Month: August 2025

Inside a purple frame, talk bubbles express Q for Questions and A for Answers. The text reads, "Sewing tips for beginners." This is a thumbnail for a Q and A blog post for beginners who are learning to sew and want to "pick the brain" of an experienced doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Fan Mail, For Sale in the Store, Links, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

What do I need to use my sewing machine? #SewingMachine #LearningToSew

Recently I saw a Reddit post that asked, “What do I need, to use my new sewing machine?” So I thought this might be a good follow-up topic to the last two Friday posts, which answered the questions, “Which sewing machine brand is the best?” and “What brand of iron do you use?” For today’s blog post, in addition to my usual affiliate marketing links, … Continue reading What do I need to use my sewing machine? #SewingMachine #LearningToSew

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
On a white background, we see an array of Celtic knots forming green and blue squares, all of which seem to be linked together by circles of red. This Celtic knot pattern has been made into a fabric, which can be purchased at Chelly Wood's shop on Spoonflower, a fabric website. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner of this Celtic knot patterned fabric swatch.
Contests, Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Favorite Books, Holiday Crafts, Paper Crafts, Tutorials: Crafts

Celtic Knots and Patterns… Celebrating Celtic Heritage with Style #Scotland #Art

Some of you are already aware that I’ve begun experimenting with painting and fabric design. I now have an account on Spoonflower where you can see and (if you’re interested) purchase the fabrics I’ve designed. Of course I’m just learning how to make my own fabrics, and I’m by no means an expert at this point. However I’m particularly proud of the fabric I designed … Continue reading Celtic Knots and Patterns… Celebrating Celtic Heritage with Style #Scotland #Art

Chelly Wood4 Comments
Alt text: "Early 2000s Lemon Meringue Strawberry Shortcake doll by Playmates, featuring jazzy blue streaks and handmade clothes: a white cotton top and a purple floral mini skirt. Click to access a page with free patterns and sewing tutorial videos for creating these doll clothes."
6-inch doll clothes patterns, 7-inch Dolls, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Strawberry Shortcake Dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Free Patterns to Sew a Summer Top and Skirt for 6¾-Inch Strawberry Shortcake Dolls #StrawberryShortcake #CraftyMom

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. It’s confession time. Strawberry Shortcake actually belonged to my younger sister’s generation, not mine. I was a typically snooty middle-school girl when the original Strawberry Shortcake dolls came out in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. So I didn’t fall in love with Strawberry Shortcake until my own kids were old … Continue reading Free Patterns to Sew a Summer Top and Skirt for 6¾-Inch Strawberry Shortcake Dolls #StrawberryShortcake #CraftyMom

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The photo of Chelly Wood shows a woman with blond hair turning white. She wears glasses and a denim jacket. She poses with her hand resting against her cheek, while her arm, bent at the elbow, rests against the back of a wooden bench (outside the frame of the photo). The frame includes lines of stitching, a button, and a tan linen background, indicating that the woman pictured is best known for her sewing accomplishments.
Charity Work, Creative Spark Online Learning, Favorite Books

A little-known fact about Chelly Wood, the doll clothing designer, YouTuber, and writer…

Okay. Brace yourselves. I’m about to reveal something very unusual about myself. Are you ready for this? Ahem. I am a near-death experiencer. Yes, you read that right. I have had not one but three – count ‘em THREE – near-death experiences. As a social media personality, writer, and YouTuber, I have an agent. Her name is Liz. She called me a couple of years … Continue reading A little-known fact about Chelly Wood, the doll clothing designer, YouTuber, and writer…

Chelly Wood8 Comments
A Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been OOAK re-dressed, re-painted, and had its hair dyed to look like the real doll clothing designer Chelly Wood stands beside a photo of a McCall's 9061 vintage sewing pattern for baby and toddler dolls. The Chelly Wood doll wears a red check shirt and black trousers with a pair of flats. Her hair is tied in a red check handkerchief and she wears dark cat eye glasses.
Baby Doll Patterns, Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners

Learning to sew with McCall’s 9061 Vintage Baby and Toddler Dolls’ Wardrobe Patterns #Sewing #DollCollector

