The images show thread spools, a stack of felt, folded fabrics, and a clipboard upon which is a drawing of a dress. Next to the clipboard is a pencil. These are things Chelly Wood has toyed around with doing, as she recovers from West Nile Virus.

Where to Shop for Fabric in Paris

Do you ever wonder what the fashion capital of the world has to offer to a sewist? Well, Paris is not called the “fashion capital of the world” without a good reason. In the summer of 2016, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Paris with my daughter, and of course, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to shop for fabric while I was there! I’d … Continue reading Where to Shop for Fabric in Paris

The image shows a cell phone, and on the cell phone is pictured the whole family of Littlechap dolls, a vintage family of doll by Remco. The text reads, "do a pick" followed by "the little chap family of dolls" on a purple background with a blue, green, and yellow cloud or rainbow background.

Let’s “do a pick” with the Littlechap Family of vintage dolls! #DoApick #vintageDollCollector

The Littlechap Family of dolls includes: Doctor John Littlechap His wife, Lisa Littlechap Their teenage daughter, Judy Littlechap Their younger daughter, Libby Littlechap 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 … Continue reading Let’s “do a pick” with the Littlechap Family of vintage dolls! #DoApick #vintageDollCollector

On a blue background, we see a pair of yellow ankle pants for a very small doll -- handmade by Chelly Wood -- and the words "Summer projects!" This is a thumbnail for a blog post about summer sewing projects for people who enjoy sewing doll clothes.

What are you sewing this summer? Let’s share for inspiration! #Summer #Sewing

Let’s share! What are you working on this summer? What sewing projects do you have underway? Leave your summer sewing project descriptions in the comments section to give inspiration to everyone who reads this blog post! See the pile of vintage sewing patterns at the top of this post? That’s what I’ve been working on… I found all of these lovely uncut, vintage doll clothes … Continue reading What are you sewing this summer? Let’s share for inspiration! #Summer #Sewing

For the fourth of July, 2023, this thumbnail with its pale blue background says, "free pattern" over the top of the ChellyWood.com logo. Beside the text is an image of a Stacie doll from the 1980's modeling a red circle skirt and a white T-shirt. She raises her hand in a wave. Behind her is an American Flag mini quilt.

Let’s make a circle skirt w/eyelet trim for 1980’s Stacie dolls w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollClothes

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing pattern and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. Today’s circle skirt project  with eyelet trim was first published here on ChellyWood.com for vintage Skipper, but it also fits modern Stacie dolls, as well as these older Stacie dolls from the 1980’s. I’m publishing it again, with a little different T-shirt … Continue reading Let’s make a circle skirt w/eyelet trim for 1980’s Stacie dolls w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollClothes

In this image, the Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll with a Chelly Wood makeover) holds up the McCalls Crafts pattern number 5462. The image is framed by a blue and purple quilt.

Learning to sew with McCall’s vintage Barbie doll clothes pattern 5462 #sewingalterations #DollClothesPatterns

Back in May, I did a whole series of blog posts on the shirts from McCall’s 5462 Barbie and Ken doll clothes patterns from the 1980’s. Believe it or not, the shirts in views G and B are tremendously easy to sew and to make alterations to. Why? You don’t have to attach a sleeve! But I’ve actually written other blog posts on this versatile … Continue reading Learning to sew with McCall’s vintage Barbie doll clothes pattern 5462 #sewingalterations #DollClothesPatterns

In a purple cotton frame with tiny white polka dots, we see the words "free pattern" beside the image of an American Girl Wellie Wishers doll (African-American Kendall) modeling a handmade red-white-and-blue swimsuit in a bikini style. The logo for ChellyWood.com appears in one corner.

Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit (top and bottoms) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns

Scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s free PDF sewing patterns are for making a popsicle 4th-of-July-themed bikini swimsuit for dolls in the 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15 inch doll size range. For a full list of all the dolls that will fit into today’s free swimsuit pattern, please scroll down to the first set of bullets. If … Continue reading Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit (top and bottoms) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns

In this blue-background thumbnail image, an American Girl doll Wellie Wishers doll models a swimsuit bikini top. The text reads, "free pattern" over the top of the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit top (or a “training bra”) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns

Scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s tutorial shows you how to sew a “training bra,” sports bra, or a popsicle 4th-of-July-themed bikini swimsuit top for dolls in the 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch and 16-inch doll size range. For a full list of all the dolls that will fit into today’s free swimsuit pattern, please scroll down to … Continue reading Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit top (or a “training bra”) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns

This thumbnail shows an image of a woman with her hair up in a bun, sitting at an antique sewing machine, sewing sheets. the text reads, "Sheets don't sew themselves!" The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner. This is the thumbnail for a blog post and video about the history of sewing before the industrial age.

