Def Jam was founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin in Rubin's dorm room at New York University. The first releases on Def Jam Recordings were LL Cool J's I Need A Beat and the Beastie Boys' Rock Hard, both in 1984. The singles sold well, eventually leaNow your Barbie and Ken dolls can perform and compete with pride as they showcase hand made ballroom dance costumes designed especially for them. Barbie can glide with style in her gorgeous gowns and feather boas while she dances the foxtrot or waltz with her handsome partner, Ken. He can be dressed in a coordinating costume made to knock the socks off any panel of judges. Or, you can design Latin costumes with red roses and black flashy fabrics chosen to strike a fire, burn up the dance floor, and intimidate the other competitors as Barbie and Ken execute advanced tango, rumba or mambo routines.
And, dont forget the fun you can have with fringe and other embellishments as you design jive and swing dance costumes to highlight their tricky steps.
The possibilities are endless! Being able to design and sew your own ballroom dance costumes for Barbie and Ken will allow you to create anything you want, and here are some tips on how to do it:
1. Start with standard Barbie and Ken doll clothes patterns. You can purchase these in most fabric stores and on internet craft sites. Watch for pattern sales, and you might save some money. You probably wont find actual ballroom dance doll patterns, but you can select some suitable for dresses, suits, or anything that you think will work with your costume ideas.
2. Decide on the style or theme of your costume. For example, when I decided to create a tango costume, I knew that I wanted Ken to have pants with a long sleeve shirt and a coordinating sash. As for Barbie, I wanted her to have a long dress with ruffles on the sleeves. Knowing a few specifics like these before you begin will help speed up the creative process and allow you to use your time more efficiently.
3. Think about the quality or type of fabrics, as well as the color. For the tango costume, I picked red and black fabrics in a variety of textures. Velour, nylon, and lycra are all great choices because they sew up easily, and they dont shred on the edges like many other fabrics. In addition, they have excellent stretch factors. Costumes made with these materials are flexible and fit the dolls well.
4. Be prepared to modify your patterns. It will be most convenient if you can find a pattern that matches the style you have in mind. But for me, that rarely happens and I usually adjust the pattern to get what I am looking for. To do this, I purchase inexpensive muslin and experiment until I get the fit just right. Then I use paper to draw the final pattern so that I can use it again in the future.
5. Have fun with embellishments! How often do you get to use sequins, glamorous trims, colorful fringe, fluffy feathers, or bright, flashy fabrics that glow in the dark? Let imagination be your guide, and have fun as you make your selections.
6. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to create your own Barbie and Ken ballroom costumes as long as you are happy with the final product. Your unique designs will be the envy of many doll and dance enthusiasts. Dont be afraid to experiment with colors and textures. Sometimes accidents happen along the way, and the unexpected style may actually be better than the original one. Good luck, enjoy, and let the dance begin!
Fran Matthews is a mom who enjoys crafts and cooking. For photos of this project, see http://www.bestdesignercrafts.com
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