If you’re looking for details, tips, and tricks for sewing with the vintage McCall’s 9061 pattern for baby and toddler dolls, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s blog post, I’m going to give you links to the other blog posts I’ve written about this pattern, plus, I’ll let you know what information can be found on the envelope itself, including which dolls this … Continue reading Learning to sew with McCall’s 9061 Vintage Baby and Toddler Dolls’ Wardrobe Patterns #Sewing #DollCollector

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Thumbnail image featuring a prominent purple silhouette of a sewing machine outlined in white against a turquoise background. The geometric design includes a square displaying a vintage wooden spool of thread, and a rectangle showcasing the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
Crafts and Hobbies, Sewing and Fashion History, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

What is the best brand of sewing machine for home use? And what type of machine did you learn to sew on? #Sewing #LearningToSew

Last week we shared our favorite brands of irons. Today I want to hear about what brand of sewing machine you use, and is it a good one or not? I’ll also share the brands I’ve used over the years, along with my own opinion about each of them. However, before I start describing sewing machines, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As … Continue reading What is the best brand of sewing machine for home use? And what type of machine did you learn to sew on? #Sewing #LearningToSew

Chelly Wood13 Comments
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

Where can I find free sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls? Please help spread the news! #Free #SewingPatterns #EasyDIY

  My regular followers are probably wondering why I’ve posted so many “How to find” videos on my YouTube channel. Well, believe it or not, I still get questions — in fact I got one on my YouTube channel on Saturday — asking me how to find the patterns on this website. I’ve been on YouTube for more than 10 years, but there are still … Continue reading Where can I find free sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls? Please help spread the news! #Free #SewingPatterns #EasyDIY

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Various sewing and crafting notions like thread, a tape measure, scissors, and a writing utensil swirl around the words "Sewing Vocab" in a thumbnail frame. This is the default thumbnail for the sewing picture dictionary (or sewing glossary with pictures) on ChellyWood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is bias tape used for? #SewWithMe #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION:  Bias tape is fabric that has been cut on the bias, making it very flexible. When folded and sewn around a circular edge, its flexibility keeps it from winding in waves (as can be problematic in a rolled hem). This is my own definition. Of course you can google this term to find other definitions as well. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is bias tape used for? #SewWithMe #SewingVocabulary

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A BFC Ink doll stands beside a dress form mannequin that is labeled "Tape Measure Tuesday." The doll is dressed only in a bra and panties. When you click on this thumbnail, it will take you to an infographic labeling the Best Friends Club Ink doll's sewing measurements.
BFC Ink Dolls, Doll Measurements, Tape Measure Tuesday

Tape Measure Tuesday: Best Friends Club Ink (BFC Ink) Dolls’ Sewing Measurements! #TapeMeasureTuesday

Scroll down for clarifications to each measurement. Today’s infographic shows the sewing measurements for the Best Friends Club Ink (also known as BFC Ink) dolls. These dolls are highly articulated and very collectible! Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, … Continue reading Tape Measure Tuesday: Best Friends Club Ink (BFC Ink) Dolls’ Sewing Measurements! #TapeMeasureTuesday

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
With a quilted purple and blue frame, a photo of a Made to Move Curvy Barbie with bright pink Anime-style hair stands next to and looks down at vintage 8281 Simplicity Barbie doll clothes pattern, which contains the patterns for making the very same raglan-sleeved shirt or blouse that the Made-to-Move Curvy Barbie is wearing. She also wears a miniskirt that is not pictured on the envelope for Simplicity 8281 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns. The ChellyWood.com logo appears to the side of the photo.
Curvy Barbie, Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Ken

What are raglan shirts? — Here’s a quick explanation! #Sewing #HandmadeWithLove

In the image at the top of today’s blog post, Ken is modeling a handmade raglan-sleeved T-shirt, but what, exactly, does “raglan” mean? Well, in today’s blog post, we’ll dig deep into the differences between a set-in sleeve and a raglan sleeve, looking at doll clothes sewing patterns for both kinds. If you’re wondering about the history of the word “raglan” (AKA its etymology), I’ll … Continue reading What are raglan shirts? — Here’s a quick explanation! #Sewing #HandmadeWithLove

