See Saw

Barbie sewing patterns, vintage

I borrowed these from the collections of Margaret Tramulonis. She gave me permission to scan and post them. Classic Barbie sewing patterns. Look at the detail, my goodness. When I was a kid I made lots of Barbie clothing, but nothing like these. I was more about drape and a quick stitch. These are formidable. 

 

Barbie, Buttrick pattern 2519. Courtesy of Margaret Tramulonis Collections

Barbie, Butterick Pattern 2519. Back of package. Courtesy of Margaret Tramulonis Collections.

Barbie, McCalls's Patern 7430. Margaret Tramulonis Collections

 

 

Barbie, McCall pattern 7430 assembly directions. Margaret Tramulonis Collections

Barbie, McCalls Pattern 6901. "Instant" doll clothes. Margaret Tramulonis collections.

 

 

Barbie, McCalls pattern 6901 assembly instructions. Margaret Tramulonis collections.

These patterns look excruciatingly dificult to me. I so admire the women who probably made them for their daughters and granddaughters. The love, the care - I hope that some of these finshed pieces are preserved somewhere. 

 

THE TRIBE: What Barbie can show us about being Jewish today. Nu?

 

I have to see the movie, The Tribe. Tiffiny Shane, director, producer and Co-Writer. Ken Goldberg, Co Writer. Gil Gershoni , art director.

 Here's what the filmmakers say:

"What can the most successful doll on the planet show us about being Jewish today? Narrated by Peter Coyote, the film mixes old school narration with a new school visual style. The Tribe weaves together archival footage, graphics, animation, Barbie dioramas, and slam poetry to take audiences on an electric ride through the complex history of both the Barbie doll and the Jewish people- from Biblical times to present day. By tracing Barbie's history, the film sheds light on the questions: What does it mean to be an American Jew today? What does it mean to be a member of any tribe in the 21st Century?"

Could you just plotz?

 

 

 

BARBIE TEENAGE FASHION MODEL BOOKLET: 1958

Barbie Booklet 1958. Various pages. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections. All Barbie images ©Mattel International. All photos ©Liza Cowan.

Ebay score! I got two original Barbie booklets, the kind that came with the dolls. How well I remember these. I loved the booklets almost as much as I loved the dolls. Thumbing through them for the first time in over forty years, I am, in my minds eye, nine years old, the year the orignal Barbie came out. I got her as a holiday present, and over the next couple of years I acquired almost every outfit in this book, and I can still feel the textures, the tiny stitches, the petite buttons and hooks and tiny accessories. Barbie and Poor Pitiful Pearl were the only dolls I ever cared for.

Barbie Booklet, Cover. 1958. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections

 

Barbie booklet 1958. In her first bathing suit and undergarments. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections

 

Barbie booklet 1958, floral petticoat, detail

Barbie Booklet, Sweet Dreams. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections.

Barbie Booklet 1988. Barbie Q and Friday Night Date.  Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections

 

Barbie booklet 1958. Busy Gal and Cotton Casual. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections.

 

Barbie booklet. Busy Gal, detail.

Barbie booklet 1958. Sweater Girl, Suburban Shopper, Picnic Set. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections.

Barbie Booklet, 1958, Sweater Girl, detail. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections

Barbie booklet 1958. Winter Holiday, Resort Set, Apple Print Sheath, Cruise Stripe Dress. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections.

 

Barbie booklet 1958, Apple Print Sheath. Detail.

Barbie booklet 1958. Evening Splendor. Liza Cowan ephemera Collections.

Barbie Booklet 1958, Peachy Fleecy Coat, detail

 

Barbie Booklet 1958, Let's Dance, Enchanted Evening. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections

Barbie Booklet, Silken Flame, Commuter Set. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections. 

Barbie Booklet, 1958, Commuter, detail. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections.

Barbie Booklet 1958 Solo In The Spotlight, Plantation Belle Dress Set, Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections

Barbie Booklet, 1958. Wedding Dress. Liza Cowan Ephemera Collections

 

For more about Barbie I suggest these two books:

Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll by M.G. Lord 

The Good, The Bad, And The Barbie: A Doll's History And Her Impact On Us by Tanya Stone.