Crocheting Clothing for New Barbie Body Molds and My Scene Dolls

If you love to crochet doll clothing, than you've probably experienced the disappointment of realizing that all the old 11 ½" fashion doll patterns will not fit the 'modern' Barbie shape or the new My Scene dolls. If this has been your experience, don't despair, there are a few tips you can follow to help ensure a perfect fit despite the cosmetic surgeries Barbie has undergone to become more 'realistic looking.'

Body differences

If you still have an old model of Barbie, than you can easily compare the new version's body type. The classic 1966 body mold has Barbie with narrow hips, a swivel waist, and an exaggerated bust. Because many customers have complained about these ridiculous proportions, the 1999 body mold reflects a better playline body for children and is represented in some of the $5-10 Barbies (usually called a 'basic doll' and come only with one outfit, shoes and a hairbrush) and all of the My Scene female dolls. The new model sports wider hips, smaller chest, and a more realistic body curve, but not swivel waist. They also came out with a 2005 body mold that is the same new style but is a little shorter (I personally find these disproportionate looking as a display doll, but they are very common as playline dolls for girls). These new models, often referred to as the 'belly button' Barbie bodies, are actually more ideal for crocheted clothing; the fitted clothing you can construct will suit this body mold just perfectly and make for even better displaying beauty than the original.

Of course, if you don't share the same love for the new body type as myself and other collectors, than you can still find the old body mold on many of the collector's dolls (priced around $30) and most of the Disney princesses of similar size by Mattel. It is also possible to buy the older dolls on ebay or at local garage sales. But chances are you have a little girl or two in your life that has these new body models and you will need to buy one of these in order to make them clothing for their dolls; in this case you may want to learn how to alter older patterns for Barbies to make a perfect fit.

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