Recycled Plastic Bag Hula Skirt for Barbie-Tutorial & Peanut Shell Coconut Top

Aloha! This Barbie came with a bathing suit so I thought a Recycled Plastic Bag Hula Skirt would be a cute-free-quick craft. I like that kind:@) And if you already have an elastic ponytail band to donate to the project it's even faster! This skirt just loves to blow in the wind.

Recycled Plastic Bag Hula Skirt for Barbie
You will need:
a ponytail band or piece of elastic wide enough to fit over the doll's hips
tan (or color of choice) plastic bag
scissors

1. Start by flattening your grocery bag (you'll only need one and probably won't use all of it).
2. Cut the handles straight off, and the bottom straight off. Click the picture to make it bigger.
3.Cut the bag in half vertically and begin making strips. I aimed for about 1/4" wide.

4. If you don't have a ponytail band tie a piece of elastic into a circle big enough to fit over the doll's hips.
5. Since my elastic was thick I wrapped the two ends in some masking tape and trimmed the excess. If your elastic is thin just tie the loose ends in with the band as you add the strips.

6. Begin tying the strips onto the elastic with a double knot. (Bring the sides of the plastic up evenly around the elastic.) Don't pull the plastic to tight, it can break. Keep pushing it to one side to completely cover the elastic band.

7. Every once in a while twist the knots to point downward and when finished make them all point downward.
8. If necessary give the bottom a little trim to even the skirt out a bit.

Easy-Peasy!

 And here's a little surprise I noticed when the skirt was done, the recycling logo-I love it!

 

How about adding a cute 'coconut top' made from peanut shells to complete the outfit:@)
Yep, peanut shells. The most time consuming part is sorting through the bag looking for big peanuts.
This is a fun little summer project that really doesn't cost any money and would keep the kids busy for a while.

Directions for Coconut Top:

Pick out some chubby looking peanuts... 

If you're lucky you might find one that has two plump ends and you won't have to glue the top together😉
Rinse the shells off and dry well if they were salted peanuts.

Glue two pieces together to create the top.

Glue a 12"ish, piece of ribbon to inside of shells.
You want it long enough to tie into a bow behind the doll's back.

 Optional:

You could add another piece of ribbon between the shells that would tie behind the doll's neck.

Or you could slip a hairband around the center and put that around her neck.

I just tied the top behind her back and that worked fine for me.
(A small piece of tape on the back might add extra security that the top won't slip, if desired.)

Barbie says... Aloha, where's the pig roast???😎

To which my mascot Earl says...

Ok folks, as you can tell I'm having some fun with the doll clothes.
I believe in running with inspiration any time it hits and hope these ideas make a child smile!

Please stop by my Barbie Pinterest Board to view all crafts at a glance.

Have a happy day:@)

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