Barbie Rehab - A Recycling & Repair Mission of Love

Help me with some ideas...

I plan to send my son overseas to visit an orphanage in June. Hope to send some Barbies with him. (Barbies are loved everywhere) I was told by a young lady that when she was in a Russian orphanage her doll was the only hug she ever got there.. that was her family. .. so.. I'm on a mission...

I finished a few but would like any ideas for cleaning, hair repair and dress-up you guys might have.

Thank You Very Much !! Happy

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17 replies since 26th December 2012 • Last reply 26th December 2012

Reply #1:

Hair repair?? I don't know about that but I can do a hair do!! I use sharpie markers to colour their hair and if makeup I use blushers for eyeshadow and I use my moms black polish for the nails, make a tiara out of wire and I use paint or markers for the lips.........dress up I use a ton of things like scrap fabric,strings, buttons ...I once sewed a dress well two dresses but if I find it in my cupboard I'll take a picture of it.....I once make a bow out of newspaper and painted my barbies's bag because it was too plain.......I don't have any others, sorry! Happy

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Reply #2:

I'm so hyped.. Finished one last night .. I think she looks great.. Anyone have some no sew dress patterns I can use

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Reply #3:

that sounds wonderful! here is a tutorial for a barbie dress- http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2010/08/barbie-dress-tutorial.html

here's a tutorial on restoring doll's hair- http://cookieandclaire.blogspot.com/2011/11/rapunzel-rapunzel-let-down-yourgirl.html

here are a few more clothes tutorials- http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2012/03/barbie-clothes.html
http://thefrakersacres.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-dont-sew-small.html

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Reply #4:

Awesome Links !!!!!!!! Thank you sooo much ! ! ! Will be trying.. I'll post some pictures when I'm done.

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Reply #5:

I found this board on pinterest all about Barbie DIY's hopefully this will give you some ideas if nothing else:
http://pinterest.com/jollieloves/barbie-diy/

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Reply #6:

Board was beautiful. A lot of great ideas. I think i should consider a Barbie Board too.. Thank you Libby.

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Reply #7:

apparently watered down fabric softener works as a conditioner for barbie hair

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Reply #8:

I have used regular hand lotion for both Barbie hair and my little pony hair. oh the shine!

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Reply #9:

My tip would just be to maybe send the Barbie's with "luggage" I work with a lot of little kids, and the girls love it when a Barbie comes with accessories!

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Reply #10:

Love the luggage idea !!!!!!!!!!!! Wondering about the Hand lotion - would it not attract and hold dust?

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Reply #11:

Wow. You are the best kind of person. I truly admire you for this! As for the hair, I have a few bottles of colorful hair dye that you could use to give the hair highlights maybe? If you wanted, I could send them to you since I have no use for them Happy

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Reply #12:

Thank you big time. Extremely sweet of you.. but I would worry way to much about getting the dye on the dolls face and not being able to get it out. It has given me the idea that maybe I can try peroxide on some strips of hair.. I understand that if you put them in the sun the peroxide causes the hair to lighten without affecting the doll.

I've never tried it - don't know if it will work but if someone can tell me if they know that it will.. I'm game to try.

So far you guys have given me a whole lot of info... THANK YOU !!!!

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Reply #13:

i love what your doing it's so great! I found these two websites on how to make no sew barbie clothes
http://dolldiaries.com/no-sew-dresses-for-all-your-dolls/
http://alexannabeal.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/naked-barbie-problem.html
http://freecraftyideas.com/html/craft_idea/2011/CT388_make_no_sew_barbie_wedding_dress.html
http://www.craftyshops.com/html/craft_idea/sublists/no_sew_barbie_clothes.html

Here are some ideas for barbie accessories if you are going to make them (the second one also has clothes)
http://adollforallseasons.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/back-to-school-supplies.html
http://funthreads.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/summer-another-easy-peezy-favorite.html

And for their hair
http://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2011/10/21/an-updo-hair-tutorial/?blogsub=confirming#blog_subscription-3
dizzysplayhouse.com

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Reply #14:

I found this tute for fixing frizzy barbie hair:
http://www.housingaforest.com/fix-barbies-hair/
I thought it might be helpful.

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