Barbie on the Terrace photo, courtesy of photographer Penny Mathews
Remember playing with dolls when you were a child? If you were like me, you had a Barbie doll or two in your toy box. Barbie was introduced in 1959 by a lady named Ruth Handler (co-founder of Mattel). Ruth named the doll after her own daughter, Barbara. In 1961, Ruth created Barbie's boyfriend, the Ken doll, named after her son. Now, almost half a century later, Barbie is still in the hearts and toy boxes of children (and even adults) everywhere.
Our children today have more toys than ever. Electronic toys, video game systems, iPods, and computers are just the beginning. So much has changed in the world of toys since we were children but one thing that hasn't changed is the simple love of the Barbie doll. Barbie today has new friends, new clothes, a new house, and even more new pets than she did 40 years ago. However, little girls today still enjoy dressing and primping Barbie to act out her fantasy life during playtime.
My grandmother was a seamstress. She would sew beautiful clothes and accessories for my Barbie doll collection. I had a suitcase full of her handmade creations and the kids in the neighborhood would come over so we could dress the dolls. I loved selecting the fabrics and picking out dress styles. Although I didn't realize it at the time, the clothes she made for my dolls were better quality than anything I could buy in a store.
As a teenager I became interested in sewing. Because my grandmother had passed, I was left to teach myself how to sew. I spent hours upon hours in front of my Kenmore sewing machine turning out beautiful creations. It came so naturally to me. Through the years I created clothing for myself and my family, window dressings, and decorative home decor items. I later spent about 5 years doing ready-to-wear clothing alterations for the general public. Then, about 10 years ago, a dear friend gave me the greatest birthday gift... a Barbie doll. Let me tell you, you are never too old to receive a Barbie doll!
While going through some old boxes during our last move, I found a box with many of the Barbie dresses my grandmother had made. The finding inspired me! I would make new clothes with today's fabrics for my Barbie doll. What could be better than handmade doll clothes? They are hard to find in this day and age because people don't have or make time to sew like they used to. As I began creating beautiful dresses, everyone who saw them wanted to buy them so I added them to my online craft store. I couldn't believe the response. I have received so many emails from people who told me beautiful stories of their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers who handmade their doll clothes when they were children. I then knew that bringing back handmade doll clothes for today's families would be the beginning of new traditions and would help create beautiful memories and gifts that could be passed down through generations. In a world where everything is so commercialized, going back to the basics with Barbie has reminding me of a wonderful time in my childhood. Today, my greatest joy is knowing that my creations will be passed down through generations to come and that I have a hand in helping today's children create memories that will last a lifetime.
About the Author:
Adrienne Hughes, seamstress and e-book author of "Sewing Patterns Defined" lives with her husband, her Yorkshire Terrier, and her Barbie dolls in Texas. She has no affiliation with Mattel. She invites you to visit her online Barbie clothing store at www.sewingbyadrienne.com and start creating your child's memories today.
If you prefer to make your own Barbie clothes, check out this Free Printable Barbie Dress Pattern - for Barbie's new belly-button style body. This page includes step-by-step photos to follow and discusses several variations of homemade Barbie dresses..
hi! I've been sewing dresses for barbie for years as a hobby. I liked your article.
bye
desiree – mansfeild mo
April 11, 2008 - 08:55
hi i did have a collection as a kid. my sister and i had all the barbie from ken, allen and meg, cristy and barbie. well, we had a lady that used old material and fur coats to make our clothes better than store bought - they lasted up to about 5 years ago my sister finlly sold them all and the lady thought she was crazy to sell them.
Gayle – california
April 05, 2008 - 18:57
It's nice to know that others are interested in making Barbie clothes! I thought I was a dying breed. My Gr Aunt & Grandmother used to make clothes for me and my cousins. I still have my satin lined "fur" coat they made for my first Barbie. I made them for my daughter, and now make them for fun. I hope to make some period piece clothing for Barbie soon, but my next project will be the Wizard of Oz characters in Barbie size for a dear friend. Wish me luck!
ninik – Indonesia
April 04, 2008 - 04:45
Thank you for sharing your barbie patterns , it's so simple and easy for me as beginners.Would you share more patterns for kelly and ken with me?
Carol – Texas
March 12, 2008 - 22:47
I enjoyed your article. I recently made a set of Barbie clothes for an adult friend and she just loved them.
ariella
March 05, 2008 - 13:01
I am so pleased to see someone that remembers sewing for Barbie. I still have my clothes and Barbies from the 60's. I love how simple your pattern is for the new Barbie body. If you create any pants, or other garments, please share your pattern with me.
As I began creating beautiful dresses, everyone who saw them wanted to buy them so I added them to my online craft store. I couldn't believe the response. I have received so many emails from people who told me beautiful stories of their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers who handmade their doll clothes when they were children. I then knew that bringing back handmade doll clothes for today's families would be the beginning of new traditions and would help create beautiful memories and gifts that could be passed down through generations. In a world where everything is so commercialized, going back to the basics with Barbie has reminding me of a wonderful time in my childhood. Today, my greatest joy is knowing that my creations will be passed down through generations to come and that I have a hand in helping today's children create memories that will last a lifetime.