The image shows sewing pattern Simplicity 8281 for Barbie, Cher, and Farrah Fawcett dolls.
Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection

The Patterns of Christmas Past — Share a memory! #Sewing #VintageSewing

Whenever I dig up my Simplicity 8281 doll clothes sewing pattern, it always reminds me of a Christmas in about 1982  or 1983, when I used this pattern to sew a whopping 60 doll clothes outfits, and I sold them all to classmates and neighbors, to raise money for our family’s Christmas gifts. My favorite of these patterns was the View 4 dress because it … Continue reading The Patterns of Christmas Past — Share a memory! #Sewing #VintageSewing

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In this image, a Mattel Barbie (Teresa) doll models a handmade ski jacket in white and grey, with a zipper that opens the jacket in front. Visit ChellyWood.com for the free printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making this ski jacket or winter coat for Barbie or similar fashion dolls. The thumbnail reads "free pattern."
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Curvy Barbie, Daily Patterns, Made to Move Barbie, Tall Barbie, Vintage Barbie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew a winter coat or ski jacket for Barbie w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Winter #FashionDoll

  For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s video is a re-mastered version of an older tutorial that needed some voice-over. I’m trying to re-master these older videos now and then, so people who are visually impaired and also people who don’t speak English will be able to follow the directions more easily. In today’s … Continue reading Sew a winter coat or ski jacket for Barbie w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Winter #FashionDoll

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A Petite Barbie (Tabitha) and a Curvy Barbie (Vanessa) walk around the courtyard outside the main entrance of the Louvre Museum in Paris in a photo that lies atop the thumbnail which reads "Adventures in Paris Part 2" and shows a graphic image of the Eiffel Tower.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Doll Play Videos

Adventures in Paris Part 2, with Barbies! #CurvyBarbie #PetiteBarbie

Yesterday I posted about the doll play videos called “Adventures in Paris” with Vanessa (Curvy) and Tabitha (Petite) Barbie dolls. Click here to see Part 1 of the series of these fun doll play videos. I also asked the question: Have any of you taken photos of your dolls in various locations? Feel free to add your doll photography anecdotes (personal stories) in the comments … Continue reading Adventures in Paris Part 2, with Barbies! #CurvyBarbie #PetiteBarbie

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The image shows Tabitha (a black Petite Barbie) and Vanessa (a Latina curvy Barbie) in a photo frame, on top of a text box that reads "Adventures in Paris Part 1" with a graphic of the Eiffel Tower alongside the text.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Doll Play Videos

I took my Barbie dolls to Paris, and this video shows the highlights! #CurvyBarbie #PetiteBarbie

Yes, you read that right! I went to Paris in 2016, and I took my Barbies with me. Today’s video has been on my YouTube Channel, ChellyWood1, ever since my trip to Paris. Although passersby thought I was pretty weird, taking photos of my dolls in various locations around the city, I have no regrets. When I got home from my trip, I pieced all … Continue reading I took my Barbie dolls to Paris, and this video shows the highlights! #CurvyBarbie #PetiteBarbie

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Beside the Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll clothes sewing patterns we see a series of swatches of solid colored fabrics lying next to a harvest printed fabric. A yellow arrow points to a line of colored and numbered circles along the selvage (also spelled selvedge) edge of the harvest printed fabric. The text reads, "Advance 2896: What are these dots?"
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Uncategorized

How to use the selvedge (AKA selvage) circular color guide (AKA the color registration marks) when choosing matching fabrics @ ChellyWood.com #Fabric #Sewing

Over the last two weeks, I’ve been sharing with you my sewing adventures, as I made a harvest-themed outfit for vintage Barbie dolls, using Sew-Easy patterns by Advance, pattern number 2896, view three, the shirt and skirt separates set. As you can see in the image on the right (above), the outfit I’ve made uses a pretty harvest-themed cotton fabric. But what if I wanted … Continue reading How to use the selvedge (AKA selvage) circular color guide (AKA the color registration marks) when choosing matching fabrics @ ChellyWood.com #Fabric #Sewing

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Text reads "ORT holder or thread catcher" and the image shows a fabric basket that collapses and pops out, for holding "old ratty threads" and other miscellaneous sewing accoutrements.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

Collapsible ORT thread catcher for sale in my store! #Sewing #Handmade

Also known as a “thread catcher,” the item you see above is sometimes referred to as an ORT holder. The letters O-R-T stand for “old ratty threads” or sometimes “odd random threads.” My mother-in-law, Anita, has made me half a dozen of these thread catchers, and I absolutely love them! So when she asked if she could sell one of her lovely creations in my … Continue reading Collapsible ORT thread catcher for sale in my store! #Sewing #Handmade

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The thumbnail says, "museum tour!" and shows a graphic of a little purple and blue museum. Click here to watch the DoApick short video about a Barbie exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Vintage Barbie

Let’s do a pick at the Phoenix Art Museum’s Barbie exhibit! #VintageBarbie #VintageKenDoll

Today’s “Do a Pick” game is a unique one. My sister, who lives in Phoenix, took photos at the Barbie Exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum last summer. She sent them to me, knowing I’m a big fan of Barbie. So I put this YouTube Short together using her photos. If you had your choice of all these Barbies to pick, which one would you … Continue reading Let’s do a pick at the Phoenix Art Museum’s Barbie exhibit! #VintageBarbie #VintageKenDoll

