• Home
  • About
  • YouTube
  • Esty Shop
  • That’s Sew Cool!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Paige Handmade

You are here: Home / Sewing Tutorial / Becoming a Barbie!

Becoming a Barbie!

in Sewing Tutorial on 04/02/21

When I was a little girl, I loved playing with Barbies. I had quite a collection. I remember laying all the outfits across the floor and wishing I could wear my favorite Barbie dresses. Little did I know that I could… all I had to do was grow up and learn how to sew. This is the power of sewing… You can take an idea and make it a reality. This is how I did it.

Planning Stage

The Suburban Shopper Barbie caught my eye years ago and I wanted to recreate the entire outfit in my size. This month felt like the right time. Barbie just celebrated her 62nd birthday on March 9, 2021. Suburban Shopper Barbie debuted in 1959 and was reproduced as a limited edition collectors’ doll in 2000. I bought one of the collectors dolls on eBay and spent hours searching online for all the perfect supplies. I am going to breakdown all the supplies and the cost. This definitely wasn’t a cheap project, but it was worth it to me. Let’s get to it…

Supplies & Cost

  • Collector Barbie from eBay: $157.78 (I could resell her, but I wont. She is a keeper!)
  • Blue Chambray Fabric from Fabric.com: $53.49 (3.5 yards)
  • Cotton Eyelet Lace Trim from Laceking on Etsy: $50.80 (28 yards total, two 14 yard pieces)
  • Lace for Flower Applique from Kabooco on Etsy: $7.82 ( I spent hours looking for this!)
  • The Zooey Petticoat from Malco Modes: $59.01 (white, size medium. It is so soft! Love it.)
  • White Wedge Shoes from Amazon: $32.84 (They are not high quality materials, but I do like these shoes. I wore them all day when photographing this dress and did not get any blisters. I’ll definitely wear them in the future.)
  • Straw Bag from Amazon: $29.47 (fun bag, lined, I’ll use it. Thumbs up.)
  • Straw Hat from Amazon: $13.54 (costume worthy? yes/maybe. real life wearing? no.)
  • The real pink vintage phone (pictured above): $0.00 (It is actually my daughters’ play phone that once was a real functioning phone.)
  • My Sewing Time: Priceless (It was a lot of work!)

Total Cost: $404.75

Was it necessary to buy the actual Barbie? No, but I am glad I did. It made for fun pictures and I could analyze the dress better with it in my hands. I was extremely particular about the supplies I bought. Accuracy mattered more than the cost. I could have easily bought cheaper trims, but they wouldn’t have been as nice. Also, I picked a nice fabric for the base of the dress. It is 100 percent cotton and nice quality. The shoes, bag, hat, and petticoat were needed for the full look. The petticoat is great quality and I am so happy to finally have one. That wraps up the supplies and accessories.

The Full Video Tutorial

https://youtu.be/iD9xOAuH0ZA

Details

I really love the eyelet lace and little applique flowers. I think they reflect the Barbie dress as close as possible. I also like the way the darts make the lace misaligned. It is more interesting to look at. I wouldn’t change a thing.

For a brief moment I considered skipping the pockets. I know, I know… “It has pockets!” forever. I went for the extra work and made big squared pockets, my favorite, because my phone can lay on its side in the pocket. They turned out great and I love that they are even more hidden in the pleat.

Now let’s not nitpick over *PERFECT* stripe and waistline matching; it is so very close and I am satisfied. What is a tiny millimeter here and there? I have an invisible zipper tutorial that shows how to align pattern and seams. You can see the thread loop at the top of the zipper that slides into a tiny hook.

Fun Photos!

That’s a wrap! I hope you like my recreation of the Suburban Shopper Barbie. Until next time, go get creative and make something you love.

-Paige

Related

4 Comments

My Sewing Recommendations: Paige Handmade Amazon Storefront*

*The products linked are all products I personally have used, enjoy, or are on my wishlist! Some links may be affiliate links. The affiliate links do not affect the price you pay, but they do provide a small compensation to me. I am a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

« Lucky Green Dress – Vogue’s V8896
Lion Doll Sewing Pattern + 5 Accessories! »

Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    April 29, 2021 at 3:11 am

    You did an amazing job. Looks perfect.

    Reply
    • Paige says

      April 29, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you, Rebecca!

