Saturday, May 26, 2012
Simplicity 1955
I let Myra flip through the pattern catalogs with me the other day, and she came across Simplicity 1955, and immediately wanted the Kate Middleton wedding dress for her Barbie. I haven't made Barbie clothes since I was a kid, so I thought it would be a good idea to start with something simpler.
This is view C, an empire waist sundress with a circular skirt. It was pretty simple to put together, although Myra's non-Mattel branded Barbie is apparently wider than your standard 11 1/2 inch doll. I had to add a placket down the back so that it would close. I also added about 3/4 inch to the length of the dress, but boy, Barbie likes to show some leg!! I think some leggings are going to be the next project.
On the inside, I used a velcro closure per the pattern, although I thought it would be easier for Myra to take it on and off herself if the closure ran the full length of the dress, rather than having a seam for the lower half of the skirt. All the seam allowances are 1/4 inch and there really isn't any room for seam finishing, so I just left them all raw.
Even though it isn't a Princess Bride dress (as Myra calls the Kate Middleton gown), Myra was still pretty happy with her new Barbie dress, especially since it matches one of her favorite dresses. And thanks to the full circular skirt, Barbie can still do the splits! Yep, definitely needs some leggings...
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14 comments:
What a good mom! Those tiny little things are tedious to sew. And pricey to buy.
I noticed when my kids started acquiring Barbies (which is pretty much done now)that even the *real* Barbies are more variable in their sizing and body-shape than when I was a kid. Some still have the original body, but some have a more "modern" shape---wider waist, slightly smaller breasts, and a molded tummy with belly-button to look good in low-rise clothes (no waist joint). I liked the newer shape, but having the clothes be less-than-interchangeable was annoying. Though I wasn't trying to sew for them. I haven't sewn Barbie clothes since I was the kid playing with them...
The dress looks good---but I like the idea of a Princess Bride dress, too! :)
Great post - and what a dress:)
Laughing that even Barbie has fitting issues :)
After seeing that pattern, now I kind of want the Kate Middleton Barbie dress!!
When I was sewing Barbie dresses for my nieces, my sister gave me a doll to try the dresses on. Apparently I made too many outfits that were too difficult for the girls to manage on their own. My poor Barbie sat on top of the computer, either n*ked or wearing the sorry store bought outfit she arrived here in. I never found the time to make her any clothes of her own. They sure were fiddly things to make, but I did enjoy it.
Lois K
I am sad my barbie clothes sewing days are over . Myra will think you are the best mum ever ( well I am sure she already does - lol) . Barbie clothes really are tricky though.
That's so fun! I haven't made Barbie clothes since I was a kid, either. That's how I started. Wish I still had some of those first efforts.
Seriously!! I couldn't believe how much they were charging for these things. So glad I sew.
That is good to know! I am willing to bet the pattern companies haven't updated their "Barbie" draft...
It makes me feel a little better about myself...
Yeah, she didn't have to beg very hard for the pattern. :)
Independent Barbie dressing is very important!
Barbie clothes were my gateway drug, too. :) I'll have to remember to keep some of Myra's early efforts. All of mine are gone as well, and I wish I had kept them!
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