Month: January 2025

A purple thumbnail frame surrounds a photo of a Pedigree Sindy doll in a 1960's style miniskirt dress or ice skater's dress. The text reads, "Free Pattern."
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Sindy, Vintage Barbie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew your own 1960’s dress for Pedigree Sindy w/today’s FREE A4 PDF sewing patterns! #sewingforgirls #sewUK

  For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Some of you may have noticed that I’ve been building a whole collection of doll clothes patterns for Pedigree Sindy, and this lovely little dress is one I’ve been calling my “ice skater dress” since I first became inspired to make it. When I took the photos for … Continue reading Sew your own 1960’s dress for Pedigree Sindy w/today’s FREE A4 PDF sewing patterns! #sewingforgirls #sewUK

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The thumbnail image shows a purple patch sewn onto a turquoise cloth. The words "doll clothes sewing chat" are written in the center of the purple patch. Floating in a circle around the patch are graphics of various sewing notions, from scissors, to a tape measure, to bobbins, to thread, and more. This feature on Chelly Wood dot com, is an open discussion about a sewing concept. The article will begin with a definition of the sewing concept, and then a discussion question will follow. This is a great place for people to ask questions about and/or give advice on sewing concepts related to making doll clothes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Creative Spark Online Learning, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Tips for Beginners

Did you learn to sew for people first? Or did you sew for dolls first? #SewOver50 #QandA

Last Wednesday I posted the first of a series of questions from one of my followers, Kim. Today’s blog post addresses the second of Kim’s questions, and today I’ll be addressing her question and my answer here, on ChellyWood.com, as the second blog post in a four-part blog post series. But I want to hear the opinions of my followers as well, so please read … Continue reading Did you learn to sew for people first? Or did you sew for dolls first? #SewOver50 #QandA

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The thumbnail shows a woman at her desk with a laptop. Above her is a chart of some type. The text reads "tax time! How much did ChellyWood LLC earn this year?" This is followed by the logo for Chelly Wood dot com at the bottom of the image, along with a "down" arrow.
Charity Work, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Shoes, For Sale in the Store, Interviews With Crafters, Selling Your Crafts, Uncategorized

How much money did ChellyWood.com earn in 2024? #TaxTime #FullDisclosure

Yup! It’s time once again to pay Uncle Sam! For those of you living outside the US, the character of Uncle Sam — shown as a cartoon image on the right hand side of the poster I’m holding in the image above — is a personification of our government, here in the United States. Perhaps you knew that, but I thought I’d explain, just in … Continue reading How much money did ChellyWood.com earn in 2024? #TaxTime #FullDisclosure

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Advance 9939 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns (the envelope that the patterns come in) is shown with the Chelly Wood doll, framed in a quilted border. The text reads "Advance 9939 vintage Barbie patterns."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Vintage Barbie

Learning to Sew with Advance 9939 Vintage Barbie Doll Clothes Patterns #VintageSewing #SewOver50

I purchased my vintage Advance 9939 sewing pattern for Barbie dolls last summer, and ever since then, I’ve been exploring these patterns with joy in my heart! Once I complete an outfit, I try it on various dolls to see which modern and collectible dolls can fit in these outfits, and I hope to share what I’ve learned in the blog posts I’ll be linking … Continue reading Learning to Sew with Advance 9939 Vintage Barbie Doll Clothes Patterns #VintageSewing #SewOver50

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A Pedigree Sindy doll with long brown hair models a handmade graphic tee shirt with a pair of matching trousers. The text reads "Free pattern!" and gives the logo for Chelly Wood dot com.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Sindy, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Whip up some easy-to-sew trousers for Pedigree Sindy dolls with today’s free dolls’ clothes pattern! #Sewing #DollsClothes

For your free trousers patterns and additional tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. I recently made a trip to my local second-hand store/charity shop, Goodwill, where I bought a child’s shirt. Then I used the shirt to make a pair of trousers for my Pedigree Sindy doll, along with several other items of clothing in a wardrobe of my own … Continue reading Whip up some easy-to-sew trousers for Pedigree Sindy dolls with today’s free dolls’ clothes pattern! #Sewing #DollsClothes

