Tuesday, March 05, 2013

GUEST: Sylvia Bittner's Stunning Barbie Couture



The poinsettia dress one of my Barbies now wears
My special guest today is Sylvia Bittner. I’m a Pinterest junkie, and when I discovered Sylvia’s Pinterest page and the extraordinary Barbie dresses she makes, I fell in love. I then stalked her to find out more and begged her to sell my favorite. She is a gracious and gifted lady, and I am excited to introduce you to her.

Sylvia, when I discovered your handkerchief Barbie dresses on Pinterest, I was in awe. I have a whole curio of Barbies in my office and a tote full in my storage room. I adore vintage hankies—have loved them since I was a girl, when my grandmother used to buy new ones for me. I have several that were my grandma’s and my aunt’s, and I add to my collection often. Seeing how you’ve blended two of my passions sent me over the moon! I’m now your biggest fan-girl.

Cheryl: Did you play with Barbie as a girl? How many Barbies do you own now? Do you have favorites?

Sylvia: I actually didn’t own a “Barbie” doll as a child. Between my sisters and I, we had Midge, Skipper, Ken, and Julia (from the TV show), and a few assorted no-name dolls. However, in the past year, I’ve made up for that. Don’t tell my husband, but I now own 71 Barbies (and counting). I started with the Barbie Basics dolls, which are the lowest priced line of Barbie collectible dolls. I love their faces because they don’t look like your typical wide-eyed Barbie and they have the model muse body type, which is more long and lean than your typical Barbie.

Unfortunately, I was a little late to the game and most of the Barbie Basics dolls were already sold out when I started collecting. So I resorted to eBay, Amazon, and treks to Target, Toys R Us, and Walmart stores around the country to find some of the discontinued models at reasonable prices. Since then, I’ve branched out to some reproductions of the original 1960’s era Barbies that I’ve found online and in antique stores, some more recent collectible Barbies, and now, the Silkstone Barbies. Silkstone Barbies are made of heavy composite material that feels like porcelain but is more durable. I think the Silkstone Barbies have only been around since 2000. (Visit www.barbiecollector.com to view all of the wonderful collectible Barbies!)

Cheryl: I can not allow myself to do a search for Barbie on ebay. But I’m a vendor in my local Brass Armadillo, so I can’t help but see a few vintage dolls. How did you get started making the dresses?

Sylvia: Last spring I was trolling JoAnn Fabrics (as I love to do) and came across the book, Hankie Couture, by Marsha Greenberg. Marsha has been making Barbie dresses for years from vintage hankies and this book was chock full of charming little dresses. It was love at first sight. I started flipping through the book and the next thing I knew I was at the check-out line with it. Then I directed my husband to nearest antique store and started stocking up on vintage hankies so I could make my own Barbie dresses.

Cheryl: I love that story. I would be terrified to cut the hankie. About how long does one of your creations take to make? Can you describe the process?

Sylvia: It is terrifying at first, and I’ve had to throw out a couple hankie dresses that were just beyond salvageable. But the good news is, hankies are pretty cheap, so I just pick myself up and start on another one.

Most times, I start with a hankie I just love. I drape it around a Barbie doll every which way trying to figure out how to make the best use of the fabric at hand. Once I have a picture in my head, I pull out my patterns, pin them to the fabric and just start cutting. I try to use the edge of the hankie as the hem for the dress whenever possible. Many hankies have beautiful rolled or cut work edges, so this shows them off to the best advantage and saves me from sewing a teeny tiny hem. Because many of the hankies are thin or sheer, I line every dress in cotton fabric. I use the selvage edge of the lining fabric as the hem of the skirt lining – a tip I picked up from Marsha’s book.

I have a full-time day job, so I sew in the evenings while I watch a movie or TV. Each dress is sewn entirely by hand. I have a sewing machine (or three), but I much prefer hand sewing with my cat on my lap. So depending on how engrossing the TV show is and how intricate the pattern may be, an outfit can take a couple days or up to a week.

Cheryl: The photographs of your dressed dolls, with scenery and props, are as stunning as the dresses. Are you the photographer? Do you have a special camera/ lens/use special lighting?

Sylvia: I take all the photos of my dolls myself with my 35mm camera (sorry, I don’t remember the brand off the top of my head). I’ve always been a photography buff and love to take pictures when we go on vacation. But outdoor pictures have been my specialty. So taking shots indoors was a little challenging for me at first. I tried using a flash, then using a clip-on light, but both created harsh shadows and I ended up with a yellowish cast on the photos. Then for Christmas this past year, my husband bought me some photography lights on stands (you know, the ones with the white screens in front of the light). I had no idea what a difference those lights would make in my photos! The colors are much truer and the harsh shadows are all but eliminated.

