Hi Everyone! I'm super excited to announce Sewing A Themed Wardrobe: Iconic Styles of Barbie! I've been wanting to tackle this topic for a long time and have so many ideas rolling around in my head. I can't wait to jump in and explore this topic with you!
The course will be divided into four installments.
Part 1. Overview of Vintage Barbie's Impact on Fashion
Brief history of Barbie and her role in fashion
Significance of the vintage styles from the 1950s-1970s
Part 2. Exploring The Details of Vintage Barbie Styles
Signature colors and patterns (e.g., pastels, polka dots) B.
Notable Collections and Outfits, a look at famous Barbie outfits from different eras
Part 3. Materials and Resources
Clothing and Fabric Selection
Tips for sourcing vintage-inspired fabrics 2.
Recommended sewing patterns and DIY options B.
Accessories and Styling, including finding or creating the right accessories (jewelry, shoes, hats)
Part 4. Follow Along In My Recreation Process
Planning Your Look, Selecting an outfit to recreate
Constructing the Outfit, Sewing tips and techniques.
Final Touches and Styling, Assembling the complete look with accessories
Tips for photoshoots or showcasing the outfit
I've collected quite a few vintage Barbie looks in the video posted above, but I'd love to know if any others come ti mind when you reflect back on Barbie from the 60s. Post your thoughts in the comments below or under the video on FB or Youtube!
The book that I show in the video is fantastic, it captures the story of Carol Spencer, one of the early designers hired by Mattel. The story is fun to read through and the pictures are pretty fabulous!
Watch for the full part 1 blog post to post by the end of this week!
2 Comments
Renee B
October 11, 2024
Barbie came out on the market at just the right time for me and my friends. We played Barbie’s everyday. We would haul our Barbie Dream Houses to each others house along with her car, and set them up like a neighborhood street. In summer, outside on the grass. I even remember taking weed clippers to my dads lawn in front of Barbie’s house to make the grass shorter!! If he noticed, he didn’t say anything! Of course the fashions were great and all the little accessories were very important. We were way too young to know that Barbie clothes were copying high fashion, just loved the fit with tiny zippers and tiny buttons. I still have all my Barbie dolls and clothes and house, car & Fashion Shop. The best of times. I think it would be fun to reproduce some of the Barbie fashions for AG size dolls. The Sailor Jacket with white shorts called Resort Set, Friday Night Date, Open Road, Picnic Set, Winter Holiday. But don’t forget Skipper, Barbie’s Little Sister. She had wonderful fashions that copied Barbie and were more for a 10 year old girl, like Red Sensation, Flower Girl, School Days,& Masquerade Party to name a few. The original Barbie fashions were the best. High quality and attention to detail. That’s why I sew doll clothes to this day. Guess I was inspired by my dolls!
Cece
October 09, 2024
While I love the idea of this course, I’d also sort of love a course about sewing for Barbie based on classic vintage styles as well. Is this something that might happen in future?
Renee B
October 11, 2024
Barbie came out on the market at just the right time for me and my friends. We played Barbie’s everyday. We would haul our Barbie Dream Houses to each others house along with her car, and set them up like a neighborhood street. In summer, outside on the grass. I even remember taking weed clippers to my dads lawn in front of Barbie’s house to make the grass shorter!! If he noticed, he didn’t say anything! Of course the fashions were great and all the little accessories were very important. We were way too young to know that Barbie clothes were copying high fashion, just loved the fit with tiny zippers and tiny buttons. I still have all my Barbie dolls and clothes and house, car & Fashion Shop. The best of times. I think it would be fun to reproduce some of the Barbie fashions for AG size dolls. The Sailor Jacket with white shorts called Resort Set, Friday Night Date, Open Road, Picnic Set, Winter Holiday. But don’t forget Skipper, Barbie’s Little Sister. She had wonderful fashions that copied Barbie and were more for a 10 year old girl, like Red Sensation, Flower Girl, School Days,& Masquerade Party to name a few. The original Barbie fashions were the best. High quality and attention to detail. That’s why I sew doll clothes to this day. Guess I was inspired by my dolls!