Long ago, my parents' basement was transformed into a Barbie kingdom, where my sister and I had some rather vicious fights over Barbie shoes and whether or not I parked my '57 Chevy on her side of the playroom (I did not). My favorite Barbies of yore were the Dynasty-ready Crystal Barbie, Peaches N Cream Barbie, and Loving You Barbie. These days, Barbie has a bit more to do than brush her hair and try on dresses, but fashion still plays a big part in her day-to-day doll activities. While Mattel has some sparkle-tastic Barbie clothes on offer, the Barbie Fashion Design Maker ($49.99) lets you create your own outfits on your PC or tablet, which you can then print out and stick on a specially made Barbie included with the bundle, all Colorforms-style.

To start using the Design Maker($24.99 at Amazon), download the app for iOS or Android or navigate to the website. There, you can mix and match and design gorgeous, gaudy, or just plain weird dresses for Barbie. A skirt with a small dog on it? Sure! Massive bows that would make Carrie Bradshaw proud? Of course! Why not two?

You can also take or import your own photos to slap on Barbie's torso. Keeping with the tech theme, I made snazzy dresses featuring the glowing visages of Elon Musk, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and Mark Zuckerberg, not to mention a dress with the PCMag logo. My Sheryl Sandberg dress was not cooperating, but if you'd like to use your words, you can type sayings on Barbie's clothing, so perhaps a "Lean In" ensemble is in the cards.

To print out your creations, you can connect to an inkjet printer via Wi-Fi on your tablet and do so wirelessly, or email yourself a PDF and print out using your PC.

Those who buy the Barbie Fashion Design Maker kit get a Barbie who comes with a hard plastic tube top and skirt that you cannot remove, atop which you'll affix your printed designs. She can't sit or move her legs, so don't invite her to any doll dinner parties. Just admire her from afar.

The outfits you print out aren't exactly couture. Did you ever go through a phase in high school or watch too much Project Runway and try to make an outfit out of plastic wrap, ribbons, or duct tape? It's kind of like that. Your outfit comes out of the printer on a single piece of paper, split into four segments, which you peel off and stick onto Barbie. Make sure the paper is lined up correctly, or your outfit will be a tad off-center, like my Neil DeGrasse Tyson masterpiece.

You only get eight sheets of printable fabric with the Design Maker, as well as some trims and ruffles. Refill packs of paper (with four sheets) cost about $11, which is a little steep, especially if your budding fashion designer feels particularly creative and rips through that 8-pack in an afternoon. Colorful designs will probably also do a number on your printer ink supply.

Fortunately, your child can design as many outfits as they want on the PC or tablet; to save some cash, perhaps mom and dad should control the printing process.

Meanwhile, the outfits are only sort of reusable. I removed the PCMag dress, tried on the Neil DeGrasse Tyson ensemble, and then returned Barbie to her PCMag outfit, and it worked, but the stickiness will probably only last for one more outfit change; the edges were already losing their grip.

The Barbie Fashion Design Maker will undoubtedly keep any Barbie fan (or adult tech editor) entertained, but the cost of paper replacement and printer ink might add up. Stick with the free apps if you don't have the extra cash to spare.

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