Barbie Pink

The summer of 2023 will be remembered for many events—horrible wild fires, extreme heat, unprecedented legal and political actions and…Barbie! A movie for adults based on a doll–a doll that is 64 years old! Barbie was really the first doll that wasn’t a baby doll. Some folks collected them..keeping them pristine in the original box; some folks cut her hair and applied makeup with markers. Some parents couldn’t wait to buy their daughter her first Barbie and others believed it encouraged an unrealistic and unhealthy expectations of female anatomy.

Maybe our world needed a movie staring a doll, because Barbie is the largest grossing movie for the summer! My 19 year old great niece saw the movie as a feminist statement. A retired teacher friend enjoyed it but saw it as nothing more than a “cute movie”. Some ultra conservatives believed it was anti-male, going against long held belief systems. I haven’t seen it and probably won’t be able to persuade my movie going partner to pay to see it. I will wait until it can be watched via streaming in my home. But just like the doll, the movie has had an impact on society.

Historically, pink was feminine. Baby girls were swaddled in pink blankets, boys were blue. Girls could have blue dresses and gowns but no self respecting father would let his son be dressed in pink! But the Barbie audiences proved those “rules” to be a thing of the past! Male movie goers had pink in their wardrobe to wear to the movie. Fun fact reported by Cotton USA is that men who wear pink earn on the average $1200 more each year than men who don’t wear pink! How about that! The new Miami pro soccer team will sport pink kits. Breast cancer and anti-bulling campaigns chose pink for their signature color. Pink has crossed the gender barrier.

The Quilters at First have embraced pink.

Paulette created this pink beauty using the disappearing nine patch pattern. The back is a solid pink fleece making it especially cuddly. Measuring 48″ x 66″, large enough to be used by a toddler. It is tied with pearl cotton. $60.

Elaine used Barbie theme fabric to make these bags. Perfect for little or big girls! They have zipper closures and are lined. $30 each. (Both have sold)

Big or little girls would also enjoy these pieces of wall art.

Diane used “cutter” quilts for the hearts and added hand embroidery, embellishments and ribbons. Stained wooden embroidery hoops are used as frames. I can see one in a baby’s room or given as a special “I am thinking of you” gift. $15 each

The Quilters are finishing up projects for the “Big Sale” in October! Personally, I have a lot of binding to complete. I have downloaded THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese–31 hours of listening—-so should have many more projects to show you soon.