Converting Barbie/Ken patterns to Mego size

[Bizarro Amy]

I found some patterns my grandma used to make clothes for my Barbies. I'm going to attempt to convert one of them into a suit for a Mego custom. I'm thinking I'll have to take more from the length than the width, since Mattel didn't give them very realistic proportions. Has anyone done this before? Any tips?

[jessica]

Measure your figure, compare that with the pattern. Find the center of the pattern by eyeballing, whether length-wise or width-wise, and remove the excess from there. Also, you want to make sure that the arm holes would not be too big--you may have to move those around to compensate. You'll just have to play with it.

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

Occasionally, I cut down 12 inch G.I. Joe clothes to fit 9 inch bodies. I lay the smaller pattern over the bigger clothes and cut them out, trying to keep important details (pockets, zippers, etc...)

[johnmiic]

Couldn't you scan the patterns into a program like Photoshop an scale them down for re-printing? I would think there is printer paper out there like sewing tissue you could print right onto.

[jessica]

Barbie dolls are not proportionate, so you would have to compensate regardless. But if you did scan it you could make all of the changes on the computer instead of on paper.

[thunderbolt]

Is there a pattern there for a Men's suit jacket? I have need of one for a 9 inch figure.

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

Yeah, I'd be all about a 9 inch suit jacket. I use Ken clothes, but Ken's gotten kinda flashy recently.

[Bizarro Amy]

Tbolt - Yes indeedy. That's the main reason I started working on this. The CTVT suit just isn't cutting it for a double-breasted suit. And the custom is on a Stooges body, so it might even have the extra room you'd need for a 9" custom. You might have to make it a tad longer if anything.

I did a test fitting with the pattern as-is. The back just needs to be narrowed, but the sleeves and armholes will need to be redrawn. Since the pattern is single-breasted and I'm making a double, the front shouldn't need too many changes.

[Bizarro Amy]

Alright, I just stitched the suit together from scrap, with no alterations to the pattern. The armholes need to be smaller and the length of the sleeves and bottom are a given. I think the front actually fits pretty well on the Stooges body. The back needs to be taken in as well. but here's what I have so far:

[david_b]

Yeah, I tried to use a Barbie lab coat on my 9" Reed Richards, and the arms were WAY too skinny. That should have been a obvious problem to me, but I thought they'd at least be a bit tight.

Not just the BIG HANDS, but the shoulders were too petite as well.

[Bizarro Amy]

This one is actually designed for Ken, so it should leave plenty of room for the hands, even once I reduce the size.

[ddgaff1132]

I've been thinking of Re-cycling Bab's stuff for MEGO scale. Mostly shirts. The only issue I can note is the sleeve length is an issue. (Little too long).
Gotta say though Del, Great sewing there on the dress coat!!! I'd enjoy the sewing thing if I was half as adept as you.

[jessica]

I usually just place my figure on the fabric, trace around it with a pen, and add cut lines to allow for seams.

[Bizarro Amy]

I usually just place my figure on the fabric, trace around it with a pen, and add cut lines to allow for seams.

That's because you're one of the Jedi Masters of Stitchery, while I am a mere Padawan. I can do that with Mego jumpsuits, but not more complex things like a suit jacket. I did design the custom's pants from scratch. I'll be proud to show that off once it's done.

[Bizarro Amy]

I've been thinking of Re-cycling Bab's stuff for MEGO scale. Mostly shirts. The only issue I can note is the sleeve length is an issue. (Little too long).
Gotta say though Del, Great sewing there on the dress coat!!! I'd enjoy the sewing thing if I was half as adept as you.

Aw shucks, thank you. It just takes practice. I still have a long way to go before I can do anything more than simple doll clothes.