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, Vintage Barbie

Sewing the View 2 Culottes for vintage Barbie from Advance 9939 doll clothes sewing patterns… #SewWithMe #VintageBarbie

In today’s blog post, I’ll explain the challenges I faced when sewing the View 2 culottes from vintage Advance 9939 Barbie wardrobe sewing pattern. You’ll find that I’ve been through two rounds with this pattern: one pair of culottes is solid blue; the other is made from soft pink gingham. *Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make … Continue reading Sewing the View 2 Culottes for vintage Barbie from Advance 9939 doll clothes sewing patterns… #SewWithMe #VintageBarbie

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A Finnick Odair doll handsomely models a handmade black jersey turtleneck shirt for male fashion dolls like Ken. The text says, "Free pattern!"
12-inch doll clothes patterns, Daily Patterns, Ken Patterns

Free Ken Doll Shirt Sewing Patterns @ ChellyWood.com — Turtleneck Sweater #ColdWeather #RetroFashion

Scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. I’ve had this pattern available on my website for a while, but people complained that it was hard to follow the video tutorial that was associated with it. So I’ve remastered my old video, incorporated voiceover into it, and posted the new one on my YouTube channel. (It’s the same video … Continue reading Free Ken Doll Shirt Sewing Patterns @ ChellyWood.com — Turtleneck Sweater #ColdWeather #RetroFashion

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A woman's fingers place tiny shoes on a cylindrical platform or plinth. The shoes include a pair of rose colored pumps, a pair of hot pink Mary Janes, and a pair of purple oxford shoes. This image accompanies an article on Chelly Wood dot com, which discusses the tiny shoes for dolls both in present day and in history.
Doll Collecting, Doll Shoes, Vintage Barbie

Doll shoes for small dolls… Do you make ’em or buy ’em? Any favorites? #DollCollector #VintageBarbie

As a gift for her young neighbor, my mother-in-law recently knitted the cute little doll shoes/slippers that you see in the image at the top of today’s blog post, and it got me all nostalgic about doll shoes. Do you remember getting “Little Extras” doll shoes or “Foot Notes” shoes or “Shoes N Boots” packages, back when you were a kid? I mean, the  minute … Continue reading Doll shoes for small dolls… Do you make ’em or buy ’em? Any favorites? #DollCollector #VintageBarbie

Chelly Wood4 Comments
The thumbnail of this "sewing video trends" topic shows a woman worrying as she watches a video of someone sewing. Around the video are images of a dollar sign, a megaphone, a purple colored recycle symbol, and an arrow pointing at YouTube as it states "LOOK!"
Crafts and Hobbies, Sewing Chat

“Sewing Trends I’m NOT a Fan Of” — guest video from Julija Gobere (Sewing Julia) #Trending #Sewing

  Today’s blog post is sort of a “guest post” from sewing YouTuber, Julija Gobere, AKA SewingJulia (see link for her channel). Her video is used with permission. After watching this video, I thought… “Uh-oh! Did I give a sob story about how much it costs me to run this website, so people would help me out financially?” Ugh. I don’t wanna be that sewist! … Continue reading “Sewing Trends I’m NOT a Fan Of” — guest video from Julija Gobere (Sewing Julia) #Trending #Sewing

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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.
Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tammy Doll Patterns, Uncategorized

Can anyone help me date the year of publication on one of my all-time favorite doll clothes patterns? #Simplicity #RetroSewing

If you’ve been following my blog much at all, you’ve probably run across at least one of the many blog posts I’ve written on this particular sewing pattern, vintage Simplicity 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls. I have a long history with this pattern, which was the very first pattern I ever sewed. In fact this pattern helped morph me into the doll clothing designer that … Continue reading Can anyone help me date the year of publication on one of my all-time favorite doll clothes patterns? #Simplicity #RetroSewing

Chelly Wood6 Comments
The thumbnail shows the words "Do a Pick" atop a cell phone that shows a close-up of blond Francie modeling Best Buy Fashion #8645. The text beside and slightly to the left reads "Playing Betty and Veronica from Archie comics." The #DoApick shorts offer a series of three items from a bygone Barbie or other doll's era, from which you and a friend might pick out toys and dolls and the dolls' outfits.
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Favorite Books, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Let’s Do a Pick — Barbie is Betty and Steffie is Veronica from Archie Comics! #DoApick #Archie

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Best Buy Fashion #8645 Best Buy Fashion #3347 Busy Steffie #3312 Malibu Barbie Blond Francie Vintage Archie Comic Books This “Do a Pick” game asks you to pick between dolls and outfits to play the characters of Betty and Veronica from the Archie comic books of the 1970’s. What’s the story behind this game? When I was … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Barbie is Betty and Steffie is Veronica from Archie Comics! #DoApick #Archie

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Today's tutorial video explains how selvage is useful to people who sew doll clothes. This image is just a header indicating that this is a sewing tutorial for beginners.
Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Selvage is your friend! (A tip for fabric buying, when sewing doll clothes) @ ChellyWood.com #SewingLove #SewingTutorial

    The video at the top of this blog post will explain how I sometimes use selvage (that’s “selvedge” if you live in the UK) for my doll clothes projects, and how selvage can truly be “your friend” when buying fabric. If you want a more extensive video about how to buy fabric for doll clothes, please click here. That’s an older video tutorial … Continue reading Selvage is your friend! (A tip for fabric buying, when sewing doll clothes) @ ChellyWood.com #SewingLove #SewingTutorial

