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Using McCall's Barbie Patterns for MSD?

Dec 5, 2018

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    1. Has anyone tried using enlarged Barbie patterns for their MSD (or SD) bjd? McCall's has quite a few doll patterns out and although their concept art is a bit cringe-worthy, the pattern shapes would be great to have! This is what I'm looking at: M6232 | Formal Outfits for 11½" Doll Sewing Pattern | McCall's Patterns

      These patterns go on sale for around $1-2 USD at Joann Fabric stores every once in a while, so I'm thinking it would be worth it to give it a try since it isn't a huge investment. Thanks for any advice or tips!
       
      #1 SophiePuffs, Dec 5, 2018
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    2. It is possible to do that, but you’ll have to do trial and errors to find the right size. I haven’t tried barbie patterns but I have used human sized patterns and scaled it down to SD and size.
       
      #2 Cloudsorano, Dec 5, 2018
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    3. I’ve resized Barbie patterns before, but not those. Seconding the trial and error, though. Theoretically you need to resize them by around 150%, if I’ve done my math right, but in practice barbies and msd sized dolls aren’t really either true 1/6 or 1/4 scale respectively. Your call as to whether you think it’s worth the trouble.
       
      #3 rebeccag12363, Dec 5, 2018
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    4. Personally I'd rather start with a basic pattern that is the right size (or close to) and adapt it to the particular style required.

      None of the options offered on that particular McCalls pattern are particularly complicated, and they could all be more easily adapted from a basic bodice pattern (or bodice & sleeve patterns) than the process of enlarging and fiddling-to-fit.

      Teddy
       
      #4 Teddy, Dec 6, 2018
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    5. Awesome replies and tips, everyone! Thank you so much. Yeah, it may be too much work in the end, especially since the pattern shapes aren't too far off from basic ones like Teddy said. I guess I was just curious if it was something that was done often. Like a response somewhere along the lines of "oh yeah, duh, everyone does that!" lol. Sometimes I'll come across simple BJD tips that seem like common knowledge to most others, but to me they're totally eye opening as a newbie!

      If I decide to give it a try and wind up drafting any amazing patterns off them, I'll post them! <3
       
      #5 SophiePuffs, Dec 6, 2018
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