How much did women sew in early America? A video from the DAR Museum

  A few of you who are regular website followers may have stumbled across one or two blog posts where I mentioned that I’m a member of the DAR — the Daughters of the American Revolution. As such, I follow the DAR Museum’s YouTube channel, and I love it when they give us insight into the history of sewing! Today’s “guest” video is one such … Continue reading How much did women sew in early America? A video from the DAR Museum

A Barbie stands sideways, modeling a reversible tank top and 3-tiered skirt, framed by a turquoise blue cotton frame and beside the photo of the Barbie doll, it says, "free pattern" above the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

Sew a summer outfit for Barbie! With free sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DollClothesPatterns

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s patterns will fit Barbie dolls and similar-sized fashion dolls. Before I offer up all my helpful links for sewing today’s project, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how affiliate marketing works on my … Continue reading Sew a summer outfit for Barbie! With free sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DollClothesPatterns

With a quilted frame around it, we see a section of a McCall's vintage fashion doll clothes sewing pattern for making a cape that will fit a fashion doll like Barbie and similar-sized dolls.

Learning to sew with McCall’s vintage Barbie doll clothes pattern 6420 #sewvintage #DollClothesPatterns

Do you know what’s amazing about the McCall’s vintage Barbie doll clothes pattern #6420? It’s double-sided! Yup! There are images of the different doll clothes you can make on both the front AND the back of this pattern envelope. Can you believe it? Check out the other side: As you can see, it’s got a swimsuit pattern, an underpants pattern, and Ken’s felt shoes– whoa! … Continue reading Learning to sew with McCall’s vintage Barbie doll clothes pattern 6420 #sewvintage #DollClothesPatterns

The Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been re-designed to look like the real doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood) is seated at her desk in her office. The wall of the office is a mottled purple color behind her open laptop. The doll's fingers touch the keyboard which is resting on an extended arm of the desk. Her computer screen shows the ChellyWood.com "Share Your Creations" page with three doll clothes displays under the introductory text. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower left corner of the image.

The website is a little bit glitchy right now, but I’m working on it…

Hi everybody… Since I launched my new store feature, ChellyWood.com is a little bit glitchy. I’m going to spend the weekend troubleshooting some of the problems I’m seeing — slow loading, site redirections and misdirections, and if you see any additional glitches, please mention them in the comments, so I can investigate and fix them. Thanks, in advance for your help, and thank you for … Continue reading The website is a little bit glitchy right now, but I’m working on it…

The image is a thumbnail with a turquoise blue background, upon which are the words "free pattern" alongside an image of a Wellie Wishers doll (from American Girl) modeling a pair of handmade underpants or bikini bottoms. The fabric from which the underwear or swimsuit bottoms has been made is a blue jersey fabric with a white star print that also has red white and pale blue popsicles printed on it. The underpants have elastic at the waist and around the top of each of the doll's legs. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in the corner of the image.

Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit (or just regular ol’ underwear) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns

Scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s tutorial shows you how to sew a pair of underpants or a popsicle 4th-of-July-themed bikini swimsuit for dolls in the 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch and 16-inch doll size range. For a full list of all the dolls that will fit into today’s free panties/bikini bottoms pattern, please scroll down to the … Continue reading Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit (or just regular ol’ underwear) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns

The image shows a craft fair store with bags, bobs, bits, and T-shirts on display. The text says (at the top) "ChellyWood LLC" follwed by "sewing supplies," "handmade items," "and more." There's a sign hanging from a push pin that says "Open" as well.

Chelly’s online store is now open! And a little walk through the history of this website…

While I was sick with West Nile virus, I had a lot of time on my hands. I thought about what’s going to happen to this website when I retire from my full-time job as a school librarian. I worried that retirement would bring everything to a dead stop because I wouldn’t be able to afford to pay for things like the software I use … Continue reading Chelly’s online store is now open! And a little walk through the history of this website…

Learning to sew with McCall’s Crafts pattern number 4400 #sewing #DollClothesPatterns

If you’re looking for a wide variety of patterns for Barbie, McCall’s 4400 has some great options. It offers three styles of pants, four evening gown styles, a wedding dress, a cape, business attire with two totally different looks, and a cute shorts-with-top casual summer outfit. Wow! What a selection! Clicking on the links below will help you revisit my blog posts on McCall’s 4400 … Continue reading Learning to sew with McCall’s Crafts pattern number 4400 #sewing #DollClothesPatterns

This is a thumbnail image for a blog post article written by doll clothing designer, YouTuber, and writer, Chelly Wood, written about doll-sized aprons and mannequin pincushions. There's a photo of about a dozen different colored Barbie-doll-sized aprons with overlaid text that says "Aprons! Aprons! Aprons!" and below this text is the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

What should I do with all these lovely handmade Barbie-sized aprons? #DollCrafts #DollClothesPatterns

Back when I purchased the little Dawn-doll-sized Remco I Dream of Jeannie doll, I was at a thrift store and discovered a clear plastic bag filled with somebody’s handmade, Barbie-sized aprons. I bought the whole bag for very little money, but when I brought them home, I didn’t know what I was going to do with them. And then, as most of you know, I … Continue reading What should I do with all these lovely handmade Barbie-sized aprons? #DollCrafts #DollClothesPatterns