Here in the northern hemisphere, we’re in the heat of summer, so it’s a good time for a swim… Let’s sew a doll’s swimsuit!
This doll swimsuit / bathing suit sewing project will fit the 28″ Best Fashion Friend Barbie (and other 28″ fashion dolls). You’ll find the free, printable sewing patterns below:
- MS Word downloadable pattern for a 28″ doll’s swimsuit or leotard
- PDF pattern download for a 28″ doll’s swimsuit or leotard
Today’s tutorial video (at the top of this page) shows you how to make this lovely swimsuit with a keyhole closure in the back. It also makes a perfect tutu or ice skater’s and/or gymnast’s leotard for these lovely dolls.
There’s one thing you should note though: this pattern is not for the beginners out there… I’ve given these patterns four out of five flowers on my difficulty scale, which means it’s got some tricky stitches and piecings.
Also today’s video is an updated version. I’m a little embarrassed to say it, but I found a mistake in the original video’s instructions and had to delete that video. However you may remember that the first video included stop-motion footage of my 28-inch Barbie ice skating, wearing today’s swimsuit with a sweater and tulle tutu, as if she were a professional figure skater!
You can see the figure skater image pictured on the pattern itself:
You may wish to use my sweater pattern for leotard alterations. This sweater was part of an adorable sweater-and-argyle-skirt combo (again with free patterns) to fit 28″ dolls like Best Fashion Friend Barbie.
And if you need a little help making a tulle tutu for a doll, Froggy has a fantastic tutorial on that topic. (Click on that link to access her tulle tutu instructional video.)
If you enjoy my videos and free patterns, please consider uploading my patterns to your favorite social media platform:
- You can pin them on Pinterest.
- You can post or like them on Facebook.
- You can tweet about them.
- Use any other form of social media that appeals to you!
As long as you don’t remove my logo from the patterns I create, then every time you share them on social media, it helps to spread the word about my free patterns and tutorials, which is wonderful!
And please be aware that website renovations are still going on behind the scenes…
I love this design. Is there a way for you to modify these dimensions to fit one of the 9” Bratz dolls? That would be awesome!!!
Yes, Jade, there is a way. I use a mathematical formula to do that.
However I don’t give out my formula for free. It will be offered in one of my Creative Spark online classes in doll clothing design, though. Those classes should be available in December of this year or January of 2022.
Thank you for asking, and thank you for your kind compliment. I’m glad you like my design!