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Sunday, August 18, 2013

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.
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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.

20 comments:

  1. You are adorable Barbie. Makes me wish I had a granddaughter.
    Sam

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  2. A candy corn halter dress, how cute! I have a serious case of fall fever :)

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  3. What a great project. It would be fun for a mother and daughter to work on together. I hope you are having a fabulous day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. I am not a seamstress, Lynn, so your instructions were perfect for me to follow and I agree this looks easy enough for me to make. it's adorable!

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  5. Very, very cute, Lynn! Your directions are GREAT! I will have Ms. C. make one...she just finished her Barbie Hula Skirt this weekend. Photos posted soon.

    I made a 'candy corn' jumper for her when she was little. You can see it on my photobucket site here:

    http://s102.photobucket.com/user/Rettabug/media/CandyCornjumper.jpg.html?sort=6&o=212

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  6. That is adorable and a perfect color palate for Barbie as we transition to the fall! Love, love!

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  7. I love this idea. I am definitely going to pin it. My granddaughter is just getting to the age where she is starting to like barbies so I look forward to making lots of clothes.

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  8. Looks pretty easy. Thank you for sharing.
    xo

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  9. Where is Barbie's bra, Lynn? hahahahaha

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  10. Super cute! The perfect Halloween outfit!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  11. This is so cute. I made a ton of Barbie clothes when my daughter was young. Love the candy corn idea. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  12. Love it...so wishing for a granddaughter to make Barbie clothes with! lol Thanks for sharing at The Scoop!...hugs...Debbie

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  13. I pinned this awhile back and just made it with my daughter tonight. Such a cute dress for her Barbie for Halloween. Thanks for sharing. This was my first sewing project in YEARS. Was easy and fun!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for letting me know you made it! Glad it worked out-that makes me happy:@)

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  14. Adorable! Pinned and shared on Facebook. My daughter was a huge Barbie fan and still is! She'd love this too:)

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  15. Thanks for reminding me of this post. It's adorable. I love how you used printed fabrics. I wanted to use some for my dress but I didn't have enough yellow print. Your barbie clothes are too cute!

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  16. Super cute candy corn dress! Barbie looks awesome in it! I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to play with Barbies. I'll make clothes for her Barbies, too. :-)

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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  17. My mom used to make my Barbie clothes! I'm sure I would have loved this! I included it in my Candy Corn Whimsy Wednesday Features today!

    You can see it here http://www.ohmy-creative.com/holiday-crafts/halloween/15-candy-corn-desserts-crafts/

    Thanks for linking this week!
    Susan

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