
The image above shows the Simplicity 8281 vintage sewing pattern from 1977. I’ll be using this pattern in a tutorial I plan to post this Thursday on my YouTube channel, teaching you how to organize and archive your vintage patterns. As you can see in the photo below, this pattern was definitely in need of some help:

The Simplicity pattern 8281 for Barbie, Quick Curl Barbie, the Mego Cher doll, and the Farrah Fawcett doll was one of my most beloved doll clothes patterns that I sewed back in my pre-teen and teenage years. Even as a young girl, I was a very accomplished sewist, and I found this pattern to be quite simple and fashionable for its time (it was published in 1977 by Simplicity).
Well recently a follower contacted me with the question, “Do you have a pattern for a wrap skirt for American Girl and Wellie Wisher?”
In response, I let her know that, unfortunately, I do not have a wrap-around skirt for that size of doll. However, wrap-around skirts are super easy to make! I knew this because in my youth, I’d made dozens of them using the Simplicity pattern 8281!
Here’s a close-up of the Barbie-sized wrap-around skirt found in this Simplicity pattern 8281 that I loved so much when I was growing up:

The one in the simplicity pattern actually uses snaps instead of a waistband that ties, but it seems like today we’re more likely to see the waistband-that-ties type of wrap-around skirt. So in keeping with the modern fashion, I offered up my instructions for making a more modern “wrap skirt” with a tied waist.
So without further ado, here are my directions, as I shared them with the follower who requested one such pattern:

Before I end this blog post, let me also mention that this is EXACTLY the type of thing I’ll be teaching you in my Creative Spark class, which is almost ready to publish. In fact, I’ll be meeting with my Creative Spark editor some time this week to discuss pricing for the course, as well as promotions.
If you haven’t heard about my Creative Spark class yet, this video will give you a little insight into what it will offer. The skirt section of the course, in fact, is one of the most extensive lessons, although I will not be covering wrap-around skirts at all. But waistbands? Yep. Length and fullness of skirts? Oh yeah!
You won’t have to wait much longer before you can sign up, and I’ll let you know more right here, on ChellyWood.com and on my YouTube channel, just as soon as the class is available on the Creative Spark website for you to sign up.
Now let’s wrap things up regarding Simplicity pattern 8281 and how you can get your hands on one. Most of the commercial patterns I display and talk about here on ChellyWood.com are also available for sale on eBay. However, if you’ve never purchased a pattern on eBay before, it’s a good idea to read the article I wrote called, “Tips for Buying Used Doll Clothes Patterns on eBay.” It will save you time, money, and will likely prevent buyer’s remorse.
And by the way, if you use the links I’ve provided to make your eBay purchase, this website will receive a small commission, which helps fund the ChellyWood.com website, so I can continue to provide you with all the free patterns and tutorial videos offered here.
Thanks to Donna, who used my contact form to submit the question that inspired today’s blog post.
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Chelly Wood and the ChellyWood.com website are not affiliated with the pattern company or companies mentioned in this blog post, but Chelly finds inspiration in the doll clothes designed by these pattern companies. To purchase patterns from Simplicity, McCall’s, Butterick, Vogue, or other pattern companies shown and discussed in this blog post, please click on the links provided here. These links below the “Disclaimer” section do not help raise money for this free pattern website; they are only offered to give credit to the company that made these patterns.