Now I have a bookcase in my front room set up as a mini photography studio. I make back drops from foam core board, scrapbook paper, and miniature woodwork, or just tape up a long sheet of white paper. I’m an avid antiques buff, so on weekends I troll antique shops and the dollar store looking for little items to use in my dioramas. I’ve made lamps from old perfume atomizers with a shade from a dollar store air freshener. I’ve collected old Barbie furniture and painted it. I’ve found little flower arrangements at a craft show. I just always keep my eyes peeled for something tiny that I could make into something realistic looking for Barbie.

Cheryl: Something else that fascinates me are miniature items, like doll furniture. I want to come to your house. Do you have a passion for any other vintage linens or items?

Sylvia: I’m a huge vintage linens fan. I’ve been collecting antique lace for the past 20 years or so and I’ve used it on pillows, clothing, home décor, and more. For a while in the 90’s, I was making cloth dolls from vintage linen toweling and cross stitching their faces. And I have a small collection of vintage buttons that I’ve used in a variety of crafts. I’ve even used vintage tablecloths to make cute little jackets. Oh, and did I mention my vintage pattern collection? I think you get the picture… 

Cheryl: I’m swooning here. Do you do any other crafts or sewing projects?

Sylvia: My paternal grandmother taught me to knit, my maternal grandmother taught me to paint, and my mother taught me to sew. So the question is really, what haven’t I done? But sewing is my favorite past time. I’ve made dolls, teddy bears, Christmas stockings, pillows, cross stitch samplers, clothing for me (when I was slimmer), Halloween costumes … you name it, and I’ve probably done it at one time or another. The challenge for me is finding the time. I have a full-time job, so all of my crafting is done in the evenings or on weekends when I’m not antiquing.

Cheryl: I’m amazed by the patience and talent it takes to do any one of those things. Where can we see more of these dresses and how can we buy them?


Sylvia: You can find photos of all of my Barbie dresses on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/sylviabittner. Check out my Pinterest boards, Stuff I’ve Made and My OOAK Barbie Dresses. To purchase my Barbie dresses, visit my Etsy shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/hankiechic/.



When I first stalked Sylvia online, I had to ask what OOAK meant. It’s One Of A Kind. Duh. But I had no idea.

I am the gleeful owner of two of Sylvia’s beautiful creations, and I can admire them by swiveling in my desk chair and ogling my curio, which I do often.

So, what about you? Did you play with Barbie as a girl? Are you in awe of these dresses and Sylvia’s talent?

30 comments:

  1. Ever since Cheryl showed me Sylvia's dresses, I've been a fan! I love the hankies of course, and the meticulous work turning them into works of art. As a crafter, I love seeing others' work and getting ideas.

    I didn't have a 'real' Barbie when I was little. But I did have a fashion doll that I loved dressing as an astronaut using tin foil. Guess I loved space even then. :) My mom was the doll lover--Barbie included!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love these--beautiful! Like *lizzie said, the meticulous (and loving) handiwork that when into each outfit.

    What is it about Barbies that still appeal to us when we're all grown up?

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are beautiful. I'm not a Barbie fan (though I love baby dolls), but I do love handkerchiefs and this is a wonderful way to use them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Insisted I wasn't too old at 13, 1964, to get my first/only Barbie (sister got Midge & Pepper, turq convertible) which someone stole from car in front yard when nephew left it many YRS LATER :( Mom knit slim skirts, tops; Nana/2 aunts sewed skating outfits, formal with cape, etc; One said "appreciate them . Could have made YOU an outfit with the time and effort!" I got outfits til I was 16 for bday & Xmas (same time I was getting Betty Crocker flatware place settings for HOPE chest!) ROFL I did drape a few outfits myself, but NOT a sewer!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. LOVE the OOAK. I too have a box of hankies. My great Aunt Ella sent me one each bday in greeting card with 10 shiny dimes. (more impressed with $ in those days.) GLAD you took a pic of the original hankie before cutting. BIG FAN of Poinsettias so ENVY Cher hers but no Barbie, no need. So happy U have it. LIKE the hair style- do U have a brunette with same style? (MORE contrast for red/white)

    ReplyDelete
  6. *lizzie-- so creative with tin foil- LOVE it!!!
    The Brunette Ponytail Barbie looks like actress Debbie Mazur (Jersey accent) JUST noticed!! ADORE the pink gloves- I may start wearing my white ones again- collect & display those also. Sylvia--- Is the doll in Black/wh with Ken a Barbie? don't recognize the hairdo Nana started me on miniatures so I have 3 shadow boxes, 1 is a tintype tray that someone painted segments variety BRIGHT colors with black trim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Louann,
      The male dole pictured is Ken as Rock Hudson from the Doris Day/Rock Hudson Pillow Talk set by Mattel. --Sylvia

      Delete
    2. Thanks for information! I'm a sponge when it comes to knowledge

      Delete
  7. Isn't this the most amazing display of fun and creativity! I'm tickled to pieces to share Sylvia's creations with you all.

