could spend all day playing in and still be- well, a kid playing all day. I sent her a message. Within hours we had all kinds of plans. I wanted dresses with doll dresses to match in the girls’ favorite princesses. She wasn’t making bigger sizes, but she was absolutely ready and willing to start!
After a little while, we decided upon a Snow White, Cinderella and Tinkerbell for my little one, and Merida, Tinkerbell and Rosetta for my older daughter. As of today, we have Snow White
and Merida here – and you won’t see photos of these with my girls in them because they are, indeed, Christmas gifts. But I’m too in love with them NOT to share, so here you go!
Shannon even added a bit of embroidered “flair” to each of the dresses for the girls. Her seams and stitching is top notch. These dresses are made to last and they look fabulous. The dresses have a really generous elastic neck for pulling over heads to get on and off, which makes things a lot easier for the girls. The sashes are such a fun accent but the dresses look amazing without them, too- and they are not attached in any way.
Shannon’s cousin, Jaime, from Sew Every Whim, makes her own custom 18 inch dolls in her shop (they are darling, check them out!) and was also the one to make the doll dresses to match my girls’ dresses. The dresses are not identical but I think that works out perfectly- they look the same, but the girls should have *something* extra, right? Like the appliques or embroidery, each is a beautiful embellishment for the girls’ dress.
With the Snow White doll dress, the applique is the same, but if you look closely, the doll’s dress has a polka dot ribbon on the sleeves. A tiny difference, that makes the dress stand out a bit. The doll dresses have a nice generous elastic so that you can slide the dresses on the dolls with ease. My 3 year old will need help with these (she needs help with dressing her dolls) but my 7 year old will love this. Velcro closures always get snagged on things and annoy us all.
Here are all of the dresses together (and I WILL update with pics of the girls after Christmas!)
Shannon and Jaime are both SO talented, and work quickly- I’d recommend them in a heartbeat (and already have a new order pending…Minnie Mouse, Rapunzel and Jessie have been added to the list of dresses they can do) and what a FUN way to let your princess be a princess at Disney – or at the playground- in comfort and style! I’m sure they are able to even more styles and designs- just ask!
Nannabells’ dresses range from $35-$50 depending on the size/design/ruffles/applique on the dresses, if there is an applique added there is a $5-$8 charge depending on the size/detail of the applique.
Sew Every Whim’s doll dresses range from $20-$25 again depending on the design/ruffle/applique on the dress.
What kind of dress would you like to see next?
I did receive a discount on the dresses I ordered from Shannon and Jaime, and wasn’t obligated to post about them- but I am so head over heels in love with these dresses and supporting women’s businesses I just HAD to share!
Maria Iemma says
My little granddaughter thinks she is a princess and would love to have this outfits to dress up with. What a nice way to make them happy. Thanks for the post
Hannah Pitts says
Oh neat! I will have to pin this to remember it!
My daughter would Love a purple, Rapunzel dress!
Maddie K. says
Well those dresses and the dolls dresses are just too cute! Since this is an older post from Christmas and it’s now March, did I miss your update with pics of the kids in their dresses at the park? How was your vacation to Disney?
Renee' Harris says
So adorable.These are really great!
Karen Hand says
These dresses are so adorable. I only wish that my daughter was that young, otherwise, I would order one in a heartbeat.
Cindy Merrill says
My granddaughter is crazy over the Frog Princess dress in the movie, her favorite color is green.
Kathy Idol says
My youngest granddaughter would love these. She loves dressing up
Jane Ritz says
Ilove this. I’m going to do this for my granddaughter. She loves Snow White. Thanks for Sharing
Renae Elsie Georg says
They look fantastic. Shannon and Jaime sound lovely to work with. I’d love to see Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. Hope you enjoy your holiday.
sherri c. says
they are adorable, my grand daughter would love them, my son when he was a child always loved power rangers i wonder if she ever thought of making them for boys to!
lisa says
That is so cute. My granddaughter would love it. She actually thinks she is a princess!
Trish F says
Oh so cute, I must be out of the loop because I have never heard of Merida. Have a great time in Disney!
queenb says
She is from the new movie Brave. It’s a great movie!
Sarah Hayes says
I love everything Disney and I know this would be so special for a little girl to match her doll. Maybe one day when my daughter is older she can have one of these!
Marissa says
These are so cute! If I had a daughter, I would dress her up in these.
Sammy Kim says
These look so adorable! I love how you can match with the doll.
Sacha Schroeder says
These are perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Daraya says
Amazing dresses! How adorable 🙂
Renee Travis says
Oh these are darling. My granddaughters are too old for these now. They are so sweet! 🙂
Jean says
Oh my gosh – I came across the exact same Etsy site the other day when I was looking for a Merida dress for my five year old! Her work is beautiful and looks totally wearable. Have a wonderful time at Disney – hope you plan to video the announcement on Christmas morning!!
queenb says
I absolutely do!! Jean, Shannon does excellent work. Those dresses she did are darling- and a great length to be girly and twirly but also rough and tumble. Did you order one?
Stephanie from CT says
my girls are too old for this now, but how cute!
Daraya says
The dresses are so cute! 🙂
Janet W. says
The Snow White dress is adorable! All of them are!
Brandy says
Oh gosh, my daughter would love these!
JulieK says
wow – I am amazed at seamstresses that can duplicate costumes and things like this. And to create the mini doll dresses? Fabulous! Your girls will be SO excited!!
Danielle @ We Have It All says
These.Are.Adorable. My Gracie would LOVE these dresses! She has a bunch of princess dresses already, but these are cute!
hannah says
LOVE these! i always struggle with finding nice dress up ‘princess’ type clothes for my daughter!
and the matching of the dolls..perfection! i love the peasant style and the sweetness of the embroidery and fabric. definitely checking out their etsy shop!
Sabrina R says
Oh this makes me want a little girl! Or a doll for my baby boy, think I could hide it from the husband?
queenb says
My son has 2 dolls 🙂
Jeanne says
I love, love, love that they’re cotton. My daughter’s princess dresses are not practical for play. You may have just gotten me hooked, my friend!!
Kay M. says
SO CUTE!! I’m gonna have to check this out for my granddaughter!!
skye says
Oh my goodness these are adorable! Do they come in bitty baby size?
queenb says
Skye we always put the 18 inch clothes on the bitty baby except for leggings. These will totally fit a bitty!