easy sewing aprons

easy sewing aprons

If you Can Crochet, you Can Make Barbie Doll Clothes

Most people who crochet have made doilies, motifs, edgings or insertions at some time. If you can make these, you can easily convert them into beautiful clothes for a Barbie doll. The wonderful thing about crochet is that you can easily change the size by using smaller thread or a smaller hook. If you have a pattern that you love but find the motif is too large, you can make it smaller, and vice versa. These are ideas I used many times over the years to make doll clothes.

Remember, there are so many varieties of thread; white, ecru, pastels, bright colours, metallic.

Beading adds a wonderful look to Barbie's clothes. Ribbon is run through small holes and either tied or you can place a small piece of velcro on each end.

Any motif can be filled in or very lacy; simply place the lacy motif over a piece of fabric lining and tack the corners.

Barbie's dimensions are:

Bust: 6"

Waist: 3 3/4"

Hips: 5"

To make a cape:

Crochet any square motif.

You will want it an inch wider than Barbie's shoulders.

Crochet a beading row and run small ribbon through the beading.

Tie around Barbie's shoulders.

To make a skirt:

Each skirt will have either elastic thread around the top to make a full skirt or sew up the back to 1" from the top and put ribbon beading around the top.

Remember that the elastic must go over Barbie's hips so it must measure 5 1/2" when stretched.

Also remember to leave enough elastic to tie. After you tie, run the ends back through the top and snip leaving at least 1/2". I put a dab of liquid sewing on the ends to keep from unravelling.

Crochet two motifs larger than Barbie's hips and join.

Crochet several small motifs and join (this can be made in different colours for a patchwork look).

Crochet a picot or ruffled edging around the bottom.

To make a pinafore apron:

Crochet one large motif for the bottom of the apron and a smaller motif for the apron bib.

Crochet beading on the top of each motif and join the two motifs.

Run ribbon through the beading for ties.

To make an easy top:

Use your favourite insertion pattern. Crochet two; each measuring 6 1/2" wide and as long or as short as you wish, depending on whether you want it midriff, waist length or longer. Join the sides to the arm pits and join the insertions at the top with just one or two stitches so it will pull over her head.

A Slinky Dress or Top from Elastic Thread:

Using elastic thread (gold metallic is the fashion right now), crochet a square in sc 5 3/4" wide and choose your length (waist, mini, knee or full length). This dress will be sleeveless and slide onto Barbie. It must be narrower than her bust or it will slide down. Add a gold ribbon around her waist.

To make Beading:

Join thread at corner; * ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across.

Run ribbon through beading.

About the Author

Karens Variety is a craft patterns retail site with a large selection of new and used crochet, knitting, needlework, cross stitch, plastic canvas, tatting, embroidery, macrame, dolls and sewing patterns, craft books and PDF reproductions of vintage patterns and pattern books. Learn more by visiting the site; subscribe to the Newsletter. Enter the monthly Contest

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quick and easy sewing projects?

what are some very simple sewing projects that come out looking very nice

like this one: http://blog.betzwhite.com/2009/05/10-minute-pillowcase-apron.html

patterns aren't required but are helpful :)

A *personal* pillow case in your favorite print - or a design that the person that you want to give it to would really like comes to mind.

Measure a pillow case the size of the one that you want to duplicate (standard, oversized, queen, or king - or the longer body pillow) and cut a piece of fabric an inch over 2X the width and the length plus 4" (or so) for the hem and seam allowances.

Sew the bottom and the narrow side, turn down the hem and fold up the bottom 1/4" to 1/2" inside to give a finished edge that won't ravel. Sew it by machine - optional - trim with rick rack, lace, embroidery stitches, etc.

There are prints out there with cartoon characters, cars, trains, planes, stars, robots, dolls, flowers, flames, dragons, skulls, and a thousand other prints that could appeal to anyone you might want to make one for.

Same shape of fabric in various sizes & weights of fabric then add a drawstring casing instead of a standard hem. You've got a bag for laundry, marbles, or jewelry (you could make it of silver cloth so that it could be used to store sterling silver where it won't tarnish).

Tote bags are popular right now - the green movement has a lot of people wanting to use their own fabric bags for groceries & other shopping. There are patterns on line or in various other locations on how to make a tote bag that folds up & tucks into a small pocket that is attached to the tote, making it easy to put in your purse, pocket, or car to carry with you for use when you need a bag.

Nylon ripstop (parachute fabric or windbreaker fabric) makes a strong, light weight tote bag that will fold up amazingly small. Denim or canvas makes a strong plain bag that can be painted, appliqued, embroidered, or left blank for the owner to personalize. Upholstery fabric such as tapestry makes a strong bag that won't be easily picked up by the wrong person at the checkout - although it will take up more room wherever it is stored.

Tote bags & drawstrings can be combined to make simple back packs......the possibilities are almost endless.

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