So, I'm very excited about this week's craft! To round out our mini-series of ballerina/dance crafts, I thought it would be fabulous to make a barre -- there are almost no tutorials online about how to make your doll a ballet barre, and this version is sturdy, looks great, and goes together pretty easily!
**Giveaway update** We have a winner! It's Rena, who said she loves all kinds of dance, but specifically Fancy Shawl -- "when the dancer mimics a butterfly’s movements". Sounds like a really beautiful dance, and a great part of your cultural heritage Rena! We'll be in touch via email soon :)
Want to get started? All you need is a few things from the hardware store.
I'm using 1/2" PVC pipe for this project. One 5' length should be plenty! You'll also need two T joins, two 3-way elbow joins, two 45 degree joins, two straight connectors, and two end caps. This goes without saying, but make sure all your fittings are the right size for your pipe, and that they're all 'slip joins', not threaded.
Next, cut your pipe into sections. You can use a hacksaw for this, but I like to use a ratcheting pipe cutter. It's much cleaner, safer, and tidier. (And you can do it in your living room, instead of having to resort to the garage!)
Cutting the pieces above will get you a basic barre. If you want to add the second, lower barre, you'll need another piece of pipe 17" long.
I wanted my barre to look rather fancy, so I painted my pipe and fittings.
If you want to add the second, lower barre, now's the time to add some extra, special fittings! You'll need something that looks and works rather like this (I believe it's called a 'split ring hanger'). Drill a hole in your straight connectors, and attach the split ring hanger.
Next, lay out all your pipe pieces, as shown in this picture. Start putting everything together!
And, if you're doing the second barre, go ahead and attach that using the other half of your split ring hanger fittings.
And there you have it! A finished ballet barre, just the right size for your 18" doll!
Happy dancing, and be sure to let us know in the comments if you make this!
100 Comments
Fran R.
May 04, 2023
Love to watch all different types of dance. But am not talented to do more then the awkward small dance around the same spot at wedding receptions.
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Michelle
March 09, 2017
Please let me know what type of paint you used?
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January 23, 2017
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Linda
January 13, 2017
One of my nieces took dance lessons for many years and performed in many recitals. My sister-in-law, her mother, sewed the costumes for the entire dance school for their recitals for many years. She is so talented with a pair of scissors, needles, pins, thread, and a sewing machine. When she started sewing, she didn’t have patterns so she made her own. I sew pretty good but I think she out-sews me.
Jodie
June 08, 2016
My favorite dance moves are all the ones my three grandaughters try to perform. They are ages 8, 6, and 4. And they are very talented. They also love American Girl!
Crystal D
June 08, 2016
Freestyle
Judy Harris
June 08, 2016
My granddaughter just finished 4th year recital. She will start pre=point in a couple of weeks. She loves everything about it. She practices everyday. The barre is a favorite to stretch her hips, thighs, calf, and toes. I love to watch her make the pirouette. So graceful. She has 4 Am Girls and several other 18" dolls. We need to do this . Thank you for the encouragement.
Ruth Chidley
January 08, 2016
My favorite dance move is the graceful waltz which I learned when I was in the 3rd grade about 60 years ago ?
sherry
January 08, 2016
Ballet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vickie
January 08, 2016
My favorite dance move is watching my granddaughter do the pirouette. She is so graceful!
Helen T
January 08, 2016
My favorite dance move is the jive, but my grand daughters love ballet.
Nancy B
January 08, 2016
I’m from the great state of Texas, so every dance is a two- step.
kara
January 08, 2016
Favorite dance move would be the ballet related as I love watching ballet. The pirouette, for example.
Tori
January 01, 2016
I started dance lessons when I was 3 years old. So ya I know a lot of dance moves! How am I supposed to pick a favorite? I love all kinds of dance because you can express your self. So I guess my favorite dance movie is "shovel kick "
I really hope I win !!
