At christmas time I bought Amelia a very cheap barbie doll at Coles (I have no idea what the difference is between the more expensive but it certainly does the trick). This in turn led me to delve into my own dolls clothes I had growing up so as to play dress ups with Amelia. Due to Barbie doll clothes being ultra expenisive when I was young just about all of my dolls clothes (which to my mums surprise was quite a lot, she wonders where she found the time) were either sewn or knitted and luckily I have held onto some of these. The one I liked the most was this very cute dress but because the lace had deterioated around the arms it was no longer usable, aha I thought to myself, time for a little unpicking and remaking.
I am a little dissapointed that I did not take a picture of it before I started unpicking it but
here is a little peep at the original. As for the others there are some pants, knickabockers, bathers and and all in one thing (not sure what to call it) that I hope to have a go at replicating but as for the knitting I will definently leave that one to grammy.
So after a bit of fiddling I came up with this little number which I think is very close to the original.
Then because the pattern I had drawn was not quite right I had a second attempt and came up with this one and a working pattern for all to enjoy.
Amelia seemed to enjoy the new clothes, enjoyed ripping them off. Poor barbie is naked most of the time but in time she will play with them more. Also in time she will have quite a selection of barbie clothes. I am liking the fact that they are on a small scale and can be completed rather quickly, well not so much when you are making the pattern.
As for the pattern here it is….
Vintage Barbie Doll Dress Tutorial
(I am not that old to be referred to as vintage but it looks like it comes from that era. On the other hand if you are talking about cars anything made around the year I was born now comes under the word that means old, great!).
A good thing about this pattern is that you can modify it too many different things. You can make the skirt as long as you like, embelish, change the cut of the bodice, make a top from the bodice pattern, change the straps over the shoulders and more.
Most barbie patterns are versitile which is a good thing because when I went looking on the net for more free ones I was very disappointed to only find a few and even then they were not all that fancy. This encouraged me to put up a tutorial so that others can enjoy making their littlies some barbie clothes because I know they will appreciate it as they grow up.
Hopefully I will endevour to make some more tutorials of other patterns, at the moment I am very keen to make some pants/shorts but I must get back into Amelia’s winter sleeping sack, that project is taking way to long to complete. It is certainly looking very cute though.
She is certainly a happy camper (not so much when those chompers are coming throu).
Thanks Bec! I won’t be throwing out any of my scraps now – this will be perfect for when Lani (8m) is a bit older and has some barbies – I can’t wait to play barbies, I’m sick of trains and cars, lol!
Thank you so much! I can’t WAIT to try the tut!
Great tutorial. I got it right the first time!
Thanks so much for sharing! I found you from the In the Pink forum. Can’t wait to try this! Your little is a doll!
Thanks so much for the pattern! I just recently got into making clothes for barbies, and am having a ball. I was inspired by the gorgeous free patterns on molendrix.com. Have you seen them? As you say about yours, I began changing sleeves, necklines, cropping, lengthening, etc.
I made myself a binder with patterns, magazine pictures of ideas, etc., and a small laptop carrying case that is large enough to carry binder, card stock and printer paper, scissors, thread, some cloth, a couple of different-shaped barbies, beads and other embellishments. I sew everything by hand, and like to think I’m getting better with each outfit. I go to thrift stores and yard sales for children’s clothes (smaller prints fit the scale of barbies better) and ladies’ lingerie (silks, satins, and laces, small ribbon flowers, etc.) and have been able to make some sumptuous gowns with very few resources, and have something to do when I travel or wait in doctors’ offices.
I’m really glad to find your pattern and instructions, not only for myself, but because I want to give them to a couple of young cousins who had never sewed before a few days ago.
I hope you will put more pitures and patterns on your site. I could see my cousins gaining patience, perserverence, and pride with each cut and stitch. Even if they never do anything else but sew on a button, they’ve learned they can take small steps and figure out a complicated job. For three girls and a boy ages 5 to 12, that’s a big confidence builder.
Thanks, I really enjoy your site!
Hi i love that u did this tutorial i have mad a bodice and a dark pink satin9vintage drsss) it works so well.
but could u do one for the 1966/ old barbie with sleves that fir tight round arm and end at elbow? cause i cant seem to get the right arm hole? lol
like the doll is plastic so wat could i us to make he pattern fit on her and stay still? fabric and tape is good but i need a good arm hole!!
thanks, like i said great tutorial easy and cute u rock u need more deisgns make ur daghter proud and have fn:D
i know i have and im 17