Month: May 2025

A kitten is shown playing in a sewing room, in a basket full of sewing notions, like thread, ribbon, and tape measures.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store, Links, Tips for Beginners

Now that JoAnn’s is closed, where am I going to buy sewing notions? #JoAnn #DIY

Look, my online store has been here, on ChellyWood.com, since I opened it on June 21, 2023. Some of the items I sell in my store are my own creations; others are part of my stash that I’m trying to sell to make room for other stuff; and some of my “store” items are really just affiliate marketing links. But those affiliate marketing links can … Continue reading Now that JoAnn’s is closed, where am I going to buy sewing notions? #JoAnn #DIY

Chelly Wood2 Comments
In this purple thumbnail, Barbie has her arms spread out like she's twirling around in her orange poodle skirt and white long-sleeved shirt. The text reads "Free pattern!" next to the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Made to Move Barbie, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

How to make a petticoat slip for Barbie dolls’ ball gowns and circle skirts #BarbieClothes #Handmade

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s free PDF sewing pattern is for making a fashion-doll-sized petticoat, which can be worn under the free circle skirt pattern that I provided last week, or it can be worn under a long gown with a lot of fabric used for the skirt. In the video, I show … Continue reading How to make a petticoat slip for Barbie dolls’ ball gowns and circle skirts #BarbieClothes #Handmade

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Image shows Pedigree Sindy in a reversible tank top (vest) and fly front, high-waisted shorts beside the words "free pattern!" and the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Sindy, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Download Free A4 Printable PDF Summer Sewing Patterns for Pedigree Sindy Dolls @ ChellyWood.com #SindyDoll #DollCollectors

For your free patterns and additional tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. You may be wondering, “Hey… didn’t you already post this outfit?” Actually, I only posted the pattern and tutorial for making the fly-front shorts. Later, I realized that although the vest (AKA tank top) appeared in other posts, I had not yet posted the shorts and the reversible … Continue reading Download Free A4 Printable PDF Summer Sewing Patterns for Pedigree Sindy Dolls @ ChellyWood.com #SindyDoll #DollCollectors

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The image shows an African American or African doll wearing her underpants and bra. All around her are images of outfits someone has made for her. She stands next to a tape measure.
Doll Measurements, Tape Measure Tuesday

Tape Measure Tuesday: Measurements for Sewing Dolls’ Clothes #TapeMeasureTuesday #Sewing

Please note: the gallery below is a work in progress. I’ll add more dolls as time allows. Dolls appear in alphabetical order by the name they are most commonly known for. With that said, please click on the doll you would like to see sewing measurements for:   Behind the scenes, I’m creating a series of classes in doll clothing design techniques, so you can design your own … Continue reading Tape Measure Tuesday: Measurements for Sewing Dolls’ Clothes #TapeMeasureTuesday #Sewing

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been repainted and re-wigged) stands beside the Advance 2899 vintage doll clothes patterns for a 1960's Ken doll. This pattern was published in 1962.
Ken Patterns, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Uncategorized, Vintage Ken

How to Sew a Patch Pocket on a Ken Doll’s Shirt (Advance 2899) #SewingTips #VintageSewing

Last week I gave you a few tips and pointers on sewing a collar for Ken’s View 2 long-sleeved shirt, in the Advance 2899 doll clothes sewing pattern. This is a vintage sewing pattern from 1962, and I’m really enjoying sewing with it! This week, I’m going to talk about how to sew on a patch pocket, like the pocket you see on my Ken … Continue reading How to Sew a Patch Pocket on a Ken Doll’s Shirt (Advance 2899) #SewingTips #VintageSewing

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
In this purple thumbnail, Barbie has her arms spread out like she's twirling around in her orange poodle skirt and white long-sleeved shirt. The text reads "Free pattern!" next to the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Made to Move Barbie, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie

Barbie poodle skirt free patterns and tutorials (fits most 11 inch fashion dolls) #1950s #RetroSewing

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. As the title clearly states, today’s fashion doll clothes tutorial shows you how to use my free printable PDF sewing pattern to make a circle skirt with a sewn-on poodle patch (AKA a “poodle skirt”), like women commonly wore in the 1950’s to sock hops and school dances. Today’s … Continue reading Barbie poodle skirt free patterns and tutorials (fits most 11 inch fashion dolls) #1950s #RetroSewing

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The image shows three rolled cylinders of pink satin, each tied with a pink satin ribbon. The text reads "for sale: satin remnants!" The ChellyWood.com logo appears in one corner of the image.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, For Sale in the Store, Littlechap Dolls, Selling Your Crafts

Still for sale in my store: pink satin fabric remnants! Make me an offer… #JoannFabric #FabricForSale

Two years ago I posted a pattern and tutorial video, showing you how to make a beautiful, 1960’s style, pink satin dress, which will fit Judy Littlechap. But did you happen to see the list of dolls which will fit in this lovely dress? Let’s have a look at that list again: Okay, now you’re going to want to know more about the satin remnants … Continue reading Still for sale in my store: pink satin fabric remnants! Make me an offer… #JoannFabric #FabricForSale

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The text says, "Shoes for Ken" and it displays (left to right, top to bottom) a black pair of work boots, a pair of sneakers that look similar to Vans, a pair of Reebok style Ken sneakers, a pair of bright blue wingtip style shoes with gold laces, a pair of rust colored sneakers with angled white stripes, and a pair of men's mules or clogs.
Doll Collecting, Doll Shoes, Vintage Ken

Ken shoes! Let’s talk about Ken shoes, accessories, and fashions, old and new… #VintageKen #DollShoes