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A blue and white modern looking iron is pictured with the text "What are the best brands for irons?" above the image. This blue and white iron is similar in style to the Hot-2-Trot Sunbeam that's mentioned in Chelly Wood's article about the best irons for sewing doll clothes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

What’s the best small iron for sewing projects? #SewingTips #SewingMeetUp

Once in a while I get questions from followers about the everyday tools I sometimes take for granted, like the types of irons I use for my doll clothes sewing projects. Recently, in fact, someone left a comment on one of my YouTube tutorials, asking about the small, pink, travel-sized iron that appears in that particular video. So today, I’m going to share that information … Continue reading What’s the best small iron for sewing projects? #SewingTips #SewingMeetUp

Chelly Wood8 Comments
Click on the "Website Navigation Guide" button to learn more about how to navigate on ChellyWood.com, to find the free doll clothes sewing patterns and tutorial videos you need, to make a whole wardrobe of doll clothes for your doll or dolls.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Crafts and Hobbies, Fan Mail, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Fashion Doll Clothes Patterns (Free Barbie Patterns) and How to Find Them Online #FreeStuff #SewingPatterns

Today’s tutorial video shows how to find free sewing patterns for fashion dolls like Barbie (and others) online, using ChellyWood.com’s library of free PDF sewing patterns. Sometimes people come to my website and leave a comment that says, “I’m looking for free Bratz doll clothes patterns” or “Do you have any patterns for the Disney Princess ten inch dolls?” I designed today’s tutorial video to … Continue reading Fashion Doll Clothes Patterns (Free Barbie Patterns) and How to Find Them Online #FreeStuff #SewingPatterns

Chelly Wood2 Comments
On a purple square thumbnail background a Consuelo doll (from the Hearts for Hearts Girls doll collection of internationally-themed dolls) models a handmade one-piece swimsuit in a halter style next to the text which reads "Free pattern!" and offers the logo for ChellyWood.com, a website known for free printable PDF sewing patterns for dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
13-inch doll clothes patterns, 14-inch doll clothes patterns, Daily Patterns, Disney Princess Dolls, Hearts for Hearts Girls

Free one-piece swimsuit PDF sewing pattern for 14 inch dolls! #August #SummerFun

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. I designed the swimsuit you see above as a prototype for the 13 inch Judy Littlechap doll, so I was surprised to discover that it actually fits the Hearts for Hearts Girls 14 inch dolls. However, please be advised that you must use a really stretchy fabric to make this pattern … Continue reading Free one-piece swimsuit PDF sewing pattern for 14 inch dolls! #August #SummerFun

Chelly Wood1 Comment
The thumbnail features the Consuelo doll from the Hearts for Hearts Girls brand modeling a handmade swimsuit. The image is framed by small white rulers with black notches. Consuelo poses next to a dress form mannequin draped with a tape measure. The words "Tape Measure Tuesday" are displayed over the mannequin graphic.
Doll Measurements, Hearts for Hearts Girls, Tape Measure Tuesday, Wellie Wishers Patterns

What are the sewing measurements for Hearts for Hearts Girls dolls? Here you go! #DollsOfTheWorld #TapeMeasureTuesday

Scroll down for clarifications to each measurement. Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please … Continue reading What are the sewing measurements for Hearts for Hearts Girls dolls? Here you go! #DollsOfTheWorld #TapeMeasureTuesday

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been OOAK re-dressed, re-painted, and had its hair dyed to look like the real doll clothing designer Chelly Wood stands beside a photo of a McCall's 9061 vintage sewing pattern for baby and toddler dolls. The Chelly Wood doll wears a red check shirt and black trousers with a pair of flats. Her hair is tied in a red check handkerchief and she wears dark cat eye glasses.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

How can I tell if McCalls 9061 vintage patterns will fit my AG dolls? I have 2 methods! #SewingTips #SewingHacks

When you look at a vintage pattern, do you sometimes wonder whether or not it will fit your modern dolls? Nobody wants to waste time making, for example, the nightgown in View E above, if they’re not sure it will fit. Right? In today’s blog post, I’m going to show you a couple of tricks I use to test a pattern before I start sewing … Continue reading How can I tell if McCalls 9061 vintage patterns will fit my AG dolls? I have 2 methods! #SewingTips #SewingHacks

Chelly WoodLeave a comment