Calgary woman crafts hundreds of hand sewn Barbie clothes

It’s not something you expect to see in a 45-year-old woman’s living room.

Jinkyloy Petinglay has an impressive collection of hundreds of Barbie dolls that she has been accumulating for more than 30 years.

They are lovingly displayed on stages and shelves with twinkling lights and accessories such as cars, horses, and a massive Barbie dream home.

What makes Petinglay’s collection so special is the clothing. The majority of the dolls are outfitted with ensembles she has designed and hand sewn herself.

She has a collection of southern belles, wedding-themed dolls, fashionistas, and a collection inspired by the Royal Family.

Petinglay also has dozens of Miss Universe, Miss Canada, and Miss Philippines dolls—each collection taking months to sew all of the outfits.

A simple passion

Until fairly recently, Petinglay kept her simple passion a secret, mainly out of fear of what people might think.

Petinglay is originally from Antique in the Philippines. She was born a boy and started taking an interest in dolls at a young age.

“I always took my sister’s dolls, and then I [dreamed] of having a dress but I know I cannot wear them because my dad and my brothers didn’t allow me to be a woman,” Petinglay says.

After being taught how to sew by her grandmother, Petinglay started hand-stitching outfits for dolls around age eight.

She says she would craft dresses and dream of the day she could wear one.

Moving to Canada

When Petinglay was around 12 years old and expressed further desire to live as a female, her parents kicked her out.

“I thought I could rely on my mom and dad, but no. They are the first ones that will punish me so I don't know where to go. I just struggled… alone,” she says.

After many tough years, Petinglay’s aunt and uncle sponsored her to move to Canada.

“My aunt and uncle [knew I was] suffering back home, so they tried to get me out of there,” she says.

Petinglay moved to Calgary in 2005 at the age of 28, and transitioned.

That’s a lot of outfits

While some people may think Petinglay’s hobby is strange, she says she’s glad she never gave up on her passion and that it makes her happy.

Petinglay admits she can’t draw so when she has an idea for an ensemble, she has to create it right away so she doesn’t forget it.

She will work for seven or eight hours straight on a creation.

Over the years, Petinglay estimates she has designed and sewn at least 1,000 Barbie outfits.

“I just love them because, you know, as a boy… when I see the doll, I can see myself in it. I just pretend it's me,” Petinglay says, adding she would design dresses that she never thought would be possible for her to wear.

But now, Petinglay dresses up all the time and even makes some outfits for herself.

Preserving memories

Petinglay takes great pride in her creations and loves that she can help people preserve special memories.

She works as a caregiver in a nursing home and one of the residents still had her wedding dress and was going to get rid of it.

“It means a lot to her, so I said, ‘Don't throw it out’ because we can use that dress,” Petinglay says.

The talented seamstress used the wedding dress to make a miniature version for a Barbie and says the woman was thrilled with the results.

Similarly, another resident had been hanging onto a sentimental bracelet, but it was broken, so Petinglay used it to make a necklace and belt for a doll.

Petinglay hopes that sharing her passion will inspire others to find things that make them happy.

“I just kept it to myself but I think if I have an opportunity to share it, why not?”