      Reply
  2. Esther says

    December 18, 2022 at 8:54 pm

    OMG, you did an amazing job.I was wondering if you would be okay if I made the same dress? I would like to make a vintage Barbie dress for myself and I would like to do this one as it is something I could actually wear in my daily life

    Reply
    • Paige says

      January 20, 2023 at 2:19 am

      Absolutely! Barbie dresses for all.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! I'm Paige... Paige

...an elf who has achieved Master Tinker status. Give me a tool and I’ll make something! I am married to the coolest nerd and Mama to two girly girls.

My mission is to take the overwhelm out of projects, so you can go get creative and make something you love! a little more backstory…

Getting Started Sewing

How to Thread a Sewing Machine

"You crawl before you walk, you walk before you run." You thread before you sew. I tell people that sewing is just a collection of techniques strung ... View Post

Thread Tension & Troubleshooting

One of the most frustrating problems you may run into when learning how to sew is thread tension issues. The thread can be too tight and bunch up the seam or, ... View Post

Selecting Stitches on a Sewing Machine

Selecting a Stitch Sewing machines can come with a large assortment of stitch options. You'll see some with *50 stitches, *110 stitches, *240 stitches, and ... View Post

paigehandmade

Another pair of socks that deserve a solemate phot Another pair of socks that deserve a solemate photo. They are quirky and cozy. 🧦 

As always, the #imsobasicsocks is the foundation pattern.

#sockknitting #knitsocks #boxofsocks2023
Today I did my own plumbing work for our shower re Today I did my own plumbing work for our shower remodel. I was afraid to do it, but I spent a lot of time learning and preparing. The more information I learned the more I felt capable. The soldering made me nervous and my hands felt a little shaky, but I committed no matter the outcome. I followed all the steps (even if they aren't shown in this tiny video). John encouraged me and showed me how to turn our water supply off for the first time. This was a good exercise in being willing to try something new. I'm really proud! We turned the water on and it's holding tight! On to the next task. 🚿

#bathroomremodel #homerenovation #plumbing
Watermelon socks for my birthday. They have long b Watermelon socks for my birthday. They have long been knit and blocked but I've only just got around to taking a proper photo. They are too cute to neglect. 

Yarn: @labienaimee "Pinku Graffiti" & "Malachite"
Pattern: a spin on @summer.lee.knits #imsobasicsocks
Guess who's back!? My studio tour just went live o Guess who's back!? My studio tour just went live on @youtube. I hope you like getting a peak into how I organize this space. All sources are linked on my blog. Link in profile. 💕

#roomreveal #sewingroom #sewingstudio #homeschoolroom #arossweater
Load More... Follow on Instagram

paigehandmade

Another pair of socks that deserve a solemate phot Another pair of socks that deserve a solemate photo. They are quirky and cozy. 🧦 

As always, the #imsobasicsocks is the foundation pattern.

#sockknitting #knitsocks #boxofsocks2023
Today I did my own plumbing work for our shower re Today I did my own plumbing work for our shower remodel. I was afraid to do it, but I spent a lot of time learning and preparing. The more information I learned the more I felt capable. The soldering made me nervous and my hands felt a little shaky, but I committed no matter the outcome. I followed all the steps (even if they aren't shown in this tiny video). John encouraged me and showed me how to turn our water supply off for the first time. This was a good exercise in being willing to try something new. I'm really proud! We turned the water on and it's holding tight! On to the next task. 🚿

#bathroomremodel #homerenovation #plumbing
Watermelon socks for my birthday. They have long b Watermelon socks for my birthday. They have long been knit and blocked but I've only just got around to taking a proper photo. They are too cute to neglect. 

Yarn: @labienaimee "Pinku Graffiti" & "Malachite"
Pattern: a spin on @summer.lee.knits #imsobasicsocks
Guess who's back!? My studio tour just went live o Guess who's back!? My studio tour just went live on @youtube. I hope you like getting a peak into how I organize this space. All sources are linked on my blog. Link in profile. 💕

#roomreveal #sewingroom #sewingstudio #homeschoolroom #arossweater
Condensing one month into 40 seconds. ⏳ #roomm Condensing one month into 40 seconds. ⏳ 

#roommakeover #renovation #beforeandafter #wallpaper #paint
I tucked away all the Christmas decorations before I tucked away all the Christmas decorations before the start of the new year. These pretty boxes are perfect for storing special ornaments and holding gifts when they are empty for Christmas.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Paige Handmade