Barbie's Elegant Gown: Step One Complete

It didn't take as long as I thought to complete the ruffled skirt for the lavender ensemble.  So far, everything is going according to plan... or pattern as it were.  The partly completed skirt can be seen here.

The skirt actually fits!  I followed the pattern precisely and this is the result.  As you can see from the previous blog entry, the skirt was first crocheted and then the ruffles were added on top of the basic design.

I made a modification in the actual construction of the lacy ruffles, but the design did not suffer for it.

Most of the materials I ordered for this project have arrived and just their cost alone, was $64.00.  I was thinking as I was adding the cost of all the pieces up, that I could make a dress for myself for less money.

Another FACTOR I had not bargained for is I don't know if I will want to sell the ensemble once it is completed. I had a brother who created beautiful cat sculptures from chunks of rock--Jade, obsidian, marble--and he always priced them high enough that if they sold, the pain of separation would be far less.  I make have to keep that philosophy in mind when I put the ensemble up for sale.

In the mean time, I will simply enjoy the creative process.

Progress on the Barbie Ball Gown

Progress on the Barbie Ball Gown

This is a picture of the skirt, so far.  I will have it completed by the weekend.  (Work totally interferes with crochet.)

I only work so I can afford to buy crochet necessities. :)  

The ruffles will continue all the way to the bottom of the skirt.
Last night I added a white bead to act as a button at the top of the skirt in the back.

Two Dresses for Barbie

This past weekend was spent working at my regular job.  I did have time to work on an intricate crocheted dress that will fit Barbie. I love Barbies and have been a collector for years.  Making crocheted clothes for them is a new adventure for me.  Once I have a couple under my belt, I intend to design my own Victorian clothing for the dolls.

Out of necessity, there may be a couple of changes to each pattern, but it should be very similar when it is completed.  I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the dress.  Right now, I have just started the white under-skirt.  It is a couple of days from completion.

I also began another project which begins with stringing some 377 beads on the crochet thread... and that is just for the skirt.



The finished product of dress #2 will be different from the dress depicted in that I didn't have enough red beads for the project.  So, I strung red, yellow, orange and white beads on the thread so that I can begin the skirt.  I will start that one as soon as the white under skirt of dress #1 is completed.  I have plans to use my red ribbon and also my red and white satin roses.  I may purchase some yellow and orange roses for the project.  I have a couple of parasol forms, so I will have to wing it to make my parasol.

The only danger in working on two projects at one time is that it is all too easy to get bored with one or the other.  I have found that taking too long on a project makes me loose interest.  However, the items are small enough that they work up pretty quickly.