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...