    Thank you, Sylvia, fr being such a good sport and doing the interview.

    SMOOCHES!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cheryl! This is such fun! And if you haven't read one of Cheryl's books yet, I highly recommend them. I love happy endings! --Sylvia

      Delete
    2. We could be Chip and Dale all day. Thank you. No, thank YOU. We are a mutual admiration society. :-)

      Delete
    3. Make that "Me three" one of Cheryl's biggest fans and now yours as well!

      Delete
  8. Oh Chery, what a gorgeous find. I had one Barbie, a number three- a very early vintage one. My aunt got it for me to use as a sewing maniquin. I still have it. She's won a couple of ribbons in doll shows. I think she may have to have one of Slyvia's beautiful dresses. These are magnificent. I too have a stack of my grandmothers hankies. I may have to find that book and try my hand at dresses as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connie, go look at Sylvia's Pinterest pages and you will SWOON!

      Would love to see your grandmother's hankies. I put a few in a frame, with a doily my aunt made to preserve and enjoy.

      Delete
  9. Cheryl, thank you for introducing us to Sylvia and her creations! They are beautiful and Sylvia, I loved hearing how you came to start making this OOAK dresses. When I was little, my mother used to let me use her hankies to create dresses for my Barbies. I couldn't cut them, but we made wrap around dresses. I don't know where all of the hankies ended up, but I have two blue ones saved for my daughters that once belonged to their great grandmothers. I think it will be nice to have on their wedding days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lorna, you gave me goosebumps this morning, thinking of your daughters with their great great grandma's hankies on their wedding days. :-)

      Delete
  10. Oh my, I wasn't able to have a Barbie(my mother thought I was too old when they came out) but my sister's had several as did my daughters. I may have to look for one just so that I can have one of these dresses! Or do you do special orders? I have a lot of my mother in law's handkerchiefs!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'd be happy to do a special order with one your hankies. If you go to my Esty shop, Hankie Chic, I think you can just click on "custom order" and we can set it up from there. Can't guarantee the style of the dress I will make -- it will depend on the pattern and condition of the hankie. And I'll need to know which Barbie you purchase, as they have different body types and I'd want the dress to fit perfectly. --Sylvia Bittner

      Delete
  11. YOU ARE SO IN LUCK! I do believe Sylvia will make you a dress with your own hankie.

    I was still playing with my Barbie, Midge and Ken when I was 13. Yikes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh goodness, what a gorgeous blog and those hanky dresses...be still my heart. I still remember getting the original Barbie for Christmas when I was little. We neighbor-girls played endlessly with our Barbies. I eventually got the Ken and the wedding dress, and we had countless weddings, with little Lantana clumps for bouquets.

    Three years ago for Christmas, my son and his family gave me the 50th anniversary replica Barbie in that little black and white striped bathing suit. I was just in tears. I play with her and change her clothes. No keeping her locked up LOL.

    Oh, the memories you brought back with this post. Thanks, Cher and Sylvia. xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have that anniversary Barbie, too, Tanya - a blonde and a brunette.

      GUESS WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY? My copy of Hankie Couture that I have a link to in the post! I could just eat pie and die.

      Delete
    2. Isn't it a cool book? You should check out her web site too at www.hankiecouture.com. And her eBay site (you can get to it from a link on her web site). --Sylvia

      Delete
  13. OH, I must tell my MIL about this! She has a Barbie Christmas tree.

    And yes, I am swooning because I love hankies, love couture. And that is with growing up tearing the heads off my Barbies.

    Peace, Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie,
      A Barbie Christmas tree? Trying to picture that in head. Sounds really cool! Hmmm ... may have to stock up on Christmas hankies for next year. --Sylvia Bittner

      Delete
  14. I am a lucky owner of a few of the Dolls Sylvia talked about (vintage linen/cross stitch face). I have them on my pintrest page. Board name Sylvia's Creations. I will be adding more pics as I take them. I was blessed to have her as my room mate in college & after. Jeanneane

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fun day this was. Thanks for being my guest, Sylvia, and thanks to all who stopped by to chat.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They are Barbie Dolls with beautiful dresses. Sylvia is very talented. I would love to buy them.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, I'm late to the party but am glad I came. I love the creations as I'm a big fan of Barbie. Have some of the old original outfits with accessories and NOBODY gets to play with them. Sylvie you are multi talented!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks to all of you for your comments. It's been fun sharing my hobby with you. And thank you Cheryl, for being such a gracious hostess. Love to all. Sylvia Bittner

    ReplyDelete
  19. These are beautiful. My Barbies need some too. Wish they would have taught sewing more when I was in school, only had part of year of sewing and we made a stuffed animal. I regret not learning sewing, crocheting & knitting. I may just have to have some made for me.
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete