How to Make Outfits for Barbie

Packaging Barbie clothes with accessories turns them into treasured ensembles. There is lots of room for creativity when you make your own outfits.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gift Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Gift Cards
• Clear Tapes Or Thread
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• White Boxes
• Wrapping Paper
• Barbie Fashion Designer CD-ROM
• Barbie Accessories
• Barbie Coats
• Barbie Dolls
• Barbie Furniture
• Barbie Jewelry
• Barbie Lingerie
• Barbie Purses
• Barbie Shoes
• Tissue paper

1. Choose or make patterns for Barbie clothes and create some exciting fashions, or purchase clothing.

2. Consider what you would add to each piece of clothing if you were going to wear it. For example, if you were to wear a purple dress, you might want to add jewelry, a wrap, pantyhose, shoes, a purse and maybe a hat. Jeans and a sweatshirt might be dressed up with cowboy boots, a baseball cap and a backpack.

3. Think about which of the items you can make yourself. You could sew a wrap or coat or make a necklace.

4. Go to a store or online store and look at the items available to add to your outfit. Lingerie, including pantyhose, is available for Barbie, as are jewelry, purses and shoes, which are usually sold in accessory packages.

5. Remember to look at items sold by companies other than Mattel for "Fashion Dolls." These will fit Barbie.

6. Be creative. A long gown and tiara make a princess outfit. Scrubs made from green cotton with doctor accessories make a surgeon's outfit. A baggy jumpsuit made of wild colors, a hat with a pom-pom on it, a small package of play face paint and a Barbie-sized ball make a clown outfit.

7. Package your outfit by arranging the pieces on a piece of white cardboard. Attach the items in place with a small piece of tape or a single stitch of thread that is easily removed.

8. Wrap and give your ensemble to your favorite Barbie fan.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that Barbie is a fantasy outlet for girls, so the more wild, fun and daring the outfits, the better. Don't be too conventional.
• Original outfits with a specific purpose will be more exciting than just another blouse and skirt set.
• Try packaging an outfit with furniture. For example, put together some pajamas, bathrobes and bedroom furniture as a gift. Add a few blankets and pillows and you have a lovely gift package.

[Ck2008]

on 7/28/2009 It is a great article, it's creative.
Thank you.

[sunshineandrose]

on 3/25/2009 Good article and info. I've never made Barbie clothes. I like the interfacing idea.5*

[delo331]

on 3/5/2009 Do you have patterns for the 36 inch "My Size Barbie"?

on 11/22/2005 I fuse interfacing to new, uncut pattern pieces. Then I cut out the patterns. This enable you to use the patterns over and over again without tearing. I have some patterns from the 70's that I still use because I interfaced them. It works great. The tissue paper adheres great to the fusible interfacing.

on 11/22/2005 I go to thrift shops and look for older (wide 60's and 70's style) men's ties in beautiful colors and fabrics. You can find silks and brocades that are very suitable for gowns. Often the shops will put bunches of ties into "bargain bags." I cut off the widest end at a length that will make a strapless gown with a train and hem the narrow end to use as a stole, or put a little snap on it, and it becomes a matching cummerbund for Ken. Fold the bodice over and sew it down. Add beads and ribbons for straps (if desired). Slit the back and add velcro for the closure, and voila! A beautiful gown that requires very little sewing, and impresses the heck out of your little girl's friends. You can even plan a sleepover party around the idea. Just make sure to use fabric glue instead of needles to attach the beads and velcro if the kids are of younger ages. Otherwise, you can show them how to sew the little bit of handstitching required. Older girls get a real kick out of doing their own sewing, as some have never been shown how by their moms. My girls and I made ballgowns one year and sold them at a booth in a school bazaar. To this day, they prefer our "couture" creations to the ones found at stores.