Okay, so I wanted to share something I worked on recently. It started kinda simply, really. I was just looking at my old collection of stuff, you know, bits and pieces from years ago, and found a couple of old Barbie dolls. They looked so… well, standard. Very pink, very traditional.
It got me thinking. Why not try and make them represent something a bit different? The idea of a ‘lesbian Barbie’ popped into my head – not like an official thing, obviously, just my own little project. More like, creating a couple, two Barbies that looked like they belonged together, reflecting a different kind of story.
Getting Started
First thing, I had to pick the right dolls. I had a few lying around. I chose two standard ones, nothing fancy. One had blonde hair, the other brunette. Seemed like a decent starting point. They were a bit dusty, so I gave them a good clean-up.
Then came the fun part – figuring out their looks. I didn’t want the super glam, ballgown look. I wanted something more casual, more real, maybe a bit edgy or alternative for one, and maybe something softer but still distinct for the other. It was all about creating a vibe between them.
The Makeover Process
So, I started digging through doll clothes I had, and also looked at some fabric scraps. For the blonde one, I decided on a shorter haircut. I actually took the scissors and carefully snipped away. It was nerve-wracking! Took a few tries to get it looking less like a hack job. I found a little pair of jeans and made a simple tank top from an old t-shirt scrap. I tried painting some tiny boots I had black, which sort of worked.
For the brunette, I kept her hair long but restyled it into a braid. I wanted her look to be a bit more femme, but not overly frilly. I found a simple skirt pattern online, scaled it down, and managed to sew a little wrap skirt. Paired it with a plain top I fashioned. Finding clothes that fit the new vibe was tougher than I thought.
- Cleaned the dolls
- Planned their individual styles
- Cut and restyled hair
- Searched for or made new outfits
- Tried customizing accessories (like painting shoes)
I spent a good few afternoons on this. Sitting there, fiddling with tiny clothes and hair. It was quite fiddly work, especially the sewing part. My fingers are definitely not made for miniature tailoring!
Finished Piece
Finally, I got them looking how I pictured. I stood them up together. It wasn’t perfect, like professional custom work or anything. The clothes were a bit rough, the haircut maybe a little uneven if you looked close. But seeing them side-by-side, they just looked… right. Like a pair. It felt good, you know? Taking something standard and making it reflect a reality you don’t often see represented in that space. Just a small thing, but it felt satisfying to create. They’re sitting on my shelf now, my little custom duo.