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The text reads "sewing room for dolls (DIY)" and the image shows a glue gun poised over the top of an open diorama room box that contains a miniature dress form mannequin, a table, and on the table stands a tiny vintage sewing machine. Visit my website, Chelly Wood dot com to learn how to make your own doll's sewing room diorama like the one I use in my stop motion videos.
Doll Furniture, Props and Dioramas

Let’s make a little Barbie dress form for a miniature sewing room! @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DIY

Isn’t this a cute little dress form? I bought it on eBay for a very reasonable price, but I didn’t really like the color. Its original color was black with a gold stand. As I wanted a red-white-and-turquoise theme for my original doll-sized sewing room, I decided a can of spray paint was all it would take to turn this “Barbie dress form” into the … Continue reading Let’s make a little Barbie dress form for a miniature sewing room! @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DIY

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Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, Fan Mail, History and Research, Interviews With Crafters, Links, Vintage Barbie

Estrela Barbie: a rare treasure! #Collectibles #Toys

Have you ever heard of the Estrela Barbies? After a fan from Brazil named Debora left a lengthy comment about them on one of my blog posts, I contacted her to find out more about these rare and highly collectible Barbie dolls. Today’s blog post will give you the details, as they were explained to me by Debora, in my online interview with her. Before … Continue reading Estrela Barbie: a rare treasure! #Collectibles #Toys

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A vintage Malibu Barbie models a handmade dress. She stands beside a photo of Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll clothes sewing patterns, which is labeled "Sew-easy by Advance, Barbie, Mattel teen fashion doll patterns, around-the-clock wardrobe."
Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie

How I altered the neckline of vintage Barbie pattern Advance 2896 to fit better #SewingTips #VintageSewing

Last week we took a look at the skirt pockets on my Sew-Easy Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll sewing pattern, and today I’m going to explain how I altered the neckline of the cap-sleeved shirt that is part of this View 3 pattern set. To be clear, the skirt in the image above is a separate garment from the shirt. Now quickly, let me make … Continue reading How I altered the neckline of vintage Barbie pattern Advance 2896 to fit better #SewingTips #VintageSewing

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A black Barbie models an orange raglan-sleeved cotton shirt and an orange gingham check cotton pencil skirt. The text reads "free pattern!"
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

Easy Barbie clothes to sew with FREE patterns! #ChristmasGiftIdeas #EasyCrafts

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. On Halloween, I gave you a pattern for and a tutorial showing how to make the cotton shirt shown at the top of this blog post, but what about the skirt? It’s super easy to make too, so today I’m going to post the whole ensemble. That way, if … Continue reading Easy Barbie clothes to sew with FREE patterns! #ChristmasGiftIdeas #EasyCrafts

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The thumbnail text reads "People who read" followed by the word "meme." The image shows a cell phone with the Chelly Wood doll superimposed, but wearing a beautiful ball gown made of red satin, tulle, and white cotton. The clear tulle is dotted with tiny red roses made of satin. The doll stands in a library.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

The story behind my “People Who Read” meme… #Humor #Bibliophile #StopMotion

A lot of people follow me on YouTube because a.) they sew for dolls, b.) they enjoy collecting dolls or c.) they like to watch stop-motion videos. Today’s brief meme is for all three! On the weekends, I design doll clothes sewing patterns, which people can download for free, right here on my website, ChellyWood.com. But in my “day job,” I’m actually just an ordinary … Continue reading The story behind my “People Who Read” meme… #Humor #Bibliophile #StopMotion

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5-inch doll clothes patterns, Chelsea, Daily Patterns, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Make a pretty winter coat for Barbie’s little sister Chelsea dolls @ ChellyWood.com with today’s free patterns

Are you looking for the patterns? Scroll down to the second set of bullets. With winter closing in, right here in Idaho (where I live), it’s time to make some coats for our dolls! Before we dive into this project, though, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how affiliate marketing … Continue reading Make a pretty winter coat for Barbie’s little sister Chelsea dolls @ ChellyWood.com with today’s free patterns

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Thumbnail reads "free pattern" and shows an image of a 9 inch Tinkerbell doll modeling a handmade Christmas dress.
9-inch Dolls, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Tinkerbell fairy dolls, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

How to sew Tinkerbell fairy doll dresses for the holidays with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollCollector #DollClothesPatterns

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing patterns and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. This week we’re sewing a pretty red plaid dress for the little Disney Tinkerbell fairy 9 inch dolls.  We’re getting closer and closer to Christmas, so I made my little dress for Tinkerbell out of a lightweight cotton/polyester blend red and … Continue reading How to sew Tinkerbell fairy doll dresses for the holidays with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollCollector #DollClothesPatterns

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A vintage Malibu Barbie models a handmade dress. She stands beside a photo of Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll clothes sewing patterns, which is labeled "Sew-easy by Advance, Barbie, Mattel teen fashion doll patterns, around-the-clock wardrobe."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie

Sew-Easy by Advance 2896 vintage “Around the Clock” sewing patterns — Let’s talk pockets! #Pockets #VintageSewing

While making this lovely harvest-themed Advance 2896 View 3 skirt for a vintage Malibu Barbie, I read through the directions, and while the directions are quaint and a lot of fun to read, it may surprise you to learn that I don’t always follow them. Sometimes I know an easier way of piecing together a garment, and I believe that’s the case with my vintage … Continue reading Sew-Easy by Advance 2896 vintage “Around the Clock” sewing patterns — Let’s talk pockets! #Pockets #VintageSewing

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