Leopard Jacket

I'm sure this Barbie was gifted to me because I don't remember buying her. I do remember having to use rubbing alcohol to remove the ink from her face, particularly her mouth.

This jacket almost wound up the garbage. It's McCalls 5462 circa 1991. The suggested fabric was fake fur. I found this fabric at the Salvation army and thought it would be the perfect marriage between pattern and fabric. Boy was I wrong. The finished garment wound up being HUGE. I changed the collar a bit and took in the sleeves and side seams and it still stunk. I took the scissors to it removing several inches of length and was finally satisfied with it. The coat is being worn over this strapless faux leather dress.

I think the wire jewelry, made by me, is the perfect compliment.

Vintage Barbie

I've had this Barbie for 50 years. It was a gift from an uncle and I've kept up with it all these years!

She's wearing a vintage jumpsuit that needed washing and repairing. Expect to see more of her in vintage outfits after more washing and repairing!

 A chance encounter with the family dog left her scarred for life!

Scarred or not she's still fabulous! Notice the sexy "side-eye?"

Barbie Shoes

I made the entire outfit including the jewelry and the Ultrasuede purse but most importantly the shoes! This Barbie was gifted to me and she has the biggest, flattest feet ever. I have over a hundred pairs of Barbie shoes and not one single pair fit her. I think she must be a WNBA Barbie. She has a weird waist and has incredible movement. She has articulated knees and elbows. I had to make her shoes. Using recycled cardboard along with 1/8" ribbon and beads I made these "Toms-like" sandals. I love them. The only drawback is that because her feet are so flat the sandals didn't want to stay on so I added a small amount of double stick tape to inside. Perfecto!

Welcome

Welcome to The Barbie Chronicles. I decided to create this blog to chronicle the fun I'm having sewing for and having fun with my Barbie dolls. I have more than 50 dolls in my collection that I've acquired over the years. I don't consider myself a collector because none of them are in the boxes and none have on their original outfits. I'm an avid sewer so there are always enough scraps around to sew a few Barbie doll outfits.  Don't expected to see too many wedding or ball gowns. My Barbies are "everyday fabulous." Of late I've started to make dioramas and am really enjoying all that goes into it. I'm now a Barbie hair stylist, jewelry maker...you name it, I do it. I hope you enjoy yourself while you're here. Check back often.

Below is my very first diorama. It's a 12x12. I designed it around a floor tile. I used one of my very favorite Barbies for it. I love her sweet face. I made her outfit, jewelry, pipe cleaner dog, tablet, rug, sofa and pillows. The "wallpaper" is a sheet of scrapbook paper. The mirror is from a makeup compact and the lamp is a tea light candle holder for the Dollar Store.

See ya soon!