I left them until last because I wasn't sure I'd have time to do them, and I wasn't sure they were worth anything without a pattern included. Because otherwise it's just a pretty bag of offcuts, right?
But I'm so glad I found time to make these, for a number of reasons. Firstly, sorting and trimming the fabrics reminded me of every wedding and dress-up occasion the fabrics were associated with. They are scraps with happy memories. Secondly, the spirit of my eight-year-old self danced around me trying to get a look at what I was doing, thoroughly delighted with the prospect of taking home one of these bags of lace and silk* and making magic happen.
The KMart radio station is currently running a nostalgia-based ad campaign for Barbies, with adult women talking about what their Barbie doll meant to them as a girl. When I flick through Mixtapezine every interviewed crafter seems to have had a childhood of dressing up her doll in homemade gowns. Putting these kits together made me feel like I'm giving something back, or rather, passing it on to the next generation. The little trigger one or two kids might need to become a life-long crafter. Or just provide a boost for their mini-stash.
Next time, they'll be proper kits with a simple pattern, needle, pins and thread. But for a last-minute project I think these are pretty special.
* All of the packs include silk dupion, and some have silk organza or silk satin. There's not many Barbies out there wearing actual silk evening dresses! Trimmed with genuine polyester lace, no less.
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