Day to Night Barbie
After creating the Day to Night Cabbie outfit and writing up the pattern, I began thinking about ways to improve it. One aspect that bothered me was the tulle skirt, which kept sticking up, and was bulky due to several layers of tulle. To gain inspiration, I purchased the 1980s Day to Night Barbie, curious about its construction and materials. I also wanted to complete the collection.
I discovered that the "night" skirt isn't made of tulle but rather the same chiffon-type fabric as the scarf. So off I go to make another Cabbie outfit...Meanwhile, the Day to Night Barbie has gained popularity, partly due to American Girl's reproduction outfit for 18" dolls. In 2017, Mattel released a reproduction Day to Night Barbie for $30, but I only found out after they were discontinued. Now, finding an unboxed vintage or reproduction Barbie for under $100 is challenging.
I lucked out on eBay, finding one with its box and accessories, but slightly used. Initially, the doll appeared new, except for yellowed box plastic. However, upon closer inspection, her hair was waxy, and she had a stain on her collar. I washed the doll and her clothes, revealing how dirty she was.
The biggest disappointment was her bodysuit. Right out of the box, it was already fraying! I made a new one from the same fabric that I made the Cabbie bodysuit from. I like it much better than the original.
As for the hair, I tried various cleaners (Goo-Gone, Orange Hand Cleaner, dish soap) to remove the waxy feel, with no success.
I ran across an old commercial, showing her with beautiful long curly light blonde hair. My doll has golden blonde hair with very few curls, just at the tips. I did some research which revealed that multiple factories produced this Barbie, leading to many variations. If materials or hair were scarce, they'd substitute with available alternatives. So I decided to boil perm her hair, using small perm curlers.
I ran across an old commercial, showing her with beautiful long curly light blonde hair. My doll has golden blonde hair with very few curls, just at the tips. I did some research which revealed that multiple factories produced this Barbie, leading to many variations. If materials or hair were scarce, they'd substitute with available alternatives. So I decided to boil perm her hair, using small perm curlers.
Now, she looks fabulous. With Ken on the way, she'll soon have a date!
Coming up.... the improved Cabbie outfit and pattern!