Barbie Candy Corn Dress Tutorial-only 5 seams

I see Halloween ideas starting to pop up all over the net and wanted to make a simple Candy Corn inspired dress for Barbie. My goal when I started making doll clothes was to suggest quick projects that might get the kids involved... Even though we're working with small pieces of fabric the seams are straight and there are only 5 of them, I really think a girl could help make this dress with no problem.

Material:

7" x 2.5" yellow fabric

7" x 2.5" orange fabric

3.5" x 3.5" white fabric

At least 8" long piece of thin (but sturdy) elastic-has to fit in 1/4 seam unless you make adjustments

12" long piece of 1/8" white ribbon
-All fabric was cut with pinking shears and all hems are 1/4" and back stitched.

Directions:

With right sides together, sew the yellow and orange fabric together. Iron the seam open.

Fold the yellow bottom hem over a 1/4", iron. Sew a 1/4" hem.

Fold the top of the orange piece over 1/4" and iron. Now here's where I cheated a bit... The elastic I had was very thin, so I doubled it and instead of having to fish it through a 1/4 hem I laid an extra long piece under the fold of the fabric before I sewed it. It's a little wasteful... but, it's easier:@)

Alternately: Use very thin ribbon and it can be tied into a bow behind the doll's back.

Before sewing that seam, fold the two sides of the white top over 1/4" and iron. Center the white piece on top of the orange piece and sew the seam closed. Be careful to keep pushing the elastic to the top so you don't sew over it. You may notice two seams in the picture, I got ahead of myself and sewed the orange seam before I added the white piece... Since the stitches were so small I decided not to rip it out and just sew over it again. Ooops.

Fold the upper edge of the top 3/4" and iron. Place the thin ribbon under the folded fabric and sew a 1/4" seam from the top edge. Be careful not to sew over the ribbon.

Bring the two right sides of the skirt together and sew 1/4" seam up to, but don't sew over, the elastic. 

Turn the dress to the right side and slip it on the Barbie. Gently snug up the elastic so that it fits the waist but still goes over the hips. Tie elastic in a knot and a few dots of superglue over the knot is a good idea too. Note: This is not the neatest technique and seasoned seamstresses are shaking their heads right now... But, this is easy, it's the back of the dress and the doll's hair covers it. If anyone has a neater idea that's still easy please leave it in the comments-thanks!

Pull the halter top up and scrunch up the material towards the front of the doll.  

Tie the ribbon into a bow around her neck. 

There you have it, a cute, seasonal Barbie outfit that your daughter or granddaughter can help make! 

Or one that you can complete in no time at all.

Please click here for my Barbie Pinterest Board to view all crafts at a glance.

Have a happy day:@)

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