Marilyn
November 29, 2015
Adding to my previous post, I wanted to mention a few things. I sanded all the pieces and rinsed and dried them. The ends had been sanded so there were no sharp edges. Then, I spray-painted them with a gray primer before applying the final colors. Putting it together was a very tight fit because of all the coats of paint. It probably would have helped to leave the ends unpainted for a better fit, but I made it work.
Marilyn
November 29, 2015
I made 2 of these for birthday gifts for my granddaughters. They came out great! My only comment is that no mention was made of the length of the lower bar at the beginning of the instructions. It was found on a picture of that bar near the end of the instructions. I had all the pieces painted and ready to assemble and then realized we had not cut that bar. It was a little frustrating.
Jessica
August 11, 2015
Could you please let me know the type of paint that you used? Thanks in advance.
Margot
July 10, 2015
My favorite dance move is the twist. Jenny, who is now 12 years old, loves to exercise with me, dancing with Richard Simmons, “Dancing To The Oldies”. We would laugh having a great time learning all kinds of dance steps, but most of all we are exercising.
Rena
July 09, 2015
Hi.
Does anyone know how to add a image to your profile?
I noticed some have an image, but I could not figure it out!
Thanks?
AnnCP
July 06, 2015
A Plie’. It is graceful.
Margaret Haffner
July 05, 2015
My favourite dance move is the Chicken Dance, LOL!
Lisa
July 05, 2015
My favorite dance move is a twirl!
Jessica
July 04, 2015
“My favorite dance move is watching my daughters dance!
Cindy
July 04, 2015
my favorite dance moves are the ones my granddaughter does when she does her floor routine in gymnastics competitions. She’s awesome.
Kate
July 04, 2015
I always loved doing a tour jete. “step, together, step, kick, turn”. Man. . . over 30 years and it’s still ingrained in the brain!
Thanks for doing the tutorial! The barre looks grand, and I’m sure lots of dolls will now be getting their stretch on!
(It just dawned on me, I didn’t really follow directions! lol. So, “My favorite dance move is a tour jete” :)
Doreen Garrett
July 04, 2015
I think all the moves are great, it is so beautiful to watch the ballerina move so the barre is a must. Thank you for all your good work and for freeby Friday, you give so much back to use I am so happy to be your customer also you are so helpful and you do so much for charity. God bless you
Rhonda
July 04, 2015
My favorite dance move is the grand jete. But all ballet moves are simply beautiful!
Robyn
July 04, 2015
I couldn’t say my ‘favorite’ dance move but have to agree that any moves my granddaughters make in ballet are my favorites!
Jane Kennedy
July 04, 2015
Mu daughter was an excellent gymnast and was good in all the events. When she did her bars routine, I was especially proud of her gracefulness and talent. She now has her own daughters and bars is still my favorite to watch.
Judy
July 04, 2015
My favorite dance move is any that my granddaughter does.
Brenda Brown
July 04, 2015
my favorite dance move is the twist,,,,,,,, like u did last summer baby lol also a song, and I love ball room dancing
Cheryl
July 04, 2015
The good old country two-step for me. :o)
Linda DuBos
July 03, 2015
My favorite ballot dance move was the stag leap. I felt as though I was gracefully flying through the air and across the floor. You’ll note I said “was my favorite”. At 69 it would be more of a jump and thump. LOL.
Peggy
July 03, 2015
I’m not a dancer but love watching the waltz and any dance my grandaughter is doing! she will love working the barre with her doll!
Mary M
July 03, 2015
shuffle, ball change! (At least that is what my granddaughter is learning,lol)!
Judith
July 03, 2015
I love the waltz. I can’t dance but the waltz is so beautiful!
Marilyn
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the tour jete. I am 68 years old but I remember the joy I felt as a child when I danced. I still love to dance, although arthritis has put me on the sidelines for now. I am hoping to get back to it soon. I took dancing lessons for 9 years and had many solo numbers. Doing the tour jete almost made me feel like I could fly. I would fling my body into the air and at the highest point I seemed to almost float in space until gravity brought me back to earth. My granddaughters love to dance and one of them has been in several ballets. Her American Girl doll also loves to dance and could really use the ballet barre to practice her moves.