I grew up in the 1970’s, when Ken dolls were few and far between on the shelves in stores. Even harder to find was any type of fashion for Ken dolls. And based on the kinds of emails I get relatively frequently, it’s still a lot harder to find clothes and accessories for Ken than it is to find clothes and accessories for Barbie. Today … Continue reading Ken shoes! Let’s talk about Ken shoes, accessories, and fashions, old and new… #VintageKen #DollShoes

Chelly Wood7 Comments
The Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been repainted and re-wigged) stands beside the Advance 2899 vintage doll clothes patterns for a 1960's Ken doll. This pattern was published in 1962.
Ken Patterns, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Uncategorized, Vintage Ken

How to sew Ken’s collar so it lays down flat #VintageKen #SewingTips

Recently I sewed the collared shirt shown in View 2 of this vintage 1962 Advance 2899 sewing pattern for Ken dolls. While I was working on this, I got a message from one of my followers, asking if there’s a trick to sewing Ken’s collars so they will lay flat. And yes, there are a couple of tricks. Today’s blog post will address them. *Please … Continue reading How to sew Ken’s collar so it lays down flat #VintageKen #SewingTips

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A square thumbnail includes images of a handmade doll's purse, text that states "doll's purse with pocket" and a little DIY labeled sewing graphic. This thumbnail image accompanies a how-to blog post with tutorial video showing how to make a doll's purse (fits fashion dolls like Barbie and Pedigree Sindy).
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Made to Move Barbie, Rainbow High, Sindy, Tutorials: Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

How to make a purse for fashion dolls #DIY #FashionDolls

  Looking for the measurements for making your fashion-doll-sized purse? You’ve come to the right place! Today’s tutorial video shows how to make a sweet little purse for fashion dolls, and it even has a tiny pocket that you can put your doll’s accessories in! So if you scroll down to the second set of bullets, I’ve listed the measurements for each piece of this … Continue reading How to make a purse for fashion dolls #DIY #FashionDolls

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The image shows a laundry line of doll clothes that fit 14 inch, 15 inch, 16 inch, or 17 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers, Hearts for Hearts girls, vintage Velvet dolls, or Best Friends Club BFC Ink dolls. There are free printable sewing patterns for making all of these doll clothes at ChellyWood.com
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Fan Mail, Links, Tips for Beginners

How to Care for Your Handmade Doll Clothes #HelpfulTips for #DollCollectors

Today’s blog post on taking care of your handmade doll clothes is actually a re-post of an article I wrote several years ago. However, this topic is one I seem to get questions about from time to time, so maybe, while I’m “out of the office,” it’s a good opportunity to revisit it. Nobody likes to see a naked doll laying around, but did you … Continue reading How to Care for Your Handmade Doll Clothes #HelpfulTips for #DollCollectors

Chelly Wood4 Comments
A simple graphic of a turquoise blue button sits atop a purple gingham fabric background, with the Chelly Wood dot com logo in the lower left corner of this thumbnail image.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, History and Research, Interviews With Crafters, Links, Sewing and Fashion History, Yarn and Embroidery

How are fabrics made? How are buttons made? The answers may surprise you! #Sewing #SewOver50

  First of all, obviously I didn’t make the video I’m showing you, however I’ve watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it! And since I’m busy moving out of the library where I work (I’m retiring from my job as a full-time school librarian), I thought you might like something fun to watch while I’m away from my home office for a bit. If you enjoyed … Continue reading How are fabrics made? How are buttons made? The answers may surprise you! #Sewing #SewOver50

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A purple and blue quilted frame encompasses the edges of a photo of Butterick's 6664 doll clothes sewing pattern which is standing upright next to a Black Barbie who models one of the dresses shown on the pattern's packaging. This dress is a long 1980's style of caftan. It should be noted that a photograph of celebrity Marie Osmond appears on the envelope of the Butterick 6664 doll clothes pattern. The Chelly Wood dot com logo is also shown at the side of the frame.
Marie Osmond dolls, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Vintage Barbie

Doll clothes sewing patterns with errors… UGH! #VintageSewing #EpicFail!

When I think of doll clothes sewing patterns that are just flat WRONG, I always think of the shirt pattern from View 3 of Advance 2896. The pink shirt on the left (above) was made using the Advance 2896 shirt pattern exactly as the directions indicate on the pattern instructions. The brown floral version on  the right (above) was made with my own alterations to … Continue reading Doll clothes sewing patterns with errors… UGH! #VintageSewing #EpicFail!

Chelly Wood3 Comments
Image shows Pedigree Sindy in a reversible tank top (vest) and fly front, high-waisted shorts beside the words "free pattern!" and the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Sindy, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

DIY Shorts with High Waist and Fly Front for Pedigree Sindy (Free Patterns including A4 PDF) #Vintage #SindyDoll

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the third set of bullets. Today’s video tutorial will show you how to make a pair of 11 inch fashion doll shorts with a front fly. To make today’s project, I recommend that you use the following items: small print cotton fabric for the outer fabric cotton broadcloth in a solid color for the … Continue reading DIY Shorts with High Waist and Fly Front for Pedigree Sindy (Free Patterns including A4 PDF) #Vintage #SindyDoll

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A 17-inch Endless Hair Kingdom Barbie models a handmade pink satin dress with an over-sized bow in front. The text reads, "Free sewing pattern!"
17-inch doll clothes patterns, 17-Inch Endless Hair Princess Doll, Daily Patterns, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew a fabulous satin vintage-style dress for your 17-inch Barbie with today’s freebie patterns! #HandmadeStyle #iSew

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s dress-making tutorial video and free sewing pattern are for more advanced sewists. You can see that I’ve given the pattern five flowers on my difficulty scale. To learn more about how the difficulty scale works, please click here. Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. … Continue reading Sew a fabulous satin vintage-style dress for your 17-inch Barbie with today’s freebie patterns! #HandmadeStyle #iSew

Chelly Wood2 Comments