So, I'm very excited about this week's craft! To round out our mini-series of ballerina/dance crafts, I thought it would be fabulous to make a barre -- there are almost no tutorials online about how to make your doll a ballet barre, and this version is sturdy, looks great, and goes together pretty easily!
**Giveaway update** We have a winner! It's Rena, who said she loves all kinds of dance, but specifically Fancy Shawl -- "when the dancer mimics a butterfly’s movements". Sounds like a really beautiful dance, and a great part of your cultural heritage Rena! We'll be in touch via email soon :)
Want to get started? All you need is a few things from the hardware store.
I'm using 1/2" PVC pipe for this project. One 5' length should be plenty! You'll also need two T joins, two 3-way elbow joins, two 45 degree joins, two straight connectors, and two end caps. This goes without saying, but make sure all your fittings are the right size for your pipe, and that they're all 'slip joins', not threaded.
Next, cut your pipe into sections. You can use a hacksaw for this, but I like to use a ratcheting pipe cutter. It's much cleaner, safer, and tidier. (And you can do it in your living room, instead of having to resort to the garage!)
Cutting the pieces above will get you a basic barre. If you want to add the second, lower barre, you'll need another piece of pipe 17" long.
I wanted my barre to look rather fancy, so I painted my pipe and fittings.
If you want to add the second, lower barre, now's the time to add some extra, special fittings! You'll need something that looks and works rather like this (I believe it's called a 'split ring hanger'). Drill a hole in your straight connectors, and attach the split ring hanger.
Next, lay out all your pipe pieces, as shown in this picture. Start putting everything together!
And, if you're doing the second barre, go ahead and attach that using the other half of your split ring hanger fittings.
And there you have it! A finished ballet barre, just the right size for your 18" doll!
Happy dancing, and be sure to let us know in the comments if you make this!
149 Comments
Hi Sewbig! I sanded the pipe and fittings lightly and used a spray primer before spray painting. I just used ordinary all-purpose spray paint and let it cure, but a sealer might not be a bad idea!
This is AMAZINGLY creative!!!! I’m rushing to the hardware store RIGHT NOW!!! I am so excited to make one of these. Thank you.
Having been a ballet dancer, I want to make this for my doll! Great work, and your barre looks authentic. Except we did not have blue barres, but ugly old I don’t even know what color they were, barres! LOL!
I love the colors you chose. What type of paint did you use? Did you have to use a primer? Or a sealer?
What a great tutorial. I’m Pinning it now!