Making a LIFE SIZE Barbie Dress : Homecoming Queen Barbie
Today we are making barbie clothes...er, dresses, er barbie inspired clothes? That sounds better. This was a fun little project and I'm quite pleased with the finished result - and excited to continue this series with more designs in the future!
Speaking of continuing the series - a poll of future barbie options will go live tomorrow morning!
In the mean time here are some photos of the finished dress. As well as the dimensions of the pieces used for the skirt. I got a LOT of pattern requests for this project, but it's just a series of half circles and rectangles (lots and lots of rectangles) and pretty easy to draft on your own.
And now I must return to making a leopard print chiffon blouse from a 1990s pattern...
SKIRT CONSTRUCTION NOTES:
I used 30 yards of matte tulle in the color "Island Paradise" for this project. 18 yards of petticoat net, and five yards of casa satin in the color "Moonlight Jade" - all purchased from Jo-anns.
The skirt is basically just half circles and rectangles. All the skirts were drafted with 34" waistlines that were gathered down to 28" to fit the bottom edge of the bodice.
Lining/Underskirt : 40.5" half circle skirt - includes 1" hem allowance and 1/2" seam allowance at upper edge
Tulle base layer: 33.5" half circle skirt - includes 1" hem allowance and 1/2" seam allowance at upper edge.
Lines were marked every 6.5" on fabric to indicate ruffle placement. First ruffle begins at top edge of tulle base layer.
ALL ruffles were 11.5" long. Starting from the top of the skirt and working down I used:
Tier 1. 1.5 strips that were 57" wide for the first layer, 2 strips that were 57" wide for the second layer (gathered to 40")
Tier 2. 2 strips that were 57" wide for the first layer, 3 strips that were 57" wide for the second layer (gathered to 60")
Tier 3. 2.5 strips that were 57" wide for the first layer, 4 strips that were 57" wide for the second layer (gathered to 80")
Tier 4. 3.5 strips that were 57" wide for the first layer, 5 strips that were 57" wide for the second layer (gathered to 100")
Tier 5. 4 strips that were 57" wide for the first layer, 6 strips that were 57" wide for the second layer (gathered to 120")
Tier 6. 4.5 strips that were 57" wide for the first layer, 7 strips that were 57" wide for the second layer (gathered to 120")
Tier 7. 5 strips that were 57" wide for the first layer, 8 strips that were 57" wide for the second layer (gathered to 140")
That is over 50 strips in total. Good luck!
PETTICOAT CONSTRUCTION NOTES:
Once again : All the skirts were drafted with 34" waistlines that were gathered down to 28" to fit the bottom edge of the bodice. The variation in skirts only has to do with the length. Starting from the bottom layer and working out I used:
Layer one: 30" long half circle skirt - includes 1/2" seam allowance at upper and lower edge + five 6" x 57" strips gathered to match hem length of half circle skirt.
Layer two: 24" long half circle skirt - includes 1/2" seam allowance at upper and lower edge + five 12" x 57" strips gathered to match hem length of half circle skirt.
Layer three: 19" long half circle skirt - includes 1/2" seam allowance at upper and lower edge + four 17" x 57" strips gathered to match hem length of half circle skirt.
Layer four: 15" long half circle skirt - includes 1/2" seam allowance at upper and lower edge + four 21" x 57" strips gathered to match hem length of half circle skirt.
This was worn overtop a knee length petticoat from a vintage website.
Making a LIFE SIZE Barbie Dress : Homecoming Queen Barbie (YouTube)
Comments (24)
I wish we could put more than one like. This was ridiculously lovely.
Wow, such beauty!
Beautiful workmanship, Angela! All that math for the skirt, you have my deepest respect. I could never calculate anything like it.
I love this but it was bothering me that it reminded me of something and I couldn't think what. Then it came to me- Patty Simox's prom dress in Grease. Now I've looked it up they're not exactly the same but they both have that amazing 50s ruffly poufy vibe. Fabulous!
This turned out beautifully fabulous. It was important to see that when you ran into little problems (little - maybe not, but you just nailed it.) like not enough tulle fabric, you worked around it like the pro that you are; and what a fun project it turned out to be.....worth a second and third look.
From the start this seemed like the ideal project for Angela, 1950 style, but with over the top ruffles. And that combination made it great fun to watch. And yes, the only word for the end result is cute, I have to agree.
I loved your Barbie inspired dress video so much I had to join your Patreon to support your efforts. Also to encourage more Barbie inspired content. You inspired me to pick up my needles again. Great job!
You're being sooo productive this month, Angela, it's very inspiring! Great job once again on this beautiful dress, very on brand! Also, the tapestry suit you got: GOALS
Beautiful!
I think there should be an Angela Clayton Barbie !! Guin included !
Literally squealed into my hands at the worn photos!! So beautiful and perfect! Really excited to see more of this "series". And thanks for much for including all those construction instructions!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
omg this is so gooood!!!!1
This was so fun to watch and the skirt having enough structure to stand up on its own made me laugh. Love this so much!
That's the sign of a good petticoat lol!
Sooooooooo cuuute!! 🤩I love it
So much Barbie goodness, right down to the fabulous glittery eye shadow. 🌹
How fun!
This was amazing! Please share with us the process for your make-up. This would have fit perfectly in the back to the Future Enchantment Under the Sea dance!
Thank you! I actually filmed a makeup tutorial a while back and plan on posting it next week! :)
OMG it looks absolutely amazing! Right now I'm trying to make a vintage Centennial pattern!
Angela quotes: "I hate drafting sleeves, they're not least favorite" "Sewing in closures is my least favorite part of any project" "Sewing up the back seam will be my least favorite part" "Winding bobbins is my least favorite sewing task"
I'm a hateful person when it comes to the sewing tasks I'm bad at.
I made an Easter dress out of the fabric that is covering your ironing board!!!