Hi everyone! I’m Jess, from Craftiness is not Optional, and I love making Barbie clothes. Yes they are tiny and a bit fiddly…..but they are also miniature sized, so are of course, flipping adorable, and a great way to use up scraps! Seriously a great scrap buster. When I was younger my sisters and I (and when I say younger I mean 14 *cough*) would make fabulous circle skirts and tunics for our Barbies-and while they were awesome in their own right (frayed edges and all), I love making “real” outfits for our favorite fashion doll.
What’s great about sewing your own clothes is that Barbie can finally be modest! Most of the outfits she comes in are a little lot risque, am I right?
I used four of my tutorials for the outfits pictured above: the cap sleeve top, basic easy dress, froufy skirt, and easy skirt. I also have a knit top tutorial and a ball gown tutorial.
I love the little pleat I made in the sleeves before sewing them on. Sew a few solid tops and patterned bottoms, and you’ve got yourself a mix n’ match wardrobe. (Confession: I mostly just create outfits when I “play” Barbies with my girls….oh and make up reasons why she needs to change…again.)
These froufy skirts are super easy to make! Seriously, if you want to start with one, these are the easiest and really fast to make once you’ve done one. (or 2, or 20)
I love adding tiny trims to the skirts, too.
Or make a tiny dress in a larger print. So cool and modern.
I added a big bow on the back of this one. 🙂
I hope you enjoyed the Barbie fashion show, and try a few of these tutorials-they make a great gift for the little girl in your life!
12 Responses
Hi there! I need help. I’m making barbie clothes for my granddaughters barbies what I want to know is how do you sew the barbie clothes cause I do it by hand but I sure wish I could do it with a sewing machine. How do you sew your barbie clothes?
Oh! I wish I have even half of your talent in sewing and designing clothes for dolls. These clothing are really cute. I love them.
ShopAtOliviasDollCloset.com
Jess, Those are so stinkin’ cute!! I think the most I did was a “wrap” with ties. You are so right–the clothes that come with Barbie are somewhat innappropriate(and cheesy!) Love your outfits! Barbie looks so cute!
Thank you thank you thank you! My daughter has a few barbies, but they only have the outfits they came in. I don’t want to buy the skanky clothes Barbie is provided with. I am so excited for the help in how to make my own clothes for her. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough! And thank you, Amy, for having Jess guest post this!
Oh my goodness! Those are a million times better than the clothes Barbie comes with now. I’ll have to pin your tutorials in case I one day have a girl who needs a Barbie wardrobe.
Jess, I only ever wanted to change barbies too. The pretend stuff was boring. Just change the outfits and do their hair 😉
So darling! Thanks for sharing!
this is AWESOME!!! LOVE this! I remember as a child my grandmother made custom clothes for ALL my barbies and even made FULLY BEADED WEDDING GOWNS for them… 🙂 this is near and dear to my heart! can’t wait til shelby is ready for this! right now as a 3 1/2 year old she’s into the styling hair of naked barbies stage 🙂 hee hee… YOU SHOULD link this up on my blog for Tutorial Tuesday from yesterday. it’s still open! 🙂 http://www.bizzy-bs.blogspot.com
Good Morning!
These outfits are too adorable! What a great way to use up scraps…which I have a whole basket of! I just love your whole “doll” theme…I make dolls and doll clothing. Guess I’ll have to add Barbie clothes to my list!
Thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful ideas!
Sweet blessings,
Laura
So cute! And you’re right about the modesty thing! Boy, are you right!
I have made a lot of these tutorials from CINO they are so easy and a lot of fun to make and so cute!