Author: Chelly Wood

I am a school librarian with an English degree plus a library science endorsement, and I like to write. I've also designed commercial doll clothes patterns, and I make stop-motion videos with dolls. My literary agent is Elizabeth Kracht of Kimberley Cameron and Associates.
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.
18-inch doll clothes patterns, Crafts and Hobbies, Crissy Family of Dolls, Doll Measurements, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Plushies/Stuffed Animals, Tips for Beginners

Which of Chelly Wood’s free patterns will fit my plush doll? Here’s how you find out! #Sewing for #Dolls

  Today’s video is an older one. In fact, I think I had a head cold when I recorded my voiceover for this one. (I sound sort of stuffy-headed.) The reason I’m posting it here today is because one of my followers reached out with a wonderful question about patterns. She had bought one of those 18 inch plush dolls they have at Hobby Lobby, … Continue reading Which of Chelly Wood’s free patterns will fit my plush doll? Here’s how you find out! #Sewing for #Dolls

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McCall's 2970 doll clothes sewing patterns. Click the thumbnail for the article which talks about which dolls (including Topper Dawn and Pippa) will fit in this tiny six inch doll's wardrobe. Article available to read at chellywood.com
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Palitoy's Pippa Dolls, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls

McCall’s 2970 — A pattern for tiny 6 inch fashion dolls! #Miniatures #SewingProjects

Today’s blog post is a collection of lessons I’ve learned while sewing McCall’s 2970 doll clothes patterns, which are designed to fit tiny 6 inch fashion dolls like Topper Dawn and Palitoy Pippa. As with other blog posts on my Vintage Pattern page, I’ll be adding to this list of lessons as I create different outfits using this pattern. Here are the projects related to … Continue reading McCall’s 2970 — A pattern for tiny 6 inch fashion dolls! #Miniatures #SewingProjects

Chelly Wood6 Comments
A 16 inch Tonner doll and a 17 inch Barbie model the same leopard print one-piece bathing suit on pool-themed stationery. Free patterns for making their swimsuits can be found at Chelly Wood dot com.
15-inch doll clothes patterns, 16-inch doll clothes patterns, 17-inch doll clothes patterns, 17-Inch Endless Hair Princess Doll, Daily Patterns, Tonner Doll Clothes, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Free swimsuit doll clothes patterns for a BIG Barbie and 16 inch Tonner dolls! #DollCollection #GrannyCrafter

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s 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 (see below), because this swimsuit does have a lining. To learn more about how the difficulty scale works, please click here. Before I … Continue reading Free swimsuit doll clothes patterns for a BIG Barbie and 16 inch Tonner dolls! #DollCollection #GrannyCrafter

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Strawberry Shortcake. Image shows a Strawberry Shortcake Flavor Swirl Lemon Meringue Doll made by Playmates in 2006. She wears a handmade red and white halter-style summer dress, and the dress is made from felt at the bodice and cotton as the skirt. The skirt is very short, like a mini skirt. Free patterns for making this dress are found at ChellyWood.com
6-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Strawberry Shortcake Dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Whip up a whimsical, super simple summer halter dress for your adorable 6-inch Strawberry Shortcake dolls! #Dolls #SummerSewing

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. I created today’s original sewing pattern a couple of years ago, with a different doll in mind. However, it’s always fun to discover that the same pattern will also fit a different doll. This project is so easy, too! All you’ll need is a tiny swatch of felt, a rectangle of … Continue reading Whip up a whimsical, super simple summer halter dress for your adorable 6-inch Strawberry Shortcake dolls! #Dolls #SummerSewing

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McCall's 4716, as discussed at chellywood.com (free doll clothes sewing pattern website). Left section shows all outfits offered by the pattern. Top row, left to right: overalls with check shirt and scarf; Native American style fringe-trimmed leather jacket with jeans; puffy vest, turtleneck, and trousers; check shirt with pants and scarf. Middle row, left to right: collared blouse with long skirt and apron; collared shirt with long ruffled sleeves, over which a shawl has been crisscrossed and a long skirt with ruffle; pinafore style long dress over collared shirt; cape with hood. Third row (bottom row), left to right: baby diaper; baby bunting; neck scarf; shawl. To the left of these drawings of the various outfits, Steve and Steffie and their little baby are pictured wearing the handmade overalls, check shirt with scarft, collared shirt, pinafore dress and a blue denim apron; and the baby bunting, respectively. The title of the pattern is "Carefree Patterns from McCall's 4716" and the price is listed as one dollar and twenty-five cents, with a Canadian amount at $1.35. The envelope also says "envelope contains all sizes."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Is there a sewing pattern that fits 8 inch, 9 inch, 10 inch, 11 inch and 12 inch dolls? #DollClothes #SewingHacks