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The thumbnail image shows a purple patch sewn onto a turquoise cloth. The words "doll clothes sewing chat" are written in the center of the purple patch. Floating in a circle around the patch are graphics of various sewing notions, from scissors, to a tape measure, to bobbins, to thread, and more. This feature on Chelly Wood dot com, is an open discussion about a sewing concept. The article will begin with a definition of the sewing concept, and then a discussion question will follow. This is a great place for people to ask questions about and/or give advice on sewing concepts related to making doll clothes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Creative Spark Online Learning, Fan Mail, For Sale in the Store, Interviews With Crafters, Tips for Beginners

How can I improve my sewing game? #SewWithMe #QandA

In my inbox, from time to time, I get questions about how to sew an item of doll clothing that I’ve designed, how to design a specific item of doll clothes, or generally how to improve one’s sewing game. Back in the middle of December, I received the following question from someone named Kim: “Since I’m a beginner… you know how a mother bird teaches … Continue reading How can I improve my sewing game? #SewWithMe #QandA

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A Curvy Barbie models a handmade sundress (sun dress) made with ribbon, felt, and cotton. The text reads, "Free patterns!" and shows the Chelly Wood dot com logo alongside the doll, who poses on a white platform.
Barbie Patterns, Curvy Barbie, Daily Patterns, Tips for Beginners, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Free patterns for making a Curvy Barbie dress — for absolute beginners learning to sew! #LearningToSew #FreePatterns

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. This dress’s super simple design makes it easy to create a maxi-length long dress, even if you have little or no sewing experience at all. Because the bodice has a sort of “bump” at the top, the doll’s chest will be well-covered, even if something goes wrong when sewing … Continue reading Free patterns for making a Curvy Barbie dress — for absolute beginners learning to sew! #LearningToSew #FreePatterns

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The image shows a quilted frame around a photo of the cover of the Simplicity 4883 doll clothes pattern envelope. Above the photo, it reads, "Simplicity 4883." Beside the photo is a graphic of a giant yellow and turquoise blue question mark. Below this is the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sindy, Tammy Doll Patterns, Tips for Beginners

Three times I made mistakes when sewing Simplicity 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls #MLK #Oops!

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you probably already know I’m a big fan of the Simplicity 4883 sewing pattern. I’ve been making doll clothes with Simplicity 4883 since my early childhood. In fact, it was the first pattern ever given to me, and it was from this pattern that I learned how to alter doll clothes. From there, I learned … Continue reading Three times I made mistakes when sewing Simplicity 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls #MLK #Oops!

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A Sausage Curl Skipper from 1972 is seen in close-up on a cell phone, wearing a Peter Pan collared shirt with tie under a vest-like over sweater and a floral mini skirt. Under her mini skirt, she wears white stockings and red flats. Her hair is done in sausage curl pigtails. Her shirt is white, her sweater vest red, and her skirt is black with tiny red, yellow, and white flowers. Her flats are made of red plastic. The text beside the cell phone displaying this vintage Skipper doll reads "do a pick: playground Skipper fun."
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Skipper

Let’s Do a Pick — Which Skipper doll is the best one to take to school? — And do you remember when skateboards came out? #DoApick #retroBarbie #70s

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Malibu Skipper, wearing Best Buy Fashion #3373 Skipper’s friend Tiff, wearing Best Buy Fashion #3372 Sausage Curl Pigtail Skipper, wearing Best Buy Fashion #8611 Do you remember Skipper’s friend Tiff? According to various sources I’ve found, she’s Skipper’s “Tom boy friend” whose face looks a lot like the early Midge face (in my humble opinion), although experts … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Which Skipper doll is the best one to take to school? — And do you remember when skateboards came out? #DoApick #retroBarbie #70s

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A Wellie Wishers doll with curly black hair and a dark complexion models a handmade felt sleeveless pink top over a seersucker pink skirt (just-above-the-knee lengths) with tiny white pockets. Both the pink felt top and the pink "schoolgirl's skirt" are handmade using free printable sewing patterns from Chelly Wood dot com. The text reads "free patterns!"
15-inch doll clothes patterns, American Girl Doll Patterns, Daily Patterns, Wellie Wishers Patterns

Super simple Wellie Wishers doll clothes for beginners to sew, with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #LearningToSew #SewingTips

Scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. This pattern has been available on my website since 2018, but my links needed some updating. I’m re-posting it specifically for the Wellie Wisher dolls, but it does fit a large number of dolls in addition to the Wellie Wishers from American Girl. (Take a look through the first set of … Continue reading Super simple Wellie Wishers doll clothes for beginners to sew, with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #LearningToSew #SewingTips