Brenda
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is a pirouette . Especially when done by my daughter on Pointe!
Anne C-E
July 03, 2015
Tour jete I love to watch it but I cannot do it.
springg
July 03, 2015
my favorite dance move is the one im going to get to watch my daughter do if i can get this made for her :)
Sandy
July 03, 2015
Such a good idea, for a doll to spark exercise activities for girls.
Rose
July 03, 2015
Being a “baby boomer” my favorite dance moves are the jitter bug and especially the twist. Can’t wait to make this.
Rose
July 03, 2015
Being a "baby boomer
Tania B
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is when my daughter practices her plies. So cute and she tries so hard.
janet S
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is not ballet… it is the Tango dip! I would love this barre for my granddaughter – gotta make one
Heather
July 03, 2015
My favourite dance move is the Lindy Hop as a breakout dance while doing the jitterbug or incorporated into west coast swing. Boy, it would be fun to get out and dance again!
Barb M.
July 03, 2015
I’m as clumsy as they come, but I love to watch any dance moves and pretend to be graceful! I guess my favorite would be the dances from the Nutcracker, from the start to the finale of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. At least every other year since she was old enough to sit and concentrate, I’ve taken my granddaughter to see it locally produced, even though she’s 21 now! We have a movie version for the years it isn’t produced that we watch at Christmas. But—I also enjoy all the new dance moves in the movies she takes me to see! All dance is amazing!
This barre is just beautiful and much more affordable than the brand name pieces like you could get with Isabelle last year. I’ll be giving it a try as I’m trying to set up a “studio” for Isabelle w/o purchasing the big cabinet or the equipment. Thank you for this freebie and for all of them!
Dana
July 03, 2015
This is so cute! I love the silver clamps for detail! It looks easy to do too! Great job!
Linda K
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the electric slide
Haylee
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is a pirouette with a double twist and jump! When someone does this dance move it just looks so elegant that it makes my heart beat faster than anything in this world! Thanks for having this giveaway and good luck to everyone who enters!!
Julie Barlocher
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the twist. It’s the first dance move I remember doing as a little girl……..too many years ago to tell you what year! LOL
Barbara Corbin
July 03, 2015
It is really nice to have a tutorial accessory with a photo of the finished product, and know that it will be a great accessory for the doll.
Jody
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the sprinkler ? I love doing it just embarrass the kids.
Margaret
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the cha-cha!
Stephsgotit
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance more is a Maya. Executed properly it’s a beautiful fluid movement!
Thanks for the tutorial!
Donna
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the “Teacup Chain”. It is actually a square dance move. If you have never seen it, you should check it out. It is a beautiful sequence.
This ballet barre is so pretty. I love the blue color.
Vickie
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance is jazz. I love the upbeat dances and and music.
Sandy
July 03, 2015
My Favorite Dance Move Is “THE CARLTON”!!!!!
Mary
July 03, 2015
The Twist!
Celeste
July 03, 2015
3 yr. olds in butterfly costumes doing plies.
MonicaAD
July 03, 2015
The Swan!!! :)
15DollsAndCounting
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the relevé. (en pointe)
Pam
July 03, 2015
I love to watch pirouettes. I watched by daughter when she was young and now watching my granddaughter at ballet class. This is the cutest thing ever. The barre would be ideal for her and the american girl doll.
Bea Gallo-Ray
July 03, 2015
I love 50’s and 60’s music and enjoyed dancing to these back in my day! This music still makes my heart dance!
Angelica
July 03, 2015
My favourite dance move has to be the three step waltz. I remember when I was a little girl, my mother would love to dance. Whenever she played her records, she would put on a waltz. I loved to dance, so she would grab me and dance with me. Not only did she teach me to waltz but also the polka. She past away a few years ago but I will always remember her and I dancing together. I am so glad she had taught me these steps.
