Sewing doll clothing
By creematee
@creematee (2810)
United States
February 26, 2007 9:42am CST
I was wondering if anyone had any tips for sewing fasion doll clothing (i.e. Barbie) Those seams are so tiny, and the hemming is awful!! I have tried cutting the patterns a little larger and then lining them, so I don't have to hem, but this gets tedious. I have 2 little girls that like their Barbies, but the prices of her clothes are outlandish!
3 responses
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
11 May 07
Aleen's puts out a wonderful product called "Hot Stitch Glue". It's in a little blue bottle and it comes out in granual form. You use a hot iron to "melt" the glue so that it holds the two pieces of fabric together. It is wonderful for small projects like Barbie clothes and saves you the misery of hand hemming or trying to machine hem the item. I got a dowell and wrapped some cotton quilt batting around it (it doesn't take alot, and you'll find tons of uses for this tool)I used "Warm and Natural" and it takes maybe a quarter of a yard maybe a little more. Then you can slip your Barbie garment on it to do the pressing and it will keep the sections separated yet still allow you to do the pressing.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
12 May 07
Thank you for the tip! I use Aleen's glues for a lot of things, I've never heard of the hot stitch glue. I'll have to see if I can find it. Sounds like it would be a lifesaver! I've got a lot of extra batting, also from my quilts, so the doll form idea helps a lot, too! Since th girls never want to give their babies up long enough for mom to try on her newest outfit! :)
@creematee (2810)
• United States
14 May 07
I found some this weekend! I was at the hobby lobby store, and there it was... just calling my name. :) Can't wait to get my sewing table found again, so I can see if it works. Thanks again, for the idea!!!!
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
12 May 07
I forgot to add that when you wrap the batting around the dowell you want to cover the batting with some fabric so that it protects the batting. I hadn't thought of using it for a dress form too. When I was making Barbie clothes, I bought a Barbie from the thrift shop so I had one to fit the clothes to.
I don't know if Aleen's still has a web site, but it would be a place to start. I lost track of her after her program was canceled. I use tons of her tacky glue (gold label) for making my fur bears. I dilute the glue and then use it on the lining fabric that I attach to the leather of the fur.
1 person likes this
@maclinda (91)
• United States
27 Feb 07
I would also use pinking shears to cut the pieces, so you only have to turn the hem once, and not worry about the side seams raveling.
Fleece is a great material; you wouldn't have to hem it. Doesn't make those glamorous gowns, though! ;-) Well, maybe if you used lots of trim...lol My granddaughter is very into "glam" right now.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
27 Feb 07
I do have lots of left over fleece right now from blankets that I've been making. Hmm... That would make fantabulous PJ's for those Barbies. Even fur coats. LOL!! If I use the pinking shears do I cut ON the line or on the outside? I know silly question, and having the experience that I have with sewing I should know that answer, but I've never really used my shears, except for cutting edges of fabric for "cookies in a jar" gifts.
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
26 Oct 11
i used to love sewing clothing for my barbie dolls i never had the money to just buy barbie doll clothing when i was a little girl and when i played with barbie dolls and i did not like waiting until Christmas to get barbie doll chothes as a gift so i taught myself how to sew together my own clothes i cut the pattern front and back out of old left over fabric that my grandmother had and then i stitched the two pieces together i was never able to make extensive clothes but dresses, shirts, and pants