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Thumbnail image shows Vintage Pedigree Sindy (brunette) modeling a pair of ankle-length purple trousers and a raglan-sleeved shirt. The text reads "free patterns" followed by an exclamation point. Get your free sewing patterns for Sindy's dolls' clothes at the website Chelly Wood dot com, which also offers patterns in A4 printer paper as well as American printer paper for the free patterns.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Sindy, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Play dress up with your vintage Sindy doll after you sew these dolls’ clothes with free A4 PDF sewing patterns! #UKSewing #SewUK

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. All the doll clothes from this series have been made, using a child’s tee shirt from my local charity shop, Goodwill, and through these blog posts I hope to encourage you, my followers, to do the same. Re-use old materials! Let’s maintain the enthusiasm for recycling! It’s good for … Continue reading Play dress up with your vintage Sindy doll after you sew these dolls’ clothes with free A4 PDF sewing patterns! #UKSewing #SewUK

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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, Vintage Barbie

A different way to make a pair of doll’s underpants… but is it easy? #SewingTips #VintageBarbie

Advance 9939 has a pair of bloomers that go with the View 4 ice skating outfit, but it also has a random pattern for a pair of so-called “panties” for Barbie as well. Now my regular followers know that my website, ChellyWood.com, offers free, printable PDF sewing patterns for making underpants for various dolls, from little Barbie dolls all the way up to the big … Continue reading A different way to make a pair of doll’s underpants… but is it easy? #SewingTips #VintageBarbie

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In a bright sky blue frame, a woman's hand holds a small cardboard which houses sew on snaps or poppers.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

Let’s talk about snaps/poppers! (How to Sew Snap Fasteners Tutorial Video) #Crafting #Sewing

  Today’s tutorial video is simple enough. It shows you how to sew snap fasteners (AKA poppers) onto a doll’s shirt or coat. And yes, I’ve made tutorials on this topic before, but in the past, you had to choose: am I sewing snaps/poppers that have a hole in the middle? Or am I sewing snaps/poppers that DON’T have a hole in the middle? Today’s … Continue reading Let’s talk about snaps/poppers! (How to Sew Snap Fasteners Tutorial Video) #Crafting #Sewing

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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, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Do you have any questions you would like Chelly Wood to answer in a future blog post? Please join the #SewingChat !

Today I’m going to address the fifth and final question from Kim, one of my followers who is learning to sew. In my email dialog with Kim, she asked a number of questions about learning to sew, and specifically learning to design her own doll clothes. Her questions delved into whether the paid courses I offer are going to help her in her quest to … Continue reading Do you have any questions you would like Chelly Wood to answer in a future blog post? Please join the #SewingChat !

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Thumbnail text reads "Free patterns!" with a photo of Pedigree Sindy modeling handmade summer clothes including a vest (tank top) and matching elastic-waist skirt.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Sindy, Whole Costumes for Dolls

How to make a pretty skirt and top for Pedigree Sindy w/free sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #PedigreeSindy #Sewing

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. If you’re not familiar with Pedigree Sindy, please go back and read the blog posts from Monday the 3rd and Monday the 10th of June, 2024. She’s a fun doll to learn about! In a nutshell, back in “the day,” Sindy was far more popular than Barbie in the … Continue reading How to make a pretty skirt and top for Pedigree Sindy w/free sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #PedigreeSindy #Sewing

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The Chelly Wood doll stands beside the Simplicity 4510 vintage Barbie pattern envelope. The Chelly Wood doll looks like she's holding up the envelope. The Chelly Wood doll wears a red and white gingham shirt with matching hair scarf, and a pair of black pants with black flats. The image has a quilted frame.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Vintage Barbie

The Walkaway Dress Pattern for Vintage Barbie: Simplicity 4510, View 4 #VintageSewing #WalkawayDress

You’ve probably seen the challenge on YouTube and all the love-it or hate-it sewists who’ve given their two bits about the “Walkaway Dress,” in various human sizes. It has been an internet sensation! But what about Barbie? If the “Walkaway Dress” was such a hot item in the 1950’s, did they ever design one for Barbie dolls? Have a look at the View 4 dress … Continue reading The Walkaway Dress Pattern for Vintage Barbie: Simplicity 4510, View 4 #VintageSewing #WalkawayDress

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A vintage Pedigree Sindy doll models a pair of handmade knickers and a handmade vest or tank top. The text reads, "free pattern" and in fact, when you visit Chelly Wood dot com, you'll find free doll clothes patterns for these lingerie items and other free sewing patterns for vintage Pedigree Sindy and similar sized dolls.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Sindy, Tammy Doll Patterns, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew a vest (tank top) for Pedigree Sindy dolls with today’s free A4 and American PDF sewing patterns #ValentinesDay #Lingerie

For your free patterns and tutorial videos for making this vest/summer top, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. If you’re not familiar with Pedigree Sindy, please go back and read the blog posts from Monday the 3rd and Monday the 10th of June, 2024. She’s a fun doll to learn about! In a nutshell, back in “the day,” Sindy was far more … Continue reading Sew a vest (tank top) for Pedigree Sindy dolls with today’s free A4 and American PDF sewing patterns #ValentinesDay #Lingerie

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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, Favorite Books, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Can I teach myself to sew online, or do I need an in-person instructor? #Sewing #Tutorials

I’m back with another question from Kim, a follower who reached out to me a few weeks ago with a series of questions that beginners sometimes have when they’re learning to sew. In essence, Kim wanted to know if she could teach herself to sew, or whether or not an in-person instructor would be needed. I will address my answer to Kim’s question below the … Continue reading Can I teach myself to sew online, or do I need an in-person instructor? #Sewing #Tutorials

Chelly Wood2 Comments