Barbie Outfit Give-Away

Welcome to Modest Barbie Style's first give-away contest!

As mentioned in our last post, every Barbie that joins our ranks here at Modest Barbie Style is given a name, chosen by my 6-year old daughter, Avalon. These two new Barbies are in need of names, and she and I have decided that we are going to let you all in on the naming process.

So, here's how it's gonna work:

--Leave a comment on this post with ONE suggested name for each Barbie. One for the dark-haired, and one for the blonde.

--Check all previous posts to make sure that you are not entering a name that has already been suggested.


--If I do not know you, leave either an e-mail or blog address so I can contact you if you win.


--On Sunday, February 7th, Avalon will choose the Barbies' names from the ones suggested (the entrants will be unknown to her) and the people who suggested the winning names will be the winners!


--The winners will be contacted, and announced on this blog Monday February 8th, and will be able to custom order one Barbie outfit to their liking, free of charge! If you suggest both the winning names, you guessed it! You get TWO outfits!

So, turn up those creative juices, and try to imagine what a 6-year-old Barbie fanatic might name her Barbies!

A bit about the judge:

Avalon is 6 and 3/4 years old. She is exuberant, intelligent, and brighter than a summer day. She loves ruffles and sprinkles and glitter. She adores anything girly, but doesn't think twice about getting good and dirty. She likes cowgirls and boots, as well as running, swimming, and riding her bike. Her favorite thing in the world is art, and she spends hours a day drawing, painting, and planning elaborate creations. She is so excited to be a part of this contest, and can't wait to pick the winning names.

Good luck everyone!

Meet the Girls

A while back, I had mentioned that I needed to expand our ranks here at Modest Barbie Style and bring on another Barbie model. I have brought on two. Now, according to tradition, my 6-year-old daughter, Avalon gets to choose the names of all incoming Barbies. So, we have decided to turn the naming into a contest.

Next week, we will begin a Barbie-naming contest that will run the whole week. The person who suggests the names that Avalon eventually choses for our new Barbie recruits will Win a Free Barbie Outfit! All of the details for the contest will be available here by Monday morning.

In anticipation of my upcoming contest, I would like for all of you to meet "The Girls". Who they are is a combination of My daughter's impressions, and what they have told me about themselves, of course!

Lets start with Laura.

Name: Laura
Sign: Scorpio

Favorite pastime: Putting on make-up, dancing
Favorite color: Light blue

Favorite animal: Parakeet
Favorite food: Pistachio ice cream

Name: Sara
Sign: Pisces

Favorite pastime: church, ballet
Favorite color: Pink

Favorite animal: Panda
Favorite food: Peach pie

Name: Teresa
Sign: Aires

Favorite pastime: swimming, roller-blading
Favorite color: red

Favorite animal: Dolphin
Favorite food: Pina colada slurpee

Name: Danielle
Sign: Libra

Favorite pastime: volunteering, cooking
Favorite color: sage green

Favorite animal: kittens
Favorite food: Chocolate chip cookies

Name: Ginger

Sign: Capricorn

Favorite pastime: Reading, designing clothes
Favorite color: Black

Favorite animal: Animals are messy
Favorite food: Fried salmon in mushroom sauce

Name: Skipper
Sign: Aquarius

Favorite pastime: Musical theatre, watching chick flicks
Favorite color: Yellow

Favorite animal: Great dane puppies
Favorite food: Pepperoni pizza

"Now for us!"

These two girls are the ones who are ready to be named.

"It's bad enough that we have to wear her home-made clothes! Give us names!"

Start getting your favorite names ready for next week's contest! Come back Monday for full details, and enter to WIN!!

See you then!

Economy Pack

SOLD

Modest Barbie Style's first economy pack!

Get two pants, two shirts, two dresses, and a night gown for only $25!

Visit http://www.modestbarbie.etsy.com/ for more pictures, and to buy.

If you would like to special-order your own economy pack, and specify colors and other options, please email me at modestbarbie@gmail.com.

Ginger

I would like to present to you:

Ginger

I had the honor of receiving this prized and much-loved

1961 original "Ginger" barbie from my Mother today.

My Mother loved her, and played with her every day as a child. I adored her, and begged my Mother to let me play with her when I was a child. Today, she has come to my house to take up a place of honor among my precious things.

Ginger will be here to serve as mentor and teacher to the rest of "the girls" at Modest Barbie Style. Since she has extensive experience in the Barbie style world, and in modeling Barbie fashion, she will serve on our "staff" alongside me, and together we will bring Modest Barbie Style to higher hights. Thanks, Mom. We love you.

Bubble Gum Princess

Please enjoy a preview of things to come:
My first princess dress! This is a prototype, and has hidden flaws, so it is not for sale, but there will be other, better ones in the future that will be! Contact me at modestbarbie@gmail.com, if you are interested in ordering one for only $10.50!

Bubble Gum Princess

Getting Ready for Summer

The sun is shining,

The grass is green,

















The orange and palm trees sway...













But does barbie have a modest swimsuit that can get her through the season? Yes she does!

In My Dreams...

When I dream, I dream that I am an amazing seamstress, and that my Barbie dresses look like these. I have never seen anything sewn so tiny and so beautifully, have you?

What I love the most are the details. The Buttons in just the right size, the fur, the nylons, the gloves... and the ribbon, and the lace...not to mention the fabrics. And what I wouldn't do to have shoes to match the stuff I make!

One day... I will get there.

