Sewing Clothes for Barbie

Make a little girl's fashion wishes come true with this book of twenty-four outfits for Barbie. It doesn't matter which doll she has either, as the patterns are sized for original, petite, curvy and tall Barbies - just like real patterns! Save money on pricey premade outfits and be a green crafter by using up all those scraps from other projects. I like the way the outfits run the gamut of styles from glamorous to everyday, with a bit of fantasy thrown in for fun. Barbie gets to dress up as a princess, super hero, mermaid and fairy as well as in a bikini and evening gown but she is also shown in a long boho summer outfit, trousers, jumper and woolly hat, and walking on the beach in her yellow mac. All the patterns are full sized and can easily be traced or photocopied if you don't own a scanner; some simple shapes such as rectangles are given as measurements and require a ruler. The projects consist of a page-sized photograph of Barbie wearing the outfit in situ, together with a list of what you need and written instructions with the type of simple drawn diagrams you see on patterns. If you are a beginner sewer this is not the best book to start with as it does not teach the basics, being just a book of patterns with instructions. You don't need much sewing knowledge to tackle these tiny garments but you certainly need to know how to use a sewing machine as well as cope with seams and hems, darts and do things like set wee sleeves. This is a well presented book that is easy to use and a lot of fun, as Barbie gets dressed up in her culottes to visit Paris, puts on her dungarees for a bit of DIY, tours a city in her smart coat and gets married. A fun way to use up scraps and make some presents that are sure to be appreciated by every Barbie fan. * myshelf.com * A costume designer and author of many books about dressmaking, fashion and illustration, Annabel shares a collection of twenty-four stylish outfits for the well-dressed Barbie doll. Each outfit is beautifully presented and styled in full colour, with trace-off patterns, each colour-coded for the different types of Barbie doll. The outfits range from beach-wear through formal and informal day clothes to evening and wedding dresses. Small-scale clothes-making can be fiddly, but Annabel's comprehensive instructions simplify the process, ensuring success for sewers of all abilities. Barbie doll-lovers of all ages will adore this fun and inspiring book * East Kent Embroiderer's Guild *