Danielle Tague
July 03, 2015
I am trying to remember the name of the dances from when my husband and I took ballroom dance classes but I can’t. Mommy brain. :). I have two left feet so it was kind of funny to do but I enjoyed them all. As for watching other people I love the waltz.
Michelle
July 03, 2015
My Great Niece is 4 years old and loves to dance, especially ballet moves. Her Grandmother bought the doll and I am making the clothing and accessories. This has been a lot of fun and a challenge too since I had never sewn anything this small before.
Thresea Wright
July 03, 2015
I don’t dance! But my granddaughter does.
Jessica
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is watching others! My daughter is going to start dance lessons this year and I will love watching her! Thanks for a chance to win! I know she would love this!
Alice
July 03, 2015
I love to dance but really love watching the ball room dancing competitions on tv.
Christina
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is slow dancing cheek-to-cheek in my husband’s arms.
Lisa
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is shuffle, ball change.
Donna G.
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is anything from the 50s and 60s….the twist, the fly, the stroll. Love those dances!
Kathy Bryant
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the pirouette
Dawn
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is all of them! I love to dance
Hanna Q
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the grapevine! I always loved when our choreographer put one in our routines.
Jo
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the polka.
Jo
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the polka.
Rena
July 03, 2015
Oh my gosh! I don’t dance much, but I love all kinds of dance. Every movement is an expression of the dancer. The dances of the Roaring 20’s, the 50’s, to the dances of 2015. (Meghan Trainor brings it! ;)) But being 7/8 Native American, I have to choose Fancy Shawl. (If your not sure what this is, please look it up) That’s when the dancer mimics a butterfly’s movements. This is the dance that I dance. All of our Native dances have a meaning and our dancers execute them with such grace. As do all dancers across all dance genres.
<3 to all dancers out there!
Rena?
Pat
July 03, 2015
I love it when my little ballerina granddaughters run across the stage and leap! and they would love the ballet bar for their dolls, who just received ballet outfits, including slippers made from a pattern from L.J., to celebrate their end of school year recital.
Crystal
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the Tap Dance. This is so perfect for any little girl and her doll!
Lucy A
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the jete. (Sorry, french is not on the computer to give it the accent grave that it needs.)
Timmie McBride
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the pirouette.
Shirley Clark
July 03, 2015
I love it when they do a Fouette Turn over and over! Shows great balance!
Aimee
July 03, 2015
My younger sister is taking ballet, and I’m sure she would LOVE this for her doll. Personally, I love anything ballet. It’s so graceful.
Hannah
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is a shuffle step.
Mary
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance moves were my dad’s & watching him move my mom around the dance floor. I love making doll clothes & accesories. Can’t wait to try this.
Dana
July 03, 2015
Great project to get ready for some handmade Christmas gifts! I like the option of painting to customize it for your child.
Lori Straley
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is a Tour Jette. It always looks fance and polished. It makes me feel like a real ballerina.
Julieta Flores
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is a plíe.
Lea Ann R
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the two-step!! NOT that I can do it, but I love to watch!!
Crystal
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is the Tap Dance. This is so perfect for any little girl and her doll!
Evelyn
July 03, 2015
I love the pirouette. And I love watching ballet.
Kathy O in GA
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is any that my daughter is doing! All grown up now, she mainly uses her barre for barre method exercise! My Samantha doll needs one of these! Thank you for the great tutorial, just in case I don’t win, wink wink!
Melissa Bertrand
July 03, 2015
Favourite dance is the chicken dance with my kids!! :)
Suzi
July 03, 2015
My favorite dance move is watching others dance!!
Lynne Thompson
July 03, 2015
I love to dance! I love the rhythm and the feel of dance. Any dance is fine with me. My favourite move in a ballet is a pirouette up high on the toes.
I also love this give away! Thank you for doing this.
Fran R.
May 04, 2023
Love to watch all different types of dance. But am not talented to do more then the awkward small dance around the same spot at wedding receptions.