Barbie Strapless Dress Free Pattern

Printable sewing pattern to download in pdf form.

There’s one for the old 1966 vintage Mattel shape, one for 1999 Bellybutton shape (which I think is most common nowadays), one for skinny Barbie Basics and one for the 2006 shorter body which is only 11″ tall.

Barbie strapless bodice pattern for 1966 / original

Barbie strapless bodice pattern for 1999 / Bellybutton

Barbie Basics (ModelMuse) and 2006 shorter body

Help figuring out which shape Barbie you have is here

It’s just one pattern piece with 1/4 inch seam allowance. Remember that 1/4″ is smaller than half the average presser foot. If in doubt, make the seams smaller.

Use a gathered rectangle for the skirt, or here’s a new pattern piece to add this A-line skirt.

Instructions

Cut two pieces, put them right sides together. Stitch 1/4″ from the top and sides, clip the corners and turn, then stitch the darts.

(Or, for a smoother interior, stitch the darts on both pieces first, then sew the two pieces together.)

A rectangle for the skirt, leaving a bit on each side to fold over and hem. Then add velcro on the back.

This is the sewing machine that used to make these. It’s a Singer made in Mexico in the eighties. The foot was pressing so hard that it was impossible to sew, and it wasn’t adjustable, so I took the spring completely off and wrapped rubber bands around there instead. It presses just enough!

I also later removed everything electric and strapped the hand wheel to a treadle base. At first I hated that machine– the first one I ever bought and a poor choice– but after doing that much modification to it I’m quite affectionate about it!