Summertime Chic for Barbie

Cropped, slim pants are a look that I love, but just doesn't work for me. Fortunately, it is physically impossible for Barbie to look like her legs are stumpy, so I can make her all the cropped skinnies my heart desires.

And when I saw this print, I knew it had to be pants. I kind of wish I could find this print in human scale. I'd totally make myself some pants out of it.

For a pattern, I deconstructed a pair of dreadful pants that came from a Teresa doll. The fabric Mattel used was an awful plastic-y polyester, and the print was eye searing, but they fit the Fashionista body really well, so they made an excellent pattern.

I added some little vents at the hem, just for the sake of cute. I love this detail on other people, but it never seems to work for me.

For the top, I used Simplicity 4719, which is a knit crop top. I lengthened it to hip length and did an elbow length sleeve, using the finished edge of the lace as both lower edge and sleeve hems. The neckline is just turned and topstitched, but I'm not thrilled with this finish. I think it needs some lace trim.

For under the lace tee, I made a cropped princess seamed bustier. The fabric is a textured knit without much stretch. I tried several different edge finishes, but all added unsightly bulk, so in the end, I left the edges unfinished.

Overall, I'm pleased with this outfit. I think Melodi looks very chic. And thanks so much to my IG friends for helping me name her! You gave me some great ideas for the other girls as well.

March of the Shieldmaidens: Barbie style

Hwæt! March of the Shieldmaidens is upon us! This was the perfect opportunity to sew a fun ensemble for this cute Nordic looking Barbie I stumbled upon at the thrift store. Disclaimer: There are many historical inaccuracies here. It's purely for fun.

The outfit begins with a simple underdress in a spring green. I think this color was a reasonable one, that would have been easily obtainable in Norse times. The fabric is a rather unfortunate polyester faille, but Barbie's skin doesn't need to breathe. The pattern I used (Simplicity 8333) is a peasant top, which I lengthened into a dress. I also added a drape to the sleeves, which is pretty, but probably not very practical for your average Shieldmaiden.

The second piece is her Viking apron. This is made of an earthy brown linen. It is just two rectangles sewn together at the sides. I left long vents below the hip for easy mobility, should Barbie need to do any sword play.

The broaches are decorative beads. I like the simplicity of them. I gathered the neckline of her underdress with some anachronistic elastic. There's a bit of velcro back there, too.

I added a leather thong tied in a square knot for some waist definition.

And of course, our Shieldmaiden needed a Shield! I made this one out of a picture I printed off the internet and glued to a bit of cardboard.

Then all semblance of historical accuracy flew out the window, as I really wanted to sew her a leather corset. This is the same pattern as my last post, but made from a rayon bonded leather from fabric.com. I love it over her underdress.

But it's even more "fantasy Viking wench" over her apron! I'm loving how these pieces work together, and despite the historical inaccuracies, I think I did a better job than Mattel. Have you seen Viking Barbie??

McCalls 658: Itty Bitty bustier

I've been thinking about my March of the Shieldmaidens make. (Spoiler: This isn't it.) My first thought was to make a corset for Barbie to go over a simple shift style dress. But first I needed a good corset/bustier pattern. I decided to start with McCalls 658, which includes several princess seamed dresses.

I didn't want to cut into my teeny scrap of leather without testing the pattern first, so I grabbed some pink gabardine with a similar weight and stretch and made it up, cutting off the dress length at the high hip.

But it turned out so cute, I had to finish it and add some bling. And make a skirt. Basically, this is the muslin that became an entire outfit.

Fit-wise, I did have to take around 1/8 inch off each seam, which ends up being about 3/4 inch all around. Inside, the bustier is finished with twill tape to keep the edges stable. It closes with velcro at center back.

I added some hotfix crystals to define the neckline a little better. And because bling is fun. The skirt is faux stretch leather left over from my leggings and sweater. I drafted the pattern myself by wrapping the leather around the doll and chalking in the seam lines. It has a velcro closure at the side seam. I left the hem unfinished.

I continued the line of crystals in back. I hate when decorative elements are only in front. The rear line of the skirt is very sleek, thanks to the lack of CB seam.

Overall, I'm completely thrilled with this spur of the moment, muslin turned outfit. I think it is my favorite Barbie outfit I've made so far!