Quick and Easy Barbie Dress with Sleeves (Only Two Lines of Stitches!)
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You can make a modest Barbie doll dress in less than five minutes with a scrap of fabric. Here’s how!
This easy sewing project is just one of a big list of free Barbie clothes sewing patterns we have!
See our video tutorial at the end of the directions.
What Type of Fabric to Use
You will need to use a stretch knit fabric for this dress. That just means that the fabric needs to be stretchy (no quilter’s cotton).
While you can buy stretch jersey fabric, you can use old t-shirts or leggings for scrap fabric to make these dresses. So you don’t have to pay any money for a new fashion doll wardrobe.
How to Sew A Barbie Tube Dress
Supplies
- 14 X 3 inch (36 X 8 cm) stretch knit fabric
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat
Directions
Step 1
Cut the fabric.
The stretchiest part of the fabric should be the 3 inch width. The stretchiest part is usually the width that goes across the stomach on shirts and leggings, or the selvedge side on fabric by the bolt.
If you are using a directional fabric (such as lines or plaid), keep in mind the longer side of the fabric will be the one going up and down the length of the dress.
Step 2
Fold the fabric in half, with right sides together, to make a 7 in X 3 inch rectangle.
Pin fabric to secure.
Step 3
Measure 3/4 inch (2 cm) down from the folded top and make a mark or pin on either side.
Step 4
Start stitching below the 3/4 inch mark.
Stitch together the open long edges using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You can usually just use the width of your presser foot as a good judge for a 1/4 inch.
Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and ending of your stitching.
Helpful (and Necessary) Tip: These tiny bits of fabric can easily get caught under the presser foot and dragged into the bobbin thread area. If that happens, it’s okay, but not ideal.
To prevent this, I start stitching about 1/2 inch down the fabric. Then I backstitch almost to the edge, and then start stitching again. Towards the end of my stitching, I start doing a few stitches of backstitching about 1/2 inch from the edge, and then continue sewing forward.
It’s not a perfect solution, but it will save you a LOT of frustration!
Step 5
Cut a neck hole out of the folded top of the fabric. I like to fold the fabric in half and cut out a 1/4 circle shape for a rounded neckline or a small angle for a v-neck neckline.
Folding the fabric in half and cutting on the fold will give you equal spacing and shape on either side of the dress.
Your open neckline should not be larger than 1 inch.
Step 6
Turn the tube inside out. If the seams didn’t line up perfectly, that’s okay. Just trim the fabric to be even.
Want to watch me make this dress? Be sure to see our YouTube video:
Be sure to Pin This idea to remember for later!
If you love this easy Barbie doll dress, be sure to see these quick and easy Barbie clothes sewing patterns, too:
