The Mind is Willing

So, I took a custom order.

I know, I know... I am trying not to do that. It is just SO hard to turn down those poor, naked, or immodest Barbies!

This last customer requested that I re-make a lot of things I had already made, as you can see below.

I really do need to take a break from custom orders, though, as much as I want to take them.
I am one of those lucky people who suffer from severe morning sickness when I am pregnant, and this time has been no exception. Since I never know when I will be hit with one of those "bad" days, I need to sew on my own schedule, and not be tied down to a deadline.

My goal is to use what good days I have to finish up one more custom order that has already been placed, and make stuff to (finally) post on Etsy.

Further down the road, I will continue the process of researching textile manufacturers and packaging companies, applying for my LLC, and regulating my patterns so they can be digitized.

One day my dream of having accessible, affordable, modest clothing for all the world's fashion dolls will be realized. I just might have to have this baby (and kiss it lots) first.

Taking the Plunge

Well folks... I finally quit my day job.

I receive inquiries for Barbie clothes on a daily basis.

I have some of the sweetest comments on my blog, and some of the kindest e-mails in my inbox.
Modest Barbie Style can no longer be denied.




So the question now is...

How exactly am I going to do this?

While most of you are thinking of how you are going to survive the last 2 days before school starts again, I am thinking of Christmas. If Modest Barbie Style is bestowing me with so much success now, then I have a great opportunity to clothe armies of this Nation's naked Barbies this Christmas.


Alas, I am but one person. One lone seamstress with one sewing machine. Even at my most productive, I can only make so many items a day. It is at times like these whan I wish I had a little factory with automated Barbie clothing-making machines. WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE!!




OH! To sleep, perchance to dream! In my dreams, my clothes would be in cute little packages on the shelves at Toys R Us or Target, and online at an "official" website, and everyone in the world would benefit from modestly-clad Barbies.








For now, I am desparately trying to get even a few days ahead of myself, with possibly even some inventory. I have never had inventory because everything sells before I can finish making it...which I am NOT complaining about!





But wouldn't it be nice to have sets and packs and outfits ready for Christmas? I think so. I think it would be DREAMY!




SO lets see how it goes. Maybe I can figure out a way to streamline. Maybe I can find myself an assistant... "Oh dear husband!... " Haha! Yeah, just watch him run the other way!



Now, my loyal followers, friends, family, and customers... Any suggestions? I'm all ears.



And don't forget: If you are interested in anything I do, you can e-mail me at modestbarbie@gmail.com.

Blushing Bride

UGH!! Can I barf now? My eyes are bugging out, my rear is tired of this chair, and I am all out of white thread.

A Barbie wedding dress is enough to set me off sewing for at least a week. Sadly, I have 2 more to go... all sold already.

As much as I love sewing for Barbie, there are many aspects of this dress I would rather not revisit. Namely: Sewing around beads, double puffing sleeves, and (GASP!) having to hand-sew the veil! (I make a point never to make anything that I can't fit in my machine, except buttons and snaps, which are bad enough!)

Do you think it was worth it? Do you think Barbie will be happy on her big day? You be the judge.

A Few Recent Items

Here are a few of my recently completed items here at Modest Barbie Style.
To my surprise and delight, it is the most modest items that have been selling the best. That is an encouraging sign for our young girls. Take a look:





























Thanks for stopping by.

Barbie Goes Swimming

Driven by popular demand, I have been working on designing a swimsuit for Barbie that is modest, stylish, and whose construction doesn't make me want to pull my hair out. After quite a few almost successes, I have am finally convinced that I have created the pattern that will be the "Modest Barbie Style" trademark swimsuit. Take a look.

As you can see, this swimsuit is made of true swimsuit Lycra, making is stretchy, durable, and water-worthy. It has full coverage in the buns, chest, and even the back, and its halter-top styling makes it stylish and easy to put on and off. It does not contain any velcro (that wears out in water) or small components that could unravel or fray.

The first suit available for purchase is now up at http://www.modestbarbie.etsy.com or you can follow the link/picture on the top right sidebar.

Also, please leave your feedback and opinions on this swimsuit. How can I make it better? Would your child like the look of it? What do you think?

What does Barbie Need?

Here are a few more outfits I have been working on. I am almost done with the current custom orders that I have, and it is about time!

Thanks to all of you loyal and supportive fans, I have been able to keep consistently busy with custom orders for 4 months now!!


Here are a few more outfits I have been working on.

Unfortunately, I am unable to continue to meet demand. For the next 4 months, I will be taking a break from custom orders, and working on expanding my inventory for Etsy .

(I haven't posted anything there in a while.) This will allow me some much needed flexibility in my schedule, and the opportunity to branch out and improve my skills.

As I make this transition, I would love to hear some suggestions and advice of outfits and/or items that you think might be fun to see for Barbie. What do you think she needs?

Behind The Scenes

Here you will find a nearly complete photo journal of what it takes to make a Barbie princess dress. This isn't really a true tutorial, because I do not have patterns to offer to you. I don't have patterns for myself, either. Mostly, I just put the Barbie up to the fabric and cut around her. For this dress, I made sure to make the front bodice piece wider so that I could put in princess seams.


So, first, I cut out the bodice front and back.






Then I cut out the skirt. It is really only a big rectangle. I have 2 layers in this skirt, as you can see.















Then I put in the princess seams. I hold the piece up to the Barbie, mark where her breasts will be, then sew the darts.











Then, I sew the back to the front at the shoulders.










Sew an extra square of fabric to the neckline, then cut out the middle.
















That leaves it looking like this:












Turn that extra piece inside out, sew around the neck again, and you ahve a finished neckline.













See? Pretty.








Then put on the sleeves. (I forgot to take pics of that part, sorry.) These particular sleeves are gathered at the shoulder and at the elbow.





Then sew from the sleeve edge down to the waist on both sides.











Make sure it fits. Adjust, if necessary. I got it perfect the first time! (That only happens once in a while.)











Skirt:Finish lower ends however you want. Then, baste top edges together.












Pull strings to gather. POOF!














Put right sides of skirt and bodice together and baste.

See?

Then go over it again for strength and to make the seam lay straight when you put it on.

If you want, gather up a couple inches of tom layer and "garnish" with a bow.

Turn under the back seams, ending just at the widest part of Barbie's hip.

Start at the bottom of the skirt, and sew up to where the top seams stop at the hip to close the skirt.

Put on velcro. make sure you use REAL velcro. Not that Wal-Mart crap.

Cut off excess threads.

Ta Daaa!! Princess Dress!!!