In the mean time, I continue to want to gear my clothing toward the little girls in our lives. I want my clothes to be practical and sturdy, able to withstand many hours of play. I want them to be appealing to the younger generation of girls, who still like ruffles and polka-dots and princess dresses. I want to make the clothing that will stir their imaginations, and facilitate healthy, imaginative play for my daughters, and as many little girls as I can.

Why Do I Do This?

Did I tell you why I want to sew these clothes so badly? I have always believed very strongly that the greatest beauty comes from virtue. Virtue comes from a striving for moral excellence. It creates a clear vision of the beautiful soul within, unfettered with the distractions and dullness of worldly "glamour".



Clothing should be used to ourselves respectfully, giving more attention to our inner beauty and personalities. It should be stylish in a way that is not distracting, but "comely".

For example,



This picture shows Barbie happily clothed in practical, stylish, and appropriate clothing. Her midriff is covered (I think), her shoulders are covered, her pants come to an appropriate length. Not only that, but she is anxiously engaged in good, wholesome work. This is what I want my daughter to see when she thinks of Barbie--an honest and healthy representation of a righteous young woman.


This is my goal at Modest Barbie Style. To make and share modest and wholesome Barbie clothes for all the scores of Barbie lovers across the web. Please help the young girls in your life to seek and make virtue in their own lives.

Barbie Butt Crack

I am plagued with this desire to create a fitted barbie pant that does not show a huge butt crack when the doll sits down. As it is right now, not even Mattel has created such a thing. What is the use of snaps in the back if they just pop open when the doll sits down? That is far from modest and more than a little bit annoying... especially to my perfectionist and Barbie enthusiast 6-year-old daughter. So, here is my current progress in this experement. What do you think?

As for my Etsy site, it is starting to look like a real store now! There are 4 whole items for sale! Click on the links to the right if you are interested.

I tried sewing another jacket, this time with faux suede fabric, and the results have been truly satisfying. It is fully lined, and I even got the buttons to go on in exactly the same spot that the snaps are!

What do you think? Cute, huh?

Taking the pictures is almost as fun as making the clothes! Especially since I get to do it with my mom. My camera is still broken, so she helps me pose them, and lets me use her camera.

I think I am ready to take on another Barbie model. I will be "interviewing" for that position within the next few weeks. I would prefer another non-blonde. Perhaps we should become racially diversified.

What do you think?

Pricing Ideas

Friends:

I have been hard at work creating new patterns and trying them out. I created my first suit jacket today out of black paisley cotton. It is okay, but my prototypes are always a little off. Next time, it will be awesome!

I am hoping to get some more matching outfits posted in the next couple of days, too, so click the link to follow my blog, and come back soon!

For those of you curious about pricing, here is a bit of an idea for you:

In general, each item will probably go for about $4-5 each, with higher prices for coats or fancy dresses, and discounts for bulk orders. (Like $3.50 per item if you order 6 or more items.) Some special matching outfits will have special pricing, too.

Remember: My Facebook friends and those referred by one of my facebook friends get free shipping!

Remember: The best way to do this is to CUSTOM ORDER. There is no extra charge, and you will get exactly what you need for your Barbie wardrobe. Here is a very small sampling of some of the fabrics I have available. I have a whole dresser full of more fabric! So think outside the box, and let me know what you need.

Here Goes

So today I am going to post my very first items on Etsy. I am nervous and excited. My mom helped me take a few pics last night because my camera is broken, and all I have to take pics with is my cell phone. She had the great idea to put backdrops behind them, and I love it!

Also, my daughter, Avalon got involved, and created her own Barbie scene with my mom's old Barbie kitchen. After that, the Barbie named Laura decided to do a little Tai Chi.

Today I finished this blue dress in only an hour. That means that I am increasing in speed on this pattern, and all the other colors I have planned for it will be following very soon.

I love this! I have not felt this excited to waking up in the morning for a very long time. I have decided that developing your talents and working hard to make something beautiful is good for our mental health. So wether anyone buys this stuff or not, I will find joy in it, and my daughter's Barbies will be very well-dressed.

The Beginning of a Hobby

I love hobbies. I have so much interest and enjoyment in so many, that it is a challenge to prioritize between them all. Housework and personal appearance inevitably gets ignored. But Oh well! Who needs a clean house or combed hair? Not me! Not when I have my sewing machine!




I have been sewing since I was seven years old, and it was not long after that I got my very first sewing machine. I spent my childhood shut in my room, poring over home-made doll clothing patterns, and lop-sided custom pillows. As time went on, I graduated to baby blankets, and dresses for my two girls.

Then, as I watched my oldest daughter grow from a baby to a child, I debated long and hard about whether I would let her own or play with Barbies. I have always been concerned about the unsuitable and immodest clothing available for them, and I knew that if she ever became interested in owning Barbies, their clothing would have to reflect the standards for modesty that I have for myself and my children.







So, when I decided that I would allow her to have Barbies, I was thrilled with the prospect of immersing myself in the excitement and satisfaction of creating and making doll clothing once again. I have just begun my own Etsy shop, and I have just prepared my first order for my first customer. Of course, all prototypes will become property of my 6-year-old daughter, and one day, her 1-year-old sister.


For now, I am thrilled to be able to provide modest options for all Barbie-lovers, and to encourage a new generation of girls to find beauty in virtue.

If you are interested in purchasing any of my Modest Barbie creations, please visit my site at http://www.modestbarbie.etsy.com/ or leave me a comment. Thanks!