Bellapia Designs: Barbie Dresses....LOVE this

So Today I decided t start tackling my 100% Handmade Christmas Goal for my girlies. Barbies and Babies and Kitchen neccessities are amongst this glorious list. So Today, I made a few dresses, so see how this was going to turn out. I started out simple, then once I got the hang of how itsy bitsy everything is, I got really adventurous and made more detailed,fitted dresses. So take what yo want from this, wether you just want something real quick and simple, or you want to spend 30 minutes. Trust me the 30 minutes is worth it cause it is so stinkin cute. I laughed and giggled all the way through this project, trying it on the barbie occasionally like i was fitting a real model. I am giddy just thinking about making more and the rest of my handmade projects for the girls. Cassie, this one is for you. I may need to send you a little dress for Brooklyn to put in her stocking, just for old times sakes!

Okay are you ready??

get a barbie out. Here is what I learned. Barbie's and the disney dolls differ in size. So unless you have 100% disney princess dolls verses Barbies, use a barbie as you model. So the clothes will fit all dolls a like. This dress is much like relaxed fit maxi dress. So place the doll on the fabric.

Cut the width as wide as the arms lay out. The length from shoulders to feet.

at the hands, cut slight diagnal to the shoulders

Get some 1/4 inch elastic and measure around the waist

now sew one of the sides up.

using pinking shears if you have them would be ideal for the whole project, I realized this at this point in the project. Then you don't have to spend a lot of time doing a full blown hem. So cut the botton and the top of the dress withe your pinking shears

fold about 1/4 inch hem and sew the top and the bottom of the dress. No need to double fold if you used pinking shears or a serger.

Take your elastic and center it on the middle seam wth a pin

match the end of the elastic to each of the side edges of teh dress and pin. It will be baggy in between each pin.

useing a zig zag stitch, sew on the center of the elastic stretching it as you sew. Secure useing both hands.

It will gather the fabrig for a stretchy waist that wont bust as little hands are trying to pull it on over the doll's hips.

right sides together, sew up the other side.

now for an easy halter strap, use 1/8 elastic and measure around the neck.

sew on the front center of the dress

Not too fancy but the kids don't mind! That was my first one. Then I got adventurous.

I invisioned a vintage houswife of sorts. So I thought a just below the knee length poofy skirt with a fitted top. Cut two pieces of fabric that is just over double in width of the barbie's waist. Then the length should be about 1 inch longer than the knees.

sew right sides together the side seams, then fold and hem the bottom of the skirt.

Gather around the top of the skirt at the waist line so it is just slightly bigger than the doll's waist

now cut a different print for the top, make sure it is plently big so it can be altered to fit the barbie's figure and enough for over lapping in the back with the velcro closure. With the top facing inside out, pin the front under each bust, and make a pleate so it is fitted, pin.

where it is pinned, you will sew a diagnal line from the bust down to the bottom of the top, so widest part of the line is at the bottom. Repeat for the other pinned part as well.

now turn right side out and put around your doll and measure the back wear your velcro will be and cut off extra. also, sewing in the pleats made the bottom of the hem line uneven. Cut it into a straight line.

Now with the right sides together, designate the front of the skirt and pin the shirt's bottom hem to the gathered part of the skirt. Sew. This should go all the way around the shirt.