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Within a purple thumbnail that says "free pattern" stands an 11.5 inch Pedigree Sindy doll from the 1970's or 1980's. She wears a purple headband, a purple graphic tee shirt, and a purple pencil skirt, along with a pair of silver flat shoes with pointed toes. The logo on this thumbnail reminds us to go to Chelly Wood dot com for more free printable PDF sewing patterns, including Sindy doll clothes patterns in A4 paper format for PDF printing.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Sindy, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Upcycle a T-Shirt into Dolls’ Clothes: Creative DIY Ideas for Pedigree Sindy! #Sewing #DollsClothes

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. As we saw in yesterday’s tutorial for making the graphic tee shirt that my Sindy doll is wearing in the photo at the top of today’s blog post, I recently made a trip to my local second-hand store, Goodwill, where I bought a child’s shirt. Then I used the … Continue reading Upcycle a T-Shirt into Dolls’ Clothes: Creative DIY Ideas for Pedigree Sindy! #Sewing #DollsClothes

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Advance 9939 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns (the envelope that the patterns come in) is shown with the Chelly Wood doll, framed in a quilted border. The text reads "Advance 9939 vintage Barbie patterns."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Uncategorized, Vintage Barbie

I jazzed up a vintage Barbie pattern, Advance 9939, by slapping on a bias tape collar!

See that cute little summer top in View 2 of this vintage Advance 9939 doll clothes pattern* package? That’s what I was working on — creating that set of culottes with the sleeveless blouse that looks so cute and sweet on Ponytail Barbie in the drawings. That’s not what I got though. Ugh! *Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this … Continue reading I jazzed up a vintage Barbie pattern, Advance 9939, by slapping on a bias tape collar!

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
13-inch doll clothes patterns, 14-inch doll clothes patterns, 15-inch doll clothes patterns, 16-inch doll clothes patterns, 17-inch doll clothes patterns, 18-inch doll clothes patterns, American Girl Doll Patterns, Baby Alive, Baby Doll Patterns, BFC Ink Dolls, Crissy Family of Dolls, Daily Patterns, Disney Princess Dolls, Doll Shoes, FibreCraft Doll Clothes, Hearts for Hearts Girls, Madame Alexander Doll Clothes Patterns, Tutorials: Crafts, Velvet Dolls, Wellie Wishers Patterns

How to make a pair of sandals for dolls using elastic and craft foam… #AmericanGirl #WellieWishers

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s tutorial video is, once again, an older tutorial that I’ve re-mastered to include voiceover. I’m trying to gradually revisit those older text-only videos and add voice over to them because a.) it helps Google Translate to offer the instructions into another language on my YouTube channel and b.) it gives … Continue reading How to make a pair of sandals for dolls using elastic and craft foam… #AmericanGirl #WellieWishers

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The thumbnail shows a woman's hand holding up a tiny little doll with question marks coming away from the tiny doll. The doll's eyes look left, toward the woman (who is out of sight). The text reads, "Can you help me identify this little cutie pie?"
3-inch doll clothes patterns, Baby Doll Patterns, Contests, Disney Princess Dolls, Doll Collecting, Doll Makeovers, Doll Measurements, Doll Shoes, Polly Pocket

Can you help me identify this MGA 2021 Made in China African American doll? #LittleMermaid #Toys

I’m starting the New Year with some dolly clean-up projects… Recently I found some doll shoes wrapped up in a plastic bag full of various toys (including dollar store trinkets and Happy Meal gadget toys), and I bought it for $2.50 at the Goodwill, just because it had the two pairs of shoes, which were a heck of a find! — A pair of turquoise … Continue reading Can you help me identify this MGA 2021 Made in China African American doll? #LittleMermaid #Toys

Chelly Wood9 Comments
Mego Star Trek action figure Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) doll wearing yellow flutter sleeve dress in turquoise blue thumbnail square. Text reads "free pattern!" and the dress the doll wears is yellow, just below the knee length, with a smooth A-line front and slightly puffy flutter sleeves.
8-inch doll clothes patterns, Mego Action Figures, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Today we’re making a little A-line dress with flutter sleeves for Mego Action Figures! #iSew #Miniatures

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing patterns and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. Yes, as the heading states, today I’ll be showing you how to make this lovely little A-line dress with flutter-style sleeves, and it will fit the Mego female action figures along with a wide variety of dolls in the 8-inch, 9-inch, … Continue reading Today we’re making a little A-line dress with flutter sleeves for Mego Action Figures! #iSew #Miniatures

Chelly Wood2 Comments