Instructions
Brainstorm about costume ideas. Gather the family together to think about the best costume ideas for Barbie. Think about this year's movies, celebrities and, of course, what will go best with Ken's costume.
Set and sketch your costume ideas. Sketch out the basics of the costume you decide on. This will help you identify the materials you need and it will give you some idea of how to approach the construction of the costumes.
Gather materials. In this step, think creatively. Art stores are a great place to start looking for some basic materials. Also, ask fabric shops if they have any leftover fabrics you can use. Think about using household items and simple arts and crafts supplies to make the costume.
Create a pattern. Just as in fashion, it's easiest if you create a pattern on paper that can be followed to make the costume. If you want to be very serious about the costume, take a costume from a knitting or sewing book and scale it down to Barbie-size.
Make the costume yourself or use a professional. Most tailors will be able to make a good costume from the ideas and patterns you provide. Also, there are businesses that devote themselves to making costumes of all sizes and shapes. Contact companies like Sewing By Adrienne (see Resources below) to find out about getting your Barbie's costumes made.