Today’s blog post is a collection of lessons I’ve learned while sewing McCall’s 4716 doll clothes patterns. As with other blog posts on my Vintage Pattern page, I’ll be adding to this list of lessons as I create different outfits using this pattern. The one feature of this pattern that surprises people most, is the fact that it fits both little dolls (Sunshine Family 8 and … Continue reading Is there a sewing pattern that fits 8 inch, 9 inch, 10 inch, 11 inch and 12 inch dolls? #DollClothes #SewingHacks

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Charity craft project. Thumbnail shows two elasticized squares of fabric, which have been designed to fit over the stirrups for a medical exam table. Visit ChellyWood.com for the free printable PDF sewing patterns for making these exam table stirrup covers.
A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Charity Work, Crafts and Hobbies, Daily Patterns, Fabric, Tutorials: Crafts

Okay, bear with me… Today’s tutorial teaches you how to make… Umm… 😁 #CharityWork #MedicalSupplies #NursesWhoCraft

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing pattern and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. As it says in the video, this was a community service project of mine. My doctor’s office didn’t have any stirrup covers for their medical exam tables, so I drafted a pattern, sewed up two pair, and gave them to my … Continue reading Okay, bear with me… Today’s tutorial teaches you how to make… Umm… 😁 #CharityWork #MedicalSupplies #NursesWhoCraft

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Thumbnail for free doll clothes sewing patterns, for making a halter top and elastic-waist ruffle-bottom skirt to fit Tall Barbie. Click the thumbnail or visit ChellyWood.com for free doll clothes sewing patterns including A4 and American printer patterns in PDF format.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew a ruffle skirt and halter top for Tall Barbie with today’s free sewing patterns! #TallBarbie #SewingProjects

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Well, it’s summer here in the northern hemisphere, where I live. I’m loving this! And so is Tall Barbie! Yes, I’ve given you this pattern before, but never for Tall Barbie, so today’s blog post will add an important feature to the gallery of Tall Barbie patterns — all of which … Continue reading Sew a ruffle skirt and halter top for Tall Barbie with today’s free sewing patterns! #TallBarbie #SewingProjects

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McCall's 2970 doll clothes sewing patterns. Click the thumbnail for the article which talks about which dolls (including Topper Dawn and Pippa) will fit in this tiny six inch doll's wardrobe. Article available to read at chellywood.com
Fan Mail, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls, Vintage Barbie

Is there a good sewing pattern for Miniature dollhouse-sized dolls and six-inch action figures? #MeMadeMonday #ActionFigures

On Friday I received a message from someone who was looking for patterns to fit the little tiny 6 inch Phicen dolls/action figures. McCall’s 2970 is one such pattern. In the image at the top of this post, I’ve included a list of dolls that the pattern envelope suggests. But I also think many dollhouse-sized dolls and possibly even the Phicen 6 inch action figures … Continue reading Is there a good sewing pattern for Miniature dollhouse-sized dolls and six-inch action figures? #MeMadeMonday #ActionFigures

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See how Chelly Wood created her "Sarah's Marigolds" fabric by watching the YouTube video, "Quiet Meditation Music with Easy Art Inspiration." This video thumbnail shows simple orange marigolds and pale minty green leaves on a paint canvas, resting on a wooden table. Overlaid on top of this are several paint brushes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Links, Music Videos for Crafters, Paper Crafts, Tutorials: Crafts

Quiet meditation music and inspiration for your crafts! #Music #ArtsAndCrafts

It has been a while since I created a music video. They still exist on my YouTube channel, and you can find a playlist of instrumental music for crafting right here. This video shows how I designed my latest fabric on Spoonflower. I named it “Sarah’s Marigolds” because marigolds are my sister Sarah’s favorite flower. You can go vote for this fabric in the Spoonflower … Continue reading Quiet meditation music and inspiration for your crafts! #Music #ArtsAndCrafts

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Three headless doll bodies (shown discreetly from the shoulders up) accompany four doll heads, with their hair all wild and woven together against a teal and turquoise polka dot backdrop.
Doll Collecting, Doll Makeovers, Uncategorized, Vintage Barbie

Connecting doll heads to doll bodies… Are there rules? #DollCollector #DollCollection

I don’t know about you, but when I come across a doll head without a body, or a doll body without a head, I feel an uncontrollable urge to connect some doll heads to those doll bodies! No doll body should have to go around headless, and no doll head should have to go around bodiless! How do you feel about putting vintage doll heads on … Continue reading Connecting doll heads to doll bodies… Are there rules? #DollCollector #DollCollection

Chelly Wood11 Comments
Here we see a photo of the Marie Osmond 6664 "Butterick's Personality Doll Wardrobe" envelope and its photo of an actual Marie Osmond doll modeling a red western shirt with white front yokes and a pair of shiny black pants. The pattern options to the doll's right are showing a yellow jumper (in the USA sense of "jumper" -- a sleeveless dress which is sometimes worn over a shirt): a floor length caftan dress with ribbon ties at the sleeve and a waistband; a blue, V-neck long-sleeved shirt with cuffs and a waistband; a long-sleeved white shirt with a collar and cuffs; a purple evening dance dress with a zig-zag-cut skirt and a bodice with straps that tie at the shoulders; a short camel-colored caftan blouse with a waistband and ribbon ties at the sleeves' ends; a green flared ice skater's skirt; a green body suit with long sleeves and a turtle neck. The Chelly Wood doll stands to the left of the envelope. The Marie Osmond doll is on the pattern envelope itself because Butterick 6664 is designed to fit the Marie Osmond Barbie doll.
Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

What does “directional fabric” mean? #BeginnerSewing #SewingHack

Have you ever wondered why floral and polka dot fabrics are so popular? One of the reasons why people love polka dots and florals is because they’re usually non-directional fabrics. But what does that mean? Well, that’s what I’ll address today, and I’ll let you know how I made alterations to a Marie Osmond doll dress when I didn’t have enough of a directional fabric. … Continue reading What does “directional fabric” mean? #BeginnerSewing #SewingHack

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You can sew the iconic pink gingham dress with free patterns for 18 inch dolls. Image shows American Girl doll Kaya wearing a pink gingham dress with full skirt, resembling the iconic gingham Barbie dress from the Barbie movie. Click the thumbnail to read the article and access the free PDF sewing patterns for making this doll dress for 18 inch dolls.
18-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, American Girl Doll Patterns, Daily Patterns, Fan Mail, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Uncategorized, Whole Costumes for Dolls

How to make a pink gingham Barbie dress for your 18 inch dolls… #BarbieMovie #AmericanGirl

  Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s free pattern is brand new to the website, and this fulfills one of the many requests I’ve been given by my fans and followers. It’s my own version of the iconic pink gingham dress, worn by Barbie in the Barbie movie. Before I go on, I need to make … Continue reading How to make a pink gingham Barbie dress for your 18 inch dolls… #BarbieMovie #AmericanGirl

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In a purple square frame, a photo of spilled straight pins appears under the words "straight pins".
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store, Pincushions, Tips for Beginners

What size straight pins should I use? #SewingTips #BeginnerSewer

Sewing for dolls is a great way to break into sewing, for those who’ve never sewn before, so it probably won’t surprise you that I get questions about very basic concepts in my inbox now and then. Someone reached out to me in 2025 with the question, “What size straight pins should I use?” And I thought, That’s a good question to address in a blog … Continue reading What size straight pins should I use? #SewingTips #BeginnerSewer

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In this image, we see the top half of the Barbie Advance 9938 doll clothes sewing pattern. View 1 shows a typical just-below-the-knee strappy sun dress in yellow fabric. View 2 shows an Asian-style sheath dress with side buttons that run from the Mandarin collar across the bust, to the underarm. This View 2 dress is in solid blue. There's an arrow pointing to the View 3 dress, which is made with a pink bodice and a white floor length full skirt that's dotted with tiny pink flowers. This is a strapless party gown, and the doll wearing it is a cartoon-ish blond ponytail Barbie with a pink ribbon in her hair. The text which has an arrow pointing to the View 3 dress says "Advance 9938 View 3."
Curvy Barbie, Holiday Crafts, Jem and the Holograms, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tammy Doll Patterns, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Are there any sewing patterns that will fit big bust dolls? #MeMadeMonday #CustomDolls

When you own a doll with a big bust or a curvier figure than the average modern day Barbie, it can be challenging to find sewing patterns to fit her. People reach out to me now and then asking for patterns to fit dolls with curvier figures, from a variety of different doll making companies. So today’s blog post will show you an evening gown … Continue reading Are there any sewing patterns that will fit big bust dolls? #MeMadeMonday #CustomDolls

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Do a Pick. What will Barbie wear to the county fair? Barbie is shown in picnic set number 967 from a 1961 Barbie and Ken brochure (catalog). This is a thumbnail for a Barbie DoApick game at ChellyWood.com. When you click on this thumbnail, it takes you to a YouTube short in which you're told three different Barbie outfits to choose from, for Barbie to wear to the county fair. They are all vintage outfits from 1961, and the description area below the video gives links to the original doll clothes for sale on eBay.
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Vintage Barbie

Let’s Do a Pick — What will Barbie wear to the county fair? #DoApick #vintageToys

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Orange Blossom #987 Picnic Set #967 Friday Night Date #979 What’s the story behind this game? When I was a kid, whenever it was playtime with dolls, we would lay out all our dolls and their clothing items. Then we would “do a pick.” That’s where you take turns picking which doll or dolls you’ll play with … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — What will Barbie wear to the county fair? #DoApick #vintageToys

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