Hobbies And Interests
Fabric Selection
When choosing prints for Barbie clothing, look for small patterns appropriate for a 12-inch doll. Choose fabrics that are easy to work with, such as cottons and blends. The small size of the outfits makes it more difficult to handle them and to turn them right side out. Furry fabrics might make a cute jacket, but the thickness makes the material difficult to sew through, and the sleeves are so narrow it's hard to manipulate them whether you're sewing by hand or by machine.
Hand Stitching
Machine stitching is quick and easy, but Barbie outfits and accessories are so small you can also sew them quickly by hand. Hand-stitching also gives you more control over the fit. Sewing by hand gives you the freedom to stop at any point and try the dress on Barbie. If it's snug, you can pull out stitches to make it easier to get the dress on and off, adjusting as needed.
Sewing Accessories
You can make items for Barbie other than small dresses that are often challenging. Soften the look and feel of plastic furniture with soft fabrics such as pillows in a pretty print edged with bits of lace. A rectangular piece of fleece makes a good comforter. You might not need to hem the edges if you use pinking shears. The smaller the item, the tighter you want the stitches so they won't come out. Make a sleeping bag with a layer of quilt batting as inside stuffing covered by a plaid flannel interior for warmth and denim exterior for practical durability.
Dress Width
Sewing your own Barbie clothes allows you to keep the fit loose. Removing tight skirts and dresses puts tension on narrow seams, making them more vulnerable to tearing and ripping. When making dresses, cut the fabric wider than store-bought outfits generally are---slightly more room will result in fewer repairs and greater ease in changing outfits.
Dress Closures
Tiny snaps on Barbie dresses are hard to manage for the small hands of a child or the arthritic fingers of an older adult helping to dress the doll. Use pieces of Velcro to close dresses in the back. Vary the closures by using narrow ribbon or colorful yarn to close front-fitting jackets and tops.
Considerations
Take apart worn out Barbie dresses to use as patterns. Cutting your own fabric slightly wider than store-bought Barbie clothes will make the job of sewing and of changing clothes easier for you and the child playing with Barbie and her new outfits.