Most people who crochet have made doilies, motifs, edgings or insertions at some time. If you can make these, you can easily convert them into beautiful clothes for a Barbie doll. The wonderful thing about crochet is that you can easily change the size by using smaller thread or a smaller hook. If you have a pattern that you love but find the motif is too large, you can make it smaller, and vice versa. These are ideas I used many times over the years to make doll clothes.

Remember, there are so many varieties of thread; white, ecru, pastels, bright colours, metallic.

Beading adds a wonderful look to Barbie's clothes. Ribbon is run through small holes and either tied or you can place a small piece of velcro on each end.

Any motif can be filled in or very lacy; simply place the lacy motif over a piece of fabric lining and tack the corners.

Barbie's dimensions are:
Bust: 6"
Waist: 3 3/4"
Hips: 5"

To make a cape:

Crochet any square motif.
You will want it an inch wider than Barbie's shoulders.
Crochet a beading row and run small ribbon through the beading.
Tie around Barbie's shoulders.

To make a skirt:
Each skirt will have either elastic thread around the top to make a full skirt or sew up the back to 1" from the top and put ribbon beading around the top.
Remember that the elastic must go over Barbie's hips so it must measure 5 1/2" when stretched.
Also remember to leave enough elastic to tie. After you tie, run the ends back through the top and snip leaving at least 1/2". I put a dab of liquid sewing on the ends to keep from unravelling.

Crochet two motifs larger than Barbie's hips and join.
or
Crochet several small motifs and join (this can be made in different colours for a patchwork look).

Crochet a picot or ruffled edging around the bottom.

To make a pinafore apron:

Crochet one large motif for the bottom of the apron and a smaller motif for the apron bib.
Crochet beading on the top of each motif and join the two motifs.
Run ribbon through the beading for ties.

To make an easy top.

Use your favourite insertion pattern. Crochet two; each measuring 6 1/2" wide and as long or as short as you wish, depending on whether you want it midriff, waist length or longer. Join the sides to the arm pits and join the insertions at the top with just one or two stitches so it will pull over her head.

A Slinky Dress or Top from Elastic Thread:

Using elastic thread (gold metallic is the fashion right now), crochet a square in sc 5 3/4" wide and choose your length (waist, mini, knee or full length). This dress will be sleeveless and slide onto Barbie. It must be narrower than her bust or it will slide down. Add a gold ribbon around her waist.

To make Beading:
Join thread at corner; * ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across.
Run ribbon through beading.