How to Make Barbie Clothes Out of Socks--no Sew

Katee is a freelance writer who enjoys doing easy, creative crafts, especially with kids.

A No-Sew Doll Clothing Design

TheKatsMeow

How to Make Doll Clothes Without Sewing Anything

Do you have leftover fabric scraps laying around? I propose that you repurpose them into doll clothes. Why? It can be frustrating to find clothing for different doll shapes and sizes, but this no-sew method allows you to use those scraps to make custom garments.

Why No-Sew Clothes Are Great

These projects are . . .

• Affordable. You can use fabric pieces you already own.
• Easy. Children can easily learn to dress up their dolls this way. My 4- and 5-year-old nieces use this method. If they can do it, anyone can!
• Creative. Playtime is more rewarding when you've created your own looks from scratch. It's a great exercise to hone kids' fine-motor skills and broaden their imaginations as they use simple supplies to create limitless wardrobe options.
• Fun. It's a lot of fun to design and put together your own doll clothes!

Clothing Designs in This Article

With this method, I'll show you how to make:

• Rompers
• Skirts
• Dresses (two styles)

Ribbon and lace can be used to dress up your doll in a romper.

TheKatsMeow

DIY Doll Romper

Rompers are extremely simple to make by winding cloth around the doll's body.

What You'll Need

• Ribbon
• Fabric Strips
• Lace

Instructions

1. Wrap a piece of cloth around the doll and tie the ends together in a bow on the side.
2. Embellish the romper with ribbon or lace for fashion accessories.

Other Items You Can Make

Use this method to create different clothing items, such as scarves, vests, tops, dresses, or skirts!

Easy Homemade Doll Skirt

TheKatsMeow

Cut a slit in the center of the circle to create a skirt.

TheKatsMeow

DIY No-Sew Skirt

Turn a fabric scrap into a big, flouncy skirt! All it really takes is a pair of scissors.

What You'll Need

• Fabric
• Scissors
• Ribbon/Lace

Read More From Feltmagnet

Instructions

1. Cut out a circle from a scrap of fabric. The one I made has a diameter of ~12 inches (or 30 centimeters). Try using fabric that won't fray after being cut.
2. Cut the center wide enough to fit your doll. Be careful not to make the hole too big.
3. Dress your doll in the skirt and secure the new garment with a piece of ribbon or lace!

Barbie dressed in her sock dress!

DIY Sock Dress

These dresses are quite simple to make, and it's fun to create many variations. Depending on the sock size, you can create anything from a mini skirt to a long formal gown. Check out the photos above for an illustrated tutorial.

What You'll Need

• Sock
• Scissors
• Ribbon/Lace

Instructions

1. Cut the sock at the heel so that you only have the tube part remaining. Make sure you cut it straight across!
2. Keep the tube section folded. Cut into the sock at the top where the elastic is located. The length you snip will depend on the size of your doll. The slits should be big enough for the arms of your doll to pass through. I cut mine about 0.4" (1cm) in from the side. Repeat to the other side.
3. Dress your doll by putting her arms through the holes. Accessorize with strands of ribbon, lace, or an elastic for a belt!

Here's Barbie wearing the completed halter dress.

DIY Sock Halter Dress

If you want to create a halter dress, just make one change to the instructions for the first dress:

1. Cut only one slit at the top of the sock.
2. Pull your doll's head through the hole.
3. Add a belt to finish off the look.

A Bratz doll wearing some stylish no-sew clothing.

Anyone Can Do It!

My nieces made these outfits themselves! You can see how easy they are to make and how fabric can be cut to fit dolls of different sizes and shapes. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are inspired to try making your own designs!

Thanks for stopping by!

OLOFIN BRIGHT on August 03, 2020:

VERY EASY

Katee Shew (author) from Canada on April 05, 2019:

Thanks for the kind words! I just checked out your blog, I did not know about the Toni dolls, so it was very interesting for me :)

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on March 28, 2019:

Back again to look at your fun ideas. I ended up moving all my doll outfits to a blog that I called All About Toni Dolls. Now, each time I create a new outfit for her, I can blog about it there. I use it as an excuse for playing with dolls since I don't have any grandchildren to do that with.

I need to make an Easter outfit for her.

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on January 13, 2018:

Our minds think alike as I've made no-sew outfits for my Toni doll from a sock, from scarves and a rubber band, and other fabric scraps. I have several hubs featuring those.

Your nieces look like they are having fun too. My hubby thinks I'm a little old to be playing with dolls, but maybe it's my 2nd childhood.

Helen-Jean on August 21, 2015:

Adorable site and good suggestions, even for this young gal of 73.

Journey on March 23, 2015:

Wonderful. Do they work on my dolls?

cece on November 21, 2013:

thanks i'm a doll lover!

stillwaters707 from Texas on June 23, 2013:

I agree. It is creative and inventive. The pictures and thorough instructions were great!

FlourishAnyway from USA on June 06, 2013:

How inventive! People wonder what to do with those extra socks that never find a mate. Save them for the little girl who has a creative spirit and a couple of Barbies! Cute hub.

Katee Shew (author) from Canada on May 27, 2013:

@heidiethorne thank you! I made these as a kid as well and it was a lot of fun :)

Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on May 25, 2013:

Cute and creative! Reminds me of the fun I used to have as a kid making doll clothes.

How to Make Barbie Clothes Out of Socks--no Sew

Source: https://feltmagnet.com/textiles-sewing/How-to-Create-Your-Own-No-Sew-